Nowadays, skiing has become a cool thing, and everybody whether he is an adult or a kid is skiing and buying skis according to their requirements. Many beginner skiers are interested in skiing but are unable to find a perfect ski for themselves.
If you are a beginner and facing difficulty in getting the best ski for yourself then read this guide till the end and understand all the points clearly. In this guide, you will know which size, shape, bindings, etc. of ski would be best for you if you are a beginner.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s have a look at the best skis for beginners!
Comparison Chart
| S. No | Product | Brand | Color | Dimensions | Age Range | Price |
| 1 | HO Blast Combo Skis | HO | Red | 8 x 4 x 10 inches | Beginners | View Latest Price |
| 2 | O’Brien Celebrity Combo Water Skis | O’Brien | Red | 69.5 x 9.1 x 7.9 inches | Beginners | View Latest Price |
| 3 | CWB Connelly V 67″ Waterski | CWB | Blue | 67 x 7.95 | Beginners | View Latest Price |
| 4 | CWB Connelly Big Daddy Waterski | CWB | Brown | 69.5 x 13.7 x 6.4 inches | Beginners | View Latest Price |
| 5 | O’Brien Jr Vortex Widebody 54″ Combo Water Skis | O’Brien | Red | 54.5 x 8 x 7.6 | Beginners | View Latest Price |
| 6 | O’Brien Kids Platform Trainer Waterski | O’Brien | Blue | 46 x 23.6 x 3 inches | Beginners | View Latest Price |
| 7 | Atomic 2020 Vantage | Atomic | Black | 60.63 x 9.83 x 5.91 | Beginners | View Latest Price |
| 8 | Rossignol 2021 Experience 76 CI Skis | Rossignol | Brown | 74.8 x 13.39 x 5.12 inches | Beginners | View Latest Price |
| 9 | 2022 K2 Mindbender 85 Men’s Skis | K2 Alpine | Blue | 130 x 85 x 113 | Beginners | View Latest Price |
| 10 | Rossignol Experience 88 Ti Skis Men’s | Rossignol | Brown | 127 x 88 x 117 | Beginners | View Latest Price |
10 Best Skis for Beginners of 2022-2023 – Review
1. HO Blast Combo Skis
Key Features
| Brand | HO |
| Color | Red |
| Dimensions | 8 x 4 x 10 inches |
| Age Range | Beginners |
This ski is designed and manufactured by one of the most known computers for skis named HO. The skis offered by them are known to be the best on the list, they offer skis with multiple lengths and colors, and with stability bars. As we know, adult or professional skiers do not require a ski with a stability bar so it means that this ski is designed for beginners to begin their ski journey safely.
Our Verdict
This pair of skis would be a good choice for having fun with your family at the lake. The width and construction of this ski are designed in such a way that helps the beginner’s progress. It is combined with a design V-bottom and the blast combos are also stable. You can easily learn skiing with this product.
Customer Reviews
“I purchased this pair of skis for my 13-year-old daughter and they came in the perfect size. This ski is very good and helps you improve your qualities, it is great for a beginner.”
2. O’Brien Celebrity Combo Water Skis
Key Features
| Brand | O’Brien |
| Color | Red |
| Dimensions | 69.5 x 9.1 x 7.9 inches |
| Age Range | Beginners |
This ski is completely designed and manufactured by the company known as O’Brien. This ski offered by O’Brien comes in multiple sizes, so you can easily choose the size for your kid. The base of this ski features a V-Tunnel design that offers you both a concave surface turn and a small V-like keel to provide you with more stability. The smallest model size of this ski is 58 inches which can fit the shoe size of 2-7, and the 68-inch ski can fit shoe sizes of about 4.5-13.
Our Verdict
We would recommend you this product for a variety of reasons. First of all, it is a reasonably priced pair of skis for a beginner. The bindings of this ski are easily adjustable and can accommodate most feet sizes. Moreover, they also provide you with a plastic fin for more stability and gliding ability.
Customer Reviews
I am a beginner in skiing and I loved this pair of skis. Its performance was very good, it was easy to get up on a plane, and plenty of maneuverability for moving across the wake. Moreover, it arrived with proper shipping without any damage to the ski.
3. CWB Connelly V 67″ Waterski
Key Features
| Brand | CWB |
| Color | Blue |
| Dimensions | 67 x 7.95 |
| Age Range | Beginners |
This ski offered by the company CWB is known as the favorite ski for beginners. If you can buy an expensive ski with great features then this ski would be best for you. It consists of a wide tunnel base with a variable bevel that helps you for carving and adjust the tail and fin.
