When length was the only concern, choosing skis was a simple process. As ski technology gained sophistication, manufacturers developed female-specific skis, twin-tip skis for the terrain park and half-pipe, racing skis for competition, carving skis for groomed terrain and powder skis for those who ski in deep snow. Skiers must now choose the most appropriate ski for their height, weight, skill level, gender and preferred terrain. While most ski types share some similarities, powder skis and downhill skis, also called carving or all-mountain skis, have some distinct differences.
Function
Functional differences between powder and carving techniques account for the structural differences between powder and downhill skis. Carving, the preferred technique for downhill skiing on groomed terrain, involves tipping the skis on to their edges and slicing turns into the snow. Powder skiers float on top of the snow. To use a piece of cake as an analogy, carving cuts the cake, whereas powder skiing spreads the frosting on top of it.
Width
Waist width is the key distinguishing factor between powder and downhill skis. Downhill skis are shaped and curvy for carving. Their waists range from 65 to 80 mm. These small waists, combined with wider tips and tails, is called sidecut. A deep sidecut enables the skis to sink into and carve the snow during the turn. In powder, you do not want your skis to sink into the snow, which is why powder skis, often called fat or "phat" skis, have waist widths ranging from 100 to 130 mm. The wider width enables them to float on top of the snow.
Identification
Waist width is not the only factor that distinguishes powder from downhill skis. Powder skis are more flexible than downhill skis. They also have a featured reverse camber, or curvature. Traditional downhill skis have a dome-shaped camber, which means when the unweighted ski is on the ground, the skis waist is higher than the tip and tail. In contrast, powder skis have a dome-shaped camber. When the unweighted ski lies flat, the tips and tails are higher than the waist.
Effects
The traditional camber of a downhill ski facilitates edge control during carved turns. While this type of camber maintains contact between your ski tips and the snow, this type of contact causes problems in powder. Ski instructors use the term "tip dive" to describe how traditional downhill skis may plunge into the powder, causing the skier to perform an unintended somersault. In the past, this factor lead to the misconception that you need to lean toward the back of your skis when skiing powder. The powder ski's reverse camber turns the tips upward, preventing tip diving and face plants.
Considerations
Many people wonder if they need to purchase powder skis. The answer depends on where you ski. People who usually ski in New England, New York or at any of the southern ski areas rarely experience enough powder to warrant a separate powder ski purchase. Skiers who usually ski the western United States or Canadian ski areas have a saying: "There are no friends on powder days." This implies that even in the snow-friendly West, you won't experience powder on every day throughout the season. Most skiers who ski powder have two pairs of skis: one for traditional downhill skiing and the other for powder days. It's possible to ski powder in a "mid-fat" or a downhill ski with an 85-mm waist, but powder skis are less efficient for carving groomed terrain.
Member Comments