On the groomed? Drastic rocker makes a ski feel slippery and unpredictable. But companies are addressing that. K2, an early adopter of full rocker, builds traditionally cambered skis with just a touch of rocker at the tip; this “catch free” technology makes a ski easier to pivot if you’re still learning how to set an edge and carve. Völkl makes sidecut and rocker work together, so that when the ski is tipped on edge on a flat surface, the entire edge is engaged with the snow. Salomon has led the way with shovel rocker, putting varying amounts of rocker in the forebody of the ski, with traditional camber the rest of the way aft. You have your choice between heavily rockered powder specialists and lightly rockered all-conditions rides.
The concept continues to morph and evolve as different companies take different approaches. But based on early peeks at what will be offered next year, rocker has found its way into the mainstream—and even onto the skis of mere mortals. We’ll all ski better because of it.
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