The weight of this product is 10 pounds, and the weight limit it offers is almost 200 pounds. The material used to manufacture this product is fiberglass, and the closure type of this ski is Lace-up.
Our Verdict
If you are looking for a beginner ski with great features and design then this product would be best for you. This pair of skis contains the most innovative design, just like the step technology. In Step technology, less surface area of the ski makes contact with the water, which provides you with more efficient water flow with less drag.
Customer Reviews
I would highly recommend this product because I bought this pair of ski as my first beginner skis and I loved it. It is very easy to handle and turn even at a fast speed. I enjoyed this a lot with this ski.
4. CWB Connelly Big Daddy Waterski
Key Features
| Brand | CWB |
| Color | Brown |
| Dimensions | 69.5 x 13.7 x 6.4 inches |
| Age Range | Beginners |
This amazing ski is designed and manufactured by the most known company named the CWB. This company has been known for its amazing skies, this ski designed by them can offer you a weight limit of about 220 pounds.
This ski comes with a size of 550 square inches of surface area and can float smoothly. There is a standard tunnel design at the base of this ski which helps the rider carve through the water easily without any difficulty.
Our Verdict
If you are a beginner and looking for a pair of skis for yourself then we would highly recommend you this pair of skis. It is because this product comes with a size of about 550 square inches and the material used for its manufacturing is also of top quality. It contains a standard tunnel design at the base and can offer you a smooth ride without any difficulty.
Customer Reviews
“I bought this pair of skis for my brother because he is a beginner and this was his first pair of skis. He said that he enjoyed riding it, with its large surface area it was easy for him to ride it comfortably. The ski was very stable and it was very easy to handle”
5. O’Brien Jr Vortex Widebody 54″ Combo Water Skis
Key Features
| Brand | O’Brien |
| Color | Red |
| Dimensions | 54.5 x 8 x 7.6 |
| Age Range | Beginners |
This ski is manufactured by a well-known company named O’Brien, this company is considered the most considered brand in skies. This ski offered by them comes with long trainers and with dual tunnel base. The stability bar of this product is removable, and it consists of combo bindings. The material used for the manufacturing of this ski is Fiberglass, and its fin is made up of plastic.
All of these features involved in this product are just for beginners, so they can easily progress their skiing skills. And can do a transition from free-floating skis to single skis. The size of the shoe that can be fitted in this ski is 2-7.
Our Verdict
If you are looking for a ski that should be perfect for a beginner adult or kid then this product would be great for you. This pair of skis can fit the foot size of men as well as kids. The fins of this product are made from high-quality plastic that lasts for a long time. Moreover, the bindings of this product are also adjustable, so you can adjust them according to yourself.
Customer Reviews
“I have been teaching my friends and family to ski for a long time and these are the best thing I came across. It is a great ski, which makes it a piece of cake to ski. You need to tighten the bar over time before you go again”
6. O’Brien Kids Platform Trainer Waterski
Key Features
| Brand | O’Brien |
| Color | Blue |
| Dimensions | 46 x 23.6 x 3 inches |
| Age Range | Beginners |
This ski is designed and manufactured by one of the finest companies in ski production known as O’Brien. This ski is considered the best trainer ski if you are a beginner. The material used for manufacturing it is bamboo which makes it lightweight and easy to carry.
One of its great feature that is very helpful for beginners is a trainer rope, and the grip in the handles of this product are also so good another thing it features is slip-in padded bindings. This ski is suitable for kids or teenagers that weigh about 85 pounds.
Our Verdict
If you are looking for a beginner ski as well as a trainer ski that can help your kid ski then we would highly recommend you this product. It is designed for skiers of weight up to 85 pounds, and the wood used for the manufacturing of this product is durable. It is a perfect ski for kids to have fun without worrying about falling.
Customer Reviews
“I bought this ski for my son and it has proved to be very good, at first my son was scared of skiing but once he checked the balance of this ski his fear was ended. He enjoyed it a lot and got trained a lot in skiing through this product. I would highly recommend this product to anyone”
7. Atomic 2020 Vantage
Key Features
| Brand | Atomic |
| Color | Black |
| Dimensions | 60.63 x 9.83 x 5.91 |
| Age Range | Beginners |
This amazing ski is fully designed and manufactured by a well-known company named Atomic. If you are planning to buy a ski that should not be expensive and should also provide you with good performance then this ski would be best for you. It is a good ski at an affordable price, it can provide you with all the features that a beginner needs.
This ski is very good in stability and handling, it is rated for its handling because it is very easy to turn this ski. All the bindings are included with this ski, and the dimensions it contains are the best for a beginner skier.
