Artificial Dry ski slope

A dry ski slope or artificial ski slope is a ski slope that imitates the attributes of snow using materials that are stable over temperature , so that skiing can be carried out when conditions on natural slopes are not ideal.

Although commonly referred to as “dry ski slopes”, many of these slopes are lubricated using a water mist or irrigation system in order to increase speed and reduce heat due to friction. As a general rule, they are common in countries such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands , as well as other European countries that have problems with access to natural snow.

A wide variety of materials can be found on dry ski slopes.

Early efforts to mimic snow resulted in plastic modules with tips extruded upwards, in an attempt to provide grip. These were not popular, as they provided little grip and little ability to turn, making the experience similar to skiing across ice.

However, many ski slopes (both indoor and outdoor) still use this material, injected plastic modules. The quality of these materials has increased substantially and many artificial slopes in Holland use these modules for training and even championships.

The next phase in the development of dry skiing came from the brush industry. The most common material is dendix , which is made similar to short- haired brushes with the bristles pointing upwards. Dendix is ​​manufactured in Chepstow . Although it was a great advance on other surfaces of the time, there were concerns about the damage it could cause to the user (it provided no protection in the event of a fall), skis or snowboard due to friction, so they were constantly watered. Today they are often watered in order to lubricate the surface and increase speed, but however, falls have caused operators to look for other alternatives 2

Although there are more materials, Deindex and Neveplast are the only surfaces on which slalom races are organized .

Recent developments have seen new materials appear which have fall protection and lubrication in order to make turns, jumps, rails and quarterpipes feel more like snow. One of these is Snowflex , manufactured near Huddersfield , West Yorkshire in England by Briton Engineering Developments Limited. Another is Perma-snow manufactured by John Nike Leisure/Techmat 2000, also in the UK .

Another surface is Neveplast, distributed in Spain and Portugal by I+C Equipamiento, manufactured in Nembro in Italy, a new material that is becoming more common every day, whether for fixed or mobile installations. This new type of material, which uses conical spikes, is used for downhill, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. It is also used for sled or tubby slopes, as it perfectly imitates the friction of snow.

Neveplast is the only material of its kind certified with the same coefficient of friction between the snow and the ski surface ​ allowing the skier good lateral grip, with the same material used on the snow, without the need to add water to have better glide.

The Neveplast cooling hole is the same diameter as the standard FIS slalom poles used for training and competition in either slalom or giant slalom. The Neveplast surface is also used in summer camps. Its surface is modular and flexible, and does not require major works for its installation (as is the case with Snowflex), which is why it is frequently used for urban snow parts.

Users of these types of tracks usually use high-hardness paraffin waxes. However, this wax usually wears out quickly and must be renewed every two sessions. Finally, some companies have created specific waxes for this type of track. ⁶ Some also use silicone-based sprays to reduce friction.

A practitioner of skiing is called a skier, or a snowboarder if he uses a board .

Various types of skiing are popular, especially in cold climates, and many types of ski competitions are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Ski Federation , and other sports organizations.

In regions where skiing has traditionally been more deeply rooted, in the snowy parts of Scandinavia , both recreational and competitive skiing can refer to the variants of cross-country skiing , ski mountaineering , as well as the internationally more well-known alpine skiing

The word ski comes from the Old Norse skit , meaning ‘stick’ or ‘piece of firewood’, which in turn comes from the Indo-European root -skied , meaning ‘to cut’.

The Norwegian explorer and scientist Fridtjof of Nansen , based on the knowledge that ski meant ‘wooden stick’, through one of his investigations documented that in some Finnish dialects the word sue ski was used to designate the same object. He then discovered that in the Alt region between Siberia and Mongolia , a word phonetically very similar to ski was used to designate an object to slide on the snow.

The basic equipment to practice this sport consists of:

• A pair of skis (or ski boards ) with their correct bindings ;
• Ski boots appropriate to the type of skiing or discipline and which must be adjusted to the bindings of the skis that will be used on the descent;
• Although few people use it for comfort, a ski helmet is important, because no matter how experienced you are, skiing is still a sport that involves risks. More and more people are wearing helmets, although the European Union does not consider skiing to be a risky sport and therefore the use of a helmet is not obligatory.
• Two poles , which are used to have a good perception of the terrain, allowing the skier to position himself correctly. The poles provide balance and rhythm, as well as being very useful for propelling oneself and for other auxiliary uses;
• Warm clothing, with the ^– layer system frequently used to help the athlete stay dry, warm and limit the effects of inclement weather typical of the mountains, such as rain, snow and cold, without the athlete losing comfort or mobility;
• Protections, such as dorsal protection that prevents or reduces injuries to the spine.
• Location device , or avalanche victim detector in case an accident occurs.
• Gloves ;
• Glasses .

• Learning process

  Learning to ski is a process that involves a certain amount of difficulty because it is largely dependent on the skills of each individual in question. At first, it is advisable to tackle flat slopes with no incline, to carry out basic sliding and movement exercises with the help of poles. Later, the beginner must slide down a slope with a slight incline that ends in a reverse slope, so that he can brake without having to make any technical gesture.

• Later, he can descend gentle slopes without a reverse slope with a level of incline suitable for beginners, so as not to reach excessive speeds for initial knowledge. Thus, it is very common to use the term “wedge” to perform the first meters of sliding on the slopes, as well as to perform the first turns. The term “wedge” consists of practically bringing the tips of the skis together to reduce the sliding speed, while both skis lean inwards causing the edges of the skis to reduce the sliding speed.

• Conclusion: Dry ski slope

  In summary, dry ski slopes offer an innovative and accessible alternative for skiing enthusiasts year-round. These artificial surfaces provide a unique experience, allowing skiers and snowboarders to practice their skills without the constraints of seasonal weather. With advancements in technology and the growing popularity of dry skiing, these slopes are becoming increasingly prominent in urban areas, making the sport more accessible to a wider audience. Whether for training or recreation, dry ski slopes are a valuable addition to the winter sports landscape.

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