Pure carving is a relatively nouveau concept in skiing, deli-vered by the development of skis with deep sidecuts. The skis in this category focus on carving, with sidecuts that typi-cally taper from a fat tip of more than 115 mm to a svelte waist of 70 mm. Just roll `em on edge, and look behind you at the deep, well-defined trenches they cut in the snow.

BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED | EXPERT

No ski handles all terrain and all snow conditions perfectly, but many skis handle many things extremely well. These skis are wider underfoot than the groomers, with a waist ranging between 70 mm and 82 mm, for better soft-snow flotation. But sidecuts are typically big — sometimes with a tip-to-waist taper of more than 50 mm — so there’s no problem carving turns on firmer snow.

BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED | EXPERT

Freedom’s just another word for everything to ski. Free-riders don’t like limits; they like possibilities. When they look at a mountain, what they see is a ventricular network of possible lines, both on and off the trail network. Freeriders need a ski that allows the freedom to explore — wide enough for off-piste powder, but best with all-terrain capabilities. But freedom also means choice. Different freeride models, from all-terrain midfats to superfat powder boards, allow skiers to choose their priorities. However you define freedom, there’s a ski out there for you.

INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED AND EXPERT

Think of skiing as a day at the amusement park. Every run, both in terrain parks and beyond, is an opportunity to go on a wild, trick-filled ride. Skiing forward, skiing switch, catching air, riding rails — the operative concept is all play, all the time. Sure, it’s nice to be able to make a decent carved turn, but the priorities here are clear: Skiing is mostly a chance to reach deep into a bagful of amusing tricks.

INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED AND EXPERT