nik

there are a lot of factors in ski shape that affect how a ski behaves. The main ones I can run through. Saying that there is only one or two factors that explain the ski's characteristics is wildly off-base and its really a combination of a lot of things, leading it to be difficult to pin down.

Width - a wider ski has a lower torsional rigidity, meaning a lot of the force that goes into the ski does not correspond to a direct transfer of energy pushing you in the opposite direction; instead, much of it goes into generating a torsional force which bends the ski laterally. This is a waste of energy as you're putting your valuable kinetic energy into deforming a ski laterally (which provides no performance). The skis are also harder to get on edge, and slower from one edge to the other just as a function of the larger force required to transition from one edge to the other. Skiing wider on firmer snow can also place your knees in more compromising positions, as you're potentially closer to the limits of your RO

nik

1884100
1913974
1883387
1883544
1883555
1884155
1883029
1884329
1884392
1884447