The 10 Best Skis for Beginners of 2024
By: Jordan Sunshine: Ski Buyer | September 25, 2023
Shopping for that first ski for a beginner skier has always been a challenge. It’s a delicate balancing act to find a ski that’s accessible and easy to turn and get used to but will hold up to more aggressive skiing as they grow and improve. In the past, beginners have often been limited to cheap, fragile skis that were designed more to meet a price point than to offer a quality performance product to new skiers. But now, skiers just starting can shop between a wide variety of beginner skis that are tailored to fit their goals, terrain, and ability level. This year’s crop of beginner skis is more capable than ever. These are all skis that can handle runs all over the mountain, not just groomers on the bunny hill. Many of them share the same construction and design elements as more advanced skis, so they’ll hold up as new skiers progress and get stronger. And, from an aesthetics standpoint, these beginner skis are no longer plagued by cheap-looking graphics you’d expect from an entry-level ski. There's a lot to consider when getting started skiing, thankfully at least one step has been simplified as there’s never been a better time to shop for beginner skis!
New This Year:
The 2024 collection of skis for beginners is not only about ease of use but also about embarking on a skiing journey with a touch of style. This year, the spotlight is on fun graphics that add a vibrant dimension to the skiing gear, making the learning curve an enjoyable experience. Besides aesthetics, the focus has significantly shifted towards offering great setups that evolve with the skill level of the learners. These innovative setups are meticulously designed to provide a smooth transition from a novice to an intermediate skier, ensuring a continual learning progression. With these advancements, beginners can now enjoy a more engaging and visually appealing skiing experience while having the confidence that their gear will grow with them as they advance in their skiing endeavors. The blend of aesthetic appeal and progressive functionality in this year's lineup of beginner skis is indeed a warm welcome for those taking their first steps on the slopes.
This Year's Best Beginner Skis:
Rossignol Sender 90 Pro Skis + Xpress 10
A launching pad for juniors whose skills are already at an adult level but still want a lighter, more forgiving ride, the Rossignol Sender 90 Pro Skis + Xpress 10 GW Bindings fill a need for quality gear at an affordable price point. A medium 90mm waisted freeride shape gives the Sender 90 Pro a performance advantage in deeper fresh snow, and an Extended Poplar PEFC Wood Core provides solid stability at all speeds.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 90 mm | Yes | $479.95 |
Atomic Redster Q4 Skis + M 10 GW
The Atomic Redster Q4 Skis + M 10 GW Bindings are made for the skier who appreciates fresh cord first thing in the morning. They carve corduroy with ease, slash end of day chop, and rule the runout when you need it most. Made with a foam and wood core reinforced with Titanal, this stiff charger just wants to GO. Thanks to included M 10 bindings you can do just that. Clip in with ease, pull down your fast glasses, and get out there.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 75 mm | Yes | $499.95 |
Atomic Cloud Q8 Skis + M10 GW - Women's
The Atomic Cloud Q8 Skis + M 10 GW Bindings build on the established groomer design of the Cloud series by adding a bit more width and all-mountain capability. A great learner's ski that will prove itself over and over again throughout the season.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 74.5 mm | Yes | $549.95 |
Dynastar E-Cross 78 Skis + XP 10
Step away from the rental counter, stop filling out those forms, and get a quality ski you can depend on each week with the Dynastar E-Cross 78 Skis + XP 10 Bindings. A directional shape ideal for learning the ropes on the front side of the ski area, the E-Cross 78 is easy to put on edge but doesn't compromise on edgehold when the snow is hard, making this a ski that will grow with you as you progress.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 78 mm | Yes | $499.95 |
K2 Disruption 76 Skis + M2 10 Quikclik
Designed to make hard snow frontside mastery as simple and approachable as possible, the K2 Disruption 76 Skis + M2 10 Bindings make clean carved turns a snap, and don't require legs like a World Cupper's to put on edge. With a lighweight composite core and Duracap construction, the Disruption 76 is light, nimble, and durable all at once.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 76 mm | Yes | $469.95 |
