What is a span on touring skis?
| Concept | It describes |
|---|---|
| Span / camber | The curvature of the ski, especially the arch under the binding. |
| Flexural rigidity / flex | The resistance when the ski bends. The stiffness can vary between the middle, front and rear ends. |
| Torsional stiffness / torsional stiffness | The resistance to twisting along the ski, which affects how power is transferred to the edge. |
Two skis can have the same arch height when unloaded but bend differently when you stand on them. The span height is therefore not enough to describe how the ski works.
In-depth: Åsnes Academy on span and stiffness .
How span affects grip and glide
A load-bearing center section can reduce the contact of the attachment zone with the snow when the ski is moved forward. When you load the ski for push-off, the attachment needs to be able to work against the surface.
If the ski is too stiff for you, the binding may be difficult to load. If it is too soft, the binding zone may slow down more. The snow, the technique and the binding solution also affect the result.
In-depth: Åsnes on load, span and ski choice .
Sling for long tours, all-round use and downhill skiing
| Orientation | Typical characteristics | What is prioritized |
|---|---|---|
| Distance and load | Solid center section and clear wax pocket. | Load-bearing capacity and efficient movement. |
| All-round | Load-bearing center section with more flexible ends. | Balance between ski steps and turns. |
| Downhill skiing | Often lower, smoother span and softer front. | Turnability and power distribution along the edge. |
The classification summarizes Åsnes Academy's three bucket categories. It describes construction choices, not a common hardness scale for all brands.
| Your tours | Features to compare |
|---|---|
| Long transports over open mountains | Directional stability, load-bearing capacity and a span that works with the pack. |
| Varied tours in hilly terrain | A combination of good walking comfort and manageable turns. |
| Downhill trips with many turns | Compliance, the shape of the ski and control when you put pressure on the edge. |
A transport-oriented ski and a downhill-oriented ski solve different tasks. Describe how much of your rides consist of movement and turns, respectively, before choosing a model.
In-depth: Åsnes' classification of touring skis according to use .
Rocker and span can be on the same ski
Rocker means that the front or rear of the ski starts to lift earlier. Spann instead describes the arch in the middle. A ski can combine both.
Rocker can make turn initiation easier and help the front end in loose snow. How much of the ski is working against the ground changes with load and edging, so an unloaded side view only tells part of the story.
Nordic rocker, turn-in and taper
Åsnes uses the term Nordic rocker for a profile where the lift of the front part becomes more pronounced when the ski is loaded. Turn-in describes the difference in width between the front, waist and rear part. Taper means that the widest point has been moved in from the tip.
Together, these characteristics affect how the ski steers and releases through a turn. More rocker or more in-turn is therefore not automatically right for every turn.
In-depth: Åsnes Academy on rocker, taper and turn-in .
Body weight, packing and ski length need to be in harmony
Start with the height and weight recommendation for the model. Then consider your pack size, experience and terrain. The same body length can result in different suitable ski lengths depending on the design.
A shorter ski may be easier to handle, but still needs to work with your load. If the length and weight table points towards different sizes, the choice should be assessed individually.
Please specify backpack and sled separately
When giving advice, it is clearest to say, for example, “70 kg body weight and 12 kg backpack.” This will show both your basic weight and what you usually carry.
The sled is carried by the snow and creates a drag. Its entire weight should therefore not be counted as if it were on your back. Tell them that you are pulling a sled and describe the load and the terrain.
Contact us if you want to use the same pair for both light day trips and with a heavy pack. Start with our touring skis and specify the two areas of use.
Can you measure the span with a paper test?
A load test on a flat surface only shows part of how a touring ski works. Åsnes emphasizes that measuring an exact wax pocket cannot be directly transferred from classic trail skis to all touring skis.
Therefore, ask for an assessment that applies to the specific ski model and your use. If a span measurement is used, ask what it shows and how the result should be interpreted for the current design.
In-depth: Åsnes on why touring skis need to be assessed as a whole .
Core and reinforcements affect the design
Wood cores, reinforcements and other layers contribute to the ski's properties. Åsnes describes how different materials are used to adapt stability, weight and feel to the model's purpose.
A material name is therefore not enough to choose the right one. Ask for an explanation of how the construction will work on your rides, and then compare the model lengths and recommended loads.
In-depth: Åsnes on the structure of skiing .
