ASTM F472-11(2021)

Standard Terminology for Geometry of Alpine Skis

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
2.1 A standard set of definitions is needed to allow manufacturers, consumers, retailers, and scientists to use a common language in describing Alpine skis.
SCOPE
1.1 This terminology covers the terms required to describe the geometry of Alpine skis and does not cover special purpose skis.  
1.2 The terms are presented in a sequence considered to be the most logical, with definitions presented later calling upon those presented earlier.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2021
• ICS: 97.220.20 - Winter sports equipment
• Technical Committee: F27 - Snow and Water Sports
• Drafting Committee: F27.30 - Skiing and Snowboarding Equipment

Overview

ASTM F472-11(2021): Standard Terminology for Geometry of Alpine Skis establishes a standardized set of terms for describing the geometry of Alpine skis. Developed by ASTM International, this terminology provides manufacturers, consumers, retailers, and scientists with a common language, facilitating clear communication and improving comparability within the Alpine ski industry.

This international standard is aligned with the World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee's recognized principles, promoting harmonized trade and product understanding globally. The scope covers the key dimensional descriptors for standard Alpine skis, intentionally excluding terms specific to special-purpose skis.

Key Topics

ASTM F472-11(2021) covers essential terms and measurements that define the shape and dimensions of Alpine skis. Key topics include:

• Ski Lengths and Extents

  • Projected length, developed length, and chord length
  • Contact length: the portion of the ski in contact with the snow
  • Shovel and tail lengths: turn-up measurements at each ski end

• Height and Thickness

  • Tip height and tail height
  • Thickness at specified points

• Widths and Cross-Sections

  • Tip, waist, heel, and shoulder widths
  • Nominal ski width and locations for width measurement

• Surface Areas

  • Contact surface area, shovel surface area, tail surface area

• Camber and Side Geometry

  • Camber height, weighted and free bottom camber
  • Side camber and side cut: defining the ski’s curved profile

• Ski Segments and Reference Points

  • Ski tip, tail, and body center
  • Forebody and afterbody segments

These standardized definitions enable precise descriptions, which are critical for ski design, manufacturing quality control, retail product labeling, and scientific research.

Applications

ASTM F472-11(2021) terminology is widely applied across multiple areas of the Alpine ski industry:

• Manufacturers
  Standardized definitions streamline product specification, enforce consistency in technical documentation, and facilitate quality control processes.

• Retailers and Distributors
  Enables clear, comparable product labeling and merchandising, reducing ambiguity for customers.

• Consumers
  Assists buyers in comparing performance characteristics and selecting suitable skis based on consistently described parameters.

• Researchers and Engineers
  Provides a robust framework for scientific studies, innovation, and performance testing, ensuring research data is universally interpretable.

• Global Trade
  The standard supports international trade by reducing technical barriers and promoting mutual understanding among trading partners.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to ski and snow sport equipment terminology and specifications, related standards include:

• ASTM F2040: Standard Specification for Helmets Used for Recreational Snow Sports
• ASTM F1069: Standard Specification for Headforms
• ISO 11088: Assembly, adjustment, and inspection of Alpine ski/binding/boot systems
• EN 16866: Personal protective equipment - Ski arm protectors

These documents complement ASTM F472-11(2021) by covering related equipment and safety aspects, ensuring clarity and consistency across the snow sports industry.

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By using ASTM F472-11(2021) for Alpine ski geometry, industry professionals, retailers, and consumers benefit from a unified vocabulary that ensures precision, promotes global conformity, and enhances communication throughout the ski equipment sector.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F472 − 11 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Terminology for
Geometry of Alpine Skis
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF472;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope tail turn-up length, l —the projected length of the tail
T
turn-up,measuredfromtheskitailtothecontactpointwhere
1.1 This terminology covers the terms required to describe
a0.5-mmfeelergaugeintersectstherunningsurfacewiththe
thegeometryofAlpineskisanddoesnotcoverspecialpurpose
ski body pressed against a plane surface.
skis.
shovel length, l —the projected length of the forward turn-up,
1.2 The terms are presented in a sequence considered to be S
measured from the tip to the contact point where a 0.5-mm
the most logical, with definitions presented later calling upon
feeler gauge intersects the running surface with the ski body
those presented earlier.
pressed against a plane surface.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- contact length, l —the difference between the projected
C
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the length, L and the sum of l plus l or l =L −(l + l ).
P T S C P T S
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
tail height, h —the height of the underside of the tail from a
T
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
plane surface with the center of the ski body pressed against
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
that surface.
2. Significance and Use
tip height, h —the height of the underside of the tip from a
S
plane surface with the center of the ski body pressed against
2.1 A standard set of definitions is needed to allow
manufacturers, consumers, retailers, and scientists to use a that surface.
common language in describing Alpine skis.
thickness,t—thickness,measuredperpendiculartotherunning
surface. X indicates the location of thickness measurement
3. Definitions (Refer to Figs. 1 and 2) A
from the tail of the ski.
ski tail, T—the extreme rear edge of the ski.
width, b—total distance measured perpendicular to the center
ski tip, S—the extreme forward point or edge of the ski.
line on the running surface. X indicates the location of ski
b
width from the tail of the ski.
ski size—see the following:
heel,b —thewidestpartoftheskiinthetailsectionoftheski.
developed length, L —bottom contour length as measured
H
N
from the ski tip to the ski tail, commonly called the material
waist, b —the narrowest point of the ski body between the
M
length.
heel and shoulder.
chord length, L —straight line distance measured between
TS
shoulder,b —the widest point, of the ski in the shovel section
V
the ski tail and ski tip with the ski pressed against a plane
of the ski.
surface.
X ,X ,X —the x coordinates for the location of these
bH bM bV
DISCUSSION—Either method at the manufacturer’s discretion may be
respectivewidthsoftheskimeasuredfromthetailoftheski.
used to indicate nominal ski length or ski size when rounded to
common increment.
contact surface area—the product of the average width times
the contact length expressed quantitatively as follows:
projected length, L —length of the projection of the ski,
P
measured between the ski tip and the ski tail parallel to the
b 12 b 1b
~ !
H M V
A 5 @l # (1)
F G
C C
ski body pressed against a plane surface.
tail su
...