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WOMEN’S SKIS
ALL MOUNTAIN SKIS Advanced – Expert
Can be a combination of dimensions and profiles, resulting in very different models. Camber and/or tip shape is altered to improve soft snow performance. These are powerful go-anywhere do-anything skis to find challenges on- and off-piste.
FREERIDE SKIS Advanced – Expert
Using a longer radius and wider dimensions gives these skis maximum stability and floatation in softer or variable conditions. Camber and/or tip shape is altered to improve soft snow performance. Primarily offpiste skis, they handle groomers with ease.
Today we are exploring this straight lines underfoot for a specific benefit on freeskiing and freestyle orientated models and we see it can make a different skiing technique, with less effort and more natural foot rotation for changing direction; by the way, we are looking to expand that technology on an all condition ski project… but that is another story to come. EB: How would you describe what a 3D sidecut will do for a ski? HM: The 3Dimension sidecut combines 2 radii with a central flat line under foot. The tip and tail radii allow for easy turn initiation while the flat line provides stability, power and precision. + Easy turn initiation through the middle platform geometry + Total edge control underfoot with optimal pressure transfer + Optimal stability and centralised pivoting
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EB: Scott is a global company and growing fast but is some way off the distribution network of the big ski brands, so how important is it to you to be working with a smaller ski brand, and how satisfying is it, having been such an important part of Scott’s growth in ski hardware? HM: The Scott company philosophy is based on Innovation Technology Design, and as individuals we have the chance in the company to be 100% part of the whole process of product development with a certain freedom of action; if we feel a concept, idea or new feature could work, we can go with it! This is also a gauge of confidence between product management and company owner. The situation of growth between big major ski brands and Scott for example, cannot be compared; at Scott, we do not get pressure for big number results like the big groups; the company philosophy is to create product categories with a high value of technology and passion. The results of the past seasons proves that we can deliver passion and consumer benefits first rather than focussing on economic and margin issues. My satisfaction is not only to get “SKI OF THE YEAR” or “GOLD MEDAL” with product every year; it is more to see people happy with our products and to see the Scott brand more and more on the slopes.
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Völkl Kenja
HM: I had been exploring a new way of straight edge lines "no sidecut" on some 140cm teaching skis back in 2004/2005; of course this step was not received well in the carving years... Nobody was really interested in such new shaping back then so we did not continue this way. But at the time I could see some major advantages of such straight lines in the sidecut: better foot rotation, more stability, more forgiving underfoot.
HM: Principally, from skiing experience; my past job of ski trainer and teacher gave me a lot of input regarding ski consumers and made me think about the best way to make skiing easier for people. Even though we have dedicated many new innovative skis to the freeskiing segment (freeride and park), we do also think about sharing their benefits with other ski consumers.
Blizzard Black Pearl
EB: Your latest innovation is the 3D sidecut as seen on the new Punisher and the Tom Wallisch ski, where the central part of the ski has no shape and is perfectly straight. When did you first start working on the idea and how were the early prototypes?
EB: You’ve come up with some innovative designs before, such as the Venturi tips and tails, and - what was at the time – the fairly radical shape of the classic Mission ski. Where do you get your inspiration and ideas?
Salomon Rockette 90
BRAND CHAT: Scott – Hervé Maneint, Senior Product Manager