Ski Evaluation 101 or How to evaluate skis!

Seems so simple!

But it is the simple things in life that often hid complexities we soon discover once we look deeper!

In ski evaluation ( like in most evaluation situations be they; IQ, job performance, university selection, or house selection) there are two essential concepts you must understand!

They are basic to all evaluations!

Two approaches and only two are used!

A criterion approach or a normative approach!

The first ( criterion) involves having a set criterion or standard as a reference!
Let me give you an example.

Let us assume that ski X because of its design or core material allows slalom racers to perform much better. Thus all racers using this ski, get a -1 second timing on a given race course!
Notice I say ALL racers!

Very soon word will spread and racers will want this ski! Other ski companies will try to "copy" this new design or use the same core materials!

It has become the "reference" ski! It is the standard! All other skis are compared to it!

We evaluate all other SL skis "in terms of this X ski"!

This does happen! Some skis because of a new design or core material far exceeds other skis! That is what ski engineers try to do with magic high molecular ski bases, or carbon fiber layers, etc...


The second ski evaluation approach is called, "norm-referenced" approach! In this approach you take 100 skis (or more) and in one evaluation setting you compare them! That is you see which is best for turning, for hold edge on ice,for stability on speed!

Does that sound familiar?
Think of your schooling! The famous first second and third student! In my case we got stickers with "star" for first, "heart" for second and Happy face for third! If you were like me, you never did get a sticker because you dreaming of skiing!

We compare most students in class like we do skis!

Seems simple! Two approaches with two distinct ways!

However "other" variables "come into play" in this process! For example the ski graphics! Nothing to do with ski performance, but I know that some skiers buy skis, "because they say RACING"!
Others buy skis because this or that racer won the gold medal with these skis! In the classroom often the student who is most polite or better dressed seems to get "better' marks!

Better still some skiers buy skis because the marketing literature speak about, "great for aggressive, manly expert skier who jumps off cliffs" So if you have an ego issue this is a perfect way to prove that you are.....!
These are all called "extraneous" variables that have nothing to do with ski performance, but they are powerful influencing elements. In fact ski marketing is based on this!

For the serious skier that wants to get a ski that fits his/her needs,,,you must put aside those "other" factors!

I believe in the first evaluation approach and I do all my evaluations using this approach! Let me tell you why!

Pretend that I have 200 skis! All old fashion( old school) narrow skis in the 201-207 cm range! Sure I can rate them from "best" to .... for that group but does it answer or meet my skiing needs? I think you get the point!

Another example will really make the point!
I was just reading in an ski industry report that the "fats" (wide softer ski) are being sold to the general public more and more!I can take 200 fats and compare them and rate them from "best" to.... but if I ski on hard icy conditions most of the time what relevance is the best "fat" ski for me?

You must prepare your own "criteria" by which you will evaluation skis! Now if you cannot do so due to inexperience, wait before buying!

First find out what you want!

Then evaluate various skis based on your criteria!

Then buy the skis!

Hope this helps some of you find skiing happiness!