If you turn the ski with the smooth side towards you, you can see small, 1-2 cm notches, resembling fish scales. This is the notch on cross-country skis.
They are made on the central part of the sliding surface, to reduce recoil when moving. Many manufacturers make different types of notched cross-country skis, but it's also possible to make your own.
Before deciding whether notches are needed or not, it is worth deciding what the skis will be used for. These will be ski trips with the usual classic skiing, skating using the skating skiing technique, leisurely walks through the forest or professional level competitions.
Which skis to choose - with or without notches?
Skis with notches glide slightly worse than without them, so they are suitable for hiking and leisurely walks. For beginners, this will be ideal. They add stability or, in other words, significantly reduce the amount of energy expended compared to smooth skis.
But skis without notches are chosen for skating and professional sports, where riding speed is essential.
Notches have a small drawback, besides less slip. With icing, the ability of the ski to grip the snow will be greatly reduced. However, at plus and zero temperatures with notches, sliding will be no worse, or perhaps even a little better.
Which skis are better - with notches or without?
If you choose skis without notches, be prepared to spend time preparing them - before the next walk, especially when weather conditions change, you will have to familiarize yourself with the rules how to paraffin skis. Professional training of one couple takes about thirty minutes. Before skiing, special lubricants are applied to the sliding surface of the ski.
For convenience, it is advisable to do this procedure at home, since ski ointment is applied worse in the cold. There are lubricants with the effect of holding and sliding. Gliding ointments include paraffins (with fluorine, without fluorine), as well as powders, emulsions, and pastes. Lubricants are classified by temperature range. If it is -10 outside, then it is worth putting an ointment -7-6. Before applying a new layer, scrape off the old one. If during skiing the snow condition has changed, then you can apply another ointment on top. With strong braking - colder, while sliding - warm. It will not take much time, and the pleasure of riding will increase significantly. Such ointments allow you to increase grip during the push, and during movement to increase slip due to its structure.
In contrast, notched skis do not need to be prepared before skiing. Sometimes, when sticking, paraffins are applied to them, as well as to smooth skis, for better glide. However, these are rare cases or even exceptions. In general, skis with notches are easier and more convenient to use, they require less money and time than skis without them.
So, which skis to choose? With notches or without?
- If you are a beginner or an amateur, go skiing or skiing in the nearby forest, do not chase speed, and are not ready to spend time preparing your skis, then notched skis are ideal;
- If you are chasing speed and want to improve, reaching a professional level, or are ready to prepare your skis before each exit, then feel free to take skis without notches. Get a lot of speed and fun.
I once observed the torment of a lady in the ski department. She was going to buy skis for her overgrown daughter, but she couldn’t decide - with a notch or smooth? I did not undertake to advise, so as not to upset. The fact is that absolutely and absolutely neither one nor the other will fit. Buy with a notch - the child will swear that the notch slows down; you buy smooth ones - the skis move apart, they “shoot” - it’s impossible to push off.
If a person is seriously engaged in the sports section, the problem of choosing skis for parents is unlikely to arise - the coach himself will explain everything. But what if skis are needed for walks in the forest? If you just want to teach your child to ski for fun?
Which skis to choose - with a notch or without? Pros and cons of notched skis
Pros: they do not “shoot”, in any weather they roll forward better than backward. Effective on climbs. You can do without lubrication.
Cons: slow down on the descents and when driving on the plain, which can not but irritate. Especially in the first season. At first, I want to take a file and grind off notches. Hold on, be patient. By the next season, the notches will sharpen themselves, they won’t annoy anymore. It is checked up on own experience. Particularly impatient is recommended to use slip ointments or special paraffin. It helps, although it requires additional time and is torn off by rough snow (even multi-layered paraffin is not enough for me for 40 km on old snow).
Pros and cons of skis without notch Pros: faster, sportier. Better adapted to skating.
Cons: without holding ointment you can’t go far, and on old snow, holding ointment does not really help. They require a good push with sticks.
So which skis should you choose?
My opinion is this: it is better to start with skis with a notch under the block. Yes, it slows down, yes, it crackles on the descents, but on the rise you will overtake everyone. Yes, not very cool, but it's better to ride on not steep skis with a notch than not on steep skis for skating. I personally think so
I have two pairs of skis in my arsenal - notched and smooth. I change them depending on the weather. General recommendations are as follows: smooth skis go better on fresh snow. There are usually no problems with the push (with holding ointment). On fresh wet snow, skis with a notch run the risk of not going at all - kilograms of snow stick to the block, what a slip there is, and you won’t step!
