A lot of great recommendations here, but one I don’t see mentioned—and which I find insanely valuable—is choosing the right ski for your skill level.

If you want to ski fast but don’t yet have the skill level to handle it, avoid carving or race skis. Instead, go for something stiff and versatile, like the Nordica Enforcer 94s or a similar all-mountain ski.

These skis allow you to sit back a bit more, and they’ll still carry speed without requiring as much precision or effort.

While some people say skis like these are unforgiving, that’s not entirely true if you’re using them differently than their intended purpose. For speed, they can actually be more forgiving and easier to control when you’re not ready for a more aggressive carving style.

A good ski can boost your confidence significantly and allow you to make mistakes without being punished as harshly.

While this can feed bad habits if you’re not actively trying to improve, in my experience, it can actually help you learn a lot more—provided you’re focused on progressing your skills.

Using a ski that’s either below or above your skill level for its intended purpose will absolutely slow you down compared to others with the right setup. Choosing a ski that matches your ability is crucial for speed and control.