I love skis, I will admit it. Currently I have a 3 ski quiver.
Even though I have multiple perfectly good pairs, every year I find myself browsing the latest gear reviews on Blister looking for that perfect addition to my quiver.
But it wasn’t always this way.
I used to have a more minimalist approach. I only owned one mid-fat ski as my one ski quiver for many years
However, as I became a better skier and got access to better terrain my quiver grew and today I own three skis. I believe this is the magic number because the 3 ski quiver can be adjusted to fit however you like to ski.
So here is how to build your 3 ski quiver.
The 3 Ski Quiver
Your Daily Driver
The first ski you need in your quiver is a daily driver. The ski you turn to for most days on the mountain. This is where you can begin customizing your quiver.
If you love groomers, get a carving ski like the Elan Ripstick 96. If you like park how about a pair of Line Blends. And if you’re a directional charger the ON3P Woodsman 108 could be a great fit.
I live in Utah and ski the Wasatch Range where there is always fresh snow to be found. I am also a freeride skier, so my daily driver is a 190cm Faction Prodigy 3.0.
(Love skiing? Learn how to be a ski bum here.)
The Powder Boards
The second ski you should add to your quiver is a powder ski, the ski you will turn to when the snow stake is reporting more than 6 inches.
Yes, this ski can be unnecessary, but they make powder days that much better, and who doesn’t like skiing powder?
There are a lot of powder skis on the market so there is bound to be one that fits your style of skiing. If you are a directional skier take a look at something like the DPS Wailer 112 or the Salomon QST 118. If you are a freeride skier look at the Atomic Bent Chetler or the Blizzard Rustler 11.
Here’s a tip. Powder skis don’t get a ton of use. So you can find used ones in really good condition for a great price. I found my current powder skis, 192cm Salomon QST 118s, on a local buy and sell for 50% off MSRP with bindings in great condition.
Your Backcountry Set
If you are serious about skiing you probably ski in the backcountry multiple times a year or at least recognize that the backcountry is where most pro skiers spend their lives.
So the third ski you should add to your quiver is a backcountry ski. Again the type of ski you choose depends on how you like to ski. But, since you will likely encounter a lot of fresh snow I recommend choosing a ski that is at least 100cm underfoot.
Again I use a mid-fat twin tip ski, a 186cm J Skis The Vacation, but if I had to do it again I would get something stiffer.
Here’s a tip, next time you upgrade your daily driver put a pair of touring bindings on your old daily driver, and like that you have a backcountry ski. Just be conscientious of the weight because in the backcountry you are earning your turns.
The Best Ski Are the Ones You Already Have
I want to end on this note. The best ski to add to your quiver is the one you already have.
Skiing is an expensive sport, there is no way around that. Enjoy the skis you have and spend more days on the slope and fewer days working.
If you’re bound to grow you quiver I understand. The best time to buy skis is in the summer. Look for great deals on Facebook gear swaps near you and search your local classifieds like Craigslist.
With some patience and careful hunting, you can build out a three ski quiver for just a little bit more than one pair of brand new skis.
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