The average weight for a single ski is between 1500-2000 grams or 2-3 pounds. Putting bindings on them can add another 500-1000 grams or 1-2 pounds. That means that each ski can weigh 2000-3000 grams when mounted with bindings.
I’ve been skiing for nearly my entire life, and I’ve used many different types of skis over the years. I like to know the tech specs of all my gear, so I always pay attention to how much my skis weigh.
I’ll provide you with some valuable information relating to how much skis weigh in this post. This can be good to know if you want to better understand how your equipment affects your skiing performance.
Bust out the scales, and let’s go.
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Average Ski Weight
Skis come in all sorts of lengths, widths, and constructions. All of this can affect how much a particular model of ski weighs. As I mentioned above, the average weight of a single ski without bindings is 1500-2000 grams.
But nobody skis without bindings, so the actual weight of an average ski with bindings is 2000-3000 grams. When you consider that you ski with two skis, that means 4000-6000 grams of weight will be attached to your boots.
There are also plenty of skis outside of this range because not every model falls into the average. Lightweight touring skis can be closer to 1000 grams, and heavy powder or racing skis can easily be 4000 on their own.
What Affects Ski Weight?
The two most significant factors that affect ski weight are size and construction. The larger the skis, the more they are going to weigh. This is simply because there is more material, leading to more weight.
But the type of material also plays a role in how much a set of skis weigh. Lightweight materials such as carbon fiber are common with backcountry and touring skis. Heavier racing and powder skis will have wood and metal construction.
The type of bindings you use will also affect how much your skis weigh. The weight of your bindings is also determined by the materials they are made out of.
Do You Need to Know the Weight of Your Skis?
Yes and no.
For the average skier, weight might not be a big concern. Beginners don’t really need to pay attention to technical specifics and should instead focus on improving their overall skills on the slopes.
More experienced skiers might want to have a better understanding of how much their skis weigh because this can affect how they perform in certain situations.
Heavier skis can be faster and better suited for ski racing or handling variable conditions that you can experience in big mountain skiing situations. More weight leads to increased speeds and better stability.
Lighter skis are generally more flexible. This can be ideal for freestyle or terrain park skiing situations. More flex also makes skis a bit more forgiving, making lighter skis better suited to beginner and intermediate ability levels.
Weight really comes into play in backcountry skiing situations. Serious backcountry and touring skiers like to get the lightest skis possible because this makes them easier to take uphill. Every gram counts in this type of skiing, and lighter is generally better.
How Heavy Should Your Skis Be?
Every skier has different needs, so it’s hard to say precisely what weight your skis should be. In broad terms, beginners will want lighter skis, and advanced skiers will want heavier skis. But there are exceptions to that rule.
Weight isn’t a huge concern for most skiers, especially if you stick to the resort. Most modern ski models have a relatively lightweight design, and most skiers won’t notice a big difference in several hundred grams in weight.
If you really want to explore things, you can try out different skis weights to see your preferences. It’s always fun to explore, which can help you learn new things along the way.
Final Thoughts
Every set of skis will weigh different amounts, and the average skier doesn’t need to be too concerned with this. But if you are a serious backcountry skier, you will want to find a lightweight option. If you race or love chasing powder, you’ll want to go heavier.
James
The main place that weight matters to me is when I ride a long slow chairlift without foot rests
Christine
Hey James,
Ha. I hear you. Long lift rides, tired legs, and heavy skis aren’t a great match. But that weight can also come in when you are getting turns in.
Richard D. Couture
Thanks Christine. That was useful. I just purchased a Freeride All-mountain pair of skis and each ski with binding mounted weighs 2,900 grams. Within range as you say.
Christine
Hey Richard,
Hope those skis work out well for you and that you have a great ski season!