Monoski

Who invented the monoski?

Invented in 1961 by Jacques Marchand, it was after selling his patent to Hexcel Corporation, an American engineering company, that the monoski experienced a meteoric success across the Atlantic. Later, in 1978, it was imported into the Chamonix valley. For many years, it enjoyed a significant success among mountain enthusiasts, but the arrival of snowboarding immediately overshadowed the discipline, which was then thought to be on the verge of disappearing.

But even though it was heavily competed by its counterpart, the monoski ultimately remains present in the hearts of enthusiasts, with leading brands like Snowgunz and Faction delivering new fun and cool skis every year.

The combination of water skiing, alpine skiing, and snowboarding

If you can't decide between disciplines, the monoski is definitely for you. Offering unique gliding sensations, it indeed combines the characteristics of three sports:

• Water skiing: feet are side by side and parallel to the board.
• Alpine skiing: the bindings are generally the same and the posture as well. The only difference is that here, the feet are not independent but on the same board.
• Snowboarding: playful, it also offers a good dose of freedom on the slopes of the resort. The difference is that when monoskiing, you face the slope, and are not sideways like when snowboarding.

Among the different monoskis, there are piste monoskis, carving monoskis, and freeride monoskis. Anyway, the combination of these three sports promises an unforgettable experience for all winter sports enthusiasts.

From carving to freestyle, how to choose your alpine monoski?

Carving monoskis

Carving monoskis are stiff boards and usually quite short. They allow you to link turns like in giant slalom and enjoy the thrill of high-speed skiing on hard and groomed snow. These characteristics give them good grip and impeccable stability, to help you give your best in tight turns. No matter where you point your board, your feet will maintain control under all circumstances.

All-mountain monoskis

All-mountain monoskis offer maximum versatility to riders. They are designed to take you to the most diverse terrains, regardless of snow conditions. From the piste to powder, their width underfoot is narrow enough to carve on hard snow, but wide enough to float above fresh white snow when the conditions are good!

Among the market's flagship products, Faction boards are clearly a benchmark. Designed for mixed use, they will follow you everywhere, all season long! Don't wait, and discover them in our online store!

How to choose the right bindings?

Monoskiing involves choosing between two types of bindings. Depending on your habits and preferences, you have the choice between alpine ski bindings and snowboard-type bindings. So what are the differences between the two? What are the advantages of one over the other, here are some elements of answer.

Alpine ski bindings

Alpine ski bindings are often recommended to beginner to intermediate skiers. They offer undeniable ease of use and are very easy to click in while standing. In addition, their configuration allows the skier to unclip during a fall to minimize the risk of injury. This will obviously tend to reassure beginners, more likely to lose control in steep slopes and fast descents.

Pro FX Bindings

On their part, Pro FX bindings are similar to classic snowboard bindings. Lighter, they will often be preferred by experienced to expert monoskiers, with good physical condition and technical skills. This lightness will also help you reduce the weight of your equipment during approach hikes!

More manoeuvrable and sensitive than their counterparts, they are the favourite accessories of your freeride adventures beyond the ski area. Finally, due to their design, it is impossible to unclip, just like on a snowboard.

How to choose the size of an alpine monoski?

Just like for alpine skis, it is essential to choose the right size for your monoski if you want to fully express your potential on the slopes. Thus, depending on your skiing style and skill level, the size of your board will differ:

• Monoski size < skier

A shorter monoski will be more manoeuvrable. It is ideal for beginner monoskiers who want to discover monoskiing on groomed runs. It will be more forgiving and more playful, and its speed will remain reasonable to allow you to keep control in all circumstances.

• Monoski size = skier:

A monoski the same size as the skier is intended for monoskiers looking for a versatile board for all-mountain riding. It will remain manoeuvrable enough to carve on groomers, while providing enough float in slightly deeper snow on the sides of groomed runs. An all-rounder monoski!

• Monoski size > skier:

Longer monoskis will offer you optimal float in fresh snow. They will also be your faithful partners for carving large turns on groomers. However, given their size, they will be more difficult to handle. This type of board is therefore intended for skiers with good physical condition, with solid skills!

Faction, Snowgunz, the best 2023 monoskis are at Glisshop

Trust Glisshop and its team and choose your monoski with confidence. We have selected for you the biggest monoski brands like Snowgunz and Faction. From wide monoskis made for powder to aggressive carving monoskis, you’re sure to find the board you need. Browse our store to discover the new monoskis of the season!