Physics of skiing
FIS equipment tolerances
For other turning techniques, see Skiing.
A history of the modern shaped ski
The ski binding anchors the foot firmly to the ski at heel and toe. As a safety feature, it is spring-loaded to detach the ski from the foot once a set pressure tolerance is reached. Modern bindings utilize a DIN spring system to minimize the amount of force applied to joints such as the knee during backward twisting falls.
Twin-tip ski
Twin-tip skis are skis with turned-up ends at both the front and rear. They make it easier to ski with one's back facing downhill, allowing reversed take-offs and landings when performing aerial maneuvers. The turned-up tail allows less application of aft pressure on the ski, causing it to release from a turn earlier than a non-twin-tip ski. Twin-tip skis are generally wider at the tip, tail, and underfoot and constructed of softer materials to cushion landings. Bindings are typically mounted closer to the center of the ski to facilitate the balance of fore and aft pressure, while skiing backwards or "switch", bindings are built lower to the ski for easy rail sliding. Some skis are also manufactured with special materials or a different sidecut design under and close to the foot to facilitate rail sliding (also referred to as "Jibbing"). The popularity explosion of twin-tip skis created a push for the inclusion of more terrain park elements at ski areas across the globe. In the past five years twin tips have become popular among youth skiers, ages 14-21. Once considered a passing fad, twin-tip skis have become a staple ski in the product line of all major ski-producing companies worldwide, with a few specializing in only twin tips. Line Skis, started by Jason Levinthal, is the first company to market only twin-tip skis. The first twin-tip ski was the Olin Mark IV Comp introduced in 1974. The first company to successfully market a twin-tip ski was Salomon, with their 1080 ski.
Romantic 1903 rendition of medieval Russian soldiers' use of skis to facilitate their movement during winter campaigns.
Alpine touring ski
The Alpine touring ski is usually a modified light-weight downhill ski with an alpine touring binding. Like the backcountry ski it is designed for unbroken snow. For climbing of steep slopes, skins (originally made from the fur of seals, but now made of synthetic materials) can be attached at the base of the ski and the binding opened at the heel. For skiing downhill the bindings are locked. The ski is used with alpine touring boots which are hard but lighter than downhill skiing boots.
Monoski
The monoski is a single, double-width ski that attaches by a common DIN binding interface to modern front entry boots. More common in use during a brief boom in the 80s, today the monoski is used by only a few thousand enthusiasts world-wide. The monoski is produced by only half a dozen companies world-wide in limited quantities. Due to its extra width and flotation in deep snow, enthusiasts claim it superior as a powder ski.
Telemark ski
The Telemark ski is a downhill or touring ski, where the binding attaches only at the toe. The Telemark ski was the first ski with an inwards-turned waist which made it much easier for skiers to turn. It was pioneered by Sondre Norheim of Telemark, Norway. The fact that the foot is only attached to the ski at the toes, means that specialized more flexible ski boots are used, and a specific turning technique involving pushing one foot forward and lifting the heel of the other foot is used.
Cross-country ski
Cross-country skis are very light and narrow, and usually have quite straight edges, though some newer skis have slight sidecut. The boots attach to the bindings at the toes only. There are three binding systems most often used; Rottefella's NNN and Salomon's SNS profil and SNS pilot. The ski bases are waxed to reduce friction during forward motion, and kick wax can also be applied to get adhesion when going uphill. Some waxless models may have patterns on the bottom to increase the friction when the ski slides backward. There are two major techniques, classical (traditional striding) and freestyle or skating which was developed in the 1980s. Skating skis are shorter than classical skis and do not need grip wax. Skating is also the technique used in biathlons.
Backcountry ski
Skis for mountain/backcountry/cross-country free range skiing which are designed for skiing on unbroken snow, where an established track is lacking. These are characteristically quite wide, and with cable bindings to provide general sturdiness, and to better extract ones feet from deep snowbanks, in case it should be impossible to reach the bindings by hand. This is also the model used by military forces trained to fight in winter conditions, and the most closely related to the historical ski. The widest backcountry skis are often called 'Big Mountain' skis.
Mogul ski
These skis are specifically designed for moguls. They are typically softer, less wide and less waisted compared to a common carving ski.
Ski jumping ski
Skis for ski jumping. Long and wide skis, with bindings attaching at the toe.
See also
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