Elan Skis, one of the pioneers of the shape ski movement and current developer of Amphibio Technology—a mix of rocker and camber in the tip of the ski for ease of initiation and improved edge-hold—recently unveiled its new “Smart Ski.”
Featuring integrated sensors that measure a skier’s skiing dynamics to produce precise weight flex and balance distribution readouts, the Slovenian brand is touting the Smart Ski as the first integrated ski concept designed to measure dynamic ski movement. Ultimately, the technology could prove crucial in helping skiers understand how to improve their balance and flex by providing real-time data on how they pressure the ski throughout a turn.
Elan debuted the concept at ISPO 2018, the European equivalent of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and SIA Snow Show, demonstrating how the Smart Ski has a reaction translated into immediate real time feedback and post analytical data that will be connected to the cloud.
The concept is still currently in a prototype phase and not ready for production. A working prototype with the Smart Ski concept technology was installed on an SLX Fusion, one of the brand’s in-line race carving skis, at ISPO in Munich for attendees to experience the innovation firsthand. Through the sensation of skiing movements, the Smart Ski captured immediate data and recorded it on a nearby computer screen.
“As consumers are connected across every touch point of their daily lives, it an advancement not only for Elan, but also for the ski industry to connect technology between the skier and their skis,” Melanja Šober, head of product management for Elan’s winter division, said in a statement announcing the development of the new ski.
Gear Institute will provide updates on this innovation as soon as we get to see and test this new technology for ourselves.