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Downhill Skis
Downhill skis are some of the most burly and technologically advanced skis ever made. While old ones were made exclusively from wood with hardened charcoal edges modern skis have a wide variety of materials often with no wood at all although many companies tout a wooden core. Titanium, carbon fiber, Kevlar and other composite materials are much more common.
Downhill skis have to be able to take a lot of abuse and still retain their flex and rebound. This typically makes them much heavier than any other ski. One ski weighs more than all the cross country skiing equipment needed combined, but once gravity takes over they seem much lighter. The edges are made of steel to be easy to sharpen as well as holding a sharp edge for a long time. The base is also tougher than most skis and resists scratching except from the sharpest rocks.
Downhill skis have changed shape over time as well. In the past they were long, narrow and very stiff. It was actually snowboarding which inspired the present shape of skis which are thicker in the tip and tail than the waist, but overall much wider throughout. This shape allows the skis to start a turn as soon as the edge is rolled over, there is no forcing involved. This simple innovation has made skiing much easier to learn, more fun, and has expanded it popularity greatly.
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