So you've decided to get into skiing. You're looking to get out there and enjoy the mountain that you've never quite had an opportunity to visit. You may have never skied before, or maybe it's just been a few years. Maybe you only skied as a child and don't remember what differences there are between kinds of skis. No matter your situation you're looking at your ski options and have no idea what the general difference is between all those cuts and styles.

There are dozens of them and you're not quite sure what you'll need. The salesman might be less than helpful in explaining them to you, instead wanting to sell more skis. Choosing your skis in the following order will help you not only decide what is best for you but how to choose between features that might not make sense yet.

Starting Off

At first, you should rent skis. Use the following tips for choosing your rentals as well. Starting with rentals will give you the time and opportunity to figure out what you'll be working with before purchasing something rather expensive. Decide on the length of your skis first off. The shorter your skis the quicker they turn and the lighter they are in general. They are not as stable though and may be a poor decision for beginners. Longer skis are good for hitting higher speeds in street lines and staying stable on well groomed slopes.

Different Styles

Advanced shaped skis with sidecuts that run deep are much more responsive and generally turn quicker. An intermediate shaped ski however with a shallower cut will be much more stable and offer a smoother ride down the slope.

Try sampling different styles and lengths to see what works best for you. Stiffer skis are better for more advanced techniques, so beginners should consider softer skis. The differences in so many of these variables will be minimal as a beginner, but when you get better you might require a more intermediate ski. Try them all out and see what works best for you, but will last until you've developed more as a skier.

Often if you're willing to purchase skis later on, a shop owner will let you apply the rental cost toward your purchase.

What Not to Do

First off, never purchase skis before making absolutely sure you know what you need. Such an expensive and important purchase should be well researched. Secondly, make sure you'll be happy with the visual presentation of your skis. Don't buy anything obnoxious or garish if you don't think it will be fun a few years from now.

Don't necessarily blame the skis if you have trouble on the slopes. If you've never skied before, it might just be that you need a little practice or some lessons. Take a break, try again and if you can't stand up, find a good ski instructor.

Making Your Decision

Once you've tested enough skis and are sure that you will be happy with your purchase for a good long while, you should make your purchase. Never hurry an important purchase like ski equipment, but don't be too reticent either. Research is a tool. Once you've finished researching, get out there and enjoy the slopes. That's what they're there for.

Tony Brian is a freelance writer for outdoor sports magazines and a contributing writer for paint ball gun cases specializing in skiing, skis, and paintball gun cleaning equipment