Choosing your first slalom ski or upgrading an old ski shouldn’t be a daunting task! There are many different slalom skis designed to suit different kinds of skiing. In this article we’ll walk you through the important features, shapes, constructions and what makes slalom skis different from one another. Slalom skis are available in 3 key categories: Free-Ski, Course and Cross-Over:
CATEGORIES:
- FREE-SKI: Free-Skis are designed to effortlessly carve open-water lakes and rivers in a range of water conditions. They feature a wide width, soft flex, and shallow concave; All of which will aid easy deep water starts, enough buoyancy to cater for slower boat speeds between 20-30mph and smooth, long radius turns. A free-ski will lend itself towards beginners, big guys or a skier that wants to relax and have fun behind the boat!
- COURSE: Course skis feature a stiff, responsive construction for acceleration out of a turn, a narrow overall width allowing the ski to roll from edge to edge with added power and drive and a deep concave to roll from edge quickly and aggressively. With all of this considered, a course skis primary purpose is to get around 6 buoys’ as quickly and efficiently as possible. Course skis are built with high-end foam cores, carbon fibre laminates and adjustable fin blocks and are only suited to speeds of 34-36mph.
- CROSS-OVER: Cross-over skis combine the performance of course skis with the stability of free-skis resulting in a versatile offering suitable across a range of ability levels. Cross-over skis feature shapes based closely on course skis but add extra width into the body for more stability and slower boat speeds between 26-34mph. They are available in a range of constructions from basic to highly advanced allowing the skier to choose a construction based on their ability and skier preferences.
CONSTRUCTION:
All modern slalom skis in their simplest form are built with fibreglass moulds and PU (polyurethane) foam cores. This most basic construction suits beginner and intermediate skiers for its reliability and forgiving nature. As the ski turns around a buoy, it bends under load and the speed in which it returns to its original form is described as its ‘responsiveness’. A more responsive ski will snap back to shape quickly, accelerating out of a turn and across the wakes towards the next buoy. Carbon fibre was introduced into slalom ski contractions as a replacement for fibreglass and results in more response with a much-appreciated side-effect of being lightweight. Carbon fibre is commonly used across kids, ladies, and men’s skis by varying the number of laminates for each use case.
- Since the early 2000’s, PU (polyurethane) foam has been replaced by PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in many high-end slalom skis. PVC paired with carbon fibre laminates results in a construction that is significantly more responsive and lightweight when compared to traditional PU cores. In 2019, Radar introduced PMI (polymethacrylimide) into its ‘Pro Build’ range found in both the Vapor and Senate. PMI is the most responsive slalom ski core on the market offering an increase even larger than the gap between PVC and PU.
- Having a slalom ski built with PMI or PVC cores will offer the best performance however they aren’t always the best option for all categories of ski or all skier types! PMI and PVC cores are less forgiving and only suit confident skiers with aggressive skiing styles. In addition, they will only perform well in flat water conditions. For skiers who brave all weather, a traditional PU core will handle rough water more comfortably.
SIZE GUIDE:
Choosing the correct size of water ski depends on your weight and the style of ski however skier preferences can be considered. Most beginner and intermediate skis are available in 2” increments from 63” to 71”. Course specific slalom skis are available in 1” increments between 65” and 69” to dial in the exact size required. If a skier is between the range of two ski sizes, their age and fitness should be considered; The larger of the two sizes will aid deep water starts and the smaller of the two will aid performance.
- 63” (Up to 55 kg)
- 65” (50 - 70 kg)
- 66” (60- 80 kg)
- 67” (70 - 90 kg)
- 68” (80 - 100 kg)
- 69” (80 - 100 kg)
- 71” (100+ kg)
Radar 2022 Vapor Pro Build Slalom Ski
Description
The Vapor reigns supreme when it comes to feel on the water. For 2022, we created a ski that feels truly automatic in the turns. Simply ride the line out to apex, release a hand, turn, and off you go to the other side. The ski can be turned from any position and has led skiers to say there’s no sweet spot, rather an infinite area to make incredibly tight turns. More side-to-side power combined with these automatic turns yields a softer, more flowy overall feel than any ski we’ve produced to date. The balance this ski creates allows a skier to make mistakes yet still move the ski underneath them to maintain speed and direction. This entirely new shape for 2022 will have you running earlier lines than you ever imagined; just rip and repeat.
Pro Build designates a PMI Core and Textreme Carbon infused with Innegra. PMI is the lightest and most responsive foam money can buy, allowing a skier to get more attainable angle out of the turn and have the ability to hold it through the wakes. Textreme lets the ski flex instantly and consistently, giving the skier more speed from a wider point. Overall, the ski will feel like it is carrying constant speed from the first cut to the last turn which results in the most effortless ride we’ve found to date.
The Pro Build Vapor is everything a competition skier ever wanted, designed to perform between 32-36 MPH and in the slalom course to elite levels. It’s our Pro Team’s model of choice but is also great for those looking to improve their skills at any level. By riding a Pro Build Vapor you ensure that you have the best materials wrapped into the best shape on the market. Now all you have to decide is which color you like best.
Specifications
• Textreme Carbon – Lighter, stronger composites.
• Innegra – Reducing chatter for a more stable ride.
• Carbon Rods – Zonal flex for the optimum layup.
• Bio Resin – Plant based and better.
• Race Base – Earlier lines and easier turns.
• Enduro Tip/Tail – Built for speed.
• Radar Lab Made – Thanks Herb.
TERRAIN : Course
RECOMMENDED SPEED RANGE : 32-36 MPH / 52-58 KM/H
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