Left & Right Skis

OK, following on from some comments in the thread about pole tip damage to bindings, I am looking for peoples input on the question of having a "Left" ski and a "Right" ski.

Are there positives and negatives to doing this? If so, what are they. I have in the past marked hire skis, as I have found that one ski sometimes prefers to be on one side, which I always put down to the edges on them not being perfect. But as I am about to take my virgin skis to the snow for the first time, is it something I should consider doing [I already have names for each ski :twisted: ], or should I just use them as they go on and allow natural rotation to occur?

Thanks.

Good thread, FQ. Probably one that can provide no measurable answers.

I always note the L/R on skis, mostly in a minimal but notational way. It is a principle of engineering that there is no such thing as absolute replication. What we do not know is absolute the performance comparison on ski pairings is. Maybe there is published data.

I am a believer in muscle learning, and that the body rapidly adapts to varying circumstances. Hence, a change to ski length, or torsional stiffness may be compensated. However, this belief also must assume there is a time lag of one to several runs. That would not impact on the effects of change on every run.

I have noted on a few occasions that if I am getting a bad result from ski use, swapping the skis left to right, sometimes makes a significant difference.

This is all empirical.

I think there are very few reasons to have a left and right ski. The most valid reason is when there is canting or unequal lift under the bindings to accommodate an anatomical issue that needs more than boot fitting alone to correct. In this case, it would not be possible to ski with the ski switched.

Some top racers might have some asymmetric tuning going on that is beyond the needs of everyone else. A lot of older amateur racers will warm up with on with the left ski on the right side (and vice versa) to save the inside edges of the outside ski for the race.

Ski tech are required to identify the left and right skis for binding testing (the ski with the shop label on is the right ski normally).

Other than that, I don't think there are any reasons for the average skier to mark their skis. Modern ski technique uses both edges of the ski.

The other reason I was thinking of might be the variation in ski resistance, both vertical and torsional. The body accomodates and learns to one set up, but could not adapt to indeterminate variation.

The ski characteristics will change over time, particularly when one ski has been stressed or damaged.

Dave Mac wrote:The other reason I was thinking of might be the variation in ski resistance, both vertical and torsional. The body accomodates and learns to one set up, but could not adapt to indeterminate variation.

The ski characteristics will change over time, particularly when one ski has been stressed or damaged.

I did have some Atomic GS skis that had some slight edge damage. You could skis them without noticing too much if the damaged edge was on outside of the outside ski.

Far Q, all getting a little bit techy here, possibly not what you were looking for.

My skis clearly have a code number under the bindings: one finishes with an L the other with an R. When you lay them down side by side, the pattern on the top sheet flows from left to right. If you swap them, they dont quite look the same, so I am sure there is a definite reason why they are marked L and R.

However, I have myself had an odd mornings skiing, and decided to try and swap, and sometimes it feels better. I do however believe this is a pruley psychological fix and that the skis are not in the slightest bit different. Its just a top sheet on an identically produced base I'm sure.

Now I can take on board all these different comments, but I guess what I really wondered, was that if you use your skis continuously on the same feet, will they eventually bed into your skiing style and become (for want of a better description) more comfortable. A bit like how your shoes mould to your feet after a bit of breaking in.

However, the downside I could see would be that over a period of time, you could end up knackering one side of the ski faster than the other. Especially as I can be heavy on my downhill inside edge.

I don't think my Blackeyes have a cosmetic pattern difference, so it would not be to simply maintain a pattern.

Same as Tony H, I have Fischer Koa skis and the pattern flows from one ski to the other - might swap them over for a larff this time!!