Rockers aren't just for your grandmother's chair!
Powder skis with a rocker design are here to stay.
Most major ski manufacturers are offering a "rockered" design super fat powder ski this season, these funny looking boards are turning heads all over the mountain. This new trend in ski manufacturing and design is one that guarantees a new look on Granite Chief's ski wall. The innovator for the prototype design was none-other than Shane McConkey. Shane first turned the industry's head with the Spatula, a ski with a reverse camber and once again even the biggest ski manufacturers are following suit with his "rocker" skis. Simply put this is a ski with a rocker shaped base. That's right as in the rails of a rocking chair.
Ski companies scramble to put their design signature on the new shape of powder skis.
The new wave of rockered skis all share the similar characteristic of having an upward sloping front portion of the ski. A traditional ski tip and tail arc downwards when at rest. This is known as "camber", oppositely, a rockered ski tip arcs up, known as "reverse camber" or "rocker". Most of the new ski designs also incorporate a rockered tail. Skis that utilize this unique new technology allow the skier to ride powder at speeds and comfort levels that were previously thought unattainable. This type of ski is extremely forgiving and stable in powder when compared to conventional designs, and as a result you will find yourself advancing quickly in soft snow. A rockered ski shortens the time needed to initiate a turn in powder because the ski is already in the reverse camber state that traditional skis make when "weighted". The pre-engaged shape allows for easy pivoting and turning of the skis, making the skis easier to control and easier to shed speed when necessary. The rocker shape also reduces the need for extreme down weighting and up weighting, which translates into you getting more laps on those valuable powder days. Something all expert powdered hounds live for.
What types of skier can benefit from rockered ski design?
As mentioned the expert powder skier is going to love these skis, the big winner could very well be the skiers that already has strong parallel technique but thrashes in deep snow. These skis cater to skiers who want to increase their powder skiing ability and enjoyment. If you are a skier that wants to improve all over the mountain, not just on the groomed trails, add this ski to your quiver. These new skis have incredibly large footprints for maximum floatation, resulting in nearly effortless skiing and maximum control.
At Granite Chief this season, we carry a multitude of different super fat powder skis, some with rocker and some without. We would love to help you find the right powder ride, so please ask questions when you come visit us!
While rockers do improve performance in soft snow, this season's rockers have addressed the shortcomings that plagued the first generation. The new fleet of rockered skis perform well on the way back to the chair, but do not confuse these skis as a "do it all" ski that can perform as your all around ski. Rockered skis are designed to be an addition to your quiver not daily drivers. Break these babies out when its deep and you won't be able to wipe the smile off of your face!
Granite Chief will have a broad selection of rockered ski shapes available for rental at the Truckee shop, and we'll include a collection of rockered skis for our Free Two Hour Demo Test Drive program for interested buyers at our Squaw Valley shop.
By Kris Thomas
