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90-70% Piste - the perfect tool for easy carving on groomed pistes. Still OK to take all over the mountain in all conditions. ideal for first time buyers through to advanced skiers 70-50% Piste - piste/off piste. Wider overall shape giving a bit more floatation. For recreational to expert skiers. Sought after by competent on-piste skiers looking to venture more off-piste. 50-10% Piste - usually longer, fairly wide and for the skier that has done it all, an advanced, fast, in control thrill seeker. Twins - for the park rider or aspiring park rider. the fastest growing ski shape. Certain models are stiff enough to be used on piste as well a s landing those big 360’s. Time to ditch the tray and see what fun can be had with two planks in the powder or the park, forwards, backwards or upside down. All skis sold at Finches have been tested personally at the Ski Industry of Great Britain Ski Test In Italy. All skis sold at Finches were given high or very high ratings at the test by the whole industry. Choosing the right Ski and Boot has become very easy using our Performance Guide. Whether you are riding in the park, freeriding the backbowls or laying down some big carved turns on piste, you just need to select what grade of performance you feel suits you best and check out the grid on the following pages of Skis & Boots. Looking at the performance grades below - judge your ability level and the ski or boot that covers that grade is the perfect one for your ability. The average ski length for a male of average weight and height is 170cm. The average ski length for a female of average weight and height is 160cm. Grade 1 You have possibly skied for two to three weeks on snow and are looking to buy your first ski. Basic parallel turns on blue runs come easy but red moguls are not your kind of terrain. ..............................................Commitment to snow: 1 week a season Grade 2 ... weeks on snow 3 - 5 Possibly still taking the odd lesson during the week, now red runs are the main challenge of the holiday. A black run could be your ultimate goal of the week. No matter how slowly you ski, moguls are still your worst enemy. ........................Commitment to snow: 1 week a season Grade 3 ... weeks on snow 5 - 8 You feel very confident on easy red runs and delight in the challenge of a black in good conditions. Moguls are still more a case of survival than fun. However, you know that every dog has its day and its time to get a decent pair of skis to take you to that next level. ..............................................Commitment to snow: 7 to 10 days a season Grade 4 ... weeks on snow 10+ You are starting to carve a few turns on easy red runs and on black pistes your confidence has started to build. By now you zip around the mountain overtaking more times than you’re overtaken. You may have wandered off-piste in good conditions but still eat more snow than ski and wonder what the fuss is all about. ...................................Commitment to snow: 2 weeks a season Grade 5 ... weeks on snow 15+ You strive to ski one or two black runs a day. Off-piste, shallow powder snow presents no problem but deep-snow, crust and windpack just conspire to trip you up. ..............................................Commitment to snow: 2 - 3 weeks a season Grade 6 ... 15 - 20 weeks on snow A committed skier, you’ve possibly skied some of the world’s best resorts. You ski easy bumps with precision and poise but can’t quite stay in the fall-line on a steep bump run. You might take some lessons in bumps or powder. You’re looking for a ski that’s going to hold a tight arc on hard snow. ..............................................Commitment to snow: 3 weeks + a season Grade 7 ... 20 - 30 weeks on snow A first lift to last skier, you have probably spent at least one season on snow and ski effortlessly on piste. You enjoy off-piste but still find varying snow conditions a challenge. You might now have considered instructor training or going out for a season. You’d spend more time on snow if it wasn’t for the nine to five gig. .......................................Commitment to snow: 4 weeks a season Grade 8 ... minimum one consecutive season You seek air powder and speed. Cornices to drop off, untracked snow whether it be powder, crust or windpack. You work on your fitness to improve your skiing ability. Lunch is for wimps. .............................................Commitment to snow: as much time as possible (min 5 weeks a season) Grade 9 ... several seasons You’ve probably notched up some of the top descents in the Alps and are a veteran of several winters on snow. Fully qualified instructor, ski guide or ski bum. Only interested in skiing off-piste, you don’t think of runs in terms of colours as there are no markers off-piste. .............................................Commitment to snow: miminum of a season Grade 10 Racer, professional competitor, you should now be sponsored and be getting things for free, we’re not worthy. ....Commitment to snow: Lifetime