There’s a thread going on over at a major ski forum, EpicSki, entitled “Why Women’s Skis Suck.” In it, the writer poses that there’s no need for women’s equipment. That manufacturers should just make skis in varying lengths and flexes, with different mounting points, and boots should be produced in varying widths and shell sizes.
Sure, in a perfect world, this would be great. But it’s not a perfect world. Manufacturers don’t make a lot of unisex (read “men’s”) skis in the shorter lengths and flexes that women need. And if it takes marketing to women to make them do it, then I’m all for it. Hey, I want performance, so I’ll get it wherever I can. At 5′-1″ and 110 lbs, I used to resort to junior equipment to find something that fit my height and weight. Now, thanks to women-specific equipment, this isn’t necessary. Manufacturers have started making a lot of kick-ass women’s skis and boots.
Now if they’d finally figure out that they don’t have to make them pink or use flowery graphics…….