On the old grainy snowman skiing with notches is calmer. Here one holding ointment is not enough. Lovers go "on hand". It's sporty, but hard. In addition, in the deep forest, where the ski track and its surroundings are not as compacted as in the park, the sticks are buried in the snow almost to the elbow, and there is no effective push.
Which skis to choose - with a notch or without?
Wooden skis ... New skis had to be tarred, and in a good way - tarred every year. You heat the sliding surface over the flame of a gas burner, remove the old ointment with a cloth. You apply a dark, almost black resin. Again you warm over the flame to be absorbed. Resin throughout the kitchen. But the smell!.. Ah...
Before each exit to the forest, skis were smeared without fail. Remember? Blue ointment “-5..-7″ on the entire sliding surface, under the block - warm purple, and on the ends of the skis - green ... Each layer is carefully rubbed with a cork ... And the smell! ... Ah ...
In order for the skis to retain their gracefully curved shape, a special spacer or the same lubrication plug was inserted between them. And a linen bag was put on the ends so that scandalous aunts would not find fault in transport ...
Wooden skis were chosen longer than now - to the height of a raised arm, and sticks were "worn" on the contrary, shorter - to the armpits.
Now, in the era of slippery and elastic plastic, skis have been shortened, and poles are needed to the shoulders in order to better push and walk with a skating step if necessary ...
Spring… Ski!
I, like a real retrograde, did not give up my old wooden skis for a long time, until their cross section turned into a regular ellipse ... In a good frost, I overtook stronger skiers on plastic on my “wood”. True, at positive temperatures there was no slip at all, no ointments helped. My ski season ended at the end of February - beginning of March. And the cranks on plastic skated until mid-April.
And I gave up! I got myself plastic skis. I ride in the spring, among the awakening grass. Snow on the track, compacted during the winter, lasts longer. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the wet Christmas trees smell like spring. Warm. And I'm skiing. In the city, I read mockery on the faces of passers-by. And I understand that these people have not been in the forest at least since the summer ... Or never at all ...
Material from the site dirigent.ru
They do not stand still and constantly come up with new ways to make your riding more comfortable. Skis are getting faster, lighter and easier to use.
Today on the market you can find a variety of, including those designed for the most demanding customer. You can choose everything - brand, model, color, length, stiffness and structure of the sliding surface. In this article, we will talk about the last of the listed parameters, which will become the main one when choosing your model.
Let's start with what the structure of the sliding surface of skis is and why it is important.
When skiing in a classic style, skis have two tasks: to quickly roll forward and not roll back when climbing. To perform these tasks, the sliding surface of the ski is divided into 2 zones: slip zone(front and back of the ski) and holding area(the central part of the ski is a block), which is highlighted in blue in the figure. It is the holding zone that is the parameter that distinguishes professional skis from amateur ones.
Professionals and experienced skiers put on a block that sticks to the snow during the deflection of the ski and prevents you from rolling back. For beginner skiers, there are simpler technologies: applying notches to the block or installing skins (pile made of synthetic materials).
In total, you have three options at your disposal, which are reflected in the structure of the skis:
notched surface
Surface with camus
Let's analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
notched skis have three advantages:
- Low cost. The presence of notches has almost no effect on the cost of skis, since the machine cuts them in a few seconds.
- You don't need a grip wax - the notches do the job of keeping the skis from rolling back on the uphill. An ideal choice for those who rarely ride or are just starting to master cross-country skiing.
- Notches hold under different weather conditions, in a wide range of temperatures. The only thing they do not know how to do is to cling to the icy surface, which often forms during strong temperature changes in the spring. In such conditions, holding ointment, which is applied to the surface of the notches, will help.
Alas, skis with notches have one noticeable drawback - the notches reduce the speed of movement. For better traction in the snow, they are offset from the center of gravity of the ski, which is why the surface of the notches always touches the snow when skiing and slows you down. For this reason, notched skis are suitable for beginners and recreational skiers.
Skis with skins suitable if you have already advanced beyond the beginner level. Two advantages distinguish them from notched skis:
- High speed. Unlike notches, the skin has a more natural position on the last, so it almost does not reduce the speed of movement.
