Brains
If you’ve ever stood at the base of the mountain, skis in hand, wondering whether one goes on the left and the other on the right, you’re not alone. For most skiers and most skis, the answer is simple: it doesn’t matter. Traditional alpine skis are symmetrical, meaning they’re designed to perform the same no matter which foot they’re on. But there are a few exceptions, and in practice, it can become somewhat more complicated.
Certain ski designs, binding setups, and wear patterns can create functional differences between the left and right skis. In those cases, it’s worth paying attention to which ski goes where.
When Do Skis Have a Left and Right?
Some skis are intentionally built with asymmetrical designs, particularly in the tips or sidecuts. Brands like Elan manufacture skis that are specifically labeled left and right to enhance edge grip and turn initiation. These skis are designed with an inside edge that has more camber and an outside edge with more rocker. Ride with them on the wrong side, and you may notice your turns feel off.
Even on symmetrical skis, other factors can make a left and right distinction matter over time. For example, bindings are tested and adjusted individually based on each skier’s boots. Shops use stickers to identify left and right skis during this process because even brand-new bindings can test slightly differently due to boot wear. A worn heel lug or damaged sole on one boot might cause the binding to release too early—or not at all—leading to a potential crash. Certified technicians must visually inspect both boots before signing off on your setup for liability reasons. The stickers help track DIN settings and release data for each ski.
Wear and Tuning
Over time, your skis might naturally become a left and a right due to how you ski. Most skiers tend to put more pressure on the inside edges when carving, which means the inside edges (the ones facing each other) wear down faster. For this reason, some skiers may choose to keep their skis consistently left and right—or rotate them deliberately—to manage edge wear evenly. One might choose to deliberately designate a left and a right ski, and when they aren’t holding properly to switch them. It’s time for a tune-up when they stop holding an edge again. If you never pay attention to which ski goes on which foot, you’ll probably end up switching them around by chance, which can help the edges wear more evenly over time.
Some skiers even tune their skis differently. This can be done by sharpening the inside edge more for grip and detuning the outside edge slightly. In those cases, mixing up skis could noticeably affect performance. Race skiers, in particular, may designate a “training edge” and a “race edge” based on how each ski is prepped.
Graphics and Superstition
Another reason skis sometimes get a left and right label is because of the topsheet graphics. Some manufacturers design artwork that spans both skis, creating a continuous image, like a mountain skyline, a landscape, or even a portrait, that only lines up when the skis are worn on the correct feet. For skiers who care about how they and their gear look (and many do!), keeping the graphics aligned becomes a necessity.
Beyond aesthetics, some skiers develop personal preferences or rituals. Maybe one ski feels more stable or quicker to turn, or the edges are tuned slightly differently, whether by design or wear. Even if the difference is subtle—or entirely in their head—skiers might get used to one ski being on a certain side and stick with it. For some, it’s about consistency. For others, it’s just a habit that helps them feel dialed in when they click into their bindings.
Bottom Line
If you feel that all this is too much to worry about, know that most skis are functionally interchangeable, especially traditional alpine models with symmetrical shapes and sidecuts. However, bindings, wear patterns, tuning styles, and even aesthetics can create a practical left and right ski. If you’re unsure which ski goes where, don’t sweat it too much, but it may be worth asking the shop that mounted your bindings or checking for any labels they may have added. And if you’re skiing on Elans, or any ski with an asymmetrical design, paying attention to left and right isn’t optional. It’s essential for performance, safety, and getting the most out of your turns.
