Winter Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between standard Alpine Skis and Alpine Touring Skis?

There are in fact several important differences between these two closely related species of skis:

AT skis are lighter. Obviously, the "touring" component in Alpine Touring is a large chunk of the experience, so light skis are infinitely more pleasant to cruise uphill with. Most standard-issue Alpine skis are designed for usage on hardpack at the ski resort, so they are loaded down with damping materials to reduce vibration and permit better edgehold on compacted snow. The AT aficionado is primarily on the many forms of soft natural snow in the backcountry, where high-speed gate-bashing edgehold is not necessary.

AT skis are softer-flexing. In powder, softer skis are in their element. They float readily and flex easily through turns, where stiff skis sink like boat anchors. AT skis are designed this way for optimal performance in natural snow. They also posses rounder, more even flex patterns; this means that the flex is the same at the tip, underfoot and tail of the ski. Many Alpine skis have stiffer tails to dynamically pop the skier out of a turn and into the next. This is can be a desirable characteristic on the predictable machine-groomed resort slopes, but as much on the windslabbed, sunbaked, snowdrifted mess that is found on the average backcountry tour.

AT skis cost less money. As mentioned above, they are not loaded down with the technology of their Alpine cousins and you end up saving money because of this.

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Bike: Johnny's 10 Bike Tips Local MTB Rides Ski & Board: How-To Waxing Guide Winter Ski/Board F.A.Q. 06-07 Ski Gallery		Winter Frequently Asked Questions back to FAQ What is the difference between standard Alpine Skis and Alpine Touring Skis? There are in fact several important differences between these two closely related species of skis: AT skis are lighter. Obviously, the "touring" component in Alpine Touring is a large chunk of the experience, so light skis are infinitely more pleasant to cruise uphill with. Most standard-issue Alpine skis are designed for usage on hardpack at the ski resort, so they are loaded down with damping materials to reduce vibration and permit better edgehold on compacted snow. The AT aficionado is primarily on the many forms of soft natural snow in the backcountry, where high-speed gate-bashing edgehold is not necessary. AT skis are softer-flexing. In powder, softer skis are in their element. They float readily and flex easily through turns, where stiff skis sink like boat anchors. AT skis are designed this way for optimal performance in natural snow. They also posses rounder, more even flex patterns; this means that the flex is the same at the tip, underfoot and tail of the ski. Many Alpine skis have stiffer tails to dynamically pop the skier out of a turn and into the next. This is can be a desirable characteristic on the predictable machine-groomed resort slopes, but as much on the windslabbed, sunbaked, snowdrifted mess that is found on the average backcountry tour. AT skis cost less money. As mentioned above, they are not loaded down with the technology of their Alpine cousins and you end up saving money because of this. back to FAQ