HOW THE CHANGES IN SKI MANUFACTURING HAVE CHANGED THE FREESKI MOVEMENT.
WRITTEN BY PARADISE AMBASSADOR JEREMY JACQUES - Origonally posted onparadiseskis.com
My name is Jeremy.
I am a freeride coach forULLR Big MountainatLake Louise.
I have been skiing for many, many years now.
I have seen the changes in the engineering of skis.
For example: I used to race on 210cm GS (straight) skis.
Now I am on a pair of 191cmVICE 113 big-mountain skiswith a 113mm underfoot.
After some Google searches and reading up on the evolutions of ski design, brought me here…
The evolution in materials, design, and technology has revolutionized the big mountain ski experience.
Meaning skiers experience enhanced performance, maneuverability, and versatility on challenging and diverse terrain.
In the days of straight skis, big mountain skiing presented a different set of challenges.
The shift towards shaped skis marked a significant turning point in big mountain ski engineering.
This design allowed skiers to turn more easily and provided better control, especially on groomed slopes.
As ski engineering progressed, manufacturers began to explore thebenefits of rocker technology.
This design innovation significantly impacted the big mountain ski experience.
Rocker enhanced floatation in powder, allowing skiers to glide on top of deep snow with reduced effort.
Materials used in ski construction have also played a big role in transforming the mountain ski experience.
This shift is particularly beneficial for big mountain skiers who often face long descents and varied conditions.
The reduction in weight contributes to decreased fatigue, allowing skiers to maintain control and precision throughout their descents.
Also, the widening of skis has become a defining feature in big mountain ski engineering.
Wider skis, with increased waist widths, offer improved stability and performance in challenging conditions.
The combination of rocker technology and wider skis has led to a shift in big mountain ski design.
Think you’re too old to learn new tricks?
Jeremy did his first backflip at 44 years old!
Now in 2024, he’s perfected frontflips.
