Slalom Water Skis

How to Choose a Slalom Ski

A slalom ski is a single ski built to be skied on one foot, with the rear foot in a toe plate or second binding behind the front boot. It's the natural next step from combo skis, and it covers everything from relaxed open-water carving to running the slalom course at speed. Most slalom skis come in one of three shapes. Wide-body skis have the widest tip and tail for maximum lift, which makes for easier deep-water starts and a more stable, less tiring ride — the easiest shapes to learn on and the best choice for heavier skiers, those returning to the sport, or anyone skiing at slower boat speeds. Traditional skis are narrower with years of refinement behind them, offering balanced performance for intermediate and better skiers. Hybrids sit between the two, with a wide tip for lift and a narrower tail for bite, giving easier starts than a traditional ski but more performance than a wide-body. Sizing is driven by skier weight and boat speed: heavier skiers and slower speeds call for a longer ski. As a rule, beginners and skiers returning after time away should size up a length — a longer ski is more stable, easier to start on, and more forgiving. Each ski lists a suitable weight range, and the buyer's guide walks through the full sizing chart. Most skis here are sold as a package — ski, front boot and rear toe plate fitted and ready to ride. If you already have boots and want the ski on its own, blank slalom skis are listed separately. Skis come with an adjustable fin and, on many models, a fin foil; both are set at the factory, and we recommend leaving those settings alone unless you understand fin tuning. Brands here include Radar, HO, Connelly and KD, spanning forgiving beginner shapes through to high-performance course skis. Browse the full range online or visit the Brisbane store.