Is there really a difference between men's and women's skis?

[Ms Mia]

I am an intermediate skiier, though have only just purchased my first set of NEW skis, rather than borrowing, renting, or skiing on a really old, heavy pair of skis that we literally found on the street! I spent a day demoing skis at our local resort last week, after doing a lot of online research (including a lot of threads here on Ski Diva). I was struck by all the info about women's skis being different on the websites of various brands (Head, Blizzard and Volkl in particular), and was keen to try some for myself. The guy in the shop at the resort was really helpful, attentive, and responded to my feedback about each ski that I tried, in order to recommend the next one to try (I tried out four in one day). But he kept saying there was no real difference between the women's and men's skis, except for the range of lengths offered, and he thought it was just a marketing ploy. It might just have been because he didn't stock some of the women's skis I wanted to try, but I think it was his real opinion.

I was after an "all mountain" ski for a low-level intermediate skiier seeking to improve. I had wanted to try the Head Total Joy, but he only had the Real Joy and Super Joy. I knew the latter was going to be too much for me, so I tried the Real Joy, and loved how fun it was, but it was too zippy for me and I lacked control (and then slowed way down in deeper snow). It might have been because it was a bit too short for me and my level of skiing - I am 5'8" and 138 lbs, they were 158cm, when I would have preferred a 163. He then gave me the Head eShape V10 to try, saying it's exactly the same as the Total Joy, but branded in the men's range. I looked them up online when I took a short break, and noticed that the Total Joy has a slightly wider tip and tail, and that Head claims it has a women's canter because the bindings would be placed slightly more forward (women's centre of gravity is supposedly slightly lower than men's). I couldn't compare their weights online, so I couldn't be sure if the Total Joy is lighter.

For my third ski, I said I wanted something more stable as both the Head skis I had tried were a bit too fast and slippy for me (I think I just lack sufficient control/technique, they might be good skis for me in a couple of years), and had read good things online about the Volkl Secret 86. He didn't stock that, but he said that the Volkl Kenja is exactly the same, but branded as a men's ski. I really liked the stability it gave me, and it felt more like an all-mountain ski, as it cut through the deeper snow, but maintained good control on more packed or slightly icy snow (we had nice mixed conditions that day after fresh snow-fall). But they felt quit heavy, and a little too slow for me - not as fun!

Basically Iwanted something in between the two Head skis I had tried and the Volkl Kenja. The guy steered me away from the Blaze, saying it's more a of a trail ski, and I do really want an all-mountain. Instead I tried the Volkl Flair 79, and it really felt like a sweet spot - I'm convinced because it is indeed a women's ski! Much lighter than the Kenja, which meant I felt more agile, and was picking up a bit more speed with ease, but still stable enough to give me confidence to get out of the back seat. I fell in love with them and bought them and my ski life has changed! I'm suddenly a much more competant intermediate skiier!

But it did leave me wondering whether the shop guy was right that "women's skis" are more about marketing, or whether it totally depends on the brand. Keen for your thoughts!

 

[Jilly]

Different - yes and no. It depends on the manufacturer. Many years ago it was "pink it and shrink it". That has changed.

Differences could be and not limited to:
Core construction - many women's skis are lighter in weight and stiffness, as you noticed
Dimensions - as you have noted
Placement on the binding. - the CoM for women is lower in the body that a man. So moving the binding mount ahead makes it easier to control the ski.
Colour/cosmetics - never bothered me, (I ski orange skis), but some want flowers etc. I would stop at skulls though.

And then some manufacturers have just changed the colour to make it more attrative to women.

The manfacturers have awoken to the fact that there is huge population of skiers that were not being taken seriously. And we know, if Mom ain't happy, no body's happy!!

 

[Briski]

I’m as tall and heavy as your average man, so “women’s” skis typically aren’t for me. I do like a slightly more forward mount. I think the bigger gender difference is in boots where the lower back accommodates women’s calves. I can’t do men’s boots.

