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About Downhill Skis

Downhill skis are sometimes referred to as Alpine skis. In the beginning they were simply planks of wood. Later strips of metal were added to help boost sturdiness and control on the snow or ice.

Several compounds are combined to build downhill skis nowadays. The carbon-Kevlar composite, for instance results in a much lighter, more durable ski. It greatly extends the useful life of the skis.

Today’s ski designs look nothing like the narrow planks of wood that were the first downhill skis. Today’s skis tend to be created specifically to allow for various turning capabilities. The particular design’s turn radius ability is often given on the top of the ski.

Skiing demands tremendous leg power in order to “carve a turn”. Skiers need to exert a considerable force to the old-fashioned straight-edged patterns to cause them to bend and curve so that a turn can be executed.

Very little change in the design of the overall contour of a ski was done before the late 80s and early 90s. Elan designed the parabolic shaped ski. When you look at the ski from above, the center of the ski is notably less wide than the tip and tail of the ski.

This parabolic shape also gives the ski a greater capability to flex and take a turn. With continued design modifications made through the 90s, brought about with the popularity of snowboarding, it’s possibly even simpler for the newcomer to learn to tackle the turns and ski down a trail.

Downhill skis suitable for the trail are normally less wide when compared with those created for “off-piste” conditions. The piste is an alternative word for a marked ski run. It is actually the French word for trail or track.

Back country or Big Mountain are phrases used to describe a wider ski devised for off-piste conditions. Cable bindings have been added to improve strength and also to aid in pulling your foot from a deep snow bank.

Manufacturers of Alpine or downhill skis can include Salomon,Elan, Fischer and Head. Price tags differ tremendously from one model to another. Most manufacturers design skis exclusively for newbie skiers and all the way up to the advanced Double Black Diamond skiier.

Many men and women decide to try downhill skiing each year only to give it up soon as they fall and break an arm or leg. Don’t let this happen to you.