- Keep in any weather - even in spring. Camus is a synthetic pile, consisting of many hairs, which is easy to cling to both the snow and the icy surface of the ski track.
The main disadvantage of such skis is their cost. Since ski skins are a relatively new technology, only the largest companies have the ability to produce them. Therefore, their price is high, especially for beginners and cross-country skiers.
Flat surface for applying holding ointment suitable for those who take skiing seriously. They provide the best glide and grip for classic style riding, and there is currently no technology that beats a grip wax. Properly prepared skis roll downhill as quickly as possible and hold perfectly when climbing uphill. Experienced and professional athletes use only holding ointment.
However, this technology requires patience and costs, which is the basis of its disadvantages:
- Ski experience required. To prepare the skis correctly, you need to know a lot of subtleties: the size of the block for the weight of the skier, the method of applying the holding ointment, the process of applying the holding ointment, the process of stripping the block and the sliding surface of the skis.
- It is necessary to master the technique of skating in a classic style. To experience all the benefits of holding ointment, you need to learn the correct technique of the classical style. This can be done with a trainer or on your own, but either way it will take time.
Different weather conditions require different holding ointments, so you need to have several pieces in your arsenal. For processing skis, a cork is also required for rubbing the holding wax, a scraper and a wash to clean the block from the old wax.
Outcome
Notched skis are suitable for beginner skiers - this is the most budget option, the disadvantages of which are invisible to those who are just mastering this sport. These skis are also suitable for children.
Skin skis are the most versatile option, suitable for both beginners and pros, as they are devoid of the disadvantages that notched skis have. But they can hardly be called budget. Probably, over time, skis with skins will force notched skis out of the market and become noticeably cheaper, but so far they are not available to many.
Skis with a flat surface for holding wax are the best option for classic style skiing, with an ideal balance of glide and hold. But it is only suitable for experienced and professional skiers who, in addition to skiing technique, have ski preparation experience and a willingness to pay.
If you have already decided which sliding surface is right for you, you can start choosing specific models. If the choice is not clear to you, our specialists at Decathlon stores will help you find the skis that meet all your requirements.
With the onset of the ski season, a large number of people want to try this sport. When purchasing skis with notches, do not forget to also buy boot bindings and the boots themselves. The most important thing is not to make a mistake when choosing your type, because the stores are full of offered models, and their variety can easily be confusing. How to choose the right equipment, consider below.
What are notches for?
When you get to a specialized store for the first time, it is easy to get confused, because many models at first glance do not differ much from each other. When choosing equipment, you must consider the following nuances:
- Man's height;
- Method of use;
- Material stiffness;
- professionalism in sports.
Classic skis are divided into 2 main groups: skis with a notch and without a notch.
If you are a beginner, it will initially be difficult to figure out all the rules for applying a special ointment, so it is preferable for you to opt for models with a notch.Such types act as a kind of retainers and minimize the likelihood of slippage. In turn, without a notch, they require the use of a special ointment to avoid slippage.
Notched skis are often used by beginners. In big sports, this model is not used, since when high speeds are reached, they do not always cope with their functions and slipping back is possible.
In the process of repulsion, they flex, and the notches minimize rear slippage due to snow traction.Notched skis are designed in such a way that due to containment, you can move forward without problems, but at the same time you will not be able to develop high speed.
Universal equipment
A beginner initially needs to determine for himself which style of movement is closer to him, and depending on this, look for equipment. It should be borne in mind that if you are wondering: how to choose skis for skating, then riding in a classic will be quite difficult. The bulk of the riders do not want to go into small details and differences. Choose universal models, they are perfect for starting the journey.
Even universal ones still have differences. So, for example, there are universal skis and universal carving. The most common ones include universal ones for prepared tracks. It is these models that will provide the most comfortable descent and pleasant riding.
What skis to choose for a beginner?
The main misconception is that the first time you can buy a cheaper model, because you still don’t know how to ride, but this is fundamentally wrong. When buying equipment, you should study the options and choose those available to you.
To begin with, you should not buy professional equipment, you are unlikely to be able to experience all its capabilities, and the cost of such a kit will be much higher than high-quality, but not professional. Before you go shopping, analyze the current models, determine which ones you need: in length, in width, in stiffness for your training and weight. How to find skis by the main characteristics: height, weight, length, we will consider further.
