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2026-27 skis for beginners and progressing skiers
You don’t need the stiffest or widest ski on the wall. Here’s what to look for in your first pair, and the 2026-27 models testers keep recommending.
Your first pair of skis should make turning easy and forgive the occasional mistake. That rules out most of the headline skis on the wall, which is good news, because the right ones usually cost less.
What to look for
- A waist under about 90 mm. Narrower skis switch edges quickly and feel light on groomers / on-piste runs.
- Camber underfoot with a little tip rocker. Camber grips firm snow, and rocker helps the ski start a turn. Testers advise against fully rockered skis for beginners.
- A softer flex without full sheets of metal. Metal adds stability at speed but makes a ski harder to bend at beginner speeds.
- Bindings included. Many beginner skis come as a system with bindings already fitted, which keeps buying simple. Have a ski shop set the release value.
Names worth trying
- Rossignol Soul 92. Sold until this season as the Sender Soul 92, it was Switchback Travel’s top beginner pick, sold with bindings for about $750.
- Season Primer. Switchback’s budget pick at about $450, with an 87 mm waist.
- Elan Wingman 78 C. A narrower, carving-focused ski that comes with bindings, for skiers who mostly stay on groomed runs.
- Head Discovery 86 Pro. Rebuilt this season around Head’s Auxetic technology. Ski Essentials recommends it for strong, progressing skiers who want an upscale but approachable ski.
- Elan Ripstick 84 and Dynastar M-Cross 82. Two narrower all-mountain skis that Ski Essentials recommends for intermediate and progressing skiers.
Prices are US prices at the time of testing and change through the season.