Carving skis are a type of ski that is built to be able to turn and maneuver really well on the mountain. All-mountain skis are a more well-rounded ski that doesn’t have one specific area of focus they excel in.
I’m a lifelong fan of skiing, and I’ve tried nearly every version of the sport over the years. I’ve used several models of carving skis, and I know how they perform. I also always have a set of all-mountain skis in my quiver.
In this post, I’ll compare and contrast carving skis versus all-mountain skis to give you a better understanding of both of them. Whether you are new to the sport or just trying to learn more, this is good information to have.
Keep reading to find out more.
Contents
What are Carving Skis?
Carving skis are a somewhat specialty style of ski that is built to carve. This means that they really excel at turning and are capable of giving you excellent edge control at various speeds and in a range of different conditions.
Carving skis are a favorite option with skiers who like to stick to the resort’s front side. If you like cruising groomers or digging into your turns on steep blues, carving skis are an excellent choice to go with.
This type of ski has a pretty drastic sidecut shape, which allows for more edge grip and control into the snow. This gives carving skis their capable turning performance and one of their most significant distinguishing factors.
Also Read: Best Carving Skis of 2022
What are All-Mountain Skis?
All-mountain skis are one of the most popular styles of ski you’ll see on the mountain these days. They are well-known for their versatility, and they provide skiers with a means to tackle just about any terrain or condition they find themselves in.
This type of ski isn’t built for a single purpose but instead designed with a little bit of everything in mind. This results in capable all-season performance but no single condition or terrain they excel in.
All-mountain skis are so popular because they can be used by all skiers with all types of abilities. They are a good option to help you grow as a skier because you can switch between terrains and push your skills to the next level whenever you are ready.
Related Article: Best All-Mountain Skis of 2022
Carving Skis vs All-Mountain: The Differences
| Carving Skis | All-Mountain Skis | |
| Shape | Heavy sidecut | Moderate sidecut |
| Turning ability | Excellent | Average |
| Speed | Fast | Average |
| Profile | More camber/less tail rocker | More rocker |
| Conditions | Frontside/groomers | Everything |
There are several key differences between carving skis and all-mountain skis. From a visual perspective, they have a pretty different look, and their shape affects their performance in the snow.
Carving skis have a very pronounced sidecut. This means that the middle section of the ski is much narrower than the tip and tails. All-mountain skis have a sidecut, but it’s not as noticeable when you look at it.
This results in increased turning performance when on the snow. Carving skis have increased edge grip because of this enhanced sidecut, and that gives you excellent turning capabilities at any speed.
All-mountain skis can still provide you with excellent turning capabilities, but carving skis excel with this in mind. That focus does come with some limitations, and carving skis aren’t as well suited to other conditions as all-mountain skis.
Carving skis are better for reaching high speeds in hard-packed conditions. If you held a race between similar skiers, one with carving skis and one with all-mountain, the carving skier would almost always win because the skis are simply faster.
All-mountain skis have more versatility, making them a better option for skiers who don’t just want to stick to the resort’s front side. These skis will be better in powder and more capable of handling transitions between hardpack, crud, and soft snow.
Carving skis also have less rocker in the tail, which helps increase stability at high speeds while offering extra edge control. This again helps with better turning capabilities but limits how much float and play they will have in deeper snow.
Carving Skis vs All-Mountain: The Similarities
Carving skis and all-mountain skis are not all that similar. Modern versions of these styles both have a parabolic or hourglass type shape. So if you just looked at their outline, they would appear a bit similar.
Another similarity is that carving and all-mountain skis can be used for just about any ability level. Beginners can learn on either type of ski, and they both offer the luxury of helping you grow as a skier.
Skiers up to about intermediate abilities won’t notice many challenges with using carving or all-mountain skis. Advanced skiers will begin to see that the similarities stop when reaching high speeds.
You also use the same bindings and boots for carving and all-mountain skis. You don’t need to change your equipment to switch between the two types of skis, which means you can try them both out pretty easily if you want to.
Final Thoughts
Carving skis are a specialty type of ski that isn’t as common as all-mountain models. They have the benefit of increased turning ability and more stability at high speeds. That makes carving skis ideal for anyone who likes to bomb groomers on the front side of the resort.
All-mountain skis are the most popular type of ski because they give you endless versatility with where you can venture. They might not be as stable at high speeds, but they help you handle any snow condition or terrain that comes your way.
