The manufacturing of skis is a multi-stage process in which different materials are bonded together and subjected to various machining and production steps as manufacturing progresses. The materials themselves also exhibit natural variation due to their manufacturing methods. As a result, every pair of skis is unique, and completely identical pairs are rarely produced. The differences are small, but they do affect ski performance.
What affects ski performance?
Ski performance is also influenced by many other factors: the skier’s fitness level, skiing technique and level of skills, body weight, the day’s weather, prevailing conditions, ski waxing, base grinding, base structure, and so on.
This list alone shows that there are a great number of variables, and not all of them can be reliably controlled through measurement.
This explains why racing skiers often have a large number of skis—sometimes dozens of pairs.
Skis are selected for a skier from a larger pool of skis. In other words, the skier has a specific need for a certain type of ski. This could be, for example, a classic-style cold-weather ski for kick wax, a wet-snow double-poling ski, or a zero-degree skating ski, and so on.
When we know this need and have sufficient background information about the skier, we can proceed with selecting a ski from the skis in stock that are designed for different conditions.
The art of ski selection
We have long-standing, experience-based expertise in determining what kind of ski we believe performs best in each condition. Using this understanding, the selection process proceeds by examining skis one pair at a time within the desired condition range, until we believe the right pair has been found.
For a successful ski selection, it is not necessary for the skier to be present in person.
We only need good background information to support the selection process. This is the same way skis are selected for Peltonen’s team skiers.
Now, this same wide selection—and the same expert selectors—are also available to you.
When providing your background information, be precise and, above all, honest with yourself, so that the ski selection is as accurate as possible. Remember that you can always call us and discuss about your next pair of skis with us.
We can also help you decide what your next pair of skis should be. We think about skis 24/7/365, so that you can enjoy great skiing.