What is a Surfy ski?

A ski that is surfy typically is a wider ski with lots of rocker or completely reverse parabolic. In other words, it probably looks like one of these: Because of this shape, if you are in deep enough snow you will stay on top of the snow rather than cut through it.

What does a stiffer ski do?

Stiffer Flexing Skis A stiffer ski is more stable and powerful. It is more responsive because it holds an edge better. It also handles high speeds by pushing the edges into the snow harder, so they don’t bounce out of the snow.

What does a playful ski mean?

In terms of a ski being “playful,” we use that word to describe skis that are (1) easy to release from a turn / slarve, (2) that produce energy when you lean into them, (3) are easy to flick around in the air, (4) feel balanced in the air (often due to a more forward mount point), (5) and / or ski switch well.

What is a forgiving ski?

A “forgiving” ski simply allows for grosser body movements without instantaneous reactions. Say you regularly let your hips fall behind your feet; a forgiving ski will give you time to regain your balance without repercussions, while an unforgiving ski will dump you unceremoniously on your rump.

What does dampness in a ski mean?

Damping is the ability of a ski to absorb and cancel out vibration, or chatter, and the more damp a ski is, the smoother it will feel at higher speeds. Damping can be accomplished by making a ski stiffer and heavier, by adding more and different materials, and by changing the construction method.

How do you know if a ski is stiff?

STIFFER SKIS. Generally speaking, skis that have a stiff flex will feel stable at speed and have good precision on hard snow. Stiff skis grip better on hard snow, too, because they maintain full-edge contact and don’t bounce off the snow. However, a ski that is too stiff will buck you around and burn out your quads.

How do you know if your skis are too soft?

A too-soft ski definitely will over-steer and bend too significantly at your pressure signal. Edging might well be a wash-out.

What does ti mean in skis?

Virtually every ski company builds some models that include Titanal. In a lot of cases, manufacturers offer a given model in a carbon version (C or Ca) for intermediate skiers and in a Titanal version (Ti) for expert skiers.

What does POW mean in skiing?

fresh POWDER
Pow Pow is the slang term for the crème de la crème of skiing, fresh POWDER. Fine, dry, fluffy and lightweight; powder is the Holy Grail for snow sport enthusiasts. Large amounts of fresh snow make for epic conditions and give you the feeling of ‘floating’ on the surface.

Can you be to fat to ski?

There are no restrictions on an overweight body being able to ski for recreation, but, if you are way too obese, it would certainly affect your experience. The expert’s advice that shedding a few pounds to gain the incredible recreational experience of skiing is worth a shot.

What is skinny skiing?

A great way to enjoy winter is on “skinny” skis. Here’s the skinny on the narrow skis of Nordic skiing: The equipment is less than half the cost of downhill skis, and some XC (cross country) shops sell used equipment or rent equipment. 2. If you buy the equipment, you can ski anytime there’s snow.

How do you know if your skis are smooth?

“Smooth” skis will have the right blend of weight + flex pattern + torsional stiffness, but they also feel extremely easy and willing to initiate turns — apply any pressure on your edges, and you can feel the shovels of the skis start to engage and pull you into the turn, exactly as much as you want them to.

Are J’s Skis stiff?

None of J’s skis are extremely stiff, but they all have pretty round flex patterns (that most of our reviewers really like). This is another difference between the Metal & Hotshot. The Metal came in 173, 180, & 186 cm lengths, while the Hotshot will be available in 177, 183, & 189 cm lengths.

How do I know if my skis are fully cambered?

If you’ve been skiing a fully cambered pair of skis for years, and you’re looking at a new pair that has some tip and / or tail rocker, think about the running length of those skis rather than their material length. Your fully cambered skis may have reached the bridge of your nose, and these new rockered ones may reach over your head.

What makes a ski have a short effective edge?

So a ski with a lot of tip and tail taper (i.e., the widest points of its tips and tails are closer to the middle of the ski, not at the very ends) will have a short effective edge.