When ski length was the only significant concern, downhill ski selection was a relatively easy process. The shaped or parabolic ski changed everything. These easy-turners leveled the playing field for less athletic skiers, and allowed them to improve their technique in a shorter time frame. As more skiers flocked to the slopes, manufacturers responded by designing skis for terrain preferences, level of proficiency and skiing style.
Ski Lingo
The ski selection process involves matching your terrain preferences and skill level with the appropriate ski. While manufacturers and magazine reviews provide clues about these factors, the language of ski design provides insight into the specific features of each type of ski. "Camber" describes the arc under the waist, which is either dome-shaped for or rocker-shaped. "Sidecut" refers to the skis' tip, waist and tail dimensions. The ski's sidecut affects its turn radius, a term that describes the size of the turn. Longitudinal flex is the ski's lengthwise flexibility, and torsional flex is the stiffness of the ski when it is twisted.
Carving Skis
Carving skis are the Marilyn Monroe of ski design. These curvaceous models have waists measuring 63 to 75 mm, with wider tips and tails. Their turn radii ranges from 11 to 18 meters. They have a traditional dome-shaped camber, which keeps the tips and tails in the snow while arcing the area underfoot. Beginner-friendly carving skis have wider tips and narrower tails. They have more longitudinal and torsional flex than the advanced models. Advanced carving skis are stiffer, and feature wider tails that resist skidding during tight, short radius turns. Racing skis are the stiffest type of carving ski.
Powder Skis
The traditional, dome-shaped camber of a carving ski works well on groomed terrain. Deep powder is different story. When the tips encounter this type of terrain, only expert skiers can keep them for diving into the snow, causing the skier to experience an unfortunate face plant. Powder skis therefore feature a rocker-shaped or reverse camber, which allows the skis to float atop the snow, while preventing the dreaded tip dive. Since powder ski technique rarely involves carving and tight, short turns, powder skis have waists measuring 90 to 112 mm, with turn radii ranging from 16 to 29 meters. Mid-fats are a powder ski subdivision. Their 80 to 85 mm waists facilitate turns in powder and groomed conditions. This type of ski is best for someone who usually skis in the northeaster or southeastern U.S., but occasionally ventures west for powder.
Twin Tips
Terrain parks are a relatively new feature, but once they caught on, resort managers responded to the trend by adding parks and half-pies to their slopes. The growing number of twin-tip ski sales indicates that terrain parks are here to stay. The Snow Sports Industries of America fact sheet indicates that Americans purchased 72,129 adult twin skis during the 2009 to 2010 season, as opposed to 68,248 in the 2008 to 2009 season. Many terrain and half-pipe tricks require backward skiing, or skiing "switch." Twin-tips, with their bi-directional tips and tails, facilitate bi-directional movements. Their shorter lengths allow greater maneuverability.
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