Women: Not Just Little Men

[Photo above: Britt Janyk]

Walking into a ski store these days you can't help but notice the proliferation of women-specific ski equipment. Is it all a clever marketing ploy or is there something to it?

There are technical and anatomical differences between male and female skiers. Women have a lower centre of gravity and thigh bones that angle towards the knee which can contribute to an "A-frame". For years women got beat up over this in lessons as male instructors tried to get their image to mirror that of a man's. Now it is recognized that so long as both skis are at the same angle on the snow a little A-frame can be okay! As a woman may not have the same strength as a man, putting her hips inside the turn gives her the leverage she needs to resist the forces of the turn.

In the photo above does Britt Janyk have an A-frame? That is, is her outside (right) shin at a different angle than her inside (left) shin? Absolutely. But are her skis on the snow at the same angle? Again, yes. So, is there anything wrong with the way she is skiing? Absolutely not! I know I'd like to carve a turn like her!

Women-specific equipment has come a long way in addressing women-specific issues. Women's boots are a lower height and tulip-shaped to accomodate women's lower calf muscle. They have padding specifically placed for women's anatomical foot shape. The most imprtant determinant in whether a woman's boot is right for you is your foot and your level of ability. A qualified boot fitter is essential in finding the right boot for you.

Women's skis, once known more for their pretty graphics than for performance, now come in high performance options. The concept is to have a woman's skis that is energy-saving yet athletically high performance by making adjustments to side cut, flex, weight and mounting system of the ski. Like any ski, it is best to try before you buy and go for what feels good and improves your performance, rather than what colour they are. Of course, if they happen to be a pretty colour, that's just bonus!