There is provided a sliding apparatus having low frictional resistance with a snow surface or an ice surface and excellent sliding properties. A sliding apparatus for sliding on a sliding object (snow surface or ice surface) has a sliding surface (1) contacting the sliding object. The sliding surface (1) is divided into a plurality of regions (1A, 1B, 1C) different in the surface arithmetic mean roughness Ra, and the plurality of regions (1A, 1B, 1C) is arranged in order along the longitudinal direction. Among the plurality of regions (1A, 1B, 1C), the surface arithmetic mean roughness Ra of a front region (1A) which is a region first contacting the sliding object in sliding is smaller than the surface arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the rear region (1B) positioned rearward in the sliding direction with respect to the front region (1A).

There is provided a sliding apparatus having low frictional resistance with a snow surface or an ice surface and excellent sliding properties. A sliding apparatus for sliding on a sliding object (snow surface or ice surface) has a sliding surface (1) contacting the sliding object. The sliding surface (1) is divided into a plurality of regions (1A, 1B, 1C) different in the surface arithmetic mean roughness Ra, and the plurality of regions (1A, 1B, 1C) is arranged in order along the longitudinal direction. Among the plurality of regions (1A, 1B, 1C), the surface arithmetic mean roughness Ra of a front region (1A) which is a region first contacting the sliding object in sliding is smaller than the surface arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the rear region (1B) positioned rearward in the sliding direction with respect to the front region (1A).

A ski, snowboard, or other gliding board for snow sports includes a horizontally-laminated core of at least first and second wooden layers overlying a low-friction base, and a layer of high-modulus non-wooden material, such as carbon fiber composite, overlying the core. The second wooden layer overlies at least a portion of the first wooden layer and preferably has a flexural modulus that is greater than a flexural modulus of the first layer. The wooden materials and dimensions of the first and second layers are selected to provide improved vibration damping. Manufacturing methods resulting in reduced waste and improved vibration damping performance are also disclosed.

A ski, snowboard, or other gliding board for snow sports includes a horizontally-laminated core of at least first and second wooden layers overlying a low-friction base, and a layer of high-modulus non-wooden material, such as carbon fiber composite, overlying the core. The second wooden layer overlies at least a portion of the first wooden layer and preferably has a flexural modulus that is greater than a flexural modulus of the first layer. The wooden materials and dimensions of the first and second layers are selected to provide improved vibration damping. Manufacturing methods resulting in reduced waste and improved vibration damping performance are also disclosed.

A ski, wherein the ski includes: a ski core; a ski coating which forms an underside of the ski; a lower flange which is arranged between the ski core and the ski coating; steel edges; and side walls; wherein the lower flange includes at least a front region and/or a rear region which is broader, in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the ski, than a distance between the steel edges in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ski in the region.

A ski, wherein the ski includes: a ski core; a ski coating which forms an underside of the ski; a lower flange which is arranged between the ski core and the ski coating; steel edges; and side walls; wherein the lower flange includes at least a front region and/or a rear region which is broader, in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the ski, than a distance between the steel edges in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ski in the region.

A system, method and apparatus for a digitally Controlled Variable Stiffness item of athletic equipment, such as a Ski, Snowboard, and Boots. A core of thermally responsive metal alloy, such as Nitinol is disposed within the athletic equipment. A thermal control module and controller permit the athlete to program the athletic equipment to a desired stiffness parameter. The controller may include an app operable via a mobile computing device in communication with the thermal control module.

A snowshoe provides a way for outdoor enthusiasts to traverse the backcountry effectively and efficiently. The snowshoe allows the user to glide through the snow like a cross-country ski, but with the minimal footprint of a traditional snowshoe. The snowshoe includes a board and a binding mechanism that secures the user to the board, but allows for a pivoting motion. The pivoting motion allows the user to ascend steep terrain by performing a motion similar to cross-country skiing.

A ski includes an elongated ski body having a bottom layer defining a bottom surface of the ski, a top layer defining a top surface of the ski, and a middle layer disposed between the bottom layer and the top layer, in which the middle layer includes a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) foam material having a Poisson's ratio of between 0 and 1.

A ski includes an elongated ski body having a bottom layer defining a bottom surface of the ski, a top layer defining a top surface of the ski, and a middle layer disposed between the bottom layer and the top layer, in which the middle layer includes a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) foam material having a Poisson's ratio of between 0 and 1.