Summary Table

Summary Table - your checklist for skis

The sidecut (the difference in ski width between the ends and the middle or waist) will indicate much in how the ski will perform. It is usually presented as three numbers, such as 60-50-55. The first is the widest point at the tip or shovel. The second is the narrowest point at the waist, and the third is the widest point at the tail. The units are millimeters.

Broadly speaking, the narrower the ski is, the faster it is. The wider it is, the more stable it is and the more ‘flotation’ it will give you in soft snow.

Broadly speaking, the more sidecut the ski has (the bigger the difference between the ends and the middle), the easier it is to turn. The straighter (less sidecut) the ski is, the faster it is.

			In Pete's garage (age)*	In My Garage
Skis		Typical sidecut
	Skate	41.45.44	(13) (18)
	Classical (groomed track, waxed)	40.45.43	(13) (38)
	Classical (groomed track, fishscale)	43.43.42	(6)
	Classical (groomed track, 'skins')	44.44.44
	Light touring (all-purpose, no metal edges)	60.50.55
	Light touring (all-purpose, metal edges)	65.53.60
	Backcountry (little sidecut, old)	65.55.60	(30)
	Backcountry (more sidecut, newer)	88.60.78	(14)
	Hoks (short, wide)	124.110.122	(4)
	Randonee (mountaineering)	140.106.124
	Wood (all widths, but little sidecut)		(45)

Boots
	Skate		(10)
	Classical (Diagonal)		(10)
	All-purpose
	Backcountry		(30) (0.1)
	Randonee (mountaineering)

Poles
	Skate (very long)	Past your chin	(15)
	Classical (groomed track)	high armpits	(17)
	Classical (all purpose)	armpits
	Backcountry (adjustable)	adjustable	(3)

	Maxiglide wax		(3) (15)

* Aside from bragging about all my old stuff, I've included this column to remind people that skiing is a lifetime sport. When you buy ski equipment, you should plan on using it for years. Amortized over 20 years, multiple pairs of skis seem pretty reasonable!