Is there such a thing as a left and right ski or does it not matter what ski goes one's feet?

Question

Is there such a thing as a left and right ski or does it not matter what ski goes one's feet?

Answer 1

If you have the same size feet, boots are a matched pair, there is no left or right ski. Years ago left and right ski were because of the boots being handmade and not the same length, our new boots are molded plastic shells that are always the same.

Some advanced skiers/racers will tune one ski different than the other, a sharper edge on the little toe side, so they have a left and right. This is for racing and hard snow. For general skiing, the ski is tuned as a matched pair and the mark of "L" and "R" are for the customer, not for the ski.

  Hope this helps, enjoy the sport.

Answer 2

Dont worry, contrary to what other people are telling you, your skis wont fall off if you have them on the worng foot, if they do, you have binding issues which is a whole different story.  Some new skis have graphics on top that are specific to each ski, so technically with these there is a right and left foor ski, but they are still symmetrical, so it shouldnt matter either way.  As long as your skis were balanced properly during manufacturing and your bindings are mounted properly, it shouldnt matter.  

If you have damage on one of the edges on one of your skis, you may want to designate this as the right or left ski, depending on where the damage is.  You dont want edge damage on the inside edge of your downhill ski, so you may have to adjust accordingly.

If it really mattered, dont you think that the manufacturer would designate the right and left ski before they ever left the factory?

Answer 3

Like others have said, ignore the first poster. She has no idea what she is talking about.

In almost all cases, they are identical.

There are a very select few models of race-only skis that have designated left/right skis, but those are very rare and the only reason you would have them is if you specifically requested them.

Answer 4

ignore 'Gi' -

It doesnt matter, they are exactly the same...

Answer 5

um it does matter b.c if there on the rong feet they can fall off. i suggest you put stickers or right in sharpee R and L. wherever you buy them just ask which is which =)

Answer 6

In alpine skiing, no.

In nordic skiing, sometimes.  But that's only because there are left and right bindings.  I'm thinking of telemark, 3 pin bindings, not the NNN bindings.