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Wobbly at speed

Why do my skis feel wobbly at speed?

A ski that wobbles at speed is often a ski that bends too easily for your weight. In the model that is the strongest match, with sitting too far forward second. Boot alignment and warped soles are worth a look if the ski is a good size for you.

What it looks like in the model

heel · · · ball of footforce lineshin 16°

glutes working · lower back working

Your stanceyour setup as it is

Muscle load

  • Quadsfront of thigh, hold the knee bend31%
  • Glutes & hamstringsback of hip and thigh41%
  • Shin muscleslift the toes when you're back0%
  • Calvespush the shin into the tongue26%

Low, can hold all dayMidHighPeakTick: average through the turn

Tail at the finish

5%

The fix: 8%

Tip at the finish

12%

The fix: 16%

Showing: Your stance. your setup as it is.

Shown for the default skier: 92 kg on the K2 Mindbender 89 Ti at the finish of the turn, 3 mm of boot play, groomed snow.

What is happening

At speed, a ski that is stiff enough for your weight keeps its shape and tracks. A ski that is too soft for you flexes and flutters, and the tip and tail start to move independently. You feel it as a nervous, twitchy ski, or a shake you can not damp.

Heavier skiers feel this earlier, because more weight flexes the same ski further. A light ski that works for a lighter friend can feel shaky on you at the same speed.

What it feels like

  • A fast shimmy in the ski, worse on hard snow and run-outs.
  • A feeling that the ski is following the snow rather than you.
  • Less confidence the faster you go, even on a slope you ski well.
  • Fine at low speed, worse as you go faster.

Other things that look the same

Several things can feel like a wobble. - A short, deep sidecut ski that is flat on the snow wanders. That is how it is made. - A boot that does not hold your foot still, or an alignment issue that leaves one ski flat. - Soles that are warped or uneven. A shop can check this in a minute. - Standing too far forward, so the tail is light and the ski wanders at the back. - A tune that has worn, or edges that are uneven.

How to read the figure

The figure compares your ski with a stiffer one under the same skier. The difference in the bars is small, since the model is showing load rather than shake, but it shows which direction a stiffer ski takes the load.

What to try

  • Take a run on a ski you know is stiffer, if you can demo one. If the wobble goes, you have your answer.
  • Check your weight and the ski length against the maker's range. A ski at the bottom of its range for your weight is a likely suspect.
  • Ask a shop to check the base is flat, the edges are even and the tune is fresh.
  • If the ski is fine, look at boot alignment and fit.

A note on ski length

A ski that is too short for your weight is also less stable. Length is not the whole story, since construction matters as much, but a very short ski at speed can be hard to settle.

Other likely causes

The model’s first match for this symptom is the ski is underpowered for you (78% of the evidence). Here is what else it ranks, and how to tell each one apart.

You're too far forward

22%

Too much weight on the shovels. The tips grab and the tails go light.

How to tell: The tail feels light and the tip hooks. You get calf burn rather than quad burn. A ski that is too soft will wobble whatever your stance.

Model check: In the model, that stance leaves just 1% of the load on the tail at the finish, so the tail has little to hold with.

What to try, in this order

  1. Cue. A longer or stiffer ski, or one with metal in it.
  2. Drill. Film one run from the side and compare it with the figure above. A phone propped in the snow is enough. Watch: FIS vs REGULAR SKIS | What's the Difference?
  3. Boot check. Ask the fitter to check alignment and heel hold. A boot that lets one foot move can feel like a ski problem.
  4. Gear. Have the base checked for flatness and the edges for evenness. Check your weight against the ski maker’s range for that length.

When it’s not technique

If a flat base and a good tune do not change it, the ski is probably too soft for you. Compare a stiffer ski before you buy.

Compare skis

Ski patrol says

A wobbling ski at speed is a good reason to slow down. If you have a fall and feel pain afterwards, see a physio.

Pain or injury? This tool is for how skiing feels, not medical advice. See a physio.

Not medical advice. Edge Lab describes how skiing feels and why.

Check your own setup

The model above uses a default skier. Add your weight, skis and boots and see your own numbers.

Check your own setup