In this episode I sit down with Al to pick out our ‘Best Skis of 2026’ — which really means the best skis for winter 2025/26 — and I break it down into three buckets: piste, all-mountain and freeride. As well as naming the standout models, I talk through the basics that actually help you buy the right ski: what ski width underfoot really tells you, what people mean by sidecut, and why rocker matters when you’re thinking about turn shape, grip and how a ski behaves in softer snow. I also cover the practical stuff I get asked all the time: what length skis you should choose (and why going too long or too short can ruin your day), and the extra costs people forget — like bindings. I share where this testing happens (most of it at the SIGB annual ski test in La Clusaz) and touch on sustainability in ski production, including the Ski Sustainability Forum organised by POW, Atomic and FESI. If you’re heading to the London Snow Show in October, Al and I will be there too — come and say hello.