ski

narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow move along on skis

"We love to ski the Rockies"

"My children don't ski"

This article concerns the skis used in skiing. For the place in Norway, see Ski, Norway.''This article concerns mainly types of skis. For an article on the activity, see Skiing.''A ski is a long flat device worn on the feet designed to help the wearer slide over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now primarily used for recreational and sporting purposes. Also, a ski may denote a similar device used for other purposes than skiing, e.g., for steering snowmobiles.Snow skis glide on snow because downward pressure, as well as heat from surface friction, melts the snow directly under the ski. This creates a very thin layer of water directly under the ski upon which the ski glides. This is why if there is freezing rain that freezes to the bottom of the ski (perhaps when carrying the ski), when set down on the snow, won't glide until the ice wears off or is knocked off. Ski wax is used to increase the freezing point of water on the base of the ski, easing the creation of the water layer.

Construction - Skis were originally wooden planks made from a single piece of wood. They are now usually made from a complex assembly of components including Glass-reinforced plasticglass fiber, Kevlar, Titanium or composite materials, though many may still contain a wooden core.Most skis are long and thin, pointed and curved upwards at the front to prevent it from digging into the snow. The user is attached by a ski bindingbindings to the skier's ski boots.

Types of ski - Many types of skis exist, all designed for use different situations, of which the following are a selection.

Downhill ski - Alpine SkiingDownhill skis are "shaped" (when viewed from above or below, the center or "waist" is narrower than the tip or tail, and the cut from tip through waist to tail follows either a parabolic curve, or an arc, on either side of the ski) to promote easy turning. Most varieties of skis have a metal edge running the length of the sides that once sharpened allow the ski to grip more effectively on hard packed snow and ice.By setting the ski at an angle so that the edge cuts into the snow, the ski will follow the arc and hence turn the skier, a practice known as ''Parallel turncarving'' a turn. Faced by competition from snowboarding, during the 1990s this shaping of the ski became significantly more pronounced to make it both easier for skiers to carve turns, and to dramatically increase the turning sensation experienced. Such skis were once termed ''carving skis'', or ''shaped skis'' or ''parabolic skis'' to differentiate them from the more traditional straighter skis, but nearly all modern skis have this more pronounced shape now. For other turning techniques, see Skiing.Go here for a history of the modern shaped ski: !http://skiinghistory.org/sidec ut.htmlThe? ski binding anchors the foot firmly to the ski at heel and toe. As a safety feature, it is spring-loaded, detaching the ski from the foot in case excessive force is applied. Modern bindings utilize a DIN spring system to minimize the amount of force applied to joints such as the knee during backward twisting falls. The ski is turned by applying a mixture of pressure, rotation and edge angle.

Twin-tip ski - Twin-tip skis, also known as "freestyle skis", are skis with turned-up ends at both the front and rear.Twin-tip skis make it easier to ski with one's back facing downhill, allowing reversed take-offs and landings when performing aerial maneuvers. The turned-up tail allows less application of aft pressure on the ski, causing it to release from a turn earlier than a non-twin-tip ski. Twin-tip skis are generally wider at the tip, tail, and underfoot and constructed of softer materials to cushion landings. Bindings are typically mounted closer to the center of the ski to facilitate the balance of fore and aft pressure, while skiing backwards or "switch". The popularity explosion of twin-tip skis created a push for the inclusion of more terrain park elements at ski areas across the globe. In the past five years twin tips have become popular among youth skiers, ages 14-21. Once considered a passing fad, twin-tip skis have become a staple ski in the product line of all major ski-producing companies worldwide, with a few speciailizing in only twin tips. Line Skis, started by Jason Levinthal, is the first company to market only twin-tip skis. The first twin-tip ski was the K2 Poacher, but they did not sell well. The first company to successfully market a twin-tip skis was Salomon, with their 1080 ski.

Alpine ski touring ski - Ski touringAlpine ski touring ski. This type of ski is ususally a modified light-weight downhill ski with an ski bindingalpine touring binding. Like the backcountry ski it is designed for unbroken snow. For climbing ofsteep slopes, skins (originally made from the fur of seals, but now made of synthetic materials) can be attached at the base of the ski and the binding opened at the heel. For skiing downhillthe bindings are locked. The ski is used with alpine touring boots which are hard but lighter than downhill skiingboots.

