Why is the recommended mount point for the Line Blend, Chronic and TW Pro -3cm back?

Basically because although they are all freestyle/park skis, the majority of skiers using them will be using them outside of the park too. there is a bit of improvement for park by mounting something dead centre, but it detracts quite a bit from forward stability, whereas being a few cm back is pretty negligible difference for most recreational park skiers and will have noticeable benefits outside of the park. Besides, if anyone wants them mounted forward of that line its easy enough to ask their shop to do it.

because they're not symmetrical skis

BASEDJAHbecause they're not symmetrical skis

This right here. True center mount is reserved for fully symmetrical skis. There's more that goes into where a recommended mount point is than just whether it's a park vs an all mountain ski.

Some things that go into consideration, just to name a few:
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Also riding a park ski [that isn't fully symmetrical] at -2 or -3 will give you better performance throughout the park and the rest of the mountain. Growing up all I wanted to do was mount dead center because that was "what you're supposed to do" to ride park, in reality if you mount slightly back from true center you'll receive better performance all around.

hot.pocketThis right here. True center mount is reserved for fully symmetrical skis. There's more that goes into where a recommended mount point is than just whether it's a park vs an all mountain ski.

Some things that go into consideration, just to name a few:
> core profile
> sidecut
> rocker profiles

Also riding a park ski [that isn't fully symmetrical] at -2 or -3 will give you better performance throughout the park and the rest of the mountain. Growing up all I wanted to do was mount dead center because that was "what you're supposed to do" to ride park, in reality if you mount slightly back from true center you'll receive better performance all around.

Thanks for the really detailed answer! As a follow on would pros like Will Wesson and Wallisch ride their skis at the recommended too?

GRaboneSnowThanks for the really detailed answer! As a follow on would pros like Will Wesson and Wallisch ride their skis at the recommended too?

Comes down to personal preference, and what they've typically done in the past. I know some Line athletes are strict "dead center or bust" type of riders, but I can't speak for Will or TW. It wouldn't surprise me if Will is a dead center guy due to a ton of rails and TW is a more recommended due to more jumping.

We do have athletes that refuse to mount anywhere but dead center, no matter what ski they're on and no matter how much we explain to them that the ski will perform better slightly back from center or all the way back at the recommended, so it comes down to what the individual thinks is going to be best for them.

hot.pocketComes down to personal preference, and what they've typically done in the past. I know some Line athletes are strict "dead center or bust" type of riders, but I can't speak for Will or TW. It wouldn't surprise me if Will is a dead center guy due to a ton of rails and TW is a more recommended due to more jumping.

We do have athletes that refuse to mount anywhere but dead center, no matter what ski they're on and no matter how much we explain to them that the ski will perform better slightly back from center or all the way back at the recommended, so it comes down to what the individual thinks is going to be best for them.

Thanks for the great answer! I see symmetrical skis are dying out. Is it because skiiers want more all mountain or is it just the general industry trend.

GRaboneSnowThanks for the great answer! I see symmetrical skis are dying out. Is it because skiiers want more all mountain or is it just the general industry trend.

Imo people are just realizing they aren't necissary. In all reality 99% of people don't ski enough switch to make a fully symmetrical ski make sense. You gain a lot better forward performance with a non symmetrical ski.

GRaboneSnowThanks for the great answer! I see symmetrical skis are dying out. Is it because skiiers want more all mountain or is it just the general industry trend.

Profahoben_212Imo people are just realizing they aren't necissary. In all reality 99% of people don't ski enough switch to make a fully symmetrical ski make sense. You gain a lot better forward performance with a non symmetrical ski.

I agree with Profahoben, and would like to add that you pressure and drive a ski differently depending on whether your skiing forward or switch, so having the exact same ski front and back can remove some slight performance.

Granted there's a lot of people who love a fully symmetrical ski, as a lot of it comes down to personal preference, and we still build a fully symmetrical park ski for this reason.

the pros of centermounting dont outweigh the cons, as has been said. when you're doing "real" skiing they don't perform well, esp in soft snow

true symmetrical skis are kinda stupid in my opinion too. you don't need it to be literally symmetrical just cause you ride switch a lot, and symm skis are hooky. i wouldnt even use them if i did 100% park

just mount at recommended or between recommended and center if you just want a little more tail/a little less nose. but in terms of "real" skiing/sidecut use the best mount point will always be the recommended