Skis come in many different shapes and sizes, ranging from small snowblades, invented only recently, to the longer skis used for long jumping. Due to the broadness of the subject, we are focusing on the downhill part of the world of skis. This area also has the most extensive scientific element to it.
Downhill skis are used mainly for entertainment in this day and age, but they're also used for transportation in some cases, like in avalanche rescue, and sometimes when alpine hiking, if the hikers want a quick return to the base of the mountain. Nevertheless, in most cases when downhill skiing is performed, it is purely for an entertainment or health value. The faster one goes, the more entertaining and fun it is, so when skiers want to enjoy the feeling of the snow going by under their feet at breakneck speeds, they will do all they can to decrease a force acting upon them and slowing them down called friction. One way is to add wax to the surface of the skis, which will come in contact with the snow, and effectively decreasing friction, therefore accelerating the skier. Another way is to minimize the surface area, which will come into contact with the snow, and buying narrower skis. |
