How to Choose Fat Skis | Choosing the Right Ski Based on Your Skiing Style and Needs 26-27

Pro shops are receiving a steady stream of new models for the 2026-2027 season. Fat skis are selling exceptionally well this season as well. As we head into full-scale winter preparations, we asked Yamato Hoshi of Pro Shop Mt. Peaks to tell us how to choose fat skis that suit your skiing style and needs

What are fat skis?

Fat skis, also known as wide skis, have a wide waist and are designed to provide greater buoyancy in powder and make skiing easier on fresh snow and ungroomed slopes. While interpretations vary, according to the ski pro shop "Mt. Peaks," which provided guidance on choosing fat skis,

"When we explain it to customers in our shop, we define fat skis as skis with a waist width of 110mm or more, clearly aimed at gaining buoyancy. Skis in the range of 80 to 109mm are interpreted as all-mountain skis, intended for versatility. However, even within all-mountain skis, skis with a waist width of around 100 to 110mm could also be described as semi-fat. Skis under 80mm are interpreted as skis for cruising on groomed slopes, including carving, or skis for basic skiing or racing."

This time, based on this interpretation, we will answer user questions and introduce key points for choosing fat skis, as well as specific models that exemplify them

Key points for choosing fat skis

Q. I want to buy fat skis, but I'm a beginner. What kind of skis would you recommend?

A. When a customer is considering purchasing fat skis for the first time, we first ask them, "What width (in mm) are you looking for?" to understand their image of "fat" skis. Then, we ask, "Where do you ski most often?" If you only ski in Hokkaido, then fat skis that are effective in light powder would be a good choice. However, if you mainly ski in Yuzawa or Myoko, then heavier fat skis with better cutting power would be better

By matching the waist width and ski shape to the situation and the type of skiing you want to do, you can get a sense of which model is best for you

Q. What are ski shapes? Camber or rocker?

A. Ski shapes are broadly characterized by camber and rocker. Camber refers to an arched shape where the central part of the ski is slightly raised above the snow surface

Camber is a shape designed to generate grip and rebound when you press down on the board. This makes it easier for the edges to engage during turns, allowing you to firmly grip the snow surface. Additionally, when you press down on the board, the rebound force that tries to return it to its original shape assists in turns and acceleration, and the moderate pressure applied to the entire board stabilizes your skiing

Skis with less camber tend to slide sideways more easily, making them more suitable for freestyle skiing. For example, if you do a lot of tree runs, skis with less camber are easier to slide on. Also, if you want to fully enjoy the feeling of floating in powder on open slopes, skis with less camber allow for a more surf-like style of skiing

Another factor is the snow quality. Nowadays, more and more people in Japan are skiing on snow with a high moisture content. In such cases, straight-line stability becomes important. Fat skis with a greater camber are more stable and have better cutting power. When the snow is heavy, it becomes more difficult to control, so skis with a greater camber are more stable and easier to maneuver

So, what about rocker? It's a shape where the tip and tail of the ski curve upwards from the point of contact with the snow. In short, it's a shape designed to lift the skis in deep snow and allow for smooth gliding across the snow

The larger the rocker, the easier the skis are to float and maneuver. Especially in powder, a larger rocker reduces contact with the snow surface, making it easier to initiate turns and allowing for smoother skiing. A smaller rocker means longer contact with the snow surface, resulting in stronger edge grip and a greater sense of stability

26-27 Fat Skis - The Talk of the Town

Q. I really want to try out the trendy fat skis! What are your recommendations for 26-27 model skis?

In the A. 26-27 season, Armada's "Antimatter 114" is generating quite a buzz. This is likely because the 114's mold has been completely redesigned, resulting in a completely new shape. The manufacturer describes the 114 as a "next-generation freeride powder ski," featuring a directional twin body and freestyle rocker. Its appeal lies in its powerful, high-speed performance combined with a light, surf-like powder ride

If I had to name another ski, the Faction "Agent 3" is incredibly popular. It's a continuing model, but I think its all-around versatility, making it suitable even for groomed slopes, is what makes it so well-regarded. It's lightweight and offers stability at high speeds, making it a favorite among both first-time buyers and experienced skiers

