Women and men may have equal athletic potential, but certain anatomical differences put women at a biomechanical disadvantage. During the late 1990s, ski gear manufacturers solved this problem by creating the lightweight, flexible, female-specific ski. At first, only a few companies saw the importance of designing a ski for women. Now, just about every gear company manufactures a women's ski. Choosing the best alpine women's ski is a subjective process, which must factor in your ability level and terrain preference.
Stability at Speed
Fear of speed is common among skiers, but the K2 Burnin' Luv builds confidence even in timid skiers. While K2 created this ski in 2005, it still appears on best women's ski lists on websites like OnTheSnow.com. The Burnin' Luvs are part of the K2 T: Nine series, named after Title IX, the amendment that prevented gender discrimination in physical education classes. These skis level the playing field on the slopes. The Luvs, inspired by racing ski design, feature a patented speed rocker underfoot, which lengthens and elevates the tips for easy turn initiation, while the camber running along the ski's length provides precision and superior edge hold. The Burnin' Luvs suit advanced intermediates who want to get to the next level. They work best on groomed terrain and in the NASTAR race course.
Powder Skis
Different ski-related magazines often present conflicting views about the best skis. To further complicate matters, user-generated ski message forums often disagree with the magazine's opinions. When three websites and two message forums sing the praises of the Rossignol S110W powder ski, women listen. This powder-specific ski features Rossignol's patented Amptek rocker technology, designed for greater flotation in powder. The 18m turn radius facilitates the long, wide turns needed for powder skiing. This ski is best for advanced skiers or upper intermediates seeking a friendly introduction to powder skiing.
All Mountain
The Dynastar women's ski line is noted for its versatility, and the Exclusive Legend Eden, designed for experts, maintains the company's reputation. The word "exclusive" is appropriate. The Exclusive Legend Eden, with its 85mm waist, plays well in powder and groomed conditions. These skis feature Dynastar's Exclusive Balance System, which raises your heel in relation to your toes and moves your center of gravity forward. This features moves a female skier's center of gravity over her feet, thereby easing turn initiation and adding power and control to her movements.
Easy Turning
Intermediates wishing to master the art of carving should consider the easy-turning Head Great One. Its 77mm waist and 13.5mm turn radius ease skiers into short and medium radius turns, and Head's patented Adaptive Intelligence Technology adapts to the way you ski in different conditions.Head's Intellifibers, positioned at 45° in front of your bindings, transform your movements into mechanical energy. When riding through hard-packed snow, your high-energy movements increase the ski's torsional stiffness, creating greater edge control and stability. In contrast, powder skiing movements require less energy and less edge control, so the Intellifibers decrease the ski's torsional stiffness.
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