Choice of ski poles
To pick up sticks, special efforts are not required, there are no serious rules as when purchasing boots or bindings, for example, the most important thing is to find the option you like and check that when using the sticks, the elbow bend forms a right angle. Also, the most convenient option is sticks, the loops of which can be fastened with Velcro. It is better to choose the support rings of the stick not small, so that when used during a walk, they do not fall deep into the soft snow. When the snow gets harder, this problem is gone. To purchase sticks of the desired length, it is worth subtracting 25-30 centimeters from the height - this will be the optimal length of the sticks.
Skiing
Alpine skiing, depending on the purpose, is divided into 3 categories:
- Route;
- Universal;
- Freeski for harder, extreme skiing.
Rigidity is the main distinguishing feature that affects the choice of one or another way of riding. If the stiffness is low, then the ski will sag in an arc already at low speed, provides good cushioning on relief surfaces, and interacts well with soft snow. The skis are stiffer for powerful descents, and handle ice well. The stiffer the skis, the more durable and practical they are.
How to choose skis by height?
Consider the main criteria for how to choose skis for height. The choice of ski length largely depends on height. In order for the pair to fit perfectly, you should add 25-30 cm to the height. Under the condition of skating, less is added - 10-15 cm. If you want to practice both styles, then it is better to take the combined version. It is also allowed to purchase a classic pair of a slightly shorter length than the calculated one. Thus, you can use them for walks both in classic style and for skating. Longer ones (for skating) are not suitable for classic skating.
How to choose cross-country skis?
Cross-country skis in classic style are used on groomed slopes. To start the movement, you should make a push with sticks and start.
To buy cross-country skis correctly, you should measure them correctly. You need to stand on both boots, the distance between the ski and the floor should not exceed 0.5 centimeters.
Next, put a piece of paper under one leg, it should move freely under it 10-15 centimeters on each side, this is with regard to classic models. For ridge skates, this distance between the floor should be 1 centimeter, the leaf should move freely by 20-30 centimeters.
You have reached the page of questions and answers following the results of the article “How to smear cross-country skis for a beginner”? It so happened that after reading this article, our readers began to ask me a variety of questions not only about lubrication, but also about skis and ski poles. I try to answer all these questions within my competence. In search of an answer, sometimes I call the best experts in the country in their field, and they help me give you the right answer. If you still have questions after reading this article and all the answers, please email me.[email protected] mail. enI will definitely answer them.
Chief editor of the magazine "Skiing",
Master of Sports of the USSR in cross-country skiing
And now, actually, the letter of our reader.
Ivan, good afternoon!
I can't find an answer to my question anywhere. Maybe you can help me. I am a non-professional skier. I never smeared skis with anything, but everything suited me. I bought new Russian-made Marpetti plastic skis with notches. I bought them in St. Petersburg in Lenta, i.e. not in a specialized sports shop. They cost 3,000 rubles all winter, though I bought them on sale for 1,600 rubles. They are with good NNN bindings. And, oh horror, they do not go! I have never experienced such feelings. Either on soft snow or on ice - you ride like on sand, or as if some kind of grass has stuck and interferes. I removed some visible irregularities with sandpaper, but it did not help at all. Skis, of course, are not branded, but still not cheap. It's a shame to throw them away. And what else can I do, I don’t understand ... Maybe you can help me with some advice?
Sincerely, Natalya Sinitsyna
* * *
Okay, let's talk about skiing.
In order to answer you, Natalia, I contacted the representative of the Kant company (this company is the manufacturer of Marpetti skis) Artyom Yarovikov. Here is what he told me:
The skis that Natalia is talking about belong to the cheapest segment of cross-country skiing - they use the cheapest plastic for the sliding surface, they have the simplest design. Such skis are designed for very leisurely walks almost on foot through the forest, that is, you do not need to wait for some good gliding from these skis. Plus - these skis are notched, and notched skis always glide worse than non-notched skis. Plus - you need to understand that these skis are made at the Russian company STC, and this factory is famous for its commitment to very aggressive, “toothy” notches. That is, STC has the following ideology: notched skis, in order not to disappoint their owner, must cling to any snow surface. The flip side of this property is that such skis glide much worse than similar skis without notches.
