Ski Testing 101

Ski Testing 101Agenda

• How does Current Ski Design effect how we test?

• How to get the most out of each ski• How to write a test card• Wrap up

Current Ski Design

It’s good to be fat• More stable platform• Greater sliding/surface area• Improved versatility

Too fat can be a problem• Requires greater movements from pilot• Decreased versatility

Rocker

• Völkl - ELP – Round shape

throughout ski– Flex pattern

developed for rocker

– Specific sidecuts for rocker (otherwise it’s just a bent ski)

– Lower tip profile

SPEED ROCKERSlightly elevated tip Traditional camber aft of tip

CATCH-FREE TECHNOLOGYElevated tip & tail Easy initiation & releaseTraditional camber under foot

JIB ROCKERElevated tip & tailZero camber underfoot

ALL-TERRAIN ROCKERElevated tipTraditional camber underfoot

POWDER ROCKERHighest tip elevation Largest Rocker AreaSmall camber region

Ramp Angle• Traditionally

• as boot sole decreases ramp angle increases

• The Gas Pedal• As boot sole decreases ramp angle decreases

• Twins - Positive ramp to secure tail• SL - Negative ramp to load tip• GS - Positive ramp to secure tail• Women - manufacturer dependent

– Some are still arguing Positive for ease of initiation– Some are arguing Negative for ease of initiation– The truth?

Boot Toe @ ½ Chord• L = Chord Length• S = ½ Boot Sole Length (Average Estimate)• BT= Distance from the tail• BT=L/2• BC=(L/2)-S

Boot Center Mark

(L/2)-S

Boot Toe

Chord Length

L/2

• Boot Toe @ ½ Cord• Twins (true center for riding switch)• SL (aft for stability)• GS (forward for ease of initiation)• Women (forward for ease of initiation)

– Is this always right?

How does all this effect how we test skis?

Answer: Not At All

Its not a race!• Ski at a rate that most closely matches the

target of each category.• Explore how the ski behaves at various

speeds. • Is it easy and fun to ski it slowly? • Will it do all you want it to do at moderate

speeds? • Are you comfortable and confident at high

speeds?

Discover & Empathize with the target.• Who is the target audience?• Are they seeking confidence or

performance? • Are they trying to acquire skills or perfecting

their skills?

Discover the tune.How does the base

structure feel?

Discover the tune.How do the bevel angles

feel?

Push the envelope.

Explore turn shape control.• Force skis with a

long radius into short turns.

• Force skis with a short radius into long turns.

Push the envelope.

Explore speed

• How slow is too slow?• How fast is too fast?

Ski Testing 101Push the envelope. Explore the limits.

• Ski groomer skis in the crud and bumps.• Ski fat skis on the groomed.• Ski park skis all over the mountain.

Ski Testing 101Be consistent.• Use appropriate terrain.• Use the same two trails for each ski.• Use the same maneuvers in the same

place each run.

Ski Testing 101

Ski Testing 101

Ski Testing 101• Group yourselves by Boot Sole Length

This will make turn around at the Vans faster• Keep your comments private

Talking about the skis with each other will distort your results

• Don’t wait to fill out the cardYou’ll get lost if you try to fill out the card later

Remember

1. Its not a race!2. Its definitely not a GS race!3. Discover & Empathize with the target.4. Push the envelope.5. Be consistent.