Is there a difference between men's and women's snow skis?

Question

Is there a difference between men's and women's snow skis?

Answer 1

When I go to ski demos where all of the skis have thier graphics taped or painted over I ski whatever the reps give me. 9/10 of the time I can't tell the difference between a men's ski and a women's ski until after the demo is done and they tell us what the skis were. I usually have to refer to my notes.

When I CAN tell I'm on a women's ski, the thing I usually notice is the flexibility of the ski....however, there are a lot of slinky men's skis out there that are just as flexible as ladies' skis.

The differences are more evident in racing skis as men weigh more (generally) and produce more downforce at higher sppeds than women do. With All-Mountain skis, the differences in the flex are not as pronounced. Women's A-M skis tend to weigh a bit less because they are shorter, which will affect the flex as well. There is almost little to no difference in Alpine Touring and Telemark skis when if comes to gender specific models. Both men's and women's skis tend to be light weight and flexible. I haven't tested enough Freestyle skis to make a good call, but others who regularly demo twin-tips and freestyle skis tell me there are no significant differences either.

Answer 2

not really - women's usually have more feminine graphics and are sometimes slightly slimmer but other than that, no difference at all.

Answer 3

You're a guy.  Get men's.  The flex is harder to bend but they are developed for your gender & there are a lot more technicalities involved than you may realize.

Answer 4

A few years ago the ski makers started making women specific skiis that are more than just cosmetic changes. The new style are designed to accommodate a woman's, balance by moving the flex forward and allow a woman to stand about 20mm forward of  where a man would balance on the same ski.  The ski will flex differently, and turn quicker, this type is not a comfortable ski for most men to use, the difference between the sexes is also an impact from the hip femur socket.