How To: Build a Quiver
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Throughout the history of skiing, the design of skis has evolved significantly, from long, straight wooden planks with leather strap bindings to today’s high-tech models made from carbon, metal, and wood cores. Gone are the days when 210cm skis were used for all types of terrain. Now, specialized skis are tailored for specific conditions and styles of skiing. This evolution has led modern skiers to build what is known as a "quiver"—a collection of complementary skis designed to excel in various aspects of the sport.
In this article, we’ll explore what a ski quiver is, why you might need one, and how to build the perfect quiver for your needs.
Table of Contents
What is a quiver? Why would I need more than one pair of skis? What do I need to know to start building a quiver? Step 1: Identify what you already have. Step 2: Characteristics of that ski: What is your ski good at? Step 3: What is your ski bad at? Step 4: How wide? How stiff? Step 5: Binding Selection Step 6: Considerations for the Backcountry. Building a quiver with Renoun Option 1: A carver's dream Option 2: For the powder hound in you
What is a quiver? Why would I need more than one pair of skis?
A quiver is a grouping of multiple pairs of skis. Each ski within a quiver serves its own unique purpose. From carving skis designed to race, to park skis, and all-mountain skis designed to handle multiple terrains, there are a wide variety of different terrains to ski and skis built to ski them.
Credit - Renoun
Here’s why having two or more different skis might be beneficial:
1. Varied Terrain: You ski a variety of terrains and want optimal performance for each type of trail.
2. Different Gear Needs: The trails you enjoy require different gear to handle them effectively.
3. Regional Differences: You spend part of the year skiing on the East Coast but also want skis suited for trips out West.
4. Backcountry Exploration: You plan to venture into the backcountry and need skis designed for those conditions.
What do I need to know to start building a quiver?
Step 1: Identify what you already have.
Step 2: Characteristics of that ski: What is your ski good at?
Step 3: What is your ski bad at?
Step 4: How wide, and how stiff?
Step 5: Binding selection.
Step 6: Considerations for the Backcountry.
Step 1: Identify what you already have.
Credit - Renoun
Consider the skis you currently own and love. If you’re not satisfied with them, it might be time to refresh your quiver with a new selection.
Think about the terrain you enjoy skiing. If you like exploring a variety of conditions, you’ll need skis that are tailored to handle each situation effectively. For example, if you enjoy making tight turns on groomers but also want to tackle deep powder, finding a single pair of skis that excels at both can be challenging.
While many all-mountain skis perform well in diverse conditions, they may not be perfect for every type of terrain. Reflect on the different types of terrain you love and whether your current skis are suited for each. Just as a carpenter uses different tools for specific tasks, having the right skis for each type of skiing will enhance your experience.
Step 2: Characteristics of that ski: What is your ski good at?
When building your ski quiver, it’s crucial to understand the strengths of your current skis and identify the skills you want to develop. Consider whether your skis are carving skis, park-style twin tips, all-mountain skis, or powder skis.
Any new additions should complement and enhance the specific characteristics you wish to improve. This might mean that some of the features you enjoyed with your old skis may not be as prominent in the new ones. Remember, each ski is designed for a different purpose!
Credit - Renoun
Step 3: What is your ski bad at?
Identify the gaps in your current ski setup: What are your skis lacking? If you have a narrow carving ski, you might need something more versatile—wider for better performance in powder, bumps, and groomed trails.
Conversely, if you have a wide powder ski, you might want a narrower option that excels at carving on groomers and maneuvering through trees. Take our word for it- you want the right ski for the job. Otherwise, you might end up with a face full of snow!
Credit - Thomas DiPietro & Taegen Yardley
Step 4: How wide? How stiff?
Underfoot width is a key factor in deciding if a ski will complement your existing quiver or if its benefits might already be covered by a ski you already own and love.
Credit - Renoun
As a general rule, aim for at least 8-10 millimeters of separation between skis in your quiver to ensure they offer distinct performance benefits. A narrower ski will have a shorter turning radius, making it nimble on groomed terrain but less effective in deep snow. Conversely, a super-wide ski excels in flotation through deep powder but can be cumbersome on hard-packed surfaces.
The stiffness and rigidity of a ski are also crucial factors in determining its place in your quiver. If you already own a ski with multiple layers of titanal metal, you might not need another with similar stiffness. However, if you prefer stiffer skis, you might look for additional models with more metal, using width as your primary criterion for differentiation.
