Ski Shape Make It Easier To Turn

Until late in the last century every ski was straigh and pretty long. Everything is changed now. They are shorter and the most important they have a shape who give a better feeling when you turn. The feeling of turning easily and on the edges. All mesurement number are approximative.

The shape of the ski have an effect on the kind of turn you will do. A ski with a large ski tip (example 122 mm) , narrow under foot ( 65 mm) and a ski large tail (117mm) will have a radius of approximate 13m radius depending of the length. The ski with that shape will do short turn similar to slalom skiing. The ski will turn quickly and pass from edges to edges easily. Skis with a shape of 11 to 14 radius are unfortunly less stable at high speed.

The all terrains ski will have a radius from 14m to 18m and a under foot size between 70mm and 90mm. More stable at high speed than the precedent, still turning easily but at with a bigger turn. Will be better on deep snow.

Another type of skis is the GS model and similars. They will be narrow, with a radius over 19m , see 27m for the ski world cup (F.I.S.). For the public the 19m to 21m are more communs.

If you want to buy a new pair of ski and don't know exactly what is better, I recommend to try differents pair and note the radius of the ski. The radius is normally on the tail of the ski with r for radius follow by the size in meter. Example r =15m.

When you try them put the outside ski on the edge (45 degrees) and let it go, it will turn by itself. If you are not sure how to do it ash a pro to help you. You have to balance on the edges of the skis to get the better result. If you skidding all the way you still need to work on.

By: Robert gagnon