All-mountain skis are generally able to handle a mix of groomed runs and powder, but each design has a greater affinity for one or the other. If you ski groomed runs most of the time, it’s a good idea to invest in a ski that complements the experience of carving hardpack snow and managing higher speeds. You’ll still be able to ski in powder with said design, but it won’t feel as effortless.
The waist width, ski length, and profile shape make the biggest difference with how a ski handles powder. Wider equals greater overall volume and float through powder. Skis with an 85mm-95mm waist can tackle both groomed and powder runs but excel on groomers. Wider designs with a 90mm-109mm waist offer a more balanced approach through either powder or atop packed snow.
True powder skis are really surfy and buttery in powder: 100 mm or higher for women, or 109 mm and greater for men. These will still perform on groomers, but they generally won’t feel as easy and nimble to control at high speeds or agile in quick turns.
Longer skis likewise add volume beneath a skier, which helps with float. That said, check out the manufacturer’s suggestions for the ideal weight and height for that ski size, which we don’t recommend you exceed.
Profile shape can also enhance maneuverability and hover in powder via fully rockered designs or rockered tips and tails, otherwise known as early rise or reverse camber. Though these terms are used across various skis created by different brands, the precise amount of rise is unique and can feel subtly different between each design.