SKI CONSTRUCTION
Bases are made of P-Tex (polyethylene plastic). Most base materials will be followed by a number. This number refers to the molecular weight of the polyethylene. The higher the number is, the higher the molecular weight of the P-Tex is, which indicates a better and more durable base. Majesty uses a high quality IS 7200 base.
Topsheet is the protective layer on the top of a ski that covers inner construction. This is also the area of the ski where graphics play the biggest part.
Ski edges are steel parts that run along the outside ski used to edge into the snow when a ski is tilted. Ski edges are held into the ski with T-shaped inserts which fit between the lower composite layer and the base of the ski.
Sidewall: The tough construction that keeps the edges stronger and safer. In sandwich and semi-cap construction we use ABS material to make the skis lighter and impact resistant.
Effective edge
The effective edge - sections of the ski edge that have contact with hard snow.
Depending on the length and shape of the rocker and camber, effective edge length can be different.
The best way to determine a skis’s effective edge length is to place the skis base-to-base, or on a flat surface, and depress the camber. The length where edges touch the surface in between the up-turns of the tip and tail, is the effective edge.
Any ski with a very short effective edge will be unstable and slippery at higher speeds. In choppy, variable conditions or ice, a ski with a short effective edge will not hold an edge as well as a ski with a longer effective edge. A longer effective edge will be very stable at higher speeds.
Short vs Long Effective Edge: Pros and Cons
Short Effective Edge
- Not great control at high speeds
- Less stability in difficult/variable snow conditions
- Pivot with ease in tight terrain
Long Effective Edge
- Stable at high speeds
- Great control on hard/variable snow
Wood core is made of laminated strips of hardwood that run along the length of the ski. By using a combination of different woods we achieve a perfect balance of weight, strength, and flex. Wood core can be engineered for specific stiffnesses and flex characteristics. Wood core also has got natural dampening characteristic.
Paulovnia wood core: Extremely light woodcore for overall weight reduction.
Double layer woodcore: Two kinds of wood (poplar and ash) provide flex and extreme durability.
Paulovnia wood core with ash insert: lightweight wood core made of paulovnia wood with ash insert that adds lively flex and responsiveness
FSC: As a ski-manufauring company, we cannot emphasize enough that Majesty skis' cores are made tip to tail of wood. To achieve that perfect flex and extreme durability of our skis, we use ash and poplar FSC certified wood cores of best quality.
Sandwich construction: This is the type of construction where each layer of the ski is flat and an ABS sidewall is put in at the sides to protect the core. ABS sidewalls make skis torsionally stiff and provide good edge grip.
Semi cap construction: This is a variation of sandwich construction where the composite layer comes down around the core, and the topsheet comes part way around to join a smaller sidewall. Due to the curved shape, this construction makes the topsheet a bit less susceptible to damage. Semi cap construction provides good pressure transmission to the edges and is lighter than standard sandwich construction.
Gum zones / Shock absorbers: Special elastomer zones - stripes of rubber that are sandwiched into the ski for extra protection of edges and woodcore. Rubber deforms and bounces back into its original shape and is a dampening agent.
Carbon stringers: stringers run from tip to tail and give the ski increased pop and long life flex.
Fiberglass: Fiberglass is the most popular composite used in ski construction. It is a white cloth fabric that can be cut into any shape and is applied to the core with a thick layer of epoxy. Fiberglass is a strong yet extremely responsive material that holds the whole structure of the ski and provides stiffness to the ski.
Carbon fiber is a composite used in light, premium ski construction. Carbon fibers are strong, much lighter than standard fiberglass and they are also very stiff (carbon is twice as stiff as steel). Significant weight reduction from fiberglass makes carbon a popular material in hi-end touring skis.
Carbon/Aramid fiber: Aramid (Kevlar) is a synthetic polymer that is woven into cloth. Used in ski construction, it provides strength and acts as a dampener. Combined with carbon which supports stiffness and torsional rigidity, this type of laminate composition offers premium stability, performance and weight reduction.
Biax Fiberglass - dual-direction stitched fiberglass laminate that provides longitudinal flex and snappy ride.
Triax Fiberglass - multi-axis stitched fiberglass laminate that offers precise and responsive ride.
Quadrax fiberglass - multi-layer and multi-axis stitched fiberglass that offers supreme performance and stability.
Carbon/kevlar stringers: carbon/kevlar stringers add torsional stiffness for improved response and increased pop.
Carbon layup: Optimised weight performance by using hi-tech lightweight carbon fiber topsheet.
Textolite plates: Sheets of reinforcing material (epoxy impregnated fiberglass fabric) layered above and below the core to support middle part of the ski.
Titanal: The brand name of the aluminum alloy with smaller amounts of zinc, magnesium and copper, most commonly used in the ski industry.
Titanal is an aerospace-grade aluminum alloy that offers low weight, high strength, durability and also reduces vibration. Titanal’s tensile strength and elongation limits are superior to other alloys.
COT technology (cut-off tail): By reducing the tail length and moving the skier's stance back we have created quicker turning and more versatile skis.
The notable length and weight reduction was achieved without compromising any functionality.
In fact Supernova’s usability has been increased - the longer contact edge allows you to ski even shorter skis than what has been previously considered functional.