Our Verdict
Normally skiing is hard for a beginner but with this product, skiing becomes very easy. This has proved to be an awesome setup for beginners who are not just looking to have fun but are also learning skiing. It is manufactured with the material known as a desolate core due to which this ski is extremely lightweight and great in performance.
Customer Reviews
“This product has proved to be very good for me, I was a beginner and skiing was a bit difficult for me to do but with this product, skiing has become easy for me. Very good quality material is used to manufacture it”
8. Rossignol 2021 Experience 76 CI Skis
Key Features
| Brand | Rossignol |
| Color | Brown |
| Dimensions | 74.8 x 13.39 x 5.12 inches |
| Age Range | Beginners |
This product is offered by the company known as Rossignol, they are very popular for their production of different types of skies. This product of them is considered the best for beginners, because of its beneficial features.
The weight of this product is very light which makes it easy for easy to carry. The weight of this ski is 3.1 kilograms and is made up of a poplar wood core. And the bindings installed in this product are GripWalk-compatible bindings.
Our Verdict
This product offered by Rossignol is a great option for beginner-level skiers. The wood core used for its manufacturing provides a responsive and energetic rebound. The cap construction of this product provides you with more stability and durability.
And the carbon installed provides a lot of rebounds when you come out of carves. It is very easy for a beginner to handle and ride this ski.
Customer Reviews
“I would highly recommend this product to anyone because it has proved to be very useful for me. The overall performance of this product is also very good. I am a beginner and this product suited me very well”
9. 2022 K2 Mindbender 85 Men’s Skis
Key Features
| Brand | K2 Alpine |
| Color | Blue |
| Dimensions | 130 x 85 x 113 |
| Age Range | Beginners |
This ski offered by the brand called K2 Alpine would be suitable for you if you are a beginner. It is because of the fantastic features it contains on the groomers and off-piste. The weight of this product is so light that a kid can also easily carry it.
When skiing the response and stability it provides to you is incredible. Its handling is also good that allows you to control it even at high speeds. The material used for the manufacturing of this ski is known as slantwall, and the material used to make the core of this product is Aspen Veneer.
Our Verdict
This product is offered by K2 Alpine and is very good for a beginner. It is because of the fantastic features it contains. The material used for its manufacturing it is extremely lightweight and has proved to be very powerful. We would highly recommend you this product if you are a beginner and looking for your first perfect ski.
Customer Reviews
“I bought this ski for my son as his first pair of skis, in the start I was scared that whether it will be good or not but when my son ride it he was very happy. He loved and enjoyed the ride so much. He said that this ski is very stable and easy to ride”
10. Rossignol Experience 88 Ti Skis Men’s
Key Features
| Brand | Rossignol |
| Color | Brown |
| Dimensions | 127 x 88 x 117 |
| Age Range | Beginners |
This ski is designed and manufactured by one of the most known companies named Rossignol. If you are looking for a ski which is best in its performance and features even if it is expensive then this product would be good for you. This ski is great on all mountains and works well on the groomed runs.
The turn radio of this ski is 14m, the size of this ski is 187, and the weight of this product is 9 pounds. This product allows you to turn it smoothly and quickly whether your speed is slow or fast. Moreover, it is great for carved turns, and the versatility of this product is also good.
Our Verdict
We would highly recommend this product because of its incredible performance. It is the most versatile pair of skis, and the design of this product is also very good, which allows the rider to ride it without any trouble.
This product has proved to contain the capability to take you anywhere in the mountains. The material used for manufacturing is also durable due to which it does not get damaged easily.
Customer Reviews
“I bought this product for my brother, he was very scared to ride it because he is not good at handling it. But once he took a ride he was very happy and said that it was very easy to balance and handle it even on the turns”
Explore 10 more affordable skis for adults here.
How to Buy the Best Ski for a Beginner?
If you are a beginner then purchasing your first ski would be the most difficult task for you, because you would not have enough knowledge about the best skis. You would be confused about which shape of the ski would be best for snow riding, which bindings would be best for a beginner, which size would be best for beginners, etc.
Buying a ski is a very sensitive thing, so whenever you purchase your first ski make sure it relies upon your skill level. This is important because the skis which will meet your skill level will be easy for you to handle.
Moreover, if you are thinking of not buying skis and just renting one, then I would suggest you buy your own ski. It is because your pair of skis makes you familiar with them and help you understand how they feel and respond.
Shape of Ski
If you are looking for the best ski for yourself then make sure you carefully consider the shape of the ski. In the past when buying a perfect ski the shape of the ski does not matter, but now the development in technology has graced us with different types of shapes of a ski. So now you also need to consider the shape of the ski while purchasing your first ski.
