Diva Ski Tips

Note: I was poking around the interwebs and came across a great post by Bob Barnes on EpicSki .  It's worth reading the whole thing and seeing the great drawing, but here are some excerpts. I've had trouble with boots with too much forward lean and getting fixed really helped my skiing. Forward lean--which is influenced by boot cuff alignment, boot design and fit, footbed design, internal ramp angle and heel lifts, external ramp angle (boot sole angle), delta angle (the effect of bindings), leg and calf shape, and ankle range of motion--affects ankle and foot function, fore-aft balance, range of flexion-extension, and the ability to tip and steer skis. While there is some room for personal preference, optimizing fore-aft boot setup is absolutely critical if you want to perform your best. And there is no substitute here for a top-tier bootfitter who can decipher all the variables I mentioned above and come up with the best individual solution specifically for you.

The most important piece of equipment Proper fit is one that gives the foot a hug but does not cause hot spots or pressure points The entire bottom of the foot should be in contact with the liner The toes should not be jammed, but should be able to wiggle a little When you turn your legs to make a move to tip the skis on edge they should respond immediately You can flex when you need and have support when required

Skis • Sidecut, flex, torsion, and width can vary to make skiing easier in different conditions while allowing more dynamic moves at slower speeds • Modern skis are more “forward moving” designed to carve more readily yet skid if necessary • Sidecut: the hourglass shape of a ski, wider at the tip and tail and narrower at the waist • A narrow waist allows skis to be put on edge more quickly and hold a carve more effectively • A widder waist allows the skis to float over softer snow, the trend is towards wider waists • The deeper the sidecut the tighter the turning radius of the ski • Longitudinal Stiffness determines how hard skis are when bent or flexed lengthwise  • Torsional Stiffness determines how twist-resistant your Skis are and how well they can hold an edge Bindings • Today’s bindings are designed to release under certain types of force to prevent injury • Modern bindings help dampen vibrations before reaching the boots • Riser plates (lifters) influence the ...

From Jim Lindsay There is a pair of boots for every skier from a beginner to a world cup racer, a bootfitter’s job is to help find the pair of boots that will suit you best. Five Factors for selecting a boot