The 10 Best Skis for Beginners of 2022-2023
By: Jordan Berde: Assistant Ski Buyer | September 13, 2022
Shopping for that first ski for a beginner skier has always been a challenge. It’s a delicate balancing act to find a ski that’s accessible and easy to turn and get used to but will hold up to more aggressive skiing as they grow and improve. In the past, beginners have often been limited to cheap, fragile skis that were designed more to meet a price point than to offer a quality performance product to new skiers. But now, skiers just starting can shop between a wide variety of beginner skis that are tailored to fit their goals, terrain, and ability level. This year’s crop of beginner skis is more capable than ever. These are all skis that can handle runs all over the mountain, not just groomers on the bunny hill. Many of them share the same construction and design elements as more advanced skis, so they’ll hold up as new skiers progress and get stronger. And, from an aesthetics standpoint, these beginner skis are no longer plagued by cheap-looking graphics you’d expect from an entry-level ski. There's a lot to consider when getting started skiing, thankfully at least one step has been simplified as there’s never been a better time to shop for beginner skis!
New This Year:
There are now more capable system skis than ever before with more shape, better construction and materials, and similar graphics to flat skis.
K2 Mindbender 85 Womens
If you're feeling like it's time to get some exploration incorporated into your resort days, look no further than the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis. They have the versatility to help you maneuver tougher terrain, but once you're confident in those new skills, the skis keep up as you progress. Like their bigger sisters in the Mindbender Collection, the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis include the lightweight Aspen Veneer core and All-Terrain Rocker profile packed into a more narrow width to keep you on edge for what's to come. The K2 Mindbender 85 Womens is a high-quality ski at a very affordable price.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 85mm | None | $429.95 |
Armada ARW 84 Womens
When you're first starting out, it's best to keep things simple. But simple doesn't mean low quality. The Armada ARW 84 Skis are built to deliver the goods to beginners just getting started on their skiing journey. It's a great entry-level ski for all-mountain riders, or a first freestyle ski for intermediate skiers looking to take their skills into the terrain park. It's lightweight, super durable, and easy to ride. The ARW 84 is an affordable, durable ski that will serve you well from your first linked turns to your first double black run.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 84mm | None | $399.95 |
Rossignol Experience W 76
It's all about the experience. Rossignol has been propelling people up the learning curve for decades, and there's no better way to start the process than with the Rossignol Experience W 76 Skis + Xpress 10 GW Bindings. Forgiving, confident, and smooth, the Experience 76s will show you the way with no unpleasant surprises, taking you from "never skied" to "loving it" in a few short turns. This package is perfect for new skiers in lower snow areas who don’t need the added hassle and effort of a wider ski.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 76mm | Xpress 10 GW Bindings | $479.95 |
Elan Wildcat 76 LS ELW
OK, you're a new skier, fresh out of the gate, and rarin' to go - except for that rental line. It's enough to make you stay home and do the crossword. Or, you could get the versatile and forgiving Elan Wildcat 76 Skis + LS ELW 9.0 Bindings and know you're on the best learning platform available every time you head to the mountains. These skis were designed to make learning easy, you’ll be progressing in no time!
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 76mm | ELW 9.0 GW Bindings | $549.99 |
K2 Disruption 75
The K2 Disruption 75 W Skis + M2 10 Bindings are entry-level groomer skis with above-average construction and attention to detail. Borrowing the same shaping philosophy as the rest of the Disruption family, these skis swap out for flexible materials and a catch-free rocker profile. They're straightforward to pilot, smooth on edge, and make carving across groomers easier than ever. Sure, the Disruption is an easy platform to learn to use your edges on, but as you grow as a skier, they’ll keep up, pushing you to ski with more speed and power.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 75mm | M2 10 Bindings | $449.95 |
Faction Prodigy 1
Sometimes being one with the crowd isn't such a bad thing if you want to fit in, and if the crowd is the Park, Pipe, and Air Crew you'd do well to pick up a pair of the Faction Prodigy 1 Skis. Poppy, precise, and perfectly suited to excel in any direction whether or not you're on the ground, the Prodigy 1 is the ski you need to progress to the next step. These affordable skis are built with high-end construction and design that will allow them to grow with you.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 88mm | None | $449.00 |
Armada ARV 84
