Ski width is one of those things people love to overthink. You see numbers like 132-100-118 printed on a ski and your mind goes blank. The truth is, that middle number tells you most of what you need to know. It’s how wide the ski is under your feet and it completely changes how it feels on snow.
I’ve skied everything from narrow 85mm carvers to mega fat 118mm powder skis. The difference is huge. Narrow skis snap edge to edge and love groomers. Wide skis float like crazy but feel sluggish when things get firm. Most of us end up somewhere in the middle.
So instead of trying to decode every spec chart out there, here’s a simple tool to figure out how wide your skis should be.
Ski Width Finder
Quick tool to help you find the right waist width for your skis.
This is a quick guide. Width is subjective and varies by ski model.
What is Ski Width Anyway?
When you see a ski listed as something like 132 100 118, those three numbers are the width of the ski in millimeters: the tip, the waist and the tail.
That middle number, the waist width, is the one that matters most. It’s the narrowest part of the ski, right under your boot.
But why does it matter?
- A narrow waist rolls from edge to edge faster and grips better on ice.
- A wide waist gives you more float in soft snow and more stability in rough conditions.
Everything else, like the tip and tail, shapes how the ski starts and finishes turns.
If a ski feels heavy or sluggish, it’s probably wider than what you’re used to. If it feels twitchy or nervous in soft snow, it’s probably narrower.
Ski Width Ranges
(The Simple Version)
You’ll see a bunch of different charts out there from REI, Evo and Backcountry. They all break things down a little differently. REI for example, calls anything under 85mm frontside, 85 to 95mm all mountain and 95mm and up “all mountain wide”. It’s not wrong, just a bit overcomplicated.
I like to keep it simple. Here’s how I think about it:
Narrow: 70 to 88mm — great for groomers, hardpack, and carving days
All Mountain: 88 to 103mm — the do everything range most skiers should live in
Freeride or Powder: 104mm and up — built for powder, crud, and big terrain
Lots of skis (e.g. Armada ARV ↑) now come in several waist widths. It lets you match the same ski to how and where you ride. Go narrower if you spend more time on groomers and wider if you want more float or stability in softer snow.
Narrow Skis (70 to 88mm)
If you like clean turns on firm snow, this is your range. Narrow skis are quick from edge to edge, easy to control and bite into icy mornings like nothing else. They feel light underfoot and love speed on groomers, but they don’t float much once the snow gets deep.
When I was teaching full time, I spent most of my days on something like a Blizzard Brahma 88. It was perfect for carving trenches on corduroy and holding a line when everything else was sliding around.
If your home mountain is more hardpack than powder, or you just like the feel of fast, clean turns, narrow skis make a lot of sense.
Best for: groomers, east coast conditions, high edge angles, lighter riders.
Mid-Width Skis (89–103mm)
This is where most skiers land. You get a mix of float, stability and edge grip that works almost anywhere. These skis feel smooth on morning groomers but still have enough platform to handle chopped snow or soft afternoon slush.
I ride this range the most. Something like the Nordica Enforcer 100 or Salomon QST 98. They carve well, charge through crud and still feel playful if you dip off the sides.
This is the range that makes skiing simpler. You don’t have to overthink conditions or swap skis halfway through the day.
Best for: resort skiing, mixed snow, one ski setups, intermediates to experts, freestyle.
Wide Skis (>103 mm)
You know you’re going to have a great day when you bring these bad boys out. If you’re riding powder, hiking lines, or spending more time off trail than on, this is your weapon of choice.
Wider skis give you float, confidence in chop and that smooth, surfy feel that makes soft snow addictive. Once I moved out west, I started spending a lot of time on the Atomic Bent 110. It felt unstoppable on deep days and surprisingly stable in variable snow. You give up some precision on firm days, but when it’s soft, nothing beats it.
You don’t need a 115mm ski every day, but if you’re skiing powder more than once or twice a season, having something wide in the quiver makes a huge difference.
Best for: powder, crud, big terrain, freeride lines, Japan, Utah.
Waist Width vs Ski Length
Width and length are completely different things. Width changes how your skis feel underfoot, while length changes how stable or floaty they feel overall. You can have a wide, short ski that feels loose and playful, or a long, narrow ski that feels fast and precise.
If you’re unsure about length, use our Ski Size Calculator and start with that first. Once you’ve got the right length, then think about width.
How Width Varies Between Brands
A 100mm ski isn’t always the same 100mm. Some brands make their all-mountain skis stiffer and more aggressive, others softer and more playful. Construction, rocker and flex all change how that width feels. Complicated I know.
For example, a Blizzard Rustler 10 feels more powerful than a Line Chronic 101, even though they’re the same width. Width gives you a general idea, but how it’s built matters just as much.
Final Thoughts
Don’t stress about numbers too much. Pick a width that fits where you actually ski, not what sounds cool in the shop. A ski that feels right underfoot will make you more confident everywhere on the mountain. Hope that helps!