Rossignol Experience 76 Skis + Xpress 10 GW
Ready to upgrade your rental setup and skip the lines? The Rossignol Experience 76 Skis + Xpress 10 GW Bindings are the answer to getting on the snow faster than ever. Thanks to the included bindings and easy to maneuver poplar wood profile, you'll be making beautiful turns in no time.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 76 mm | Yes | $479.95 |
Elan Wildcat 76 LS Skis + ELW 9.0
OK, you're a new skier, fresh out of the gate, and rarin' to go - except for that rental line. It's enough to make you stay home and do the crossword. Or, you could get the versatile and forgiving Elan Wildcat 76 Skis + LS ELW 9.0 Bindings and know you're on the best learning platform available every time you head to the mountains.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 76 mm | Yes | $599.99 |
Head Easy Joy SLR Skis + Joy Pro – Women’s
The Head Easy Joy SLR Skis + Joy 9 GW Bindings are light, flexible, and forgiving - perfect for your first pair of skis or for those who wish to avoid the hassle of the rental shop time sink.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 67 mm | Yes | $300.00 |
Völkl Deacon X Skis + vMotion 10 GW
Step up to Völkl quality for your first pair of skis and feel the difference in quality. The Völkl Deacon X Skis + vMotion 10 GW combo is designed to let you navigate the learning curve with ease and stay with you longer than most beginner ski packages. A narrow 72mm waist lets you master the art of transitioning from edge to edge and a mellow flexing overall design lets you progress with confidence.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 67 mm | Yes | $499.99 |
K2 Mindbender 85 Skis + Squire 10
The K2 Mindbender 85 Skis + Squire 10 Ski Bindings will change the way you think about system skis from the first turn - not only are they exceptionally easy to bend into an arc, but they are surprisingly solid on firm snow surfaces and a great way to move up from the rental ranks without spending an arm and a leg.
| Waist Width | Bindings | Original Price |
| 85 mm | Yes | $599.95 |
Learn More With Our Other Ski Guides:
Skis - Kids' Size Chart and Buyer's Guide
Skis - Rocker Technology Explained
Ski Bindings – How to Choose & DIN Setting Chart
Ski Boots - Sizing & Buyer's Guide
Ski Boots - Boot Sole & Ski Binding Compatibility
Ski Boots – How to Make Your Boots Fit Better
Ski Poles - Size Chart
Skiing - Beginner Skiing Tips
Skiing - How to Fly With Skis
Skiing - How to Get in Shape
Ski Maintenance - Base Repair
Ski Maintenance – How to Store for the Summer
Ski Maintenance – How to Tune
Ski Maintenance – How to Wax
Gloves & Mittens - How to Choose
Goggles - How to Choose
Goggles - Wearing Goggles with Glasses
Helmets - How to Choose & Fit Guide
Outerwear - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
Outerwear - How to Wash Waterproof Jackets & Clothing
Outerwear - Regional Ski & Snowboard Guide
Ski Socks - Sizing & Buyer's Guide
Avalanche Probes - How to Choose
Backcountry - Choosing an Avalanche Airbag Pack
Backcountry - Choosing an Avalanche Beacon
Backcountry - Climbing Skins Size Guide
Backcountry - Dynafit / Tech Binding Basics
Backcountry - How to Buy Alpine Touring Bindings
Backcountry - How to Buy Alpine Touring Ski Boots
Backcountry - How to Choose an Avalanche Shovel
Backcountry - How to Choose Climbing Skins
Backcountry Backpacks - How to Choose
Backcountry Basics - How to Get Started
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The Selection Process:
Our ski buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things skiing stemming from years of experience in the ski industry in tandem with their countless hours spent on slopes everywhere from groomers to the remote backcountry around the world. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Jordan Sunshine
I was born and raised in northern Vermont and moved west as soon as I turned 18. I bounced around the PNW for a while eventually following evo’s store openings to Denver where I have called home since and although I will always take even the wettest of pow days, have come to appreciate any day skiing in the sun, be it with friends or my kids.I have been skiing since I was 2 and started working in a ski shop when I was 14, which was way more fun than washing dishes. Over the years I have worked as a ski tech, boot fitter, liftie, product copywriter, and eventually came to manage evo’s Portland and Denver stores. Now I am the Ski Buyer, overseeing ski hardgoods and backcountry accessories.