Monoski - The monoski is a single, double-width ski that attaches by a common din binding interface to modern front entry boots. More common in use during a brief boom in the 80s today the monoski is used by only a few thousand enthusiasts world-wide. The monoski is produced by only half a dozen companies world-wide in limited quantities. Due to its extra width and flotation in deep snow enthusiasts claim it superior as a powder ski.

Telemark ski - Telemark skiingTelemark ski. A downhill or Ski touringtouring ski, where the binding attaches only at the toe. The Telemark ski was the first ski with an inwards-turned waist which made it much easier for skiers to turn. It was pioneered by Sondre Norheim of Telemark, Norway. The fact that the foot is only attached to the ski at the toes, means that specialised more flexible ski boots are used, and a specific turning technique involving pushing one foot forward and lifting the heel of the other foot is used.

Cross-country ski - Cross-country skiingCross-country skis are very light and narrow, and usually have quite straight edges, though some newer skis have slight sidecut. The boots attach to the bindings at the toes only, there are three binding systems currently used, Rottefella's NNN and Salomons SNS profil and SNS pilot. The ski base are waxed to reduce friction during forward motion, and kick wax can also be applied to get adhesion when going uphill. Some waxless models may have patterns on the bottom to increase the friction when the ski slides backward. There are two major techniques, classical (traditional striding) and freestyle or skating which was developed in the 1980s. Skating skis are shorter than classical skis and do not need grip wax. Skating is also the technique used in biathlons.

Backcountry ski - Skis for Backcountry skiing!mountain/backcountry/cross-cou ntry? free range skiing which are designed for skiing on unbroken snow, where an established track is lacking. These are characteristically quite wide, and with ski bindingcable bindings to provide general sturdyness, and to better extract ones feet from deep snowbanks, in case it should be impossible to reach the bindings by hand. This is also the model used by military forces trained to fight in winter conditions, and the most closely related to the historical ski.

Ski jumping ski - Skis for ski jumping. Long and wide skis, with bindings attaching at the toe.

Skiboards - Skiboards, often incorrectly called snowblades, are short skis, typically 90-130cm, marketed towards kids, teens, and adults as a fun, accessory snow toy. Skiboard bindings are mounted closer to the center of the ski, typically do not have a DIN style binding, and require an ankle leash due to the absence of a braking system. The Snowblade name was originally marketed by ski company Salomon during a short ski fad in the mid 1990s. Before this time period the Bigfoot ski company produced a short, foot shaped ski called the Bigfoot. The Bigfoot ski was popular during the late 80s and early 90s. The Line ski company has manufactured ski boards since the mid 1990s and is credited with the creation of the first modern, twin tip ski board.

See also -

SkiingSkiing and skiing topics – further details of skis related to particular variations of ski sport

History of skiing – the ancient history of skis

Rollerski ]]

External links -

skiinghistory.org - History of alpine skiing

skiinghistory.org - Ski history timeline

skiinghistory.org - Short history of skis

skiinghistory.org - Ski museums around the world

pistehors.com - Backcountry Skiing Equipment

ski-review.com - Ski Reviews

snowrental.net - Ski Hire across Europe

winterreisen.de - Ski Resorts across Europe

snoweye.com - Webcams from Ski Resorts Around the World

skiresortguide.com - North American Ski Resort Guide– North American Ski Resorts

newschoolers.com - Worlds Largest online skiing !communityCategory:SkiingCatego ry:Sporting? goodsca:Esquíde:Skies:Tabla de !esquífr:Skija:スキ ;ーno:? Ski !(redskap)nn:Skipl:Nartysr: 57;кија ;њеfi:Suksiru: 51;ыжиsv:Ski dor

Treffpunkt Oberbayern - Oberbayern + Tirol erleben
Hotels, Gastgeber, Pauschalangebote und Tipps für Ferien, Freizeit und Urlaub in Oberbayern und Tirol
http://www.treffpunkt-oberbayern.de/

Schneesport Thoma Skischule Snowbordschule Feldberg Schwarzwald
Skischule und Snowbordschule Thoma am Grafenmatt in Feldberg im Schwarzwald. Skikurse in carving und alpin für Kinder, Jugeendliche und Erwachsene. Skiverleih und Servicenter für Ski auf dem Feldberg im Schwarzwald.
http://www.feldberg-skischule.de/

