There was once a time when all skiers skied on unisex skis. Measuring between 185 cm and 230 cm, these older skis were significantly longer than their modern descendants. The longer and straighter skis were difficult to maneuver. They required strength and power, which may explain why skiing was a male-dominated sport. The advent of the smaller, lighter and flexible-shaped ski improved the user-friendly factor of the sport, and women began flocking to the slopes. This influx of female skiers inspired ski manufacturers to develop women-specific skis.
Misconceptions
While female specific skis may be shorter, and have attractive graphics, these are not the only factors that distinguish them from men's or unisex models. Women's skis are designed to accommodate features specific to female anatomy.
Effects
A woman's center of gravity is lower and farther back than a man's, explains women's ski equipment expert Jeannie Thoren. Women also carry more weight in their lower body, explains women's ski expert Jeannie Thoren, in an article on her website. When a man flexes forward on his skis, his center of gravity is over his toes. Because carving movements initiate in the ski tips, the typical male anatomy puts men in a leveraged position for turn initiation. In contrast, when a women flexes forward, her center of gravity is over her heels, which implies that she is initiating her turns from the ski tails. Tail-initiated turns are usually sloppy and skidded.
Features
In an article on her website, Thoren explains the different ways that female-specific skis accommodate a woman's anatomy. Aside from being shorter and lighter, women's skis have a forward mount position, to accommodate for a woman's lower center of gravity.
Function
The ski's core determines its flexibility, and is specific to the manufacturer. K2 women's skis, for example, have a dense fir core underfoot, which is fused with a lightweight spruce material at the tip and tail. This reduces the ski's reduce swing-weight. A heavier male might overpower these lightweight core materials, so heavier materials are often used.
Considerations
Some women are relatively tall, slim-hipped, strong and muscular. Female-specific models may be inappropriate for this group of skiers. Expert female skiers may also be strong enough to flex a stiffer ski, and may want to stick with unisex models.
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