 

[SnowHot]

I’m as tall and heavy as your average man, so “women’s” skis typically aren’t for me. I do like a slightly more forward mount. I think the bigger gender difference is in boots where the lower back accommodates women’s calves. I can’t do men’s boots.

That's not as accurate anymore, especially in skis.

I can name at least 5 brands that have the identical construction for mens' and women's skis, but they offer differen lengths, flexes and graphics (brand dependent).

As for boots, not all women have larger calves and some of us still need a higher cuff height. One of the reasons I really like the Lange Shadow and K2 Anthems

I'll be seeing a female boot engineer later this week, working on a project for a new boot design. I'll bounce some ideas off of her.

Völkl, Fischer, Rossignol, to name a few, have been making skis same across genders for a long time, especially in the all mountain and freeride categories.

 

[diymom]

I'll be seeing a female boot engineer later this week, working on a project for a new boot design. I'll bounce some ideas off of her.

Forget new designs, I just wish Head would bring back the women's liner from 2019 and earlier. Instead of the usual one piece cuff and tongue, the top of the liner cuff has three overlapping sections with elastic. I find it fits my calves better with no pinch spots at the tongue.

 

[Verve]

The Volkl Flair is a great ski! Congrats on finding the one. I think a system ski (designed with the binding integrated) is a great fit for lots of folks but some ski shops don’t carry or push them bc sometimes they don’t sell as well - people see the price is higher but don’t realize the binding is included (yes, really).

Volkl is an interesting case study in the “are women’s skis different” category because they do different things with their different segments (and have done different things over time). A classic example of a brand optimizing for its market. In their “all mountain skis” the Mantra (unisex) and Secret (women’s) lines have evolved and swapped tech so much that they’re now truly the same skis (as long as your comparing the same widths). Next year, the Secret line will be the Mantra W. A lot of brands are trending that way and that will help reduce the confusion (and maybe I can get a pretty top sheet in a 176 length for a change ).

But in their narrower frontside options, they make a TON of different skis (including multiple versions of the Flair) and many of these are calling out women specific design choices. Women make up more than 50% of the purchases of skis in this progressing intermediate groomer ski category, so it makes sense that they spend their design and marketing resources on a “women’s” ski. My theory is that this also has to do with their massive European market, where they sell the majority of their frontside skis - they’ve diversified these options to soak up as much of that frontside carver market as they can, while unifying their all mountain lines.

 

[SnowHot]

The Volkl Flair is a great ski! Congrats on finding the one. I think a system ski (designed with the binding integrated) is a great fit for lots of folks but some ski shops don’t carry or push them bc sometimes they don’t sell as well - people see the price is higher but don’t realize the binding is included (yes, really).

Volkl is an interesting case study in the “are women’s skis different” category because they do different things with their different segments (and have done different things over time). A classic example of a brand optimizing for its market. In their “all mountain skis” the Mantra (unisex) and Secret (women’s) lines have evolved and swapped tech so much that they’re now truly the same skis (as long as your comparing the same widths). Next year, the Secret line will be the Mantra W. A lot of brands are trending that way and that will help reduce the confusion (and maybe I can get a pretty top sheet in a 176 length for a change ).

But in their narrower frontside options, they make a TON of different skis (including multiple versions of the Flair) and many of these are calling out women specific design choices. Women make up more than 50% of the purchases of skis in this progressing intermediate groomer ski category, so it makes sense that they spend their design and marketing resources on a “women’s” ski. My theory is that this also has to do with their massive European market, where they sell the majority of their frontside skis - they’ve diversified these options to soak up as much of that frontside carver market as they can, while unifying their all mountain lines.

Generally speaking most brands (emphasis on most) have a unique line up for the frontside collection.

Völkl is one of those brands, however their freeride and all mountain freeride line ups are same construction for men(unisex) and women. By Friday of this week I'll be able to Shine a light on what is happening with the Flair line for 2026.