Wellness hotel Velveta, Giant Mountains
Centre of sports, peace and relaxation in the romantic valley on the edge of the Spindleruv Mlyn resort in Czech republic.
http://www.hotelvelveta.com/

Shin Budo Kai Martial Arts Organisation
The Shin Budo Kai (New/True Martial Arts Association) is an International organisation dedicated to the unification and preservation of the martial arts with its headquarters based in South Africa.
http://www.shinbudokai.net/

Shining Stars Foundation
The mission of the Shining Stars Foundation is to provide outreach programs, sport, and recreational services for children and young adults with cancer and life threatening diseases at no cost to the child or their families. Typically, the children serviced, come from poorer economic backgrounds, often single family households, and are actively being treated for cancer or a life threatening disease. In order to accomplish our mission, the Shining Stars Foundation has established the following goals: 1) To create and foster an ongoing support network through diversified outreach programs for these children and their families so that they learn from their shared experiences and lean on each other in times of need. 2) To introduce children and young adults with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses to recreation and sports programs, through which they can gain self-confidence, physical endurance, independence and self-determination. Most importantly we try to install the “will to live” for these challenged youngsters who so often see no hope for their future.
http://www.shiningstarsfoundation.com/

Kamchatka Lost World Tours
Kamchatka Lost World Tours. Providing the world's travelers with unique trips to Kamchatka.
http://www.travelkamchatka.com/

Apartment Maier, Austria Sportworld Amade, Salzburgerland
Austria is dotted with popular ski resorts. Skiing holiday in the area around the Sportwelt Amade / Salzburgerland,(Radstadt-Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Flachau, ...) and the skiarea of Obertauern.We can skiers from December through April. Radstadt is a town of 4,500 people in the Pongau district of Land Salzburg. 220-km network for classic Langlauf and skating-style skiers. Radstadt is a great choice for skiers who arrive by car or train. We are very pleased to welcome you to our homepage. We would like to present our holiday apartment house, and we would be very happy if you would spend your holidays in our charming holiday apartments in the centre of the SportsWorld Amadé, near the Obertauern ski area in the Province of Salzburg.
http://www.maier-radstadt.at/

hotel du Golf Villars Suisse
nice charming family hotel in the heart of the Swiss Alps
http://www.hotel-golf.ch/

www.zum-fischerwirt.de
nice bavarian hotel
http://www.zum-fischerwirt.de/

Auberge Gaspésie
Située en bordure de mer et à proximitée des montagnes, cette auberge constitue une base idéale pour partir à la découverte des Chic-Chocs et du Parc de la Gaspésie. Spas et sauna. Refuge et camping disponibles.
http://www.aubergesgaspesie.com/

KRAKATOA SNOWBOARD
the shop located in the french Alps, at the bottom of the ski resort SERRE CHEVALIER
http://www.krakatoa.fr/

Come-To-Ski.com: your one stop shopping place for ski in France
ComeToSki.com offers accomodation, ski rentals, ski passes all over the French Alps at low rates.
http://www.cometoski.com

Cross Country Ski Information Center
Information on where to go cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the US & Canada. Hundreds of nordic centers listed with links and daily snow conditions. Official website of the Cross Country Ski Areas Association a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of cross country skiing. How to get started skiing as well as where to buy ski gear. Listings of ski areas welcoming dogs on the ski trails. Industry information for the media.
http://www.xcski.org/

Hotel le Cassini
The ideal operating base for your summer and winter holidays. Near Alpe d'Huez, Les Deux Alpes and the Galibier
http://www.hotel-cassini.com/

CCLog
An off-season team running and cross-training for high school and college cross-country, track, and nordic ski teams as well as other fitness-based training teams. We keep track of running, skiing, weight lifting, yoga, roller blade, roller ski, elliptical training, and swimming.
http://www.cclog2.com/

Box-on Racing Team
Site de Martin Lachaud et Stéphane Lacoste
http://www.box-on.com/

