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What is the ski turn radius?
SKIING TERMS EXPLAINED
The radius of a ski is the size of the arc that a ski makes when you put pressure on the edge and make an "ideal" turn. This means that a ski with a larger radius will travel a wider arc and vice versa. As a general rule, the more tapered a ski is, the smaller the radii at which it can be skied. Radius and sidecut are therefore related - read more about sidecut below.
Overview ski radii & ski types
> Slalom carvers: 11-15 metres
> Giant slalom carvers: 18+ metres
> All-mountain skis: 14-18 metres
> Freeride skis: 18+ metres
THE MOST COMMON SKIS AND THEIR RADII
Carving skis - perfect if you want to feel the edges in the snow as you turn.
A slalom carver tends to have a short radius, usually between 11 and 15 metres. The short radius gives extreme manoeuvrability and grip, making it ideal for short turns.
Giant slalom skis - for the athletic skier.
Giant slalom carvers have a turning radius of 18 metres upwards, guaranteeing long turns on the piste. These skis require good technique to control them at high speeds.
All-mountain skis - an all-round solution for any use.
With an all-mountain ski, you are out on the piste as well as in open terrain. An all-mountain ski should therefore be able to adapt flexibly to your turns. A turning radius of 14-18 metres is recommended.
Freeride skis - feel the powder under your skis.
In general, the wider the ski, the larger the turning radius. That's why freeride skis have radii from 18 metres upwards. They may not be as manoeuvrable, but they allow you to glide easily over fresh snow.
Copyright picture: Salomon
WHICH ALSO AFFECTS THE SKI RADIUS
The feel of the ski and its radius is also influenced by other design features: ski flex, profile and shape have a huge impact on skiing style.
Ski flex, or hardness, creates a bend in the ski that allows us to bring the edge into contact with the snow. The softer the flex, the less effort is required.
By changing the contact surface of the ski with the snow, the ski profile influences the radius of the ski. A wider ski has a larger contact surface and therefore a larger radius, while a narrower ski has a smaller contact surface and therefore a smaller radius. Overall, the ski profile can therefore significantly influence a ski's cornering and turning behaviour.
The shape of the ski and its dimensions - tip width, waist width and tail width - also influence the radius of the turn. The greater the difference between the width in the middle of the ski and the width at the tip and tail, the more waisted the ski and the smaller the curve radius.
At the end of the day, the weight and strength of the skier also plays a role: Stronger, heavier skiers can exert more pressure on the edge and therefore ski tighter radii. The ski radius should therefore be regarded as a rough guide rather than a fixed value.
Copyright picture: Fischer
Your optimal ski radius!
Of course, there is no magic formula for finding the perfect radius for your skis. It all depends on your preferences and ability. Generally speaking, beginners feel more comfortable on skis with a narrower radius as they are easier to control.
Good skiers with a penchant for speed usually prefer a larger radius. Especially on harder snow - such as on (artificial) slopes - the choice of radius is more important than when turning in powder, as buoyancy plays a greater role.
Copyright header picture: Völkl
