While on the rail, the only difference you will feel is the ski width underfoot. The real difference comes to actually getting on to rails. Stiffer skis pop well off big jumps, but in a tighter space with less speed it is very difficult to ollie on. Furthermore, softer flexes are nice for butters and are more forgiving (if you land backseat or not perfectly straight you are less likely to fall). Lastly, a lot of softer skis are lighter than stiff skis. I have a pair of Surface double times (absolutely no flex whatsoever) and since they are much thicker underfoot than most "park skis", they are also heavier so it is more difficult to quickly rotate for switch-ups and spins on/off.

The whole soft skis and rails is really just a style thing for a lot of people. A lot of all time jibbers seem to like a soft ski so they can butter around. Performance wise it shouldn't really make a difference. One of my good friends who is a strait up pole dancer who cleans up at rail comps skis on a pair of heavy, stiff pipe skis. Not some buttery noodles like a lot of people like.

Softer skis are more forgiving at low speed (aka rail speeds). A soft ski will bend and twist to accommodate an awkward landing off a rail, especially if you come off early and your tips or tails are pointed at the ground. A stiff ski will be more likely to buck you sideways or hook or dig in if you don't come off well at low speeds. Stiff skis also don't handle abrupt angle changes on weird features like A frames etc, since they won't flex *with* the feature.

the flex of the ski doesn't really determine how quickly the ski will turn. Its about the sidecut and shape of the skis. not flex

CyanicenineStiff skis also don't handle abrupt angle changes on weird features like A frames etc, since they won't flex *with* the feature.

Not super sure what you mean by stiff skis dont do this well? You are sideways on the rail most of the time so the ski doesnt have to flex for it? Or am I missing something

NMMediaNot super sure what you mean by stiff skis dont do this well? You are sideways on the rail most of the time so the ski doesnt have to flex for it? Or am I missing something

Yeah stiff skis don't handle abrupt angle changes as well, is what I meant. I'm thinking specifically of this A frame at my park that has almost a 90 degree angle change between the snow and the wall up, flexy skis just flex into that angle change pretty easily, but when I tried the same thing on my stiff freeride skis it was a lot more challenging because of how badly my skis bridged across the transition rather than flexing into it.

There are some pill and barrel spine features, as well as some wall rides that have similar extreme angles to get on top of. Flexy skis seem to make those features easier, not to say that it is impossible with stiff skis, it's just that you have to be more precise.

Thats an interesting question. I test a lot of skis to try to answer "what makes a ski specific for its design?" Flex plays a huge role in carving and enjoying technique. But flex can change based on weight, ski length and skill. I prefer stiffer skis for added edge support and shock dampening.

But when it comes to the park, all bets are off. Everyone searches something in a ski and has always some bias against a company. I found weight and swing weigh to be extremely important in park. Light skis make spinning easier, but harder to land. Rails are much easier when sort and light. Added flex is added weight and durability. Your core will be thicker to add tension, or more layers are added to the ski. But does flex play a huge role is adaptability? I really dont know

CyanicenineYeah stiff skis don't handle abrupt angle changes as well, is what I meant. I'm thinking specifically of this A frame at my park that has almost a 90 degree angle change between the snow and the wall up, flexy skis just flex into that angle change pretty easily, but when I tried the same thing on my stiff freeride skis it was a lot more challenging because of how badly my skis bridged across the transition rather than flexing into it.

There are some pill and barrel spine features, as well as some wall rides that have similar extreme angles to get on top of. Flexy skis seem to make those features easier, not to say that it is impossible with stiff skis, it's just that you have to be more precise.

Oh alright, that clears it up. I though you were saying like, if you were trying to slide a dfd that flexy skis would work better somehow even though you were sideways, my bad!

NMMediaOne of my good friends who is a strait up pole dancer who cleans up at rail comps skis on a pair of heavy, stiff pipe skis. Not some buttery noodles like a lot of people like.

if you're talking about drew, that dude is clinically insane at rails. Personally I love stiff skis and ride 90% rails. They just feel great when you land, butters take so much more effort but the pop out of a butter on stiff skis is wicked.

Stiff skis are, at least in theory, better for bigger jumps. But guys, dollo stomped a triple on his AlDentes, wich are armadas softest ski. Its really just a personal preference.

I cant stand stiff skis, i just feel like a got a set of 2by4s on feet. Might come from the fact that i love doing butters tho..