I was involved in a market research study with Fischer Skis a few years ago when we talked about their use of the word "my" on the women's skis. They had the Ranger collection and the women's was "My Ranger" They have long done away with that and now they have a full line up of skis in ranges of lengths, flexes, and offered in different colors, but no distinction for gender with the rare exception in the frontside where a carving ski may have a small ws on the graphic implying women specific.

The theory is that there are tons of women looking for a women specific ski when they walk into a shop. That's marketing.
We who have found SkiDiva are NOT those women in general. We are the fringe who don't care if its built for women or men, we care that they build skis for skiers because we are skiers first and foremost in this conversation.


As a side note: Nordica and Blizzard are two brands that still make women and men's specific skis in their freeride and powder categories.

 

[Ms Mia]

The Volkl Flair is a great ski! Congrats on finding the one. I think a system ski (designed with the binding integrated) is a great fit for lots of folks but some ski shops don’t carry or push them bc sometimes they don’t sell as well - people see the price is higher but don’t realize the binding is included (yes, really).

Volkl is an interesting case study in the “are women’s skis different” category because they do different things with their different segments (and have done different things over time). A classic example of a brand optimizing for its market. In their “all mountain skis” the Mantra (unisex) and Secret (women’s) lines have evolved and swapped tech so much that they’re now truly the same skis (as long as your comparing the same widths). Next year, the Secret line will be the Mantra W. A lot of brands are trending that way and that will help reduce the confusion (and maybe I can get a pretty top sheet in a 176 length for a change ).

But in their narrower frontside options, they make a TON of different skis (including multiple versions of the Flair) and many of these are calling out women specific design choices. Women make up more than 50% of the purchases of skis in this progressing intermediate groomer ski category, so it makes sense that they spend their design and marketing resources on a “women’s” ski. My theory is that this also has to do with their massive European market, where they sell the majority of their frontside skis - they’ve diversified these options to soak up as much of that frontside carver market as they can, while unifying their all mountain lines.

Super helpful reply, thank you. I hadn't thought about the different markets in Europe and North America. I lived in Europe for 16 years and learned to ski in Switzerland, and it's so different from the rough and ready conditions i ski in now. Also, the shop guy had mentioned the Secret line would disappear to reduce confusion, and I think he has generalised that to "all women's skis are the same as unisex with different lengths".

 

[HuntersEmma57]

That's not as accurate anymore, especially in skis.

I can name at least 5 brands that have the identical construction for mens' and women's skis, but they offer differen lengths, flexes and graphics (brand dependent).

As for boots, not all women have larger calves and some of us still need a higher cuff height. One of the reasons I really like the Lange Shadow and K2 Anthems

I'll be seeing a female boot engineer later this week, working on a project for a new boot design. I'll bounce some ideas off of her.

Völkl, Fischer, Rossignol, to name a few, have been making skis same across genders for a long time, especially in the all mountain and freeride categories.

@SnowHot please share what you hear from the boot engineer! Exciting project!
On boots, I have a very muscular pronounced calf and dainty trim ankles, I am sturdy built muscular atb160# and 5’5”.
I had never question the shorter boot for women. Then I got custom Daleboots unisex with a much higher cuff and the comfort, power, and control with the high cuff is a total game changer. I don’t tire because I’m driving the ski with the power of my calf.
Upon reflection: Where the fit must be locked down is heel and ankle. The calf does not need to be strangled. The Intuition wrap liner holds my calf firmly but doesn’t leave deep red indentations.
The only other ski boot I ever loved this much is the Unisex Scarpa T2 telemark boot which also has a higher cuff and also an Intuition liner.
I have booster straps with a wee bit of give on both pairs so I never overly tightened shin buckles. I think what I’m saying is if my heel is not lifting, I don’t see the need for an overly tight short boot.
I’m my teleboots, I’m in the lower angle back country, skating, herringboning and sidestepping. I often do parallel turns on downhill. The higher cuff has been a huge benefit for control.
I also skate in the lift areas and groomed traverses in my Daleboots as well as pole up short uphills with skis on. The higher cuff made that easier as well.
Question the short lady boot!!