There are multiple shape combinations available in the skis, that’s why it becomes difficult for beginners to choose one shape. When purchasing your first ski you need to choose the shape of the ski according to your skill. Different types of shapes are elaborated below, make sure you understand their basics.
Rocker
Rocker is the shape of a ski, it means that the curved side of the tail of the ski helps it to get out of powder. There are three types of ski rocker profiles named camber, rocker, and flat. The shape used by most modern skis is any combination of one of these profiles. The main purpose of the rocker shape is to provide the rider with more control and makes it easy for the rider to turn it. So, the more the rocker you ski is, the easier will it be for you to turn it.
Sidecut
The sidecut is the shape of a ski which refers to the inner curve surface of the skin, which gives it the shape of an hourglass and is often expressed in the meters. The sidecut is the most crucial thing that should be considered while purchasing your first ski. If you want a ski for slalom then the ski with deeper sidecuts will be good, but it will be less stable at high speeds. While the ski with less deep sidecuts will allow you to make long and fast arcs. As a result, the deeper the sidecuts of your ski the tighter you will be able to turn.
Camber
The camber is the shape of a ski which is known as the traditional profile for skis and snowboards, it is a slight upward cave. The camber profile is divided into different types for different types of skiing. Great precision is offered by the camber shape on the terrains and hard snow, if you notice the skilled park riders then you will see that they also prefer the camber shape for their skis because it gives them a better ‘pop’. If you are skiing at a resort then using a camber ski would be best, because it provides you with more grip and stability on the hard snow.
Flat
The flat shape of the ski refers to the flat ski, these shapes are usually used by snowboards because it helps them to do easy transitions and maneuverability.
The Rigidity of the Ski
The rigidity is also a sensitive thing and should be chosen according to your abilities and expectations. It means the higher your standard is the more rigid will your skis need to be to become sensitive. If you are a beginner skier then I suggest you go with flexible and light skis.
Length of the Ski
When choosing the length of your ski you need to focus on two things which are your height and your skill level. As a beginner, I would suggest you go with the ski which comes close to your height.
There are multiple varieties of skis with different sizes available in the market, so you can easily choose the ski with a length close to your height. It will also be okay if the length of the ski is 3 cm longer or shorter than your height.
According to the studies it is suggested if you don’t have skiing experience and are a beginner then you should choose a shorter ski for yourself. It is because the shorter skis are easier to control than the longer skis.
Another thing that can guide you in choosing the right size of the ski is your weight. If your weight is lighter than an average person then you should choose a short ski. On the other hand, if your weight is heavier than an average person then you should choose a long ski.
Width of the Ski
The width of the ski also has a great importance while skiing as they tell you how well you can perform on different types of terrains. The general rule for the width of a ski is that narrow skis are great for hard snow and wide skis are good for soft snow. The width of a ski is described by three numbers that refer to the tip, waist, and tail measurements of the ski.
If you are a beginner skier and are looking for a perfect width then a width between 70 to 82mm would be best for you. It is because this width provides you more grip over the ski in the firm snow.
Bindings of the Ski
When you are selecting the best pair of skis for yourself as a beginner you also need to focus on the bindings of the ski. Whether you are free skiing or powder skiing, the type of bindings applied to ski always matters. There are two types of bindings named track-mounted bindings and drill-mounted bindings, both of them are elaborated below. Make sure you understand the type of bindings and consider them while purchasing your first ski.
Track-Mounted Bindings
The track-mounted bindings are the type of bindings that allows you to easily position the ski because it allows you to perfectly fit the size of your ski boot. The benefit of this type of binding is that it allows you to naturally flex without any disturbance while turning. So if you are planning to buy a new set of ski boots then the track-mounted bindings would be best for you as they allow you more flexibility and control.
Drill-Mounted Bindings
The drill-mounted bindings are just like their name, they are drilled and then glued onto the ski making it a permanent fixture. You can easily get the drill-mounted bindings fixed on your ski from any shop. Most people consider the drill-mounted binding for better control thinking that in this binding your foot is close to the ski. And the ski using a drill-mounted system is lighter and do not make you to put the extra weight of yours to weigh it down.
Ski Flex/Stiffness
The flex of a ski is another vital component that really should be considered when buying your pair of skis, you should make sure if they are a right fit for you or not. If you are a beginner then I would suggest you go with a more flexible pair of skis, because it is easy to control the more flexible ski.
On the other hand, if you are an expert and believe in your skills then you can go with the stiffer pair of skis. It is a bit hard to turn or control the stiffer pair of skis and you need to put in some effort to do it.
