The Characteristics of a Ski

A ski possesses several important features, such as radius, stiffness, and torsional stiffness. These attributes are vital when choosing the skis that suit you best. Let's explain the five key terms.

Radius

Almost all skis nowadays are carve skis. When you look at this ski, you'll notice that it is wider at the front and back than in the middle. In other words, the ski is shaped. The turn is already built into the ski. The greater the width difference of the ski, the shorter the radius. If you were to extend the side of the ski imaginatively, it would form a circle. The smaller the circle, the shorter the radius.

Stiffness

Stiffness refers to how rigid the ski is along its length. How far can you bend the ski? The stiffer the ski, the more force you can apply while skiing. However, a stiff ski requires more strength and demands more skiing experience. A more flexible ski is easier to handle and forgives minor errors.

Torsional Stiffness

Torsional stiffness relates to the ski's rigidity across its width, between the steel edges. The stiffer the torsion, the better the ski can carve, providing more edge grip, especially on steep, hard slopes. Higher torsional stiffness requires more technical skill to maintain control. Smoother skis can absorb small bumps and hollows more easily than very stiff skis, which necessitates more advanced technique.

Camber

If you lay your skis on a flat surface, you'll notice that the front and back touch the ground, but there's a slight gap beneath the binding. This tension allows the ski to react quickly and effectively to the terrain.

Rocker

A rocker ski is essentially the opposite of camber. The ski contacts the snow at the binding, but the front and back slightly lift off the snow. This provides more buoyancy and makes it easier for the ski to come out of the snow. Rocker skis turn more easily and have less snow contact. This is due to the raised front and back, effectively making the ski much shorter in length.

Summary

Above, you can find all the different characteristics of a ski, so now you know what to look for. To make it even easier for you, we've listed the key points:

• Shorter radius allows for shorter turns.
• A narrower ski can switch edges faster, making it more responsive and agile.
• A wider ski provides better floatation and is easier to maneuver in deep snow.
• A narrower ski offers better grip on icy slopes.
• Shorter skis are more maneuverable.