 

[SnowHot]

@SnowHot please share what you hear from the boot engineer! Exciting project!
On boots, I have a very muscular pronounced calf and dainty trim ankles, I am sturdy built muscular atb160# and 5’5”.
I had never question the shorter boot for women. Then I got custom Daleboots unisex with a much higher cuff and the comfort, power, and control with the high cuff is a total game changer. I don’t tire because I’m driving the ski with the power of my calf.
Upon reflection: Where the fit must be locked down is heel and ankle. The calf does not need to be strangled. The Intuition wrap liner holds my calf firmly but doesn’t leave deep red indentations.
The only other ski boot I ever loved this much is the Unisex Scarpa T2 telemark boot which also has a higher cuff and also an Intuition liner.
I have booster straps with a wee bit of give on both pairs so I never overly tightened shin buckles. I think what I’m saying is if my heel is not lifting, I don’t see the need for an overly tight short boot.
I’m my teleboots, I’m in the lower angle back country, skating, herringboning and sidestepping. I often do parallel turns on downhill. The higher cuff has been a huge benefit for control.
I also skate in the lift areas and groomed traverses in my Daleboots as well as pole up short uphills with skis on. The higher cuff made that easier as well.
Question the short lady boot!!

Your post is exactly why there are so many options. I have a low volume foot, skinny ankles and calves.
You and I need very different fits.
I'll have more information about working with the boot engineers soon!

My theory is that this also has to do with their massive European market, where they sell the majority of their frontside skis - they’ve diversified these options to soak up as much of that frontside carver market as they can, while unifying their all mountain lines.

I hadn't thought about the different markets in Europe and North America.

I can't count how many times we've talked to brand managers and have been told....
"Oh that amazing carver isn't for the US market."

There have been some really incredible carving skis that just don't get out of Europe.

[harumph]stooopid americans[/harumph]

 

[Bookworm]

Your post is exactly why there are so many options. I have a low volume foot, skinny ankles and calves.
You and I need very different fits.
I'll have more information about working with the boot engineers soon!






I can't count how many times we've talked to brand managers and have been told....
"Oh that amazing carver isn't for the US market."

There have been some really incredible carving skis that just don't get out of Europe.

[harumph]stooopid americans[/harumph]

I have a pair of Blossoms, which I love, but with all this talk about falling lately, I'm getting scared to get back on them. They fly!

 

[SnowHot]

I have a pair of Blossoms, which I love, but with all this talk about falling lately, I'm getting scared to get back on them. They fly!

My Blossom AM 77s are one of my favorite skis.
I also have a 74 mm wide Rossignol 12m radius that is awesome for those refrozen coral kind of mornings.

 

[Bookworm]

My Blossom AM 77s are one of my favorite skis.
I also have a 74 mm wide Rossignol 12m radius that is awesome for those refrozen coral kind of mornings.

I'm going to take them to Sun Valley. I've been skiing on DPS RP Pagoda 100s and I love them but they forgive all sins.

 

[SnowHot]

I'm going to take them to Sun Valley. I've been skiing on DPS RP Pagoda 100s and I love them but they forgive all sins.

The AM 77's definitely need some attention, but they are incredibly smooth.
My favorite DPS is the Pagoda 94C. What a great ski that was.

 

[Bookworm]

The AM 77's definitely need some attention, but they are incredibly smooth.
My favorite DPS is the Pagoda 94C. What a great ski that was.

I'm a lousy skier and the AM77s are a ski I feel like I have to grow into.

 

[mustski]

@Bookworm is NOT a lousy skier. She is excellent just very humble and always striving for better!