Tag Archive for: best skis for senior skiers

Jon Weisberg

Senior Skier? Here are the Best Skis for You.

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This is the time of year when, with input from the Realskiers.com website, we publish SeniorsSkiing.com’s annual listing of the best new skis for older skiers.

Arrival of the pandemic virtually wiped out implementation of the comprehensive women’s test. But Realskiers.com was able to collect sufficient data to pick the best models for senior male skiers. 

The 2021 Best Skis for Senior Skiers listing shows men’s choices only, many of which are suitable for female skiers. It also includes  Men’s and Women’s choices from 2019-20. We did this to help readers interested in new skis as well as to help those of you who may run across previously owned boards at a Swap or Sale. 

Realskiers.com’s member reviews (see end of this article to obtain a discounted realskiers.com subscription) include narratives that go deeper into each ski’s personality. 

All of the selected skis share the characteristics of being designed and engineered to reduce the amount of energy required for turning. Generally, that means softer tip and tail and a bit of sidecut. Those designated as Women’s skis in the 2020 listing may be designed for female size and physique.

The recommended skis are grouped into five categories, each based on the ski’s width, which helps determine the terrain where its performance is optimized. 

SeniorsSkiing.com suggests that when purchasing new skis, older skiers should start by choosing the most suitable category (see following) and working with a quality ski shop where they can demo before purchasing. If you score a pair at a Ski Swap, evaluate if the savings are worth sacrificing the demo. As long as you’re in the right category and find a good length, you won’t be too far off base.

Frontside (“Carving” skis) 

–Encompasses broadest range of skier abilities from entry-level to experienced

–Use on groomed terrain. Wider models are usable off-trail 

  • Ski width: 75MM-84MM

All-Mountain East 

–Work equally well in on-trail and off-trail conditions

–“Re-entry” ski for those who have not skied in a few years 

  • Ski width: 85MM-94MM

All-Mountain West 

–For use in the West by high performance skiers

–Adapted for off-trail use but can be skied on-trail by skilled skiers

  • Ski width: 95MM-100MM      

Big Mountain 

–More maneuverable powder skis

–Inadvisable for regular on-trail use

  • Ski width: 101MM-113MM

Powder 

–Specialty skis for use in Deep Powder only 

  • Ski width: >113MM

To access the complete listing, a) click “COMMUNITY” on the dark blue menu bar at the top of the page, b) then click “SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT,” c) click on the 2021 Best Skis for Senior Skiers listing.

Detailed reviews are available at Realskiers.com. The site provides free access to equipment reviews and other information. In depth information and personal guidance from the publisher is available to SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers at a discounted annual rate of $9.95. To sign up, visit Realskiers.com. Scroll down to/click on “Subscribe Today!” Then click “Sign Up” in the “Annual Membership” box. Complete the form and enter SS20 in the field under “Coupon Code.” 

Jon Weisberg

Subscribers Only: The Best 2020 Skis for Senior Skiers

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Each year, SeniorsSkiing.com collaborates with Realskiers.com to inform its readers about skis that allow older skiers to turn more easily and to ski longer without tiring. Women’s skis – sometimes engineered for female size and physique – are included. 

To find the list on the site, a) click “Community” on the menu bar, b) click “Subscriber Only Content” in the dropdown box, and c) click on “Ski Recomendations for Seniors 2020.”

The skis were identified during Realskiers.com’s annual national ski evaluation process.

Most of the selected skis have relatively soft flex, which helps them engage the snow with minimal exertion. Regardless of one’s physical condition, using skis with these characteristics allows older skiers to turn more easily and to ski longer without tiring. 

The recommended skis are grouped into five categories, each based on the ski’s width, which helps determine the terrain where its performance is optimized. 

SeniorsSkiing.com recommends that when purchasing new skis, older skiers should start by choosing the most suitable category and work with a quality ski shop where they can demo before purchasing.

The characteristics of each of the five categories follow:

Frontside (“Carving” skis) 

  • Encompasses broadest range of skier abilities from entry-level to experienced
  • For use on groomed terrain. Wider models are usable off-trail 
  • Ski width: 75MM-84MM

All-Mountain East 

  • Works equally well on- and off-trail 
  • Good “re-entry” ski for those who haven’t skied in a few years 
  • Ski width: 85MM-94MM

All-Mountain West 

  • For use in the West by high performance skiers
  • Adapted for off-trail use but can be skied on-trail by skilled skiers
  • Ski width: 95MM-100MM      

Big Mountain 

  • A more maneuverable powder ski
  • Inadvisable for regular on-trail use
  • Ski width: 101MM-113MM

Powder 

  • Specialty ski for use in Deep Powder only 
  • Ski width: >113MM

Detailed reviews are available at Realskiers.com. The site provides free access to equipment reviews and other information. In depth information and personal guidance from the publisher is available to SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers at a discounted annual rate of $9.95. To sign up, visit Realskiers.com. Scroll down to/click on “Subscribe Today!” Then click “Sign Up” in the “Annual Membership” box. Complete the form and enter SS20 in the field under “Coupon Code.”