A good ski is told at a glance by its bend, which must never be abruptly formed, nor carried too high. A maximum curve of 6 in. is all that is ever required, and to prevent breaking at this, the weakest, part of the ski, the bend must be gradual like the curve of a good bow, thus making it more flexible and elastic at this point. As a rule, the ski should be fashioned a trifle broader at the bend than at any other point, and the wood should be pared moderately thin, which will make it strong and resilient with plenty of spring, or “backbone.”
The groove in the running surface is so formed as to make the ski steady and prevent “side slip” when running straightaway. In fact this groove may be compared to the keel of a boat, and as the latter may be made too deep, making it difficult to steer the craft and interfering with the turning, so will the badly formed groove interfere with the control of the ski. The Telemark round-faced groove is by far the best form, and for all-around use is commonly made ¹⁄₁₂ or ¹⁄₈ in. deep. Not all Telemark skis are thus fashioned, however, some being made without the groove, while others are provided with two, and I have seen one marked with three parallel hollows. The shallow groove is the most satisfactory for general use, and while a groove, ³⁄₈ or ¹⁄₂ in. deep, is good enough for straightaway running, it makes turning more difficult.
To attach the ski binding, which secures the shoe to the runner, a hole in the form of a narrow slit is made just back of the center. This is the usual manner of attaching the foot binding, and while it cannot but weaken the ski to a certain extent, it is the best method for making a secure foot fastening, and weakens the wood to a much less extent than the use of bolts, or other metal fastening.
So far as finish is concerned, most Norwegian makers finish their skis with a coat of black paint, while other makers stain the wood, and some finish the wood in the natural color by varnishing. This applies to the upper surface only, the running surface being rubbed down with linseed oil and made smooth with wax.
The Swedish Ski
This type of ski is made quite long and comparatively narrow, with a deep groove, and is well adapted for running on the level or for gliding down slight slopes. This type of ski is commonly used in Lapland and to a less extent in the northern parts of Norway, but the great length and quick, short bend make this model less adapted for ordinary use, since the deep, rectangular groove slows down the speed, and the great length makes turning doubly difficult. For special conditions this type is probably useful, but it can scarcely be considered suited to the average use.
Lilienfeld Ski
This type of ski is favored by but comparatively few ski runners, and the modeling is inferior to the Telemark ski. The arch is excessive in height, the bend is abrupt and stiff, while the round point, fashioned to prevent sticking in loose brush, has apparently little value in actual use. The Lilienfeld ski is made without a groove, and since the whole model is shorter and broader than the usual type of ski, turning is more easily accomplished, but side slipping is, of course, considerably increased. Ease in turning is a desirable quality, to be sure, but steadiness and immunity from side slipping are far more valuable qualities in a ski designed for all-around use. In short, the Lilienfeld model possesses no decided advantages over the Telemark type, but has many points of inferiority. To one who has used both models there can be no question but that the Telemark model is preferable.
When purchasing skis the sportsman will make no mistake in selecting the Telemark model, and for an active person the skis should be long enough to reach to the middle joint of the fingers, when the arms are stretched above the head, and the ski is stood upright on its heel. The length of a pair so selected will be from 7¹⁄₂ to 8 ft. For elderly and less active persons, for individuals of short stature, and for ladies, skis reaching to the wrist joint will be about right; the length ranging from 6¹⁄₂ to 7 ft. For youths and children shorter skis, from 5 to 6 ft. in length, according to the size and strength of the person, are of course required.
