Posted by Elliot LeBlanc | July 28, 2025

When choosing a new pair of skis, one key factor to consider is how they handle turns, and that’s where turn radius comes in.

This measurement, usually expressed in meters, indicates how sharply a ski can carve a turn without skidding. 

A shorter radius (around 10–15 meters) means tighter, quicker turns, while a longer radius (20–30 meters or more) supports wider, more stable arcs.

A good way to visualize this is by looking at the size of the circle the ski’s sidecut can trace.

Skis with a pronounced sidecut—meaning a significant difference in width between the tip, waist, and tail—will have a smaller turning radius because their curved profile allows them to carve tighter arcs. If the ski is pretty straight along the sides, it will have a larger turning radius and be less responsive in tight turns. The length of your ski matters to the turning radius, too—the longer the ski, the bigger, typically, the turn radius, unless the ski has a more pronounced sidecut to perform tight turns. That said, if you want to make tight turns on a longer ski with a bigger turn radius, you can, but might need to slide or skid out the tails.

Shiffrin skiing down the Downhill course in Corviglia, St. Moritz, Switzerland. Notice how straight and long the skis are. | Image: Adidas Terrex Instagram

If you’re into skiing powder and big mountain terrain, you will need skis that can stay on top of fluffy snow. These skis are typically wider underfoot and longer; therefore, they will feature a larger turning radius (20 meters or more). For people who want something that they can use all over the mountain and in most conditions, skis with a medium turn radius (15-19 meters) are better, since you can still get into big flowy turns but also take short carves when you need to. If you just want something to carve on groomers or are going to be on a lot of icy terrain, short radius (< 15 meters) skis that can turn on a dime are best.

If you really want to splurge and buy nice racing skis, it’s best to look into ones designed for slalom events. Giant Slalom skis have a radius of 30 meters (in accordance with FIS rules), while Super-G skis have a whooping 40 meters and Downhill skis as much as a 50-meter radius. Even though you might dream of carving down the mountain like a pro Downhill skier, the average skier wouldn’t even be able to maneuver skis with these extreme settings.

Turning radius is important to how your skis handle, but factors such as camber, rocker, and material also play a significant role in their performance. Ultimately, choosing the right skis comes down to personal preferences, but understanding how the turn radius affects your turning style and control on the mountain makes that decision much easier.

Scottish Olympian Charlie Guest during a Slalom race in Austria. The skis are comparably short and the edges are curvier. | Image: Charlie Guest Instagram