Skiing isn’t just a whole lot of fun, it’s also big business too. That means there are a lot of brands out there competing for their share of the market and your hard-earned cash. That can make it a little confusing when you’re trying to buy the best ski brands.
To the untrained eye, a lot of the equipment looks the same, with it being especially hard to distinguish between brands. But getting the right gear could be crucial to making the most of your time on the mountain.
First and foremost, it’s important to make sure you’re safe. Skiing is exhilarating and exciting but it can be dangerous, and equipment failure can play its part in a tragedy. That’s why we thought it would be a good idea to give you a guide to some of the best ski brands out there, handily broken down into equipment categories.
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The best ski brands – skis
Atomic are based in the skiing Mecca that is Austria and have been making downhill and alpine skis since 1955. The fact they supplied skis for the legendary Hermann Maier should tell you everything you need to know.
Another top brand is Dynastar, based in France. They’ve been manufacturing top skis since 1963 and these days form a part of the larger Rossignol group that also makes Lange ski boots.
Salomon also started out life in France, but a little further back in 1947. They have led the way in ski technology ever since and still produce some of the world’s best. Try their Aero or X wing models and you’ll see what we mean.
The best ski brands – boots
Before we mention any brands, we should point out that very often the best ski boot is the one that fits your foot the best. Because we’re all different (the rich tapestry of life and all that) it always pays to have your boots fitted by an expert.
However, that being said, there are still some brands that stand out in terms of build quality. The chances are you’re more likely to find a pair of the following that fit than some lesser brands.
Head make excellent ski boots in both adult and kids’ ranges. The Lange RS and RX series have also been well received by those in the know over recent years. Rossignol have also earned great feedback for their race and comfort boots. And again Salomon have been making high quality boots for longer than most.
The best ski brands – bindings
Great skis and boots are all well and good but without good bindings to keep you attached, they’re about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
The Pivot 18 is a binding that will keep you locked in tight. They’re popular with the type of skier who goes flying off a cliff before nailing a stomach churning downhill line. They also come in a rather fetching silver and chrome design style.
The Black Diamond O1 (Telemark) is widely known as one of the most reliable bindings in the world. This one piece with stainless steel toe gives you power and control when you need it most.
The best ski brands – clothes
Of course, control and speed is one thing, looking good is another. Schoffel Hermine and Helly Hansen are a couple of the best ski brands around for clothing. Look out for the former’s range of fetching retro-inspired ski gear and you’ll be the toast of the mountain.
This is only a brief summary of the best ski brands for more information check out our ski gear section.
