• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Because the Family that Skis Together, Enjoys Life Together.
  • Home
  • About
    • Awards
    • Featured Author
    • Brand Ambassador
  • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Contact Me

The Brave Ski Mom

Building a new generation of skiers and snowboarders.

  • Skiing
    • Skiing With Kids
    • Ski Racing
    • Learn to Ski
    • Cross Country Skiing
    • Telemark Skiing
    • Snowboarding
  • Ski Resort Reviews
    • United States
      • Alaska
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Idaho
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • Pennsylvania
      • Utah
      • Vermont
      • Washington
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Bulgaria
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • France
    • Finland
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • New Zealand
  • Ski Gear Checklist and Recommendations
    • Equipment and Gear
    • Product Reviews
    • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Hiking
    • Camping
  • Biking
    • Downhill Biking
    • Mountain Biking
    • Road Biking
  • Good Stuff
    • Parenting
    • Health
      • Getting in Shape
    • Reflections

A Brief History of Ski Design and Predictions for the Future

November 15, 2013 by braveskimom

Antique wooden skis crossed
Image courtesy Ingham’s.

Today’s post is a guest post from Sam Morley. Thanks Sam!

brave ski mom logoIf you’ve been skiing for any time at all, you’ve probably experienced how having the latest skis can make speeding down the slopes a little more exciting, not to mention easier on your body.

Skis date back at least five millennia. Compared to skis of the past, modern skis are easy to use for everyone from a first-time holidaymaker in the Alps to the most seasoned professional. Here’s a short history.

Wood is Good

In the early days, wooden skis were the norm, as it was one of the few materials that could be shaped by craftsmen in Scandinavia, where skis were essential for traveling. In 1850, woodcarvers invented the cambered ski, a template for skis as we know them today. Bow-shaped, they had arches towards the center, making them more aerodynamic.

Cambered skis were also lighter and better maintained their shape in the snow, a major turning point. Later on in the 19th century, the Telemark ski was created. It was narrower underfoot, but was more flexible. Further developments were to come, as hickory skis were created, which were tougher in dense snow.

Added Steel

In the early-1900s, steel became common in the production of skis. The segmented steel edge was created in Austria in 1928 as a means of making cutting through the snow easier. But improvements were needed to stop the edges from falling off the ski base. In the same year, an aluminum ski was prototyped in France.

As the decades rolled on, so did the improvements. Three-layer laminated skis were invented in both the US and Norway, where waterproof glue was used to bind them together. Dynamic skis made with Cellulix, a plastic bottom, were invented in 1944, while other manufacturers decided to blend wood and aluminum.

msc tatonka
Photo courtesy Ingham’s.

The Future is Here

Fast-forwarding to today, the modern ski is usually made with a range of materials including plywood, plastic, carbon fiber and aluminum. All three work in harmony to make for a pleasant skiing experience, as many skis are made with individuals in mind using easy-carving techniques, but what does the future hold?

According to a blog post on the Inghams website, over the next few decades, skis could become even more lightweight and thin. In an interview with Phil Gordon, the equipment buyer at British retailer Snow+Rock, they look at the newest range of skis for this season and prognosticate a bit into the future.

ski
Photo courtesy Ingham’s.

“In the years to come, I think that skis will fundamentally keep the same basic shape, because it’s what people are used to. Micro brands such as Switzerland’s Zai give us a clue as to where ski design could be going. Suggesting that we could start to see super-strong skeletal shapes for piste, and ultra-thin powder skis for off-piste adventure”, they write.

“Where I see the things changing is the advancement of new materials and digital integration. Ultimately, as material and production costs come down and the technology is perfected, it will be widely introduced into the mainstream.”

Other predictions include a changing relationship between skis, boots and bindings, emphasizing greater ski/binding integration. This could include using lightweight magnetic film on touring equipment to secure the heel for descents. Also, digital applications built into the ski could track speed and location to help skiers avoid getting lost and discourage theft.

Thanks Sam for this quick overview of ski design! I can’t wait for magnetic touring skis!

Click here for more of Sam’s interview with Phil Gordon.

 

 

 

 

© 2013 – 2017, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

Spread the Love (thanks!)

  • Email
  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

Filed Under: Equipment and Gear, Guest Posts Tagged With: gear, ski, ski equipment, skiing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. roberto fabrega says

    November 17, 2013 at 7:07 am

    “…Also, digital applications built into the ski could track speed and location to help skiers avoid getting lost and discourage theft.”

    will they also track new blog post from the brave ski mom too? 🙂

Primary Sidebar

2023-2024 Partners

FERA
World Snow Day
FERA

Welcome

I'm Kristen, a western Colorado mom, wife and trail boss in a busy outdoor family. Our family has a passion for skiing and my goal is to provide information to help other families enjoy their skiing adventures. Whether you have tiny toddlers just learning to slide or grown children with whom you're planning a reunion, you're in the right place. Cheers!

Never Miss a Post

Enter your email address to subscribe. You'll receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

FacebookInstagram Pinterest Twitter

Today’s Most Popular Posts

  • No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
    No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
  • Creature Comforts: Good Stuff From CalNaturale
    Creature Comforts: Good Stuff From CalNaturale
  • The Portillo Experience: Tips for Your Best Ski Vacation
    The Portillo Experience: Tips for Your Best Ski Vacation
  • Paka: The Best Base Layers?
    Paka: The Best Base Layers?
  • Behind the Scenes: How Snow is Made
    Behind the Scenes: How Snow is Made
  • Skiing is All About Family for Alpine Coach of the Year Jesse Scott
    Skiing is All About Family for Alpine Coach of the Year Jesse Scott

Categories

Footer

Recent Tweets

My Tweets

Featured In

snowlink world snow day snowkidz
liftopia mtn town learn to ski and snowboard mom trends
Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Affiliate Disclosure · Product Review & Giveaway Policy · Guest Post Policy · Privacy Policy · Login
 

Loading Comments...