Fastening, pattern or riser – what does it mean for the team?
| Fastening solution | This is how you think about the use |
|---|---|
| Fastening wall | A grip that can be adjusted to the snow. A well-adjusted grip can provide a good balance between grip and glide. |
| Patterned covering | The grip pattern remains while skiing. Convenient when you want to avoid grip wax, but the function varies with the snow. |
| Integrated skin | The skin is immersed in the base. The ski's construction needs to be adapted to the solution and the load on the skier. |
| Removable short skin | Can be attached or removed when the need for attachment changes. Check the model's attachment. |
"Wallingsfritt" describes the attachment solution. This does not mean that all such skis have the same span, or that the choice of length and load is unimportant. Check the current version.
In-depth: Åsnes Academy on flockable, patterned and integrated leather .
Read the full technical description
Fischer uses the terms Nordic Rocker Camber, Crown describes a binding pattern, and Easy Skin describes a skin solution on compatible models. The terms describe different properties; none of them alone indicate what load the ski is suitable for.
In-depth: Fischer model specification with span profile and fastening system .
The skin affects how the ski feels
A skin adds its own contact surface with the snow. Width, length and material affect the balance between grip and glide. A slower glide with a skin does not necessarily mean that the ski has the wrong span.
- Short skin: a complement when you need more grip during the ride.
- Long skin: an option when a larger grip surface is needed, for example when skiing steeper uphill.
- Material: mohair is often prioritized for glide, nylon for grip and durability, while mix combines properties.
Choose a skin that suits the binding and the model's recommendation. Adjust the choice according to the ride instead of always choosing the largest possible grip surface.
Compare hiking skins and short skins and check width, length and compatibility before purchasing.
In-depth: Åsnes Academy on choosing a climbing skin .
Slipping or sliding slowly? Start with what you can control
| What you notice | Check first |
|---|---|
| Backsliding with fixing wax | Does the fleece suit the snow and temperature? Does it remain in the attachment zone? |
| Snow clumps under the ski | Look for icing in the wax, pattern or skin. The treatment should be appropriate for that particular surface. |
| Slow glide even downhill | Check for dirt, ice and remaining debris. The sliding zones also need maintenance. |
Adjust the care according to whether the ski has a waxable attachment zone, pattern or skin. Gliding wax does not belong in the zone where you are going to apply attachment wax. Follow the instructions for the base and care product.
If the problem recurs over multiple trips, note the snow conditions, packing, and binding solution you used. This will help us distinguish between the need for different grazing, different skin selection, and a closer assessment of the ski.
See wax and waxing accessories or contact us for advice .
In-depth: Åsnes Academy on herding and preparation of touring skis .
How to test your equipment before a longer trip
Our practical advice is to do a short test ride with the equipment and gear you plan to use. Choose a location where you can easily stop and adjust.
- On flat ground: feel if the ski step works and if something brakes unexpectedly.
- On a light slope: check if you can get a grip with a calm, controlled step.
- In simple turns: feel if you can steer and brake with the equipment.
- Change one thing at a time: note what you changed and whether it helped.
The test is a way to discover what you need to practice or adjust before you go. It also provides a better basis for advice than just the description “the skis feel wrong”.
Frequently asked questions about ski touring straps
What does camber mean on touring skis?
Camber is the span or arch of the ski. How the ski performs also depends on the stiffness and how it is distributed along the ski.
Is a high span always better?
No. The ski's construction needs to fit the use. Long hauls and downhill trips prioritize different properties, and your load needs to fit the model.
Can a ski have both rocker and skid?
Yes. Rocker in the front or back can be combined with spans under the foot. The parts work together when the ski is loaded and edged.
Does the rim play a role on non-grazing touring skis?
Yes. Attachment patterns or skins do not eliminate the need for a design and size that works with your load. Check the model recommendations.
Does heavy slippage with a riser skin mean that the span is wrong?
Not necessarily. The material, length and width of the skin affect the resistance. First assess whether the skin fits the ski, the snow and the need for grip.
Why are my touring skis back-toed?
Start by checking if the attachment wall is suitable for the snow and if the attachment zone needs maintenance. If the problem persists, equipment and load also need to be assessed.
Should the entire weight of the sled be added to my body weight?
No. The sled is carried by the snow and provides traction. Please state your body weight, backpack weight and sled load separately when requesting assistance with the equipment.
What do I need to provide to get help choosing skis?
Please indicate your height, weight, pack size, skiing habits and most common terrain. Also tell us if you mainly want to go on long tours or prioritize downhill skiing.
Choose touring skis with the help of Outdoor Buddies in Åre
Bring information about your height, weight, pack size and the tours you want to do. If you already have equipment, it helps to include the model name and what you want to improve.
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