All Mountain Ski

The allmountain ski – enjoying every part of the mountain

As the name already says, the allmountain ski is great for the entire mountain. Whether you are on slopes or on freeride adventures in the off-piste, this ski is versatile. And it comes in a great variety of characteristics. Widths ranging from 65mm up to 110mm, different rocker constructions, weights and stiffness, skis for beginners, intermediate skiers and experts. All of them are good on groomed slopes and powder, but some are more on-piste oriented while others feel more like freeride skis.

©All mountain ski by Pierre Morel

Allmountain ski characteristics

This ski is easy to turn and fun on the slopes. And although it is not as super sporty as an on-piste ski, you can still apply lots of pressure on its edges and reach some high speeds. At the same time, it floats in the untouched backcountry, glides through the powder and the snow masses. Also, it is stable and safe in mashed-up and harsh snow.

How well the ski floats in powder is depending on its width and weight. The wider and the lighter, the better it floats. But at the same time, a heavier ski has its advantages. The more weight, the more stable the ski is, especially in rough conditions. This, together with the torsional stiffness is important for the pressure on the edges. The stiffer the ski is around its own axis, the better you can put pressure on the edges, which is important for fast runs on hard slopes. The weight is mostly dependent on the materials used and the core. Many manufacturers use wooden cores, oftentimes paulownia or balsa wood, which is especially lightweight. To keep the ski stable, different forms of metal are integrated. Laminated metal in the edge area or titanal make for additional stiffness. The characteristics are also, as with any other ski, depending on its radius. Allmountain skis come in different radii ranging from 13m up to more than 20m. Generally it can be said that wider skis have a larger radius since they do not have as strong of a side cut.

Rocker and camber construction of the allmountain ski

Almost all allmountain skis are built with rocker constructions. Full rockers, tip rockers or tip & tail rockers. Some also have a camber construction, which is the opposite to a rocker. Full rocker means that the ski is bent upwards towards the tip and tail, leading to the binding area being in constant contact with the snow. This makes for a better float on powder. Especially the tip rocker also makes turning around the ski easier. The camber construction is the opposite. Contact with the snow is located towards tip and tail, leading to some empty space between the binding area and the snow when there is no pressure on the ski. When putting pressure on the ski, tension is created and the entire edge cuts through the snow. This is good for high speeds and rougher conditions.

©All mountain ski construction by K2

Choosing the right allmountain ski

Finding your perfect allmountain ski depends on your style, your skills and your needs. If you mostly intend to use it on the slopes, going on high speeds and from time to time going off-piste, it is advisable to pick a rather narrow ski. Those planning on being more in the freeride areas and doing occasional runs on groomed slopes are better off with a wide ski with freeride characteristics. And obviously, anything in-between to fit your needs. Beginners should get a ski that is about as high as their eyes. This makes it easier to turn. Advanced skiers and experts should go for a ski which is about as high as they are, plus/minus 5cm. The longer the ski, the more stable it will be.

Most important is always your safety, therefore, when going into the off-piste with your allmountain ski, make sure you have all needed avalanche safety equipment and ski apparel. Also, you need to pick the right ski boot to fit your ski for your mountain adventures.

Read more regarding allmountain skis

• How to find the right ski length
• Telemark and Alpine Skiboots: Sole length and mondo point
• RECCO® rescue system – small technology that can help big times
• Back Protection: Necessary safety equipment