In an effort to be transparent with our valued customers, we wanted to offer a place for customers to ask our president questions about RAMP skis, snowboards, and coming soon—longboards. If you have a question for Mike that you want addressed in his weekly blog, please email [email protected] and include "Ask Mike" in the subject line.

Hi friends of RAMP,

An interesting question came in last week about sidecut, specifically about the RAMP Razor Cut concept. The shapes of skis is the most dynamic and changing part of the market in each dimension. For the longest time, skis all had the same basic camber profile, width, and turn radius—it was truly boring. The only people who could carve short radius turns were people skiing at the World Cup race level as they were strong enough that they could bend the ski enough to create a short radius shape. Most people windshield-washered back and forth.

When super sidecut shaped skis came into development, they really were in response to the explosion in snowboard popularity. I actually snowboarded for 10 years just because they had a shape that was way more fun. You could get that super dynamic feel carving a short radius turn and they worked better in all the variable conditions and deep snow.

Over time sidecut shape, camber profiles, and widths have evolved dramatically. The sidecut shapes are so sophisticated now. If you look at a 100mm RAMP ski like the Groundhog or Beaver—two of our best sellers—there is a lot going on. You have a radius in the tip with reverse sidecut like the nose of a surfboard. That's combined with early rise in the tip making it much more catch free so it is easy to ski powder and variable snow. Then there is a curve-radius, which goes to about the middle of the boot. Then under the heel is a short straight section we call Razor Cut that helps make skis, especially wider skis, better on hard snow—it cuts into the hard snow better. Then another curve-radius to the tail. When the ski is on edge and the skier flexes it the feeling is incredible. It handles about any snow surface, makes dynamic fall line type turns, and has great edge grip.

So, the Razor Cut is a sidecut invention that improves hard snow performance. And on a twin tip ski the grip under the foot is improved.

On another blog I'd like to discuss how the integration of the above works with the materials. This is really key.

Thanks for listening. Let me know your thoughts. Comment below or email me questions ([email protected]). Be back next week.

Mike Kilchenstein, CESnow