GS Skis

If you have seen an interview with alpine World Cup star Ted Ligety in the past 12 months then you have probably heard about the controversy surround the FIS rule change for giant slalom skis.  Basically GS skis had previously been required to meet a minimum sidecut radius of 27 meters and length of 190cm, and that requirement is now 35 meters and 195cm.  Whether or not the rule change makes sense, the reality is that these longer and straighter GS skis necessitate a slightly different approach to ski preparation and edge care. 

Since the skis are straighter yet the courses widely remain just as challenging, sliding the top of the turn at initiation is more commonplace.  Obviously the end goal remains to carve cleanly as much as possible, but when a drastic recovery is needed your skis must be properly detuned to allow for a stivot.  By detuning, I specifically mean taking a gummi stone to the tip and tail of the ski and purposefully dulling the edge.  Depending upon how grippy and aggressive the snow conditions are, detuning several inches beneath the contact point can make a huge difference.  If properly detuned these new regulation GS skis can then be manipulated and slid as necessary, rather than hooking up and erratically carving.  Please take a moment to consider the following sequenced image of Ted Ligety and notice how his skis react amidst the stivot.  Thanks for reading and have a great winter!
-Ben Morse