Edges are what let a ski or snowboard bite into the snow in a turn. How quickly and firmly they "grab" is determined by two angles: the base angle and the side angle.
Base edge: how quickly it bites
The smaller the base edge angle, the faster the edge bites into snow or ice – the ski needs to be tilted less for the edge to engage the snow. For beginners, or for those who like to ride park rails, the base edge is usually set higher – 1,5–2°: the ski is more forgiving and less “grabby”.
Side edge: sharpness
The side edge and the relationship between the two angles determine how sharp the edge is. For example, 1° base and 89° side angles together make a 90° edge angle.
A sharper edge is needed when skiing on hard or icy snow – a dull edge simply doesn't cut into it enough. A sharp edge also improves braking efficiency. To increase sharpness, both the side angle (86–88°) and the base angle (0–0,75°) are reduced.
How is this done in the workshop? Once the base edge angle has been set, it is only restored afterwards to remove damage that increases wear and worsens glide. During ski preparation, only the side edge is sharpened.
Reference angles
| Style | Side | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners, park | 89° | 1,5–2° |
| Recreational skiing | 88° | 1° |
| Sport, “carving” | 87° | 0,5–0,75° |
| Racing, hard snow | 86° | 0–0,5° |
We choose exact angles individually – based on your equipment, style and snow surface.
Edge angle lab
Change the angles and see how the edge changes.
Edge angle lab
Change the angles and see how the edge changes.