The Science Behind Skiing and Ski Jumping Hucksters

There’s more to skiing and ski jumping than you may think– there are many forces at play when you adorn those skis and glide down the slopes or shoot off the jump into the air. And if you want to up your skills in both departments, it would bode well to swot up on the science behind skiing and ski jumping to use this knowledge to your advantage on the snow.

Now, these are long distances for jumpers to achieve. How exactly do they reach 98m or 125m from the end of the jump you may be asking? Well, this is where the physics comes into play.

First, ski jumpers begin with the in-run (ramp) where they take position upon a metal bar at the top of the ramp– here, gravitational potential energy works its magic. The theory of gravitational potential energy is that the higher an object is, the more potential energy it can harness. As the skier slides down the ramp, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. The skier aims to minimise their air and snow resistance so that they can reach the speed and momentum they need for take-off.

To minimise their resistance, skiers utilise a host of strategies. First, body position, where bended knees, a crouched position and arms placed perpendicular behind them reduce the drag on the individual by decreasing the surface area of the body that has contact with the air. You’ll also notice their outfits; they’re not all for show! Their microfibre suits (which are described as somewhat spongey) are aerodynamic in design to improve their chances.

But air resistance is not the only thing ski jumpers have to consider; the friction along the bottom of their skis can have a major influence on their jump. Hot wax is smoothed upon the top of the plastic-made skis to reduce the friction caused between the skis and the snow. Yet, the type of wax used is also dependent on the weather conditions and temperature. Modern ski jump in-runs are made with ceramic tracks with cooling systems to ensure skier safety and better performances.

Lighter skiers will “fly” further than heavier ones, due to gravitational pull– so the lighter you are, the longer airborne times you can expect to achieve. Another issue jumpers contend with is drag which slows them down while they are in the air.

Upon landing, ski jumpers move from the V ski position to parallel skis, with one foot slightly in front of the other– with a small gap between them, no more than the width of two skis. In their landings, ski jumpers must consider weight distribution and balance in order to achieve a steady landing. By bending their knees, the ski jumper safely absorbs the impact.

The whole wonderful process from start to finish can take less than 10 seconds!

Why not harness your knowledge of physics at one of our chalet ski holidays? Beginners and advanced alike will find Huckster’s Lodge the perfect base for their skiing adventures in Les Arcs, Serre Chevalier, Tignes or Bovec.

Image credits: Ailura Under CC 3.0 and Iwona Erskine-Kelli under CC 2.0.