Your weight can also help you choose the best type of ski for yourself. If your weight is light then I would suggest you go with the more flexible ski. On the other, hand if your weight is heavy then you should choose stiffer skis.
DIN Setting of the Ski
The DIN setting of a ski is also very important, it is the amount of force required to release the ski boot from your bindings. The number of DIN settings ranges from 3 to 16. The DIN setting on a ski is dependent on the amount of force required to release your ski boot from the binding. So, when you increase the number of DIN setting on a pair of ski, the number of bindings are increased as well.
The things you should consider when choosing a DIN setting for your ski are your age, weight, ability, length of your ski, and boots. The skiers with heavy weight or with more ability should choose a higher DIN setting. On the other hand, if your weight is light and is a beginner then you should choose a lower DIN setting for your ski. You can ask a ski professional to help you adjust the DIN setting.
Weight of the Ski
There are skis available in the market with different weights, so salesmen suggest their customers buy a lighter ski and others suggest buying a heavier model of skis as it provides you more stability. But if you are a beginner then the right ski weight for you is the middle one, your ski should not be so light and should also not be so heavy.
Lightweight skis are indeed great for beginners because they are easy to turn and maneuver, but they can create trouble for you if the snow is not perfectly smooth. If the snow is not perfectly smooth then the light skis usually get bounced and can throw novices off their center easily.
On the other hand, if a ski is very heavy then it becomes very hard for a beginner to swing it through a turn or to exit a turn. So, you should choose a ski which is light but not too light.
Types of Skiing
When choosing the right ski for yourself it is also very important to focus on the type of skier you are and the type of skiing you want to do. There are three main types of skiing, in each style, you need a different length, rigidity, and weight of your ski. So, make sure you keep in mind the type of skiing you want to do and choose your ski according to it.
All-Rounder
If you are an all-rounder skier then the length of your ski should be average, as it is best for new skiers who are beginners in skiing. This length will also be good for the skiers who like to give all terrains a try.
The perfect rigidity of a ski for a beginner would be mid-range. Light and mid-ranged rigidity ski would be perfect for all-mountain skiing, no matter what is the quality of snow or terrain.
If you are a beginner and all-rounder skier then the perfect ski for you would be a lightweight flexible ski. It would be better if you go with an average-weight ski because it can help you to go through the powder snow.
Piste/Carving
If you prefer to ski on the groomed pistes and want to get a great response on turns, then I would suggest you get a short ski and the blade of it should be 80mm.
If you are an expert skier then you should go with the pair of skis with more rigidity. On the other hand, if you are a beginner then you should choose skis with less rigidity.
If you are a beginner in skiing then I would suggest you choose skis which are light and flexible, but if you are an expert then you can go with the heavy skis.
Free Rider
If you are a beginner and prefer to ski on untouched snow and don’t usually ski on smooth grooming pistes. And if finding the perfect ski length then you should go with the mid-length free rider skis. On the other hand, if you prefer freeriding then you will need to get a quite big ski whose blade should be wider than 90mm.
The rigidity in skis used for downhill skiing is best for your pair of skis if you prefer free riding. It is because it will allow you to achieve the standard and physical condition you want. If you want to get more speed and stability then you can go with rigid skis that consist of a normal chamber and a flat tail.
If you are a beginner and buying your first pair of skis then you should choose a ski that is light and flexible. It is because it will be easier for you to handle it and freestyle it too.
FAQs
What Should I look for in a Beginner Ski?
If you are a beginner and are going to buy your first ski then the main component you should look for in it is the tip rocker, you should make sure it has a substantial tip rocker.
Are Heavy Skis Good for Beginners?
If you are a beginner then we would suggest you go with a lighter ski, it is because lighter skis are easier to control especially when initiating turns on groomed snow. On the other hand, heavy skis are very hard to control as a beginner.
What Should be the length of a Ski?
The length of a ski depends on your height, the perfect ski is that whose length comes to your nose. Its length can be acceptable if it is 10 centimeters longer or shorter.
What are Thin Skis good for?
Thin skis are also great and have many advantages, if the turn radius of a ski is smaller and it is easy to lay it over then this ski would be great for moguls and smooth corduroy.
Does the Weight of the Rider affect the Ski Length?
Yes, the weight of the rider plays an important role in choosing the length of the ski. If your weight is heavier then you should go with longer skis, but if you weigh less then you should opt for shorter skis.
Conclusion
Nowadays, skiing is the most liked activity and most people are beginners. As they are beginners they don’t have much knowledge about skis and face trouble while choosing their first ski. So for those people, in this guide, everything is clearly explained that should be considered when buying a ski for yourself.
Also Read: A Beginner Guide on How to Stop on Skis?
