A Skis’ Width Says a Lot

by Mike Whitaker

If you want to know what a ski is designed to do, look at its waist width first. This midsection measurement is one of the more important considerations when choosing a ski. Waist width tells the story of what a skis’ intended use is. It may be a full floater for deeper days. It may be a screaming carver for slicing up the hard packed and corduroy. It may be an easy rider for beginners. Or it may be just the right ski you’re looking for?

The general rule and the place to start focusing your horizon is 90mm and below for packed conditions and 90mm and above as the snow gets deeper. Skis with narrow waists, generally 90mm or lower, make quicker turns and are better suited for carving on hardpack. Skis with larger waist, generally 90mm and above have more float, provide better stability, and easier turns when you head off the groomers.

The next determiner in the search for the perfect width is what type of terrain will the ski be used on?  If you’re headed out for a heli trip then 110mm plus underfoot. If you’re riding on and off-piste inbounds in places subject to big dumps like Utah, go 100mm to 110mm. If you’re seeking a do-it-all one ski quiver, look no farther than 90mm to 100mm for the West and mid 70s to mid 80s for the East.

An East – West consideration is a good benchmark. Most everyone understands hard snow in the East, soft in the West. This equates to going to the wider side of the intended use for the West.

Casual recreational skiers, us socialites who seek the apres ski scene and enjoy the pristine corduroy of Deer Valley, we head for mid 70s to low 80mm range regardless of East/West orientation. Racers and tip-em and rip-em junkies will be in the mid 60s to low 70s underfoot. So will serious bumpers who will dip into the low 60mm waists. Keep in mind that race oriented skis and performance mogulers are speciality considerations.

Ability is another important width factor. Beginners through advancing intermediates benefit from a narrower ski. Narrow sided skis are easier to control, advance learning better, and just more enjoyable for this target group. They are more nimble, more responsive, and take less effort to initiate a turn. And it’s easier to learn and perfect carving on a narrow ski.

Narrow Skis – Frontside Carvers, Racers, and Progression Skis

For beginners to intermediates, these skis hover in the upper 70mm waists and are soft to bend. They are lightweight, easy to turn, and forgiving of mistakes.

On the opposite side of the spectrum are race skis. These skis are in the 60mm waist range and are designed for one purpose: to rip. They are powerful, unforgiving, and fast. Racers are finely tuned athletes with legs of steel that can bend and control these merciless rockets.

In the middle of the narrow group lie skis that linger in the mid 70mm to mid/upper 80mm waists. These boards encompass a wide range of abilities from advancing intermediates to superheroes. The narrower they are the quicker they are edge to edge and the tighter they turn. The stiffer they are the faster they go and the more unforgiving. They begin to offer some float as they become wider, better managing the occasional venture off-piste. They are not, however, built for powder days and you’ll be much happier opting for something wider.

Wide Skis – Powder Performers

At about 104mm and up in the waist, these boards excel in the soft and deep. They’ll handle chop, mashed, and crud too. These skis are maneuverable and are becoming easier to ride and more versatile, opening up the back bowls and side gates to even intermediates. Many sport midsection camber and hold a respectable edge on harder conditions but not without some extra work and technique. They’re highly focused towards the soft, thus they are not generally considered an everyday rider. However, if you haunt places like Alta, Kicking Horse, or a heli camp, these are everyday riders.

Mid Fats – The Boards In-Between

These are skis with waists from the mid 80mm to 100mm or so. They are designed to tackle everything fairly well and that they do. From pristine corduroy, to powder, and everything in-between these are the everyday, all-mountain go-to sticks. They’ll carve with confidence. Float a foot or better of fresh. They wield chop, crud, and even bumps.

Those that spend most their time on-piste, occasionally venturing off, will look towards the narrow side of this group. This also holds for those who need Eastern ice performance and those who are progressing. Soft snow seekers will look to the wider side. They’ll benefit from the added float and powder stability.

Whether you’re looking for an East Coast performer or a Western States slayer, skis in this group make a greater part of the mountain more accessible for everyone.

Bumpers

Contrary to what many influencers say, the best mogul performers are narrow. World Cup athletes ride skis near 60mm underfoot. Us mortals also benefit from a narrow ski when it comes to a mogul ride. As skis have become more versatile, boards upwards of 90mm have become very manageable in the bumps, even fun. Still, go narrow if bumping is your thing. Look to the 60mm waist range if you’re a zipperline ninja. Go to the mid 70mm/80mm range for a more human ride and more versatility out of the bumps.

Bumps are fun but a lot of people struggle here. Usually, it’s the wrong ski – skis that are too wide, too long, too stiff. Stick to skis on the softer side with an early rise tip rocker. They should be about nose high and not too much sidecut. And for heaven’s sake, run the other way when someone recommends a mogul ride that’s 95mm in the waist.

The post A Skis’ Width Says a Lot appeared first on Ski Federation.

Jeremy Jones Rides Insane 21,500-Foot, 68-Degree Himalayan Spines

Miles Clark

March 31, 2021

In a conversation a few years ago with Jeremy about his 2013 trip to the Himalayas, he told me that the “Shangri-La Spines” were the longest spines he’s seen anywhere.  He explained how in Alaska, the spines are great, but they are rarely longer than 800-1000 feet long. The snow wasn’t great on these Himalayan spines, but he said the thrill was.