Factory finishing/wax type: Factory tune might have a decent layer of wax, but it is aimed at protecting the skis during transport and storage. Factory wax is an all-season wax, which means it isn’t supposed to cater to a specific temperature or environment. When buying new skis, you should always get them waxed before taking them up to the mountains, otherwise ski base might look dry after several days of skiing. Always use the right wax at the right temperature. Harder wax is better for cold conditions and softer wax is better for spring skiing. Please note that ski skins are in direct contact with bases of touring skis. Ski wax can easily adhere to the glue and degrade the adhesive properties.
SKI SHAPE
Sidecut is the extent to which a ski is narrower at the waist than at the tips. It is the curve that runs along a ski's edges from tip to tail. This curve dictates how skis turn: the deeper the curve, the tighter the turn. Sidecut radius is a term used to explain the measurement of a side cut. A larger side-cut radius = a shallower side-cut
Sidecut radius is a measurement, in meters, of the depth of a ski’s sidecut curvature. The curve is extrapolated into an imaginary circle, and the radius of that circle describes the ski’s sidecut.
Tip, waist and tail widths — an expression of the shape of a ski, where tip is a front part, waist is the center section and tail is the rear part of the ski. The values express the maximum tip width, minimal waist width and maximum tail width.
Camber describes the curve of a ski when observed from the side. Skis with camber have midsections that slightly arch off the snow. Depending on camber’s length and height, it can be distinguished as a traditional camber or flat camber (zero camber).
Camber provides springiness, has live flex, precise, responsive, gives good edge control and grip as well as fluent edge transition.
Rocker is the curve of a front or back part of the ski when observed from the side. In other words, rocker means the arched section of the ski starting at the surface contact point to the tip or tail end. Depending on the length and shape of the rocker, oit can be called an auto rocker, flat camber rocker or elliptical rocker.
Rocker supports easy spins in powder and the catch-free, forgiving feel. It improves the float and allows for an effortless all-terrain ride.
Ski Profile: Camber vs Rocker: Many variables determine how a pair of skis will perform, and ski shape is a big one. The camber or rocker of a ski determines the effective edge length, that influences skis’s performance.
Benefits of Camber: Camber is a traditional ski profile shape. It refers to the bowing of a ski, meaning that the center of the ski is higher than the tip and tail when un-weighted. Camber gives the best edge hold and “pop”. This is due to the fact that when a skier’s weight is compressing the camber, it directs equal pressure to the full edge length. The “pop” comes from the camber rebounding to its unweighted shape when weight is removed. In general, the best resort-based skis have a fair amount of positive camber to allow for evenly distributed pressures along the full edge length.
Benefits of Rocker The idea of rocker comes from surfing, as in deep pow the skis work more like a surfboard in the water. The tips rise earlier than in traditional ski design, giving the skis better floatation. Skiers feel like they were skiing on a shorter ski, so turn initiation comes way easier. Rocker design of some sort is incorporated in nearly all modern skis, including racing skis.
Auto rocker is a type of construction similar to camber, where ski tips are pre-bent up. When camber underfoot is being pressed, tips are being lifted automatically, creating the rocker profile. Autorocker is a cross between camber and rocker construction offering control and easy turn initiation.
Flat camber rocker: Rocker supports easy spins in powder and the catch-free, forgiving feel. The part of the ski under foot is flat, whereas both the nose and the tail of the ski are arched up. It improves the float and allows for an effortless all-terrain ride.
Semi-hybrid construction: Rocker and camber fusion, creating the blend of the best features of both. Rockered tip enhances playfulness and float, camber adds smooth snap and edge grip. Mixing entry rocker and under-the-foot section camber, gives great freeride performance, improved float, enhanced control and stability in variable conditions.
Hybrid construction: Merging rocker and camber brings benefits of both constructions. Rockered tips and tails enhance playfulness and float, camber adds control and edge grip. The Hybrid technology relies on transferring the wide points of the ski towards the centre and matching them to the ski profile (rocker/camber/rocker). The result is shortened radius feeling, allowing for easy turns with extra control.
Elliptical Rocker Technology (ERT) is based on the radius of an ellipse. This means the ER arches up over a much longer section of the ski than in the case of a standard rocker. Long rockered tip supports smooth powder ride without the effect of “riding up” the snow or terrain unevenness while pushing away the top layer of snow at the same time.
Arched tails: Tail rise starts earlier in the ski enabling easy pivoting and easier turn release in soft or deep snow. Long effective edge maintains stability and edge grip on hard snow.
Skins mounting: The heels of the skis are equipped with specially designed holes that allow precise placing of the skins and reduce the possibility of the rear clip slipping off when skinning up.
4x4 design concept: 4R sidecut is a result of applying 4 different radiuses to the sidecut of the ski, while 4R rocker is a result of applying 4 different radiuses to the rocker line. The new 4R sidecut makes turns easier, giving more confidence, stability and control on all types of terrain. New 4R rockered tip reduces drag, maximizes control and top speed. This shape is the future of freeride skis.
Flex ratio: Flex is the result of combining torsion and stiffness of the skis. Skiers who prefer speed and precision should pick stiffer skis with more responsive torsional stiffness. Park shredders and intermediate skiers should pick skis with softer flex. The flex ratio is based only on a benchmark comparison within the Majesty skis range. The higher the ratio is, the stiffer the ski will be.
Twin tip: Equal geometry and flex. Whatever you ride. Switch or regular.
True twin tip: A pair of true twin tip skis have this and tail that are symmetrical in rise, flex, and rocker profile. This type of true twin tip construction, with identical tips and tails, is designed for freestyle.
Torsional rigidity: A ski’s ability to resist twisting, often achieved by aligning glass fibers across the core at a 30- to 45-degree angle.