The Windpower expedition 2006
Kite-expedition on Greenland 2400km from Narsaq in the south to Qaanaaq in the north-north-east. This is the fastest expedition ever on skiis averaging 110 km/day and with new world kiting distance record in 24 hours: 442,7 km. Participants were the Norwegians; Trygve Kristiansen, Carl Gustaf Rye-Florentz and the expedition leader Niklas Norman.
http://www.vindkraftekspedisjonen.com/

SKAMNOS Bed and Breakfast
In a small forest road, just 10 km of Greece's biggest Ski Centre Parnassos, and 14 km from Arahova, 180 kms from Athens and 22 kms from Delphi, the SKAMNOS Bed and Breakfast Hotel is a wonderful combination of charm and good taste. This family residence was converted into a magnificent romantic hotel. There are many recipes for a good life, however there are some places we want to stay a little longer and this hote is certainly one of them.Enjoy the view to the pists, drinking a hot cup of shokolade and forget the stressy life in Athens
http://www.skamnos.com/

Abenteuertouren in Schwarzwald und Süddeutschland mit dem Adventure-Team
Fallschirmspringen, Tandemspringen, Wintersport (Skifahren, Snowboarden, Langlauf), Nordic Walking, Bungee Trampolin und mehr Funsport + Extremsport im Schwarzwald und Süddeutschland zwischen Basel und Freiburg.
http://www.adventure-team.net/

Ski-Exp-Air
Ski-Exp-Air is a Canadian ski and snowboard school serving an international clientele and offering high quality and professional instruction in a fun atmosphere. We are a Canadian based school located in the Quebec City Region, the 'wintersport capital' of Canada. Using the four major mountain resorts surrounding us with a friendly and personalized instruction, we will teach you, regardless of whether you have ever been on snow or not, to be an excellent skier and snowboarder!
http://www.ski-exp-air.com/

Executive condo in Saint Sauveur weekly or daily rental
Brand new executive condo available for daily or weekly rental in the village of Saint Sauveur. Quality furnishings and accessories. Heated outdoor pool. Walking distance to all amenities.
http://www.saintsauveurcondo.com

Irish Bid For Winter Olympics 2026
The world climate is changing and there is a distinct possibility that the climate in the west of Ireland is heading for a mini ice-age at some point in the not too distant future.
http://www.winterolympics2026.com/

Pennsylvania Vacation Travel
Information on Travel and Vacations in Pennsylvania.
http://www.pavacationrental.com

Tourism,gastronomy,fun/Tourisme,gastronomie,humour
Country Guest House in South West France / Chambres d'Hôtes - Table d'Hôte en Gascogne, à Fontrailles près de Trie-sur-Baïse, France
http://www.collinson.fr/

Hotels in Arachova Greece
Arachova hotel and rooms. Ski shop - on line ski and snowboard shop with ski school offering great ski lessons
http://www.koutras.gr/

Skisport.dk - Danish website about Skiing
All about skiing, ski holidays, weather forecasts, shop with ski equipment etc.
http://www.skisport.dk

Holiday Accommodation in the Hautes Alpes (Ecrins National Park)
Holiday accommodation in the Hautes Alpes combined with local knowledge to allow you to make the most of your valuable holiday time.
http://www.alpsun.com/

Vacation Paradise, Swiss SKi Wakeboard School
Located 5 miles of of Clermont in Central FLorida, this sports's resort is the place to wakeboard and waterski. Around the lakes lays an interesting 18 holes of golf. On the site there are beautiful houses for rent on a 3/4 acre lot with privat pool. The advantage of being located in the coutry but yet 45 minutes from all the main attractions, it is the perfect place to relax and exercise.
http://www.vacationrentalhomesfl.com/

Niseko Mt Resort Grand Hirafu Hokkaido Japan Accommodation. Pension Potatochips
Accommodation in Niseko Hirafu Snow Resort Hokkaido Japan.
http://www.p-chips.com/engrish.html/

Chambre de Commerce et de Tourisme de Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard
Chamber of Commerce of the town of Saint Adolphe d'Howard in the Laurentian region, one hour north of Montreal.
http://www.st-adolphe.com/

Turnverein Lauffen 1881 e.V.
Der Turnverein Lauffen stellt sich vor.
http://www.tvlauffen.de/

ski school , scola de esqui , escuela de esqui
Ski school, in bariloche cerro catedral, lessons , for adults and childrens , ski rental , aluguel de equipos de esqui , alquiler de equipos de esqui
http://www.escuelamountain.com/

