HAMBURG (dpa) – Titanium, carbon and graphite may sound like materials for astronauts, but they are also the latest trends for ski manufacturers. They offer experienced skiers more speed, and give beginners more manoeuvrability.
But as well as new materials, skis are now being made in new shapes to improve performance. The carving ski now even allows beginners to quickly master cleaner curves.
The carefully tailored carving ski is now firmly anchored in the market and many different models are likely to be developed in future, said Franz Arthol, head of winter sports sales at Head Tyrolia in Kennelbach in Austria.
Carvers are now available with shorter or longer radius – for moderate or more aggressive skiing. You can buy them with or without boards under the binding, in various widths and lengths.
“Skis are becoming ever shorter,” said Gregor Dietachmayr of the sports equipment manufacturer Fischer in Austria. In the past people bought skis a few centimetres longer than their body height, but now they tend to buy them shorter – even advanced skiers.
The new Slalom Carver, developed from ski racing, rarely comes longer than 180 centimetres. Their extremely tailored design makes them ideal for slalom, which up to now was only possible at this speed with the even shorter and harder to manage Fun Carvers. At the same time, an elaborate suspension system makes for an easy glide and a good grip, even at high speed.
Another new trend this season is free riding, cross-country skiing using extra-broad skis. Cross Carvers are a great development for winter sports fans who like both down hill and cross country skiing. They are a cross between race carvers and free ride skis. They aim to offer a similar skiers a similar experience to snowboarding.
“Carvers have made skiing younger,” said Michael Schineis, president of Atomic, based in Altenmarkt, Austria.
Gernot Ressler of the sports equipment manufacturer Kneissl and Friends, based in Kufstein, believes the ski pistes are becoming as trendy as snowboarding. This is partly due to the development of skiboards, which measure a maximum one metre, with which skiers can try somersaults or backward flips over ski ramps.
Rossignol of Maisach, near Munich, is also betting on multi- functionalism. Its new short ski, called Free Trek, has a special binding system that makes it suitable for touring, slalom or telemark skiing styles.
Experts say a latest trend from north America, snow shoes originally developed by the native American Indians, are not likely to be a bit hit until the season after next.
They were originally made of a wooden frame spanned with leather strips, but the modern equivalents are usually made of aluminium and synthetic materials.
But just like the originals, they enable you to walk over large fields of snow without sinking.