In a more recent conversation for the SnowBrains podcast, the topic of these spines resurfaced. Definitely a must listen. But for now, just watch the video above. Insane…

Even high-level skiers and riders would be freaked out by spines like these just as Jeremy’s partner was.  Jeremy said these were the longest spines he’s ever ridden.  They’re 2,000 vertical feet long.  His story about how it all went down is great.

“I’ve never ridden something this steep, this big.”  – Jeremy Jones

“Halfway down, it got a little bit steeper.” – Jeremy Jones

“This was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” – Jeremy Jones

The post VIDEO: Jeremy Jones Rides Insane 21,500-Foot, 68-Degree Himalayan Spines appeared first on Ski Federation.

Tuck and TUMBLE: All-time FWT Crashes

November 18, 2020
by Jordan Grant-Krenz

This one is NOT for the faint of heart. Buckle up for the top 10 crashes ever documented on the Freeride World Tour. Everyone knows that the FWT is arguable the most intense competition in all of skiing. With the best of the best out to stake their claim at victory around the globe, riders are always trying to stomp that next unbelievable air. Sometimes however, that stomp is replaced with a dizzying double ejection tomahawk. As they say, you pay to play! Sometimes even while being as safe as you can, a good tumble is all but inevitable. Hats off and mad respect to all riders who risk falls like these while airing out 50 feet going mach10. Luckily it seems that everyone in this video, once they took a breath after their spills, rode off without serious injury. Always important to keep in mind that while this sport can be stupid amounts of fun, it can also be stupid amounts of dangerous, so keep those whit’s about you especially as more people began heading out for tracks with snow falling across the country. Early conditions exist, so keep an eye out. Enough from ol’ mom over here, let’s watch some spills!

Published from Freeskier

The post Tuck and TUMBLE: All-time FWT Crashes appeared first on Ski Federation.

4 ADVANCED SKIING MISTAKES | And How To Fix Them

The post 4 ADVANCED SKIING MISTAKES | And How To Fix Them appeared first on Ski Federation.

The greatest ski crashes and slams from MSP’s “Return to Send’er”

January 16, 2020
by Sam Taggart

We all love a good crash segment–there’s just something ridiculous about watching someone else tumble down a mountain, tomahawking in bottomless powder, knowing they’ll be A-OK once they come to a halt. Thankfully, Matchstick Productions has compiled the best crashes, slams and sends that didn’t quite work out during its filming of Return To Send’er. Just remember: The pros are mortal, too.

Posted from Freeskier

The post The greatest ski crashes and slams from MSP’s “Return to Send’er” appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post How to Ski: A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post What It Looks Like When You Jump Off Of A 130 Foot Cliff appeared first on Ski Federation.

Posted from Unofficial Networks

The post Jim Gaffigan – On The Slopes appeared first on Ski Federation.

SnowBrains | August 3, 2018

“As ski bums age, things change. But not our love for skiing.”

Posted from SnowBrains

The post Hilarious “Safety Bar” Video appeared first on Ski Federation.

Pirate Movie Productions Presents: As the Crow Flies

Burning hot off the trail of last season’s incredible success with Union Binding Company’s, “STRONGER” Pirate Movie Productions is kicking it into high gear again this season with, “As the Crow Flies”. This season’s journey keeps the ball rolling with the high-production value portrayal of today’s top snowboarders, while simultaneously reeling in the scope of the film to focus on just four riders. Sit back and follow along with Gigi Rüf and Elias Elhardt’s season, featuring cameos from Kazu Kokubo and Toni Kerkela.

Watch also: Youthful exuberance: Gigi Rüf’s full part from STRONGER, the Union Team Movie

More from Pirate Movie Productions:

Locations: Italy Japan Sweden Alaska

Narrated by Tom Zahner

Written by Thomaz Autran Garcia

Original Soundtrack by Midnight Music

Produced by Pirate Movie Production

Co-produced by Red Bull Media House

Posted from Snowboard Magazine

The post Pirate Movie Productions Presents: As the Crow Flies appeared first on Ski Federation.

Published on December 7, 2017
by Henrik Lampert

The 2017 winter storm, Stella, was no joke: It dropped nearly five feet of snow in some areas, including 58 inches in Vermont. Stella paralyzed several major cities, knocking out power to half-a-million individuals and crippling air travel for tens of thousands. Sixteen people died in the storm. And yet, the storm made possible skiing of a legendary sort.

The Ski The East crew has just released a video that highlights the Stella’ skiing at Jay Peak, Vermont. They called it a “memorable and exhausting day of blind turns, choking snow and sometimes simply being stuck. Basically, it was the best day ever.” Here’s to many similar skiing exploits in the 2017-18 season!

Posted from Freeskier

The post New video showcases stupid-deep skiing at Jay Peak, Vermont appeared first on Ski Federation.

Posted from OpenSnow

The post WATCH: MAGNETIC – Whistler Blackcomb Movie appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Taos Ski Patrol Behind the Scenes part 1 appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Being a Ski Patroller appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Cloudveil Day appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Tierney Going Wild in the Jackson Hole Backcountry appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Deer Valley Trails appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Island Lake Catskiing: Powder Therapy appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Four Mountains Tour appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post The Luxurious Engelberg Lech appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Avalanche Mitigation in Utah appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Double Front Flip with Adam Osgood appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Learning to Ski at Solitude appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Skiers: Protect Your Eyes appeared first on Ski Federation.

The post Most Insane Ski Line EVER appeared first on Ski Federation.