If you've ever watched skiers at play in the half pipe and terrain park, you probably noticed that these freestyle athletes can ski forwards and backwards and land gracefully from jumps. Agility, coordination and superior skiing skills enable skiers to perform these feats, but twin tip skis make them easier.
Forward and Backward Movement
Traditional alpine skis curve at the tips and lay flat at the tail. Twin tip skis curve at the tip and the tail. This feature lets skiers move forward or backward. The backward movement is not only beneficial in the half pipe and terrain park. Backward skiing allows skiers to slip out of tight spots in unexpectedly steep and narrow terrain. Ski instructors sometimes ski backward in order to watch their students and parents may ski backward when watching their children.
Powder Flotation
Some twin tip skis come in wider models. These powder-specific twin tips have soft tips and stiffer tails, which enhances flotation in deep snow.
Cushioning Underfoot
Twin tip skis are made from softer materials and have greater cushioning under foot. This feature enables comfortable landings from ski jumps.
Edging
Park-oriented twin tips have narrow waistlines. Bob Barnes, director of training at the Keystone Resort in Colorado, explains that skis with narrow waists are easy to get on edge and perform carving movements.
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