| Of all the different skiing styles, alpine skiing is easily | | | | best for heavy and experienced skiers, and shorter |
| one of the most challenging. The alpine skier has to | | | | ones are ideal for novices. Examples of alpine skis |
| control speed and direction while going downhill, and | | | | that are fit for beginners are carving and mid-fat |
| maintain balance using only the ski poles. While this | | | | alpine skis, while the super-fat, fat alpine, and racing |
| requires proper skill and training, the type of alpine | | | | alpine skis are for intermediate skiers. |
| skis you use can also affect your performance. | | | | Flexibility required |
| Alpine skis are designed specifically for downhill | | | | Alpine skiing involves a lot of maneuvering, and your |
| surfaces. It is distinguished from other skis by a ski | | | | alpine skis must be flexible to give you maximum |
| binding and safety release. These features fix your | | | | control over your direction. A ski's flexibility can |
| toes and heels in a position optimized to provide | | | | affect how well you perform in different land terrains. |
| acceleration and balance. The safety release allows | | | | To check for flexibility, try standing on the skis to |
| you to unclip your foot when necessary to avoid too | | | | see how it responds to your weight. The ski is |
| much pressure on the skis. | | | | flexible enough if it flattens with the weight you place |
| Proportional alpine skis | | | | on it. Alpine skis with foam cores are more flexible, |
| Length is a vital consideration when buying alpine skis. | | | | although those with wooden cores are more |
| Choose a length suited to your weight and skiing | | | | resistant to weight. |
| capabilities. The rule of thumb is that longer skis are | | | | |