The real cost of wider skis

In recent years, alpine skis have put on a lot of weight, and just like for humans, their “fat” is most obvious at their waist or under the foot to be more specific.

The original idea was to attain maximum “flotation” in powder, irregular, or challenging snows, but these situations are encountered by most skiers by less than 5 percent of the time. Yet, the concept “sells” very well to the masses that don't know any better or believe what the salesperson or the instructor tells them.

The problems with wide skis are quite simple and twofold. First they make the ski less quick and delay their response when frequent turns are needed, and they also add significant weight to the ski, increasing its moment of inertia and making it less maneuverable and less nimble. More material automatically also means that the ski will be more expensive to produce and to purchase.

So where's the sweet-spot when it comes to side-cut? Probably something in the order comprised between 80 and 85 mm under-foot.