Ski Tips Scarred/Chipped - Right Skis?

[Anna Caldwell]

Hello everyone. I've been skiing since I was a kid. I took 20 years off, kids, moving, expense, but started back last year. 20 Days last year. 16 so far this year.

When we started back to skiing last year, the skis were obviously different than what I used in college. The skis I'm on this season are even more parabolic shaped than last years. When I began skiing on them this season, I immediately noticed that the ski tips overlapped standing still with my feet together. Yesterday, upon inspection, I noticed my tips were pretty scratched up. More than others I glanced at on the ski racks.

I have, so I'm told, a nice form when I ski. I generally have my boots touching, or knees, when skiing through turns. But, with the current skis, I seem to have issues in my turns when the overlapping ski tips interfere with the transfer from one side to the other. I've even fallen a few times when the skis "stuck" and I lost my balance.

So, the question is, should I take these season rentals back and get a different shaped ski? Or, is this just the way skis are now and I need to adjust my form to not ski with my feet so tight?

 

[ski diva]

It could be your stance. Not only have the shape of skis changed, but the way you ski them has, too. Years ago, the desired stance was legs pretty close together. With parabolic skis, you want more of an athletic stance with your legs shoulder-width apart. Really, things have changed a lot. You might want to take a lesson to get the hang of the new shape. I learned the old way, too, and it takes a bit of an adjustment to use the newer skis to their best advantage.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

 

[Jilly]

Second the lesson. Look at my avatar. And my knees need to be further apart really. I've been instructing since "those days", and it's been a struggle for myself. So I know your pain.

Think about independent legs and knees apart for your stance.