Step 5: Binding Selection
Choosing the perfect ski binding depends on your size and the type of skiing you plan to do.
If you're aiming to hit jumps, drop cliffs, or engage in any high-adrenaline skiing where your skis frequently leave the snow, the Look Pivot 15 is your best bet. This binding is renowned for its performance in downhill skiing, thanks to Look’s Pivot Technology™, which absorbs the impact from landings to protect your knees and maintain the binding’s integrity. It’s built to withstand years of heavy use, including jumping and falling.
For those not planning to tackle big drops, more standard bindings will suffice. The Griffon 13 and Squire 11 offer durability at a more budget-friendly price compared to the Look Pivots.
If you weigh under 150 lbs, the Marker Squire 11 is a great choice. With a DIN range of 3-11, these bindings are ideal for most female skiers and smaller male skiers.
Weigh over 150 lbs? The Marker Griffon 13 is your go-to. With a DIN range of 4-13, these bindings are suitable for all but the most extreme skiers.
And Shaq, if you’re reading this, you might want to consider a higher DIN binding to avoid any accidental releases while carving up the slopes.
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Step 6: Considerations for the Backcountry.
If you're planning to include backcountry touring in your skiing, it's essential to have a pair of lightweight skis paired with specialized touring bindings. Bindings like the Salomon Shift are designed to perform well both uphill and downhill, making them a versatile choice for skiers who want a setup that works for both backcountry tours and downhill days.
While the Salomon Shift is not the lightest touring option available, it offers a good balance between weight and performance. However, if your focus is exclusively on backcountry skiing, you might consider a more specialized binding like the ATK Raider Evo 13. This binding is ultralight for efficient uphill travel while still providing the security needed for safe descents.
Credit - Matt Tufts
Our Preferred Backcountry Touring Gear:
Building a quiver with Renoun
When we break down the Renoun ski lineup to consider what sorts of quivers can be made, a few options immediately jump to mind.
Credit - Renoun
Option 1: A carver's dream
The Carver’s Dream quiver features the Atlas 80, our narrowest carving-focused ski, and the Endurance 98, a wider all-mountain option. This combination is perfect for skiers who primarily enjoy groomed terrain but like to venture off-trail when the snow falls.
The Endurance 98 offers excellent edge-hold on groomed trails and excels in trees and deep powder. Meanwhile, the Atlas 80 serves as the ideal "daily driver," particularly for east coast skiers who often find themselves on groomers due to weather conditions. With the Atlas 80 for everyday carving and the Endurance 98 for powder days, this setup provides a well-rounded quiver for various conditions.
Option 2: For the powder hound in you
This second quiver combines our narrower all-mountain ski, the Endurance 88, with our widest powder ski, the Citadel 107. It’s an ideal setup for skiers who enjoy tackling various terrains but don’t prioritize tight turns on groomers.
The Endurance 88 offers a playful, versatile performance, equally at home in trees, bumps, or on groomed runs. It’s perfect for days with minimal fresh snow or for family skiing. With its two sheets of titanal metal, solid maple core, and VibeStop™ inlays, it delivers the performance of a stiff ski when needed while maintaining the lightness and playfulness of a lighter ski when desired.
The Citadel 107 is your go-to ski when the snow starts to fall. At 107mm underfoot, it’s wide enough to handle deep powder and light enough for elite backcountry touring. Featuring a full carbon backbone, solid aspen core, and VibeStop™ inlays, this high-performance powder ski will keep you seeking out the deepest snow.
Credit - Will Chaltas
The author: Will Chaltas
Will has over a decade of ski industry experience. With PSIA ski instructor certifications, thousands of hours logged ski instructing, and a lifetime spent on-snow, Will is an expert in the sport. Will also spent time working in brand management, media, product journalism, marketing and customer service before joining the Renoun team full-time in 2023.
Why Trust the Renoun Reviews Team?
Renoun Skis Reviews team has over a decade of ski design and manufacturing experience, and decades of combined ski-industry experience ranging from certified PSIA ski instructors to shop technicians, racers, and coaches. We also have a deep passion for and love of all things skiing. The team utilizes this experience to provide unparalleled reviews that dive deep to help guide your purchase for just about any ski-related item and help inform you of any ski-focused tips and tricks about maintenance, on-hill performance, and even the best places to enjoy your Après-Ski. Through written and video content, the Renoun Skis Reviews team is here to help inform you on all things ski-related.
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