If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
What's with the XC skis that look like alpine skis?
In a local XC ski rental shop here in the midwest I've seen a new style
of XC ski which looks a lot like an alpine ski. It's shorter, wider, and has tapered sides. This thread has its origin in a previous thread about modifying wax type skis, but that's another topic. At issue here is the tapered sides of the new skis, and their shorter length. It has always bothered me that traditional XC skis don't like to turn. Tapered sides would fix this problem. Is there any disadvantage to this? On a hard packed surface I'm sure they are more difficult to keep straight. In a groomed track there's probably little difference because of the sidewalls of the track. But how do they handle on virgin powder? The other issue is length. A shorter and wider ski is easier to turn, which would be good on twisting/turning trails. A shorter length would be more dangerous when crossing a frozen lake, I would think anyway. But when trying to stay on top of crusty snow (with a powder base), would a shorter/wider ski be more or less likely to punch thru the surface, assuming it has the same surface area as a longer and more narrow ski? And why this departure from traditional XC ski designs? Are these short/wide skis really only meant for groomed and packed surfaces, like skating skis? And would they be suitable for backcountry usage? Thanks for your help. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
I love my rock skis | Andrew Lee | Nordic Skiing | 0 | December 13th 04 05:20 AM |
Probability of Getting Good Race Skis at Small Ski Shops ?? | Tim Kelley | Nordic Skiing | 26 | October 27th 04 06:41 PM |
A quick thanks to all | Lisa Horton | Alpine Skiing | 12 | May 6th 04 04:31 PM |
Icing on waxless skis | MB | Nordic Skiing | 10 | March 26th 04 04:46 PM |
Near fatal ski incident | Me | Nordic Skiing | 22 | February 27th 04 02:47 PM |