If you’re just learning to ski, it is essential to comprehend the various types of skis available so you can select one that best suits your abilities and capabilities. Selecting an appropriate ski will boost your confidence on snow and make turns much smoother.
Your riding style and terrain dictate which ski type is best suited to you, with options like freestyle skis, piste skis and all-mountain skis. Furthermore, there are specialized models like Alpine touring or backcountry that have been created specifically for certain uses.
Flat/Camber
When it comes to skiing, there are a multitude of styles available. Which shape you select for your skis will determine how they perform on snow, and ultimately depend on personal preferences and what conditions you like to ride in.
Camber is a profile commonly used on skis and snowboards to provide extra edge grip in hard snow conditions, helping the ski turn without slipping. This explains why racers often opt for skis with this profile.
Camber can also present problems for freestyle and powder skiers, making it harder to stay atop the snow, particularly when skiing in deep powder.
Instead of camber, skis now feature a profile called rocker. This curve lies directly beneath the skier’s feet and looks similar to the floor rails on an antique rocking chair.
This design enhances flotation in soft snow, helping a skier initiate turns more easily. Additionally, it makes lifting oneself off the snow easier – useful for jumps and jibs.
Rocker is more maneuverable and versatile than camber, making it suitable for a range of terrains and snow conditions. However, some rocker profiles may feel unstable and difficult to control in rough or technical terrain.
Camber and rocker skis differ in that cambers are designed to grip hard snow while rockers float on softer snow. To get the most out of both technologies, find balance between them both and enjoy all their advantages!
Rocker/Camber
Today’s most common ski and snowboard design features traditional camber underfoot with tip and tail rocker for optimal performance in various snow conditions, terrains, and levels of skiing.
Traditional camber is a gradual downward bend along the length of a ski (imagine a bow set on its strings). It enhances power, stability, edge grip and fore/aft balance – ideal for all mountain and big mountain skiers who enjoy carving long arcs in hard snow.
Camber emphasizes precision and edgehold, but also adds stiffness and “pop” when leaning into a carve or launching off of a jump. This makes camber ideal for advanced and expert skiers who like to make long, arcing turns, as well as helping beginners and intermediates make quick, confident turns on firm snow with increased assurance.
Tip and tail rocker, on the other hand, helps with turn initiation in variable conditions by shortening its effective edge length to a smaller part of the ski. It also reduces tip grab in soft or mixed snow conditions by keeping the front of the ski up and out of the snow.
No matter which ski you select, it’s essential to understand how different design profiles affect performance. For instance, camber and rocker often work together in all-mountain skis to meet different grip, maneuverability and float needs.
For skiers who like to navigate treed and bumpy terrain, ski companies offer a selection of designs with underfoot camber combined with tip and tail rocker. These skis provide more traction on rougher trails while helping prevent hang-ups in parks by simplifying transitions from nose to tail.
All-Mountain/Big Mountain
All-mountain/big mountain skis are designed for all terrain, from groomed slopes to moguls and steep freeride terrain. Generally wider than classic skis, these models often feature tip rockers which make them easier to turn for enhanced control.
Skiers who like to push themselves beyond their comfort level and explore new terrain should find these skis ideal. Additionally, those who just enjoy cruising may want a comfortable ski that holds an edge well in all snow conditions.
All-mountain/big mountain skis typically come in two varieties: cap and sidewall. Both feature a core made from wood, foam or fiberglass that is then encased by a plastic top sheet to protect it.
Cap skis are the most common type of all-mountain/big mountain skiing, boasting remarkable lightness and speed. While they work best on groomed slopes, they may struggle to turn in unprepared powder.
They can be quite stiff, making them unsuitable for beginners or intermediates. Furthermore, these skis tend to be expensive so be sure you select a pair that will last you for many years and won’t be too heavy when skiing hard.
Full rocker is the opposite of camber, creating a slight U shape from tip to tail. This creates more float and makes it easier to maneuver, making fully rockered skis popular for both park and all-mountain skiing.
They offer greater maneuverability than camber skis, making them a great option for park skiers who want to branch out into all-mountain skiing. Furthermore, having more surface area makes them more stable than camber skis and helps hold an edge better in all snow conditions.
Women’s Skis
Women’s skis are lighter and softer than their male counterparts, featuring more sidecut (the distance between the tip, waist, and tail) to better align with a woman’s body shape. This allows women to initiate edge carving more easily while also minimizing knee strain from unweighting.
Why Women Have a Different Waist Placement
Women typically have a lower center of gravity and more weight in their hips than in their shoulders, meaning female skiers must move their legs forward to gain leverage when turning and carving edges – something male skiers have an easier time doing due to the traditional mounting position on men’s skis.
Additionally, the position of a woman’s boots is essential in providing her with stability when carving or turning on the skis. As such, women’s skis typically feature a waist placement two centimeters closer to the tip than men’s skis of similar length.
All-Mountain/Big Mountain
Skis in the all-mountain or big mountain category are designed to be versatile in all snow conditions, from groomers to backcountry. Usually medium width with rocker at the tip, these skis make ideal choices for people who need a versatile partner in various snow conditions.
Twin Tip
Skis with a twin tip shape are popular among freestyle skiers, as they allow for reverse take-offs and landings from jumps. Big mountain skiers also prefer them due to their comfortable feel in powder conditions.
Kids Skis
Different kids skis exist for different uses. Some are ideal for groomed slopes, while others can be used to perform tricks on jumps and rails. There are even skis designed specifically for all-mountain or powder skiing.
When shopping for kids’ skis, the ideal fit should be according to their height and weight as well as ability level. Beginners or less experienced skiers should choose skis that are around 20 centimeters shorter than their height.
Your child’s skis should have a tight turning radius and plenty of catch-free rocker at the tip and tail. This will enable them to turn quickly without losing stability, further honing their skills in turning.
Many of the best skis for kids are constructed using cap-style construction, which makes them lighter in weight and more flexible. This type of design enables the ski to react instantly, making it perfect for beginners since flexing and bending requires less strength.
Experienced skiers may prefer skis with wood cores or vertical sidewalls. While these require more effort to bend and flex, they provide excellent speed and control.
Some skis for children come with a ‘rocker,’ which is an upward bent design that makes it easier to turn. This feature may be especially beneficial if your child still snowplows.
Black Crows offers an excellent selection of kid’s skis. The Junius Junior is perfect for your little adventurer, featuring soft flex and plenty of catch-free rocker in both tips and tail. With its short turn radius and easy-to-carve shape, your child will be encouraged to try new things, fall, get back up, and have even more fun.
