This is a list of some of the terms that are used by the Diva's when they demo skis.
Agile – The quickness of a skis turn. An agile ski will slither easily through bumps and trees while a less agile ski will feel more at home making large high-speed turns on groomers and will feel more stable in crud.
Dampening – Describes a tool or technique to reduce the vibrations in a ski, which could be external or in the ski’s construction. A ski with a lot of dampening will feel solid and glued to the ground at speed/ A ski with less dampening will feel more lively and may chatter (flap) at speed or even feel squirrely (unstable and super turny).
Effective edge – The amount of metal edge that is in contact with the snow.
Flex – the stiffness of the ski. Powder skis usually have a soft flex. Race skis or any ski for ice is stiffer.
Flex Distribution (Balance) – the distribution of the flex pattern along the length of the ski. A softer tip will do better in soft snow and bumps, a stiffer tip will make quicker turns on groomers. A softer tail will smear turns more easily and a stiffer tail will grip better on the snow.
Float – the ability to ski in the upper part of soft snow rather than sinking to the harder stuff below. Float is heavily influenced by the surface area of the ski (wider, longer skis will float more) and by the weight of the skier (lighter skiers need less surface area to float), There are other construction tricks, like wide shovel paired with a narrower tail, to encourage the sensation of float.
Forgiveness - A more forgiving ski doesn't punish you for a less than optimal position either enter or exiting the turn, hence it doesn't toss you around as much as a less forgiving ski will. When ever I use the term "forgiving ski" with a student I am specifically refer to a ski that doesn't beat them up for their mistakes but will reward them with the ability to make better turns with greater speed as their skill increases. How forgiving a ski actually is going to be is more dependant on your ability. A ski that is forgiving for a level 7-9 skier could be a nightmare for a level 3-5 skier and vice versa.
Liveliness – The ability of a ski to transmit the feel of variations in terrain surface to the skier. A more lively ski will give lots of feedback while a less lively ski masks the changes for a smoother ride.
Rebound – The energy a ski has during the edge change phase of the turn. A ski with less rebound will move into the new turn without any muss or fuss. A ski with high rebound will tend to rocket, or even bounce, into the next turn when pressured correctly.
Responsive – The speed with which a ski responds to a skier’s input. Less responsive skis are better for beginners so the ski doesn’t react to inadvertent errors in gross body movements. Advanced skiers want a responsive ski that reacts to even the smallest movement on the foot, ankle or lower leg.
Stability – the ability of the ski to feel solid in cruddy snow or at high speeds.
Sweet spot – the balance spot for the ski. This can be large, can be for or aft of centre and makes the ski, ski easy.
Turning radius – is the radius of the natural circle that the skis makes on edge.
Agile – The quickness of a skis turn. An agile ski will slither easily through bumps and trees while a less agile ski will feel more at home making large high-speed turns on groomers and will feel more stable in crud.
Dampening – Describes a tool or technique to reduce the vibrations in a ski, which could be external or in the ski’s construction. A ski with a lot of dampening will feel solid and glued to the ground at speed/ A ski with less dampening will feel more lively and may chatter (flap) at speed or even feel squirrely (unstable and super turny).
Effective edge – The amount of metal edge that is in contact with the snow.
Flex – the stiffness of the ski. Powder skis usually have a soft flex. Race skis or any ski for ice is stiffer.
Flex Distribution (Balance) – the distribution of the flex pattern along the length of the ski. A softer tip will do better in soft snow and bumps, a stiffer tip will make quicker turns on groomers. A softer tail will smear turns more easily and a stiffer tail will grip better on the snow.
Float – the ability to ski in the upper part of soft snow rather than sinking to the harder stuff below. Float is heavily influenced by the surface area of the ski (wider, longer skis will float more) and by the weight of the skier (lighter skiers need less surface area to float), There are other construction tricks, like wide shovel paired with a narrower tail, to encourage the sensation of float.
Forgiveness - A more forgiving ski doesn't punish you for a less than optimal position either enter or exiting the turn, hence it doesn't toss you around as much as a less forgiving ski will. When ever I use the term "forgiving ski" with a student I am specifically refer to a ski that doesn't beat them up for their mistakes but will reward them with the ability to make better turns with greater speed as their skill increases. How forgiving a ski actually is going to be is more dependant on your ability. A ski that is forgiving for a level 7-9 skier could be a nightmare for a level 3-5 skier and vice versa.
Liveliness – The ability of a ski to transmit the feel of variations in terrain surface to the skier. A more lively ski will give lots of feedback while a less lively ski masks the changes for a smoother ride.
Rebound – The energy a ski has during the edge change phase of the turn. A ski with less rebound will move into the new turn without any muss or fuss. A ski with high rebound will tend to rocket, or even bounce, into the next turn when pressured correctly.
Responsive – The speed with which a ski responds to a skier’s input. Less responsive skis are better for beginners so the ski doesn’t react to inadvertent errors in gross body movements. Advanced skiers want a responsive ski that reacts to even the smallest movement on the foot, ankle or lower leg.
Stability – the ability of the ski to feel solid in cruddy snow or at high speeds.
Sweet spot – the balance spot for the ski. This can be large, can be for or aft of centre and makes the ski, ski easy.
Turning radius – is the radius of the natural circle that the skis makes on edge.
