Powder snow as the best surface for skiing
When you think of extreme winter sports such as freeriding or heli-skiing, fluffy, snowy slopes immediately spring to mind. Powder snow.
So, what is powder (or “pow” in skier slang) exactly? It is fresh, newly fallen snow which forms a smooth and soft surface on top of the mountain side and gives the sensation of soaring in zero gravity. Powder snow is quite a rare formation given that there are several pre-requisites for its appearance and they are rarely found in combination. Firstly, the snow should fall in large formless flakes rather than in typical snowflakes. Secondly, as the snow falls there should be little to no wind, so that the flakes can lie on top of one another and not solidify. Thirdly, for a thick layer of powder to form, the snowfall should be very heavy, perhaps even continuing for days on end.
Many skiers and snowboarders rate powder snow as the best surface for skiing and particularly for landing thanks to the natural snow cushion it provides to soften any falls or blows, unlike hard, compact snow. Powder is the best snow for trying out new tricks and setting speed records; it is also easier for carrying out carve turns, controlling one’s speed and manoeuvring corners.
Powder skiing has a number of particular features and can be a hindrance to anyone who does not know how to work with these features; for example, if you slow down too much on the descent, you could fall into the snow, get stuck and spend a long time digging yourself out. Wide and light skis or snowboards, as well as high speeds and trajectories with the maximum possible gradient will all help with this. The main thing is not to fall or remove your equipment and to maintain your speed so that you are literally flying across the snow. To stop yourself from digging into the snow, all you have to do is slightly move your legs backwards while moving the edges of your skis or snowboard upwards.
Throughout the 2010-2012 seasons we used Goode Monstro as our main powder skis. They are a popular model of skis manufactured by the American company Goode Ski Technologies which uses composite carbon fibre technology during the production process to make the skis lighter and more flexible.
The Goode Monstro skis are a type of particularly wide skis designed for skiing in deep powder snow. Thanks to the unique swallow tail design, increased surface area, and negative arch construction on the tip of the ski, there is a lot of contact length and an elevated front tip which creates a wonderful sense of swimming in the snow and provides for phenomenally light manoeuvring of the slope. What is more, the Goode Monstro skis do not require special skills or concerted efforts to use them, making them suitable for both professionals and amateurs.
In the 2013 season we will have some lovely surprises in store for visitors. Firstly, we are renovating our powder ski stocks with the latest models from the following leading industry manufacturers: Armada, Salomon, Atomic, K2, Rossingol, Volkl. Secondly, special company is making a limited series of handmade skis with the Heliksir name and logo just for us! Pretty cool, isn't it? ;)))
