Depends on how strong of a skier you are. If you're experienced and have been skiing for a good while then maybe you should check out mens skis. I prefer mens skis because I'm a pretty aggressive skier due to my racing background and I think the graphics are way cooler.

I stopped skiing women's skis several years ago and haven't looked back. If you are a strong skier there is no advantage in skiing women's skis over men's skis. They are usually just shoddier versions of the mens skis, or often times (I'm looking at you K2) not a different ski at all, but the same ski as the men's just with a girly pink top sheet.

The one exception is occasionally I'll see a killer deal on a women's ski and grab it just because. For example I got some brand new Liberty Envy's for 50 USD over the summer, they're old, 2013's I think, haven't mounted them yet, but I couldn't pass that up. Otherwise you can see on my profile I have a large quiver of men's skis. I'm currently drooling over the Volkl Three, most definitely a men's ski, since I can't think of a single women's specific ski that has a 130+ waist.

If you are looking for good deals check out sites like steepandcheap.com, evo's outlet and sierra trading post. I get the majority of my skis and ski gear from those 3 sites. I try to never buy anything unless it's at least 50% off, ski stuff is way too expensive to spend full MSRP unless you are buyiing ski boots.

TO be honest I ski a mix of men's and women's depending on what I'm doing for the day, and what kind of ski I want to be on.

Tells us a bit more about your skill level and what terrain (MORE DETAILS) you're skiing so we can point out some that might work for you!

Ive always skied a women's specific ski. Now, that might be because I'm short as fuck (comin' in at a whopping 5 feet) and most mens skis are way too long, but Ive never felt like I truly needed to be on a mens ski.

Im currently on the Line Celebs (which they discontinued, and I'm salty bout it) but I'm in love with them. Not sure if you can find them discounted since they aren't being made or not, but I highly recommend them if you cAN

But it deff depends on your abilities. If you stick with women's specifics, check the Line Soulmates. But you could always go and demo some mens and women's skis and just see what you like. demoing is a huge help.

Good luck with your search!

alrighty! I appreciate the word of advice so far.

As of now, i'm riding a mens ski (solomon ten eighty) which I got lucky enough to find in my size at a 151. I'm only 5'2" so it's hard when looking for skis in my length that are mens.

I just started skiing again this year after a hiatus where i switched to boarding for 10ish years.

I know i'm not the strongest skiier right now (still working on that non-dominant leg strength), but I've progressed a lot quicker back to where I was when i used to ski, if not past that, than I expected. So I am pretty strong when it does come to comparisons. I'm confidently messing around in the park and also riding the black diamond trails again already with a good amount of power imo (wow so cool huh).

The boyfriend is coaching me strongly and quickly into the freeski world as he coached out west before :P

Cheap skis are good cause i could afford to add another pair to my quiver this year hopefully and not break the bank, older models are fine by mine :)

5'2 isn't too bad for finding skis once you get a little stronger. I'm also 5'2 and I used to believe the charts and think my skis needed to be under 160 length. Now I'll only ride a 160 if it's full camber and would never ride anything that short with tip rocker. I sold my 160 k2 recoils last year because they just felt too short when hauling ass, replaced them with the 168 faction prodigy which feels perfect in length due to the tip rocker. 175ish feels perfect to me for full rocker, and that is definitely still a size you can find in men's pow skis (like the Volkl three!).

Definitely ride what length you feel comfortable with, but know that there are options once you get more comfortable with two planks instead of one.

Cyanicenine5'2 isn't too bad for finding skis once you get a little stronger. I'm also 5'2 and I used to believe the charts and think my skis needed to be under 160 length. Now I'll only ride a 160 if it's full camber and would never ride anything that short with tip rocker. I sold my 160 k2 recoils last year because they just felt too short when hauling ass, replaced them with the 168 faction prodigy which feels perfect in length due to the tip rocker. 175ish feels perfect to me for full rocker, and that is definitely still a size you can find in men's pow skis (like the Volkl three!).

Definitely ride what length you feel comfortable with, but know that there are options once you get more comfortable with two planks instead of one.

hmm, did not know my options could vary so much. Will look into trying out a longer pair sometime. I'm still in the mode of "short is good" cause i enjoyed short boards.

Update: Ended up grabbing a cheap pair of Surface skis, a womens ski but im not being too picky right now with a cheap pair! They look like they will be some fun skis to pop around the park with ^_^

I love Surface skis! I I would say not to be shy about longer skis. I skied shorter skis for a while and they are playful and fun but they don't challenge you. I picked up 175 Armada VJJs last season (I'm 5'5 and never skied longer than 167) and they took some work getting used to but now I'm a much stronger skier and can really charge faster and harder than I could on my shorter skis for sure. I tend to prefer men's skis just because I am a strong skier also mens skis have WAY better top sheets than women's and it drives me crazy. My advice is to demo a bunch! Then you can decide what works for you.

mountainheartI love Surface skis! I I would say not to be shy about longer skis. I skied shorter skis for a while and they are playful and fun but they don't challenge you. I picked up 175 Armada VJJs last season (I'm 5'5 and never skied longer than 167) and they took some work getting used to but now I'm a much stronger skier and can really charge faster and harder than I could on my shorter skis for sure. I tend to prefer men's skis just because I am a strong skier also mens skis have WAY better top sheets than women's and it drives me crazy. My advice is to demo a bunch! Then you can decide what works for you.

yess i went longer, from a 151 up to a 162. I LOVE them!

The added length and stiffness (8/10) has helped a bunch and i already feel like a stronger skiier after two days. My rail game improved as well as jumps. Speed is a lot more comfortable now and what not which is rad.

I would suggest going online to http://www.the-house.com/skiing.html or http://www.evo.com/ . they both have decent priced skis that are really good plus right now on evo full tilt ski boots are around $180 and some past season items are up to 70% off but that is for 12 more hours.