First Skis for an Intermediate - Advice Please

Sometimes the bindings on women-specific skis are mounted a bit further forward than those on the equivalent man's ski (usually about 2cm) which makes them easier to turn. This is also because women usually have a lower centre of mass than men.

It's all very interesting :D

I think in future I will try to avoid womens skis and get either mens or the unisex sort. I nearly always have to buy mens shoes and clothes because womens don't fit me, and I rather think the same thing may apply to skis as well.

P.S. It might be quite a lot of fun if we all had a go testing out both the womens and mens versions of the same skis :lol:

Ally

SwingBeep wrote:Sometimes the bindings on women-specific skis are mounted a bit further forward than those on the equivalent man's ski (usually about 2cm) which makes them easier to turn. This is also because women usually have a lower centre of mass than men.

Or is the c of m a little further back in women? I've read, and found myself, that moving the bindings forward for carving is beneficial. Different manufacturers have different ideas of where the binding should be. If you have rail system bindings, I think it's worth while experimenting with moving them forward.

I got the info. on COM from here: http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2006/centerofmass.shtml A woman's larger pelvic obliquity range could also be relevant.

SwingBeep wrote:I got the info. on COM from here: http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2006/centerofmass.shtml A woman's larger pelvic obliquity range could also be relevant.

Thanks SwingBeep :D
We did Moments at school (force X distance). I must rush out now and buy another weighing scale and two 4X2 8 foot planks so that I can work out my centre of mass :wink:

I'm sure it must vary a bit from person to person depending on their shape - apple and pear etc. and boob size for women. Anyway, I know now that it's somewhere a bit lower than my belly button normally, but presumably it changes due to my 5Kg ski boots when I'm ski-ing.

As Trencher said, for those with time to spare and an investigative mind it might be worth moving the bindings a bit if they're on a rail system to see if it helps with balance etc.

Presumably if they're unisex skis they put the non rail bindings in the middle between the mens and womens positions.

Ally

As this seems to be about hired skis IMO the shop will give you whatever & C of M heel lift male or female skis will not be considered in their choice.

Emma I assumed you asked for mens skis as did Ally because you said you asked the same as she did, maybe the 2 men you saw with same hired skis were using women's skis :oops:

AllyG wrote:

Presumably if they're unisex skis they put the non rail bindings in the middle between the mens and womens positions.

Ally

I had my Movement Black Rose's assessed with a Campbell Balancer, to find where the mounting needed to be. This is a womens specific ski and my bindings were placed 1cm forward of the centre of the running surface after the measurements were done.

It costs £10, and is done by

http://www.jonsskituning.co.uk/content/view/33/48/

Initial results are 8)

Back on topic!

I brought my first set of skis this year. Went for Rossi S3 from last season. Read lots of reviews that said they were great all round skis as I wanted almost exactly the same as you. Cost £300 new. I know I should have tried lots out but didn't!

Have been very happy with them only thing i haven't skied is bad ice but everything else very good.