Message #420

[jim-ratliff]

As well, maybe.  Different, certainly. 

Actually, I don't think surface area is particularly relevant in this case.  I'm making up the percentages, but the 1/3 of the Spatula that is under you feet may be providing 2/3 of the surface area with the front and back sharing the other 1/3.  On a regular ski, the 1/3 of the ski under the feet may only have 1/3 of the surface area, the front third has half of the surface area (and whatever is left for the tail).  Not only that, but a ski with a normal camber has to sink in the snow some amount before it decambers and whereas I believe the Spatula is already reverse cambered and so would turn in powder just by tipping?

My guess is that, with equivalent surface area, the Spatula floats higher on the snow and that the regular ski with the same area would have to allow the boot to sink in more before providing the same flotation.

Anyway, it will be really interesting to hear your ski review.