Best skis for beginners of 2027
A good beginner ski is soft, fairly narrow (about 75 to 88 mm) and a little short: it starts a turn with very little effort and doesn't punish a mistake.
These are ranked for a skier still building confidence on greens and easy blues. If you are skiing a few days a year, renting is also a fine answer; see the rent-or-buy guide.
- 1
Völkl, 2025/26
Peregrine 8.0
80 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 158 cm.
- At 80 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 95% of your days)
- Comes in 158 cm, inside your 158-166 cm range
- Rated for levels 3-6 skiers; a step up from your level 2
- 2
Head, 2025/26
Discovery 78 Sport
78 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 156 cm.
- At 78 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 95% of your days)
- Closest length is 156 cm, just outside your 158-166 cm range
- Rated for levels 3-6 skiers; a step up from your level 2
- 3
Nordica, 2026/27
Alldrive 76
76 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 166 cm.
- At 76 mm it handles soft groomer and firm groomer well (about 90% of your days)
- Comes in 166 cm, inside your 158-166 cm range
- Rated for levels 3-6 skiers; a step up from your level 2
- 4
Völkl, 2026/27
Peregrine XT
76 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 168 cm.
- At 76 mm it handles soft groomer and firm groomer well (about 90% of your days)
- Closest length is 168 cm, just outside your 158-166 cm range
- Rated for levels 3-6 skiers; a step up from your level 2
- 5
Atomic, 2025/26
Maverick 84
83 mm carving, metal. For a 178 cm skier: 171 cm.
- At 83 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 95% of your days)
- Closest length is 171 cm, just outside your 158-166 cm range
- Rated for levels 3-6 skiers; a step up from your level 2
- 6
Kästle, 2025/26
DX84
84 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 160 cm.
- At 84 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 95% of your days)
- Comes in 160 cm, inside your 158-166 cm range
- No metal, so it's forgiving and easy to turn
- 7
Head, 2026/27
Discovery 70
70 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 170 cm.
- At 70 mm it handles soft groomer and firm groomer well (about 90% of your days)
- Closest length is 170 cm, just outside your 158-166 cm range
- Rated for levels 3-6 skiers; a step up from your level 2
How this list is made
No paid placements. Every ski from the last two seasons that fits the guide is scored by the same engine behind the quiz: how much of this skier's season its shape handles well, how well it matches their level and style, and some variety so the list isn't ten versions of one ski. Your own list will differ, because it depends on your height, level, home mountain and the skis you already own.