Build your own skis!

<br>we're working on a new pair that is a hybrid, one edge with zero sidecut for more control and one edge with a dash of inverse sidecut for that cool squirrely feel. my hunch is that it will be a kick arse backcountry ski, for the variable conditions and what not. i might end up in the hospital skiing these things, but here's a sketch anyway:<br><br>the DOINKs will be made in two sizes to test: waist = ~110mm-ish and waist = 200mm-ish, and we'll vary the length "l".<br>

<br>Sweet! So as you're turning both skis in pow, one ski will try to hook, while the other will Spatulate! <br><br> <br><br>Just kidding! Curious idea, I'm looking forward to the test results.<br><br>As for backcountry skis, a good backcountry ski is defined as a good alpine ski with Dynafits.

hey zenom:<br>

<br>My profession is as structural engineer. My expertise is wood, engineed wood products, and even FRP-wood composites (carbon, aramid, fiberglass). I could go on and on but won't for hopefully obvious reasons. I have a lot ideas about ski design, and can even get you very select wood veneers if needed. Hopefully we'll talk more in person or email sometime. <br>

<br>oops, i didn't mean to come across as doubting your expertise. in fact, it's great to get input from such a knowledgeable person. i'd like to hear more about your ideas. we're going to try wood veneers, for the topsheet. <br><br>

<br>I have very light pair of Tua Titans, which are pretty stiff (wood core with air channels, but with titanal at top and bottom). I have never had these chatter, and they'll bust through crud at high speed. I attribute their good performance to high bending stiffness and high torsional stiffness.

<br>i think that high torsional stiffness is good for a ski. but do you think that high bending stiffness gives good performance? i'm not sure. i wish i knew.<br><br>Paul: yes, "Spatulate"! i like that!!! btw, do you want to take them out for their first ride?<br>

I would be honored!

Kam, I was just trying to let you know my background so you knew where I was coming from. I didn't take your comments as doubting what I was saying. I've never built any ski's so you're way ahead of me anyway.<br><br>As for ski stiffness, I think it depends on several factors. Mostly though, skier preference. I haven't skied enough different skis to really know. I have fat soft pair that I like and skinnier stiff pair that I like too. For me it depends on conditions, how soft is the snow.<br><br>

Kam-<br><br>I stumbled across your skibuilders site a couple months ago, and I have to say it is VERY well done. Practically a how to book. Thanks for the info, and keep up the good work! I'm sure all the big ski companies will bankroll you guys as designers soon enough <br><br>Larry- you might check out a super light pair of aluminum crampons pair'ed with some firn skis. There are several models out there with crampon-like step in bindings.

<br>As for ski stiffness, I think it depends on several factors. Mostly though, skier preference. I haven't skied enough different skis to really know. I have fat soft pair that I like and skinnier stiff pair that I like too. For me it depends on conditions, how soft is the snow.<br>

<br>hey zenom, it would be nice to chat and get your input! i agree that skier preference is important, definitely. though my gut tells me that a ski's dynamic response may be a factor, it's probably more complicated than that. now didn't K2 play around with this in their piezo-based designs? i heard HEAD also focused some of their attention on this too. John Howe published a book about the physics of skiing. it's sitting on my desk and i haven't read it carefully yet. anyway, i'm not quite sure what makes a ski feel good, so i'll have to do more research and think about it more. i'll be the first to admit that i'm clueless. but for now it's pretty fun to build whatever and play around with different designs.<br><br>i'm open to ideas, so let's hear it from the community. what skis do you like and why? cough it up!<br><br>

<br> Just a crazy idea for Kam:<br>This is something I have been meaning to work on but haven't got around to it. A superlight pair of shorties that would fit on to crampons for use on summer snow. The crampon would serve as the binding with the points fitting into appropriate slots in the shorties, which might be just 1 1/2 to 2 feet long. Light enough so you wouldn't mind carrying them while backpacking. Instead of boot skiing down suitable slopes, you would pop these on to your crampons, fasten with some sort of strap, and .... who knows! <br>Larry

<br>Larry: i say we build them!<br><br>

<br>...I'm sure all the big ski companies will bankroll you guys as designers soon enough <br>

<br>a big mistake. the only thing i'm going to do with their money is go skiing with it!