Rex
ski wax
http://www.rexskiwax.com/

Lemko web page - lost culture from Carpathia mountains
Lemko web page for the Carpatho-Rusyn nation. Meeting lemko people, news from Lemkovyna, Lemko parties , festivals, poems, songs, photos, language, Lemko culture, Carpatho-Rusyn culture.
http://www.lemkowyna.net/

Fun Sport Team
Eine Abteilung des TSV Genkingen. Ski, Snowboard, Telemark, Fitness, Volleyball, Inline, Bike,... Sport im Winter und im Sommer.
http://www.funsportteam.de/

snowbusiness Uk. Ltd
high temperature snowmaking /maintenance Year round Snow decor Ski/board/tube/toboggan slopes Synthetic ski surfaces Slope equipment, lifts, barriers etc.
http://www.snowbusiness-uk.com/

McCall Power Sport Rentals
McCall Power Sport Rentals is Idaho's only all Luxury and High Performance Power Sport Rental Company.
http://www.mccallpowersportrentals.com/

The Legend #7 at Big White Ski Resort
Luxury accomadation at BigWhite. Sleeps up to eight in comfort. Ski in/out to your front door access. Private hot tub. Three bedrooms with a den. Entertainers style kitchen with eating bar for four. Fully equipped to make your ski vacation the very Best
http://www.skibigwhiteresort.com/

Drome-Vakantiehuizen
Bemiddeling verhuur vakantiehuizrn frankrijk
http://www.drome-vakantiehuizen.nl/

Watersports centre of Nea Roda
Waterski,windsurfing,sailing school.
http://www.watersports-centre.gr/

BEFSA
Bulgarian Extreme and Free Skiing Association
http://www.befsa.com/

ALPEN PLUS Bergbahnen und Skigebiete - grenzenlos Skifahren in Bayern+Tirol: Brauneck-Wallberg-Spitzing-Sudelfeld-Zahmer Kaiser
ALPEN PLUS Skifahren+Urlaub in Bayern+Tirol, Sommer+Winter-Angebote von Bergbahnen und Liftanlagen Brauneck-Wallberg-Spitzingsee-Sudelfeld-Zahmer Kaiser/Tirol
http://www.alpenplus.de/

France For Families
An online travel guide to booking a family holiday in France and the best attractions to visit.
http://www.france4families.com/

PATTY SKI Donovaly
PATTY SKI and snowboard school in Donovaly ski resort , Slovakia, quality accommodation
http://www.ho.hu/

SAGA North Ski & Snowboard Club
For gay/lesbian skiers and riders in the San Francisco Bay area. Organizes trips, parties during the ski season and outdoor activities during the summer.
http://www.saganorth.com/

Cutting Edge Ski Fitness
Sport Fitness expert Lisa Marie Mercer, owner of Mountain Sport Pilates and Fitness, exlains the fundamentals if ski conditioning.
http://www.ski-fitness.net/

randonnee en traineau a chien
randonnee en traineau a chien avec votre attellage
http://www.mickla.ca/

Tabor Mountain Ski Resort & Bike Park
Northern BC's only lift accessed mountain bike park! Trails for all ages and abilities.
http://www.tabormountain.com/

Sportfachgeschäft Online Shop
Intersportfachgeschäft mit Online Shop
http://www.sport-forster.de/

Ski Net
Skiing resource for gear, travel, resorts, snow conditions, ski instruction, news, and racing results.
http://www.skinet.com

SkiCentral
Directory for skiing and snowboarding and features ski reports, resorts, snowcams, travel packages, equipment, news, lodging, and related links.
http://www.skicentral.com

GoSki
Worldwide skiing and snowboarding guide. Provides resort and area information by region and by type of skiing. Offers message boards by region, type of skiing and equipment. Rate and review ski equipment, resorts, and services and read the reviews of others.
http://www.goski.com/

Ski Utah
Great resource for ski information around the state, also updated for summer activities as well.
http://www.skiutah.com/

FIS
Official snowboarding website of the Fédération Internationale de Ski with details of competitions, events, results and current standings.
http://www.fis-ski.com/