Choose according to your purpose for skating

Q.　What kind of fat skis are good for enjoying tree runs?

A. Turning performance and maneuverability are essential for tree runs. I recommend skis with a narrow camber and a small radius. A higher camber increases stability, making them easier to use even outside of powder, but for tree runs, you need to make sudden changes of direction and weave through the trees, so a narrow camber that doesn't easily catch the edges, slides easily sideways, and has good flex response is very useful. Among the

26-27 models, the Blizzard "Canvas" seems to be a good choice for tree runs. If you want an all-around ski that you can use anywhere, then 108mm might be the way to go. The design is completely different from before, which is refreshing. Even people with no strength can handle it. Because it's a ski with a low camber, it can be easily flexed. It does get a little bumpy in bad snow, but it's tolerable, so it's not a problem.

These skis are easy to ski on, even in trees. If you've been skiing for a while and own some fairly wide skis, but want to enjoy more active maneuvering and slashing in trees and powder, these are perfect

If I had to choose another ski, it would probably be the 4FRNT "Hoji 4-LOCK". Moving away from the topic of narrow camber for a moment, this ski is a full rocker ski. There are now so few full rocker skis on the market that you can count them on both hands, but the reason I chose this one is the "maneuverability" that only a full rocker can offer

Because everything is curved like a banana, the edges don't catch in powder, making it easy to control, and it floats easily even though it's not wide. I chose this board because I wanted people to experience the advantages of a full rocker board

Q. Are there any differences between fat skis that perform well on ungroomed snow anddesigned for powderskis fat ?

A. In ungroomed snow, the surface is likely to be uneven and rough, and the snow quality is probably not what you'd call powder. In such situations, for example, Volkl's "Mantra," Rhine's "Poisson" and "Optic" have metal in them, so they can break through even rough snow like a tank. K2's "Mindbender Ti" is another example. I think snowboards with titanium in the metal have the best traction

What differentiates these from pure powder skis is that if you take these metal-infused skis to light powder, they tend to sink too much. However, they can powerfully traverse rough, ungroomed snow, and that feeling is incredibly enjoyable

Q. If you were to get a dedicated ski for deep powder, what kind of fat skis would you choose?

A. When the powder gets as deep as waist-deep, I think light and soft skis are best. Armada's "JJ" and RMU's "Butterknife" are even more fun. Not only do they float really well overall, but depending on your technique, you can sink them into the deep snow and then pop them out, so you can enjoy a variety of ways to ski with them

There's a pair of skis I skied on last season that drove me crazy. It's a continuing model from DPS, the "Pagoda Tour 112." I happened to hit some powder on a day when I could try them out in Hakuba, and I rode them first thing in the morning. It was so much fun! It's incredibly exciting and amazing. If you have these skis, you can ski on open slopes, tree runs, anywhere in powder. I thought they were worth the high price. There's no other ski like them!

Q. If I want to do touring skiing that's not only easy to hike but also offers great skiing performance, what kind of skis would you recommend?

A. When it comes to tours, the climbing time is long, so lightness is paramount. Also, in backcountry skiing, you have to be able to handle various snow conditions and slopes, so if you prioritize gliding performance, you need skis that are fairly rigid and strong

I often hear that Armada's "Locator 9" 6 has a good reputation among tour guides. Up until the 25-26 model, it was a ski favored by experts because it was light, stiff, and taut, but from the 26-27 model onwards, the tautness has been slightly milder, making it easier to handle

Zag's "Uback 102" is lightweight yet highly durable and offers excellent high-speed stability, making it perfect for those who previously avoided lightweight skis because they were prone to flapping

Q. Which skis would you choose next? Currently, I have a 100mm waist. What if I wanted to enjoy powder more aggressively?

A. If you're currently using 100mm skis, you should choose skis that are 110mm or wider. I've experienced this firsthand. With 100mm skis, if you take them into meter-long snow or waist-deep powder, they inevitably sink. You have to approach the snow yourself and get the tips out, which is fun, but it's also a bit tiring. I started out with 102mm 180cm skis, but when I switched to 116mm 185cm skis, I was amazed, thinking, "What is this! It's a completely different world!"

So, if it were 120mm, it would float even more. For example, Blue Morris's "Raptor" is a big fat ski with a waist of 125mm, but it's not particularly difficult to handle. This is because the asymmetrical design makes turning easier, and the length is 170cm, which is shorter than a regular fat ski.

