Most backcountry skis will have a certain amount of camber underfoot with rocker in the tip or and/or tail. Rocker offers improved flotation in powder and greater maneuverability. On a flat surface, the midsection of a rockered ski will rest on the ground while its tips and tails rise off much earlier than with a cambered ski. If you’re on the ski, it flattens under your weight and the entire length of the base contacts the snow, providing more stability to initiate and carve turns.Ī rockered ski is the opposite of camber (sometimes called negative camber). If you place your skis on a flat surface and look at it from the side, notice where it bends upward or where it remains flat to the ground.Ī traditional cambered ski features a continuous bow that runs for much of the length of the ski with the middle rising off the ground. You’ll often hear the terms camber or rocker to describe ski profile. When choosing the length of your skis, you should also take into consideration the ski profile, which affects how the skis come in contact with snow.
#OZIEXPLORER VS BACKCOUNTRY NAVIGATOR HOW TO#
(Read more about How to Choose Backcountry Ski Bindings and How to Choose Backcountry Ski Boots.) An REI sales associate at a store near you can help you figure out what you need.