All-Mountain Skis
Benefits of the all-mountain ski
As the name implies, all-mountain skis offer versatility, being well-suited for piste, off-piste, and occasionally even park skiing. All-mountain skis appeal to anyone eager to diversify their skiing style and explore a range of terrains. Rather than purchasing multiple pairs of skis for various disciplines, you can acquire a single pair of all-mountain skis for nearly all purposes. Nevertheless, if your primary focus is on executing tricks or racing downhill, it would be wise to explore specific categories that cater to those particular needs.
Generally speaking, all-mountain skis tend to be fairly wide with elevated tips, beneficial for off-piste skiing. That said, they are also appropriate for piste skiing. A narrower ski may perform well on piste, whereas a wider ski may prove more adept for off-piste conditions. If you find yourself skiing on piste as frequently as off-piste, opting for an all-mountain ski with moderate width could be advantageous, as these typically balance well between both skiing styles.
Most all-mountain skis feature a combination of Camber and Rocker baselines, designed to perform effectively across various disciplines. However, certain models are offered with either an all Camber or all Rocker baseline.
Contrasting Backcountry skis with All-Mountain skis
To achieve versatility, the construction of all-mountain skis often incorporates design elements from other ski types, such as backcountry or twintip skis. Backcountry skis are broad, facilitating ease of movement atop the snow. Also referred to as freeride or off-piste skis, backcountry skis are crafted for fresh powder snow off-piste. Typically, the width beneath the foot measures 100 mm or more. Some all-mountain skis will also perform admirably for backcountry skiing, which will be evident from the product specifications.
To learn more about the different all-mountain skis, review each product description to determine which disciplines they are suited for and what type of baseline they possess.