12-Point Ski Review
We test and review skis according to these specific performance characteristics.
- Clean carve: High edge carving ability, edge moves cleanly forward through the snow. The "racing turn."
- Soft edge : Lower edge angle; edge moves laterally across snow, as well as forward through it. There is a continuum from hard carve, with no lateral movement of the edge, to side-slip, in which there is no edge engagement and the entire edge moves laterally; soft edge is that area between. Most turns, even by top skiers, have some degree of edge softness built in. Think of a well executed feathered-edge turn as the "instructor turn." This characteristic is of key importance in determining a ski's ability to accept traditional technique and its ability to respond to various degrees of edge feather —we pay strong attention to this characteristic.
- Accurate: Does the ski run precisely with little tip wander and deflection? Can the edge be aimed at specific points on the snow?
- Stability: Stability at speed and under shock and vibration. Is the ski a solid platform?
- Rebound: Rebound energy. Does the ski store energy to pop out of the bottom of the turn?
- Quickness: How fast does the ski react to direction change? (not exactly the same as rebound, but good rebound usually means good quickness). Especially, how quickly does the ski roll up on edge?
- Lightness: Perceived weight—heft. Does the ski feel light or heavy? Nimble or sluggish?
- Relaxing: the opposite of demanding. Does the ski insist that you stay right on top of it, with no relaxation, or will it allow you to loaf along and cover up and smooth over minor wobbles, glitches and bobbles? Is it possible to relax or does the ski demand constant high energy input?
And identify its suitability for specific terrain and ability levels:
- Suitable terrain: Groomed, 50% or less off-piste, 50% or more off piste, "western" ice, "real" ice, bumps, backside, powder, racing
- Speed zone sweet spot: Slow, recreationsl, fast, race
- Skill level: Pro, expert, strong, sport, leisure, casual
- Technical specs: Sidecut, turn radius, available lengths
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