Whether you're just getting started in the park, or just getting started on the mountain, the Armada ARV 84 Skis are a perfect first step. They're made with a lightweight, highly durable composite core, plus semi-cap sidewalls and oversized edges for maximum durability. They're soft and easy to press into a variety of turn shapes, which makes them perfect for mastering the art of the turn or bashing against rails on your way to your first stomp. If you have freestyle terrain park dreams but are just getting started, the ARV 84 is your ticket to the big leagues.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 84mm | None | $399.95 |
Atomic Maverick 83
The Atomic Maverick 83 Skis + M10 GW Bindings may be Atomic's entry-level package, but it's no slouch. The crew in Austria don't build wimpy skis; this is a legit setup built for progressing skiers, with Atomic's proprietary Flow Profile shaping to help you along. Why spend any more time in the rental line when you can just buy this ski and hit the slopes? The Maverick just makes things simple, click in, hop on the lift, and get to the business of skiing.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 83mm | M10 GW Bindings | $499.95 |
Rossignol Experience 76
Tired of spending an hour of your ski day waiting in line for rentals? Get the Rossignol Experience 76 Skis + Xpress 10 GW Bindings and head "Direct To Lift" any time you choose with confidence that your setup will perform just the way you like it each time you ski. The Experience 76 is a quality, wood-core ski with a forgiving and versatile character, designed to get you up and on your way as easily as possible. They’re forgiving when the snow or your form is less than perfect, and when you want to push yourself, the Experience 76 is up to the challenge.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 76mm | Xpress 10 GW Bindings | $479.95 |
Völkl Deacon X
Step up to Völkl quality for your first pair of skis and feel the difference in quality. The Völkl Deacon X Skis + vMotion 10 GW combo is designed to let you navigate the learning curve with ease and stay with you longer than most beginner ski packages. A narrow 72mm waist lets you master the art of transitioning from edge to edge and a mellow flexing overall design lets you progress with confidence. The Deacon X is a powerful, approachable ski, perfect for anyone who wants to push their limits on groomers.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 72mm | vMotion 10 GW Bindings | $499.99 |
Learn More With Our Other Ski Guides:
Skis - Kids' Size Chart and Buyer's Guide
Skis - Rocker Technology Explained
Ski Bindings – How to Choose & DIN Setting Chart
Ski Boots - Sizing & Buyer's Guide
Ski Boots - Boot Sole & Ski Binding Compatibility
Ski Boots – How to Make Your Boots Fit Better
Ski Poles - Size Chart
Skiing - Beginner Skiing Tips
Skiing - How to Fly With Skis
Skiing - How to Get in Shape
Ski Maintenance - Base Repair
Ski Maintenance – How to Store for the Summer
Ski Maintenance – How to Tune
Ski Maintenance – How to Wax
Gloves & Mittens - How to Choose
Goggles - How to Choose
Goggles - Wearing Goggles with Glasses
Helmets - How to Choose & Fit Guide
Outerwear - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
Outerwear - How to Wash Waterproof Jackets & Clothing
Outerwear - Regional Ski & Snowboard Guide
Ski Socks - Sizing & Buyer's Guide
Avalanche Probes - How to Choose
Backcountry - Choosing an Avalanche Airbag Pack
Backcountry - Choosing an Avalanche Beacon
Backcountry - Climbing Skins Size Guide
Backcountry - Dynafit / Tech Binding Basics
Backcountry - How to Buy Alpine Touring Bindings
Backcountry - How to Buy Alpine Touring Ski Boots
Backcountry - How to Choose an Avalanche Shovel
Backcountry - How to Choose Climbing Skins
Backcountry Backpacks - How to Choose
Backcountry Basics - How to Get Started
Discover Our Favorite Gear:
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The Best Beginner Skis
The Best All Mountain Skis
The Best Powder Skis
The Best Touring Skis
The Best Carving Skis
The Best Park Skis
The Best Intermediate Skis
The Best Freeride Skis
The Best Ski Bindings
The Best Touring Ski Bindings
The Best Men's Ski Boots
The Best Women's Ski Boots
The Best Touring Boots
The Best Ski Socks
The Best Beginner Ski Boots
The Best Value Skis
The Best Ski Poles
The Best Kids' Skis
The Best Kids' Ski Boots
The Best Cross Country Ski Boots
The Best Ski Boot Liners
The Selection Process:
Our ski buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things skiing stemming from years of experience in the ski industry in tandem with their countless hours spent on slopes everywhere from groomers to the remote backcountry around the world. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Jordan Berde
Jordan (she/her) is the Assistant Ski Buyer at evo. Before working in this role, she worked at the evo Denver store for two years, where she began as a bootfitter and quickly moved into Store Lead and then Store Supervisor roles. Prior to evo, Jordan worked as a bootfitter at other shops, a mountain bike instructor for kiddos in Colorado, a ski patroller in Alaska, and a liftie in Taos. She's an avid backcountry skier and ski mountaineer and recently summited Mt. Baker as a fundraiser for SheJumps, a non-profit committed to getting more women involved in the outdoors.She started sliding on snow later than most (in her late 20s), but now she’s the friend getting up at 4 am to make sure she can get a dawn patrol lap in before work! Jordan is passionate about diversity and inclusion and making outdoor activities more inclusive to all genders, races, and ability levels. When she's not skiing, Jordan is likely on her mountain bike exploring all that Colorado and Washington have to offer with her wife. Some say she never stops moving…