It is always better to get professional advice when choosing skis so that you don't select the wrong kind for your weight, skill level, and for the type of skiing you will be doing. A professional can recognize subtle differences in skis you won't even be able to notice and will help you to pick the pair most suitable for you.

The Different Types of Skis Available
Whichever types of skiing you are choosing to participate in, there are skis to fit your needs. These include:

Alpine Skis
Alpine Skis are designed to be fast and precise and are ideal for use on hard groomed, densely packed ski trails. Ski bindings are used to attach the foot to the skis safely and to allow the skier to turn more easily, which is part of the reasons that correctly sizing alpine skis is such an important part of the selection process. The bindings also help to quick release so as to detach the foot from the ski in case anything goes wrong. These are one of the types of racing skis and are meant for athletes with advanced abilities.

Free Ride Skis
Free Ride Skis are also an advanced form meant for use when you have learned everything there is to learn out on the slopes. They are really good in tough conditions and literally float through powder snow, slice through slush and cut through the roughest conditions. Again, this type of ski is more suited towards people who have either raced or who have advanced abilities.

Cross-Country Skis
Cross-country skis are light and thin and most of the time have slightly straight edges. As with the Telemark skis, the bindings attach only at the toes. These skis are coated with wax in order to reduce friction and some models have patterns on the bottom for the same purpose but for backwards movements.

Freestyle Skis
Freestyle skis are specialized skis adapted to specific styles of skiing. Mogul skiers for example need skis that are designed to respond quickly and to turn easily through a mogul field. Acro skiers on the other hand need special "ballet skis," which work similar a figure skater's skates and allow for backwards and forwards motion as welling as spinning movements. Aerialists need skis that are light and easy to maneuver in the air.

Continue to: One of the Most Popular Telemark Skis