"Skiers go bigger," says John Chevaire, slipping into his pair of twin-tip skis. "They go bigger."
Of course he's referring to his belief that skiers, rather than snowboarders, tackle the thrilling jumps, the faster runs. The intense sibling rivalry of skiers and snowboarders is never-ending.The younger child, the snowboard, flies down the mountain, doing big air tricks, shredding the slopes and leaving the older sibling, the ski, with a complex.
A complex about being too tame, too square and too limited.
This image of skiing is about to change. Skiing is getting funky. Snowboarders beware. Downhill, daffies, moguls, bumps and black diamonds couldn't look better.
Twin-tips and ski-blades are reinventing this traditional sport.
"The difference between the new and the old ski," says Chevaire, a skier who works at The Canyons, "is like comparing a hard-tail trail bike to a downhill bike, or a freestyle BMX bike to a racing bike."
Introduced at last year's X Games in Colorado, the ski-blade proved that skiing can have an "alternative" edge, just like the snowboard.
Inspired by roller blading and boot skiing, these ittie-bitties allow users to do several tricks that were considered impossible on regular downhill skis.
Solomon offers two types of ski-blades. The Propeller has an 85-centimeter blade with a 100/85.5/100-millimeter side-cut and twin-tip design, and the Buzz has a 90-centimeter blade and a narrower side-cut.
Both are made for the sole purpose of trick skiing.
The Propeller can be used for half-pipes and in terrain parks, while the Buzz is used for carving your way down a run. Both must be used on groomed snow and are great for laying arches.
For those accustomed to riding regular skis, there is a secret to riding the shorter version. "Relax," says skier Dave Klopp. "You can't have your weight too far forward or too far back. It's got to be right in the center."
On twin-tips, its easier to find the center.
The shape of the twin-tip ski allows skiers to compete with boarders on the half-pipe.
Rounded at both ends, twin-tips enable the skier to land tip or tail forward.
These, too, are used in terrain parks but are also great for mogul and bump skiing. Twin-tips are sometimes favored over the ski-blade.
"I like these better," says Chevaire. "On these I can do mute grabs, 360's, 720's and cross grabs."
With these two prototypes, skiers have more control. The tips are exaggerated, so traveling at high speed isn't a fear.
"You still go fast, but it's not the same," assures Klopp.
Twin-tips and ski-blades aren't the only variety of short skis that will be invading the hills. Rossignol has released a prototype of its own.
Still without a name, this short ski is specifically for carving turns. It is slightly heavier than the long ski, but the ability to maneuver is remarkably great.
The adjustment from long to short is simple on these, and it takes only a run or two to get accustomed to the feel of the ski.
Unfortunately, this Rossignol infant will not be available until next season.
Chevaire snowboards too, but with these new skis, he's happier. "I have more freedom. I can maneuver."
Poles are optional.
Some might be concerned about safety, but proponents say these items are only as dangerous as their user. "As long as people abide by the rules and ski responsibly, there should be no problems," assures Canyons representative Wayne Stoll.