For skiing & snowboarding
For skiing & snowboarding, the two are close. Barbell back squat rates slightly higher: more injury protection.
Cossack squat is easier to learn and fit in.
Both are good choices that build different things for skiing & snowboarding, so a plan can use both.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
For quad growth, barbell back squat rates well ahead on our research criteria: more of the work on the quads, easier to progress. Cossack squat is easier on the joints.
For combat sports, Cossack squat rates higher on our research criteria: easier to learn and fit in.
For skiing & snowboarding, the two are close. Barbell back squat rates slightly higher: more injury protection. Cossack squat is easier to learn and fit in. Both are good choices that build different things for skiing & snowboarding, so a plan can use both.
About the same: both take some practice.
Barbell back squat needs a barbell and a squat rack, so for most people it’s a gym exercise. Cossack squat needs no equipment, so you can do it anywhere.
Barbell back squat: it rates Strong for injury protection in our research rubric, against Good for Cossack squat.