Speaking of ski construction. What about skis for women? Sebastian explains that the vast majority of manufacturers no longer differentiate between men's and women's designs. Rather, they have started to offer two different coloured topsheets and build shorter lengths. In freeride skis, the gender-specific differences that still exist in piste skis seem to have been largely overcome.
Now I already have an idea of which type of ski, which centre width, which weight range and which construction is right for me. Time to think about the length of the ski! Sebastian explains to me the various factors on which this depends. Generally speaking, freeride skis are skied at least at body height, and even longer. Incidentally, the recommendations for piste skis and freeride skis differ on this point. In general, Sebastian recommends body-length skis for freeride skis that are primarily used for touring and are therefore fitted with pin bindings. They make it easier to master kick-turns and save weight; in addition, a shorter ski can be skied with less effort, which benefits most people after an exhausting, long ascent.
The ski length also depends largely on the type of ski, skiing style and skiing ability. If I like to ski very fast, aggressively and jump big cliffs in the terrain, a longer ski offers a smoother ride. The smoothness of long skis is particularly noticeable at high speeds, the additional mass absorbs impacts better and the length ensures that the skis are not thrown off course so easily. The relatively larger platform supports landings from big jumps and provides more flotation in deep snow. In addition, the effective edge length (i.e. the edge length that actually holds in the snow when carving) is longer. This enables long carved turns with superior edge hold. This also results in the first disadvantage, as the long effective edge prevents you from turning easily. This is noticeable when you generally ski slower or at the end of the ski day when your legs get tired. Shorter skis are therefore easier to ski with less effort due to their ability to turn and are therefore ideal if I like to ski at a leisurely pace or try out tricks in the terrain.
But now let's go into a little more detail and return to the ski types from the beginning of our conversation. Traditional ski shapes are most similar in concept to racing skis. In terms of construction, traditional shapes are among the smooth-running freeride skis with a long, effective edge. They should be skied at least at body height, preferably a little longer, but it should be borne in mind that with the relatively long effective edge, it is generally not necessary to ski very long (taller than +10 cm body height). If you decide in favour of a traditional ski shape, you will certainly attach great importance to carving and should also include the radius (which increases with ski length) in your considerations for the perfect ski length. If you prefer to ski smaller radii, choose the smallest ski length that makes sense; for larger radii, choose the longest ski length that makes sense. Progressive skis often have a less effective edge, the rocker concept differs greatly from traditional ski shapes in favour of more forgiving skiing characteristics. On progressive skis with extensive rocker, the effective edge is shorter, a good reason to ski a little longer!
The following reasons speak in favour of body-length skis (i.e. minimum length): You only use the ski for touring and you like to ski comfortably off-piste. Otherwise, you should definitely consider using skis that are about +5 cm taller than your body, as the ski will run smoother and have a more effective edge and will be more fun at higher speeds. If you want maximum smoothness for very high speeds and high cliffs, you can ride the ski +10 to +15 cm taller. A similar recommendation applies to freestyle-orientated skis, especially as the effective edge length is often further reduced by pronounced tip and tail rocker. You should bear in mind that shorter skis are definitely better suited to learning tricks. So if you really specialise in tricks in the backcountry, a shorter ski (body length) can make your progress easier. However, this also means that you have to land on a smaller platform. A compromise in the sense of "as short as possible, as long as necessary" (about 0 to +5 cm) is therefore often good. "As long as possible, as short as necessary" (about +5 to +15 cm) would apply if you like to ride fast, steep lines and integrate a trick every now and then.
During the consultation, Sebastian gets a detailed overview of my skiing preferences, on the basis of which he gives me three pairs of skis to choose from. But how do I find the right one? Sebastian can reassure me that the differences between the selected skis are rather small and that I would be happy with any of them. In order to find the right one, Sebastian explains the differences between the three models to me in detail. Last but not least, your stomach can also play a part in the decision - does a ski feel particularly right? It's handy to have the skis in your hand to bend and weigh them. If you still find it difficult to decide, Sebastian advises you to try them out.
Finally, I ask Sebastian how many pairs of skis I should now own: "n + 1" he replies and laughs, always one pair more.
I really enjoyed the advice I received from Sebastian. If you are faced with the decision to buy a new ski, you can be sure that you will receive the best advice at Sport Conrad and at the same time can choose from a very wide range. A combination that is unrivalled. I met passionate freeriders among the sales staff present, especially Sebastian of course, who were willing to share their knowledge and meticulously search for the best skis for their customers. When deciding to buy a new ski, you want to be sure you're choosing the right one. Taking the time to get proper advice is fun and greatly increases the chances of being happy with your new skis. Many thanks to Sebastian for the great advice and the interesting insights, I'd love to come back!
