What do all those numbers on skis mean?

If anyone has been looking at new skis they will see that there are many numbers on a ski.  Anyone remember when the only number we were really concerned with was the length?  Now with all the different skis out there, there are many more numbers to consider.  I will attempt to break these numbers down for you, let you know what they mean, and why you might care about them.

First off, lets tackle length.  The length is exactly what it seems to be, how long the ski is. This number is given in centimetres (cm).  The length of ski you buy will be determined by a combination of factors.  A quick rule of thumb is to buy a ski where the tip is between your nose and eyebrow.  The first factor in ski length is your ability.  If you are just starting out, you will want a ski on the short side for your height. This will allow you to turn the ski more easily. More advanced skiers will tend to ski longer lengths. Your weight might also come into play.  If you're light for your height, you might tend to go with a shorter ski or vice versa if you are heavier for your height.  If you are a slower skier, you might prefer a shorter ski as it will allow you to turn well at a slower speed.  If you want to move at a faster pace, then a longer ski is a better idea.  All of these factors work together in determining the length of ski you will ride.

Now lets focus on the number underfoot.  When looking at skis, this will be the middle number, and is what it seems, how wide the ski is under your foot or where the bindings attach.  An example is 132-98-123. The 98 means that the ski is 98mm wide under your foot.  This number affects two things, how much “float” a ski will have and it plays into the turning ability of the ski.  What I mean by “float” is that the larger the number, the more the ski will “float” through snow.  So if you are looking for a straight powder ski, you are going to want a ski with a larger measurement underfoot. We are talking a number around 115mm.  But if you are looking for a ski that is more all mountain, that allows you to do a bit of everything, you want a ski with a more middle of the road width underfoot.  In this range we are talking 80 - 102mm.  This width underfoot will allow you to carve great turns on more groomed runs, but also have some float in the more lose snow.  

As I said, the width underfoot also affects the skis ability to turn or turn radius.  The area underfoot works with the tip and tail numbers to determine the turn radius.  In my example (132-98-123), the tip would be 132mm wide, while the tail is 123mm wide.  Taking the relationship between these two and factoring in the area underfoot, the turn radius can be determined. (Message me if you want details.) But you should never have to figure this out for yourself, most skis will come with this number.  In my example the turn radius of the ski is 15m.  That means it takes 15m to complete a turn on the ski.  The smaller the turn radius the quicker the ski will turn, the bigger the turn radius the longer it will take you to complete a turn. 

So there you have it.  A brief, and hopefully helpful, break down of the numbers found on skis these days. There are obviously other factors to consider when selecting a ski, but a pro at your local shop will surely be able to help and now you can go in with some knowledge of your own.