Phil Smith Snoworks Director - Skis on Salomon.
This season I will be using 5 sets of skis on our courses.
Race Training: GS & Slalom Labs. The most amazing skis I have ever used. They're so grippy it feels like your skiing on rails. Ice just melts in their tracks. You need to be fit and strong and not for the faint hearted. If you're training for the 'Eurotest' these are the babes.
Bumps, Firm Snow: 3v's. I just love these slalom skis. For all-round skiing on firm snow their simply the best. Short so I can manouevre them easily in bumps and steep, awkward places. Great sidecuts so the curves are as tight as you like and stiff so I can still 'hoon' around on them. If it's performance your after, grab some of these.
All Terrain: X-Wing Tornado's. The all round specialists. I use these when I'm on firm and deep snow on the same day. My 178's are 76mm underfoot. Narrow enough to grip on firm snow and wide enough to give me the support in deeper snow. The sidecut for a 176 is still an amazing 16.2 metres so they still come round in a nats whisker. Great and easy enough to use so anyone can handle them. The perfect all-rounder.
Off Piste, Backcountry: 1080 Gun. For seriously deep snow. If you want 'help' then these are the skis for you. The smaller lengths still have amazing sidecuts with tight curves so for anyone struggling in deep snow get yourself a pair of these beauties. I've opted for the longest, 188. A massive 101mm underfoot with a gigantic 22.2m radius sidecut. These are my 'secret weapons'. Fast, very fast.
How To Choose Skis
skiing in chile, skiing in argentina,
skiing in south america
Choosing a ski can be a minefield so at Snoworks we’ve developed a simple system that will
allow you to easily choose skis to fit with your skiing
preferences whatever make and whatever model.
There are three main factors you need to take into consideration
when choosing skis.
1. Length
2. Width of the skis under the foot
3. Sidecut Radius.
Everyone is familiar with selecting a ski by length but
the other two factors, width under foot and sidecut radius
determine how the ski performs and are more important then length when selecting a modern ski.
Width under foot
The width of the ski under foot determines the type of
skiing you wish to do, relevant to terrain and snow conditions.
We have divided the width under foot into 3 categories so you can select easily your preference.
| |
Width |
Type of Skiing |
| 1 |
less than 70mm |
Firm Snow |
| 2 |
70mm - 80mm |
All Terrain |
| 3 |
more than 80mm |
Deep Snow |
Sidecut Radius
The Sidecut Radius
is the geometrical shape of the side of the skis. This determines
the radius of the curve the ski makes when using its design
to steer. The radius of the curves the ski makes can vary massively depending on how you
steer. Again we have 3 categories so you can easily select your preference in relation to your ability level and the speed you wish to ski at. The quicker you wish the ski to 'come around' the tighter you want the sidecut radius.
| |
Radius |
Size
of Curve |
Speed |
| 1 |
less than 14m |
Small Radius |
Slower Speeds |
| 2 |
14m – 17m |
Medium Radius |
Medium Speeds |
| 3 |
more than 17m |
Large Radius |
High Speeds |
Exceptions
Depending on your ability level it is possible
to ski any ski in any conditions, steering different size
curves and traveling at different speeds. Use the chart
if you need help in selecting skis that will help you in
your chosen skiing preferences.
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