What is a freeride ski?

Koppel aan het skiën offpiste

A freeride ski is a (very) wide ski, made for off-piste descents in powder snow. The width of the ski ensures that you have more buoyancy, so that you, as it were, float on the powder snow. There are freeride skis for all levels: from beginner to advanced. On this page you can read everything about the freeride ski.

FREERIDE SKI FEATURES

Freeride skis have a number of features. We have listed these below:

  • A freeride ski is extra wide, which gives you more buoyancy in the deep snow (float).
  • The radius, or turning circle, of the ski. This is less high than the average piste ski. Too low is not pleasant, because this only has an adverse effect in the powder or with a hard top layer (Bruchharsch). The radius of a freeride ski is usually above 20 meters.
  • Freeride skis have rocker. This has a positive effect on the buoyancy of the ski.
  • A freeride ski is generally slightly longer than a piste ski. However, this differs per person. Freeriders who ski a lot between the trees often want a slightly shorter ski.

MORE BUOYANT POWER

Where a slalom ski has a very narrow waist, a freeride ski has the opposite. The ski is a lot wider, making it more buoyant in deep snow. This buoyancy ensures that you can easily ski in (deep) powder. You keep floating on it, so to speak. The wider the ski, the easier it is. The width of a freeride ski varies between 90/100 and 120 millimeters under the foot. Skis that go above that are especially suitable for real, ultra deep, powder days.

A FREERIDE SKI FOR ON AND OFF THE SLOPES

Freeriding has been around for years. In fact, long ago when there were no elevators, people did nothing differently. Nowadays, the technology of freeride skis has been developed to such an extent that you can not only ski with them off-piste, but also on the slopes. However, on the slopes the skis are less ‘lively’ because the skis have a slower change of skis. This obviously has to do with the width of the ski.

ALL KINDS AND SIZES FREERIDE SKIS

Freeride skis are for sale in all shapes, sizes, brands and models. Almost all ski brands now have freeride skis in their range. As with all skis, the type of freeride ski depends on your wishes. It is important that you buy a ski that meets your expectations. Before you buy freeride skis, it is therefore important to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Think about how often you will use the ski off-piste. Do you only spend your winter sports off-piste or do you prefer to opt for a combination of both?
  • What is your skiing level?
  • Do you want to be able to ski quickly with your ski?
  • Do you want to be able to go ski touring in addition to freeriding?

WHAT IS FREERIDING

The literal translation of freeriding is ‘free riding’ and that is also a very good description for this branch of skiing. With freeriding you choose your own line in the snow and descend off-piste. This can be extreme, steep, fast, through the trees and with all kinds of jumps, but also in peace and quiet. Unlike ski touring, for example, the focus here is mainly on the descent and not on the climb up. However, for freeriding you often have to climb a short distance or have yourself dropped off somewhere by helicopter. This way you can make the most beautiful descents.

IMPORTANT

Never go freeriding without the right knowledge and equipment. This equipment includes not only the correct ski equipment, but also the equipment for avalanche safety (avalanche transceiver, avalanche backpack with airbag, etc.). Always be aware of any dangers and treat the mountains with respect. Would you like to try freeriding? Always do this together with a guide. He or she can best tell you what you should and should not do and where you can and cannot freeride. Several ski areas now offer special areas where you can try this out safely.

Source: www.skiinformatie.nl