It is important to have a fundamental comprehension of how ski functions to comprehend why there are a variety of skis on the market, each of which is designed for a particular style of skiing. There is a lot more to skis than a lot of people realize, and things that you might not have observed can make a huge difference in how well a ski performs.
The following are descriptions of how each component and property of a ski works, as well as how all of these parts and qualities might come together to make skis that are suited to particular kinds of skiing or skiing styles.
The Base of a Ski
The part of the ski’s base that makes contact with the snow is known as the base. Despite being a very significant component of a ski, the base is typically not given much thought when looking to purchase skis.
A special wax is applied to a ski base to make it slide smoothly on snow and to maintain its good condition. Although some less effective waxes can be applied coldly, most waxes are applied by liquefying the wax into the bottom with a hot waxing iron.
P-Tex, a polyethylene plastic, is used to make ski bases, and there are numerous variations available. P-Tex is available in various qualities, as well as extruded and sintered constructions and a variety of additives. Because of this, different bases have unique characteristics that may enable them to function more quickly, powerfully, or hold more wax than some other types.
The depth and spacing of these grooves determine how well the ski performs in various snow situations. In general, the better it will be in wetter snow, the deeper and farther apart the grooves are. However, the majority of skiers utilize their skis regardless of the weather and are generally ignorant of the variations that base structures can create.
The Edges
The edges of a ski are the steel strips that run along its sides. Edges are really important and can greatly affect how well a ski works. Many things affect the edges and how they function properly, such as the sidecut radius, edge angle, precision, and stiffness.
Sidecut Radius
When you look at a ski, you can see that the tip and tail are wider than the middle. This is because the edges are made to curve along the sides of the ski. If the ski is leaning on an edge, this curve will try to take the ski in a circle.
The shape of the bend on the edge of the ski is named the sidecut, and the radius of the sidecut will depend on how big the curve is. The radius of the sidecut, or “R,” is usually written with a measurement in meters somewhere on the top of the ski.
Sharpness
How well a ski slice through the snow depends a lot on how jagged the edges are. Edges that are sharp and sleek will cut into the snow effectively and have less rigidity than edges that aren’t. This gives you more control over the edge.
Edge Angles
The angle at which the edges are sharpened is another important factor. Most skis are used with side edges at an angle between 90 and 88 degrees. Skis used for racing usually have edges that are at an angle of 87 degrees.
Not all skis will work with lower edge angles, though. Aside from the fact that it takes more skill to use relatively small angles, a ski must be very stiff to control a sharp edge. Otherwise, the edge will catch and release, making it harder to control than if the edges are not quite as sharp.
Mohawk SLP Skis Feature
Much like Straight Line Tracking skis, MoHawk SLP Skis combine the “Rocker Keel” with an hourglass-shaped center keel and “gull-wing” edges. This makes the ski much less likely to veer off the trail when it hits ruts.
Add a mini version of the SLP Powder Pro ski’s flared outer edges to this tried-and-true package. These edges keep the snow under the ski instead of letting it wash over the top, which improves flotation and maneuvering control.
The new ski also has gripping knobs on the top edges, granting the SLP skis the look and name of Mohawk. When you get stuck and have to ascend around on your skis, you can use these grippers to step on and give your boots traction.
Lastly, the MoHawk has a controlled flex pattern that comes from its cross-section, design, and new loop material. This allows the ski to bend and absorb impacts as it moves through the terrain.
This new flex sequence is a very important part of how the ski handles. When SLP was making this ski, they found that it would feel even more predictable if it could bend as it went around corners or over rough terrain.
The ice and snow hitting the ski bottom, side, and runner are very different in a corner. Most of the time, soft snow will be on top, and different layers of snow below. When a lot of sleds have been over it, this gets worse. Most of the time, these SLP skis won’t lose their grip because of how the flex pattern was designed and how the bottom was made.
Sledding is made even more predictable by the Mohawk SLP skis, particularly in the corners. Flat handling, forceful bite without any push, necessitating only light rider energy, and much reduced negative feedback are some of the defining characteristics of this bike. Skis like these make it much simpler to turn when needed. Skiers won’t need to exert any physical effort to steer the sled because they’ll have full control.
You start by ordering the ski bottoms, followed by a set of mounts tailored to your specific sled, a set of loops, and a couple of carbide runners. This is standard procedure for all SLP skis. MoHawk skis can be ordered via Starting Line Products or any other SLP dealers, such as Rocky Mountain.
