A ski rocker, also known as reverse camber, refers to the upward curve of a ski's tips and tails when the ski is resting flat on the ground.
Think of the side profile of a rockered ski, as mentioned in the reference: it resembles the upturned rails of an old-school rocking chair. This shape contrasts with traditional camber, where the middle of the ski is raised off the ground when flat.
Here's a breakdown of how a rockered ski lies compared to a traditional cambered ski:
- Rockered Ski: On a flat surface, the midsection of the rockered ski will rest on the ground. Crucially, its tips and tails rise off the ground much earlier than they do on a cambered ski.
- Cambered Ski: When flat, the tips and tails touch the ground, while the middle part is arched upwards, away from the snow.
This design affects how the ski interacts with the snow, particularly in different conditions.
Key Characteristics and Benefits
- Improved Flotation: The early rise of the tips helps the ski stay on top of soft snow like powder, preventing the tip from digging in.
- Easier Turning: With less edge contact near the tip and tail, the ski becomes easier to pivot and maneuver, especially at lower speeds or in variable snow.
- Reduced Edge Catch: The lifted edges at the ends are less likely to catch on uneven snow or firm surfaces, leading to a more forgiving feel.
Rockered profiles vary greatly depending on the intended use of the ski. Some skis feature full rocker (the entire ski is curved up), while others combine rocker in the tip and/or tail with traditional camber underfoot (camber-rocker or rocker-camber-rocker).