If you find it difficult to handle at 120mm, you can just shorten the length a little. It's okay to shorten it if it's wide. The idea is that the overall surface area should increase.

Q. If you had to choose a fat ski that can handle everything from powder and ungroomed snow to park and groomed slopes, which one would you pick?

A. If you're looking for a ski that can handle a variety of situations like that, you'll need one with a decent amount of camber and a certain weight (1800g). Faction's "ProGID 4" is an incredibly versatile ski. The manufacturer's catalog describes it like this:

"The Projidy4 is playful and fun, making it easy to create butter and powder spray, stomp through the air, and glide through the powder in the woods. It lets you get the most out of the skis in deep powder, while also providing tight turns with its sharp edges while you wait for the next storm."

Q. forpark skiers who also want to enjoy powder skiing?

A. In this case, I don't think you need a fat board that's over 110mm, so I think something like Black Crowes' "Benaco," Salomon's "Department 01," or Armada's "Stranger" would be a good match. These boards with wide tops would be suitable. If the waist is around 90-100mm and the top width is 140mm or more, you can definitely handle powder with them

All three models are skis designed for "playing" on the slopes in a variety of ways. Therefore, the characteristics of the skis will change depending on the bindings you choose, so you can choose based on appearance, performance, or consult with the staff at your favorite ski shop

A good fat ski to switch to

Q. a formerWhat kind of fat skis would satisfy

A. You should choose skis that weigh over 1800g, have a high camber, and offer excellent turning performance. Alpine racers have been riding stiff, firm skis up until now, so a more robust style would be better for them

For example, I think Atomic's "Maverick" is excellent. As the "CTI" designation suggests, it's a highly rigid ski containing carbon and titanium. It's not that it doesn't flex at all, but rather that it doesn't produce much torsion, making it perfect for racers who want to handle their skis powerfully and also carve

Faction's "Studio 4" is a perfect fit for racers who prefer high-speed disciplines. While it's made entirely of carbon and lacks titanium, its high-speed stability when going straight downhill is outstanding. Recommended for former racers who find even powder skiing lacking speed!

Q. I'm a recreational skier (or used to be one), but this year I want to get good at skiing powder!

A. I think the K2 "Mindbender 111" in sizes 26-27 would be a very good choice. The dark matter effect improves vibration absorption, and the chatter is even more suppressed than before. Recreational skiers don't like skis that are too soft, and I think this would make them feel more secure when riding. I think it's important to be able to carve properly even when you're out on groomed slopes

Besides the Mindbender, Salomon's "QST Blank" is also a good option. Its shorter radius allows for quicker turns. I think it would appeal to recreational skiers who regularly use short turns on 160cm skis with a radius of 12

Q.Seniors are starting to lose confidence in their leg strength and physical fitness. What kind of fat skis would they be able to handle?

A. I highly recommend Blue Morris's "Polaris." With a waist of 114mm and a length of 142cm, you won't be tossed around by the board, and everything can be managed under your feet, making it very comfortable. It's also reasonably priced, so I think it's accessible even for people who have retired from work

If I had to recommend another one, it would be the Armada "JJ UL". It's incredibly popular with the senior generation. I think it's best suited for someone around 175cm tall. It looks really cool!

Finally, choosing the right length – this is something you absolutely must know!　

What I've noticed while helping customers in the shop is that when choosing fat skis of 110mm or more, everyone tends to choose shorter sizes. Longer skis used to be the mainstream, but nowadays, the majority of men are in the 160cm range, so they probably think that 170cm would be sufficient. However, men definitely have more fun with skis of 180cm or more

Shorter skis lack power to break through obstacles and their ability to float in powder is also insufficient. However, when it comes to fat skis, many people tend to choose skis that are less than 180 cm long

In the section "If you want to enjoy powder more aggressively," I mentioned that "in terms of thinking, it's a matter of surface area, so a wider board is fine even if it's shorter." This might sound contradictory, but in reality, it's more fun with a board that long. So, I want you to choose one size larger than the size you think is just right for you

The key to choosing the right length is this: go up one size from the maximum size you think you can handle! It takes a little courage, but you definitely won't regret it later! Take your time to consider your options, but also be a little adventurous, and choose "this fat" board that will make you look forward to hitting the snowy mountains

Interview cooperation:Mt.Peaks