What are ski camber and rocker?

Understanding the concepts of camber and rocker is essential for choosing the right pair of skis for your style. These factors directly affect the manoeuvrability, edge grip, and glide comfort depending on different types of terrain. Whether you are into piste skiing, a freestyler, or a freeride enthusiast, whether you are male or female, the choice of camber and rocker should match the specific needs of your discipline and your preferences to ensure the best possible experience.

Ski Camber Explained

The camber of a ski is defined by the shape and pressure the ski applies to the ground when laid flat. This factor determines how the centre of the ski contacts the snow, influencing edge grip and stability. To observe the camber, simply place the ski on a flat surface. Various configurations appear: traditional camber, flat camber, or reverse camber.

• Traditional camber or classic camber: This profile is the preferred choice for piste skis and all-mountain skis. With a longer edge in contact with the snow, it enhances edge grip and ski control on hard snow. The skier's weight increases this grip by flexing the centre of the ski, allowing for precise turn initiation and excellent stability on groomed slopes.


• Flat camber: This profile improves manoeuvrability for spins and landings in freestyle skiing. With a symmetrical sidecut, it offers good balance to skiers seeking a balance between stability and easy pivoting.


• Reverse camber: This banana-shaped profile is particularly appreciated in powder snow. It lifts the ski to the surface, reducing pressure in the central area and making movement in deep snow easier. Most often associated with freeride skiing, it allows the skier to float in soft snow, providing great manoeuvrability without excessive edge grip.

What is Rocker in a Pair of Skis?

Rocker is a feature designed for powder snow. It refers to the upward curve of the tip, and sometimes the tail, creating a gradual rise at both ends that reduces the length of the edge in contact with the snow. This profile enhances ski manoeuvrability and facilitates turn initiation, while offering excellent float in soft snow.

There are several types of rockers, each tailored to meet the specific needs of different terrains and skiing styles:

• Mild tip rocker: This type of rocker has a moderate lift at the front of the ski. It is ideal for intermediate skiers seeking a good balance between edge grip and manoeuvrability. It allows for an easy transition between groomed and off-piste skiing, providing balanced control without sacrificing stability.


• Moderate tip rocker: A more pronounced rocker at the tip improves float in powder snow and facilitates lift. This type of rocker is perfect for freeride skis or all-mountain skis, designed for those who love exploring a variety of snow conditions with great manoeuvrability.


• Double rocker: Combining a tip and tail rocker, this profile enhances float and pivot ease, especially in freestyle and backcountry. Thanks to its banana-like shape, the double rocker makes skis highly manoeuvrable, facilitating spins and providing stable landings. It is the perfect choice for skiers looking for great agility on soft snow and in deep powder.

Rocker profiles are integrated into various camber combinations to meet the needs of skiers based on their skill level and preferred terrain. Rocker provides added manoeuvrability and a better ability to adapt to changing terrain. Manufacturers offer a wide range of skis with different rockers of various lengths, aiming to accommodate various skiing styles and satisfy as many skiers as possible.

Existing Camber and Rocker Combinations

To offer skis for every skiing style, manufacturers combine different types of camber and rocker. These combinations provide skiers with a good balance between stability, manoeuvrability, and edge grip. Here is an overview of the main configurations available on the market.

Which Camber and Rocker to Choose for Freeride Skis?

To maximise float in powder and manoeuvrability on challenging terrain, freeride skis feature a traditional camber with double rocker. This combination provides stability and control, excellent manoeuvrability, and helps the ski to float on the surface of deep snow.

Camber and Rocker Profiles for Ski Touring

In ski touring, whether you are into freetouring, all-round touring, or light touring, camber and rocker are not the primary factors that should influence your equipment choice. Instead, what is crucial for achieving the best balance between uphill performance and downhill manoeuvrability are the weight and flex.

However, not all touring skis have the same profile. Some feature a camber with front rocker, optimised for edge grip on hard snow during climbs and facilitating float when descending. Then there are those with a camber with double rocker that offer a good balance between stability and manoeuvrability, easy pivoting, and great float.