And now, after Artyom's explanation, let me tell you some simple things about skiing in general - understanding a few basic theses will greatly simplify the understanding of the situation as a whole.
notched skis
You need to understand that notched skis are a child of compromise. A huge advantage of these skis is that they do not need to be smeared: in any weather, you take it and go. This circumstance bribes a very large number of people. The flip side of this coin is the fact that these skis ALWAYS ride worse than skis without notches. That is, before buying skis, you need to try to answer yourself the question of what is more important for you: leisurely skiing (walking) on skis without a “headache”, that is, without lubrication, or faster, more comfortable skiing, inevitably associated with “ headache" in the form of the need to smear them every time before a walk.
Two types of plastic sliding surface
All manufacturers use two types of plastic for the sliding surface: high molecular weight and low molecular weight. In fact, there are many more types and differences, but I will not immerse you in all the details now, just let's remember: expensive and high-quality plastic (high molecular weight) provides better glide compared to cheap (low molecular weight). Accordingly, high molecular weight plastic can be processed - scraped, waxed, polished, and low molecular weight processing is useless, and in some cases even contraindicated: for example, when scraping skis with sharp cycles, high molecular weight plastic gives beautiful chips with rings, and low molecular weight plastic crumbles (breaks out) in pieces.
Two main ski classes
All cross-country skiing is divided, by and large, into two large classes: pleasure and sports. In fact, there are many more of these classes and divisions, but again I deliberately simplify the situation. Pleasure skis are 90% simple materials, use cheap (low molecular weight) plastic, and cost between 1,000 and 6,000 rubles per pair. Sports skis tend to use expensive (high molecular weight) plastics and are of more expensive construction. The price of sports skis is in the range from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles per pair.
border zone
You should keep in mind that the most expensive (top) models of recreational skis are sometimes equipped with high molecular weight plastic. Such skis, as a rule, cost the most in their class - 5,000 - 6,000 rubles. Please note that for the same money you can already buy entry-level sports skis - they also cost just the same 5,000 - 6,000 rubles. Why, in this case, buy the top model of recreational skis, if for the same money you can buy the initial model of sports skis? The fact is that walking skis have a slightly different design and ideology compared to sports skis. Pleasure skis tend to be stronger, wider, but also heavier than sport skis. Therefore, in this "border" zone, for 5,000 - 6,000 rubles you can buy skis with high-quality high-molecular plastic, both walking (more durable, durable, tenacious, but also heavier), and entry-level sports (lighter, narrower , high-speed, but also less tenacious).
What to choose?
I repeat once again: if you don’t need a “headache” in the form of having to smear your skis, buy skis with a notch, but remember that such skis will ALWAYS roll worse than skis without a notch. At the same time, you need to understand what exactly in Russia is close to 100% of the skis of the cheapest segment (regardless of the name - there are about three dozen of them) are made at the STC factory, and at this factory, as we now know from the words of the representative of Kant » Artyom Yarovikov, they make a particularly “evil”, especially aggressive notch. This means that such skis hold better, but roll even worse.
If glide is important to you, the pleasure of skiing, put up with the idea that you will need to smear the skis under the block every time (in the middle of the ski, under the boot). In addition, try to allocate in your budget for the purchase of skis not 1,000 - 2,000, but at least 5,000 - 6,000 rubles. In the store, when buying, ask the seller which one - expensive or cheap plastic is on this particular ski model that you are going to buy.
And finally, remember that you can always buy skis significantly cheaper than the starting price in the spring, at sales in the store. Another good option is to buy used sports skis. For example, here, on this site, in the forums in the flea market. Many competitive skiers sell their skis in the spring for 20% - 30% - 40% of their starting price, don't miss this opportunity.
And - specifically Natalia
What should you do, Natalia, with your Marpetti skis? You write that these skis, together with bindings, cost 3,000 rubles in the store in winter. You need to understand that at this price the skis themselves cost about 2,000 rubles, and the bindings - about 1,000. But at the same time, you write that you bought them in the spring at a sale for 1,600 rubles. In fact, you bought good bindings for 1,000 rubles and not very successful skis of the cheapest, most entry level for 600 rubles. Agree, this amount can be donated. You can buy new or used skis for yourself, taking into account the recommendations I have outlined, and put your bindings on new skis in the workshop at the store - it should turn out quite budget. Now, in the spring, is just a good time to make such an "upgrade". Because it is impossible to make this particular couple of yours go, Natalia, believe me. You can, of course, try to use "lazy" slip ointments (see. my answer is #4), but I don't think it will help your skis much. So my advice to you - get rid of them and do not regret anything.