Sensor nodes for the dynamic assessment of alpine skis

The contact between the ski base and/or ski edges and the snow strongly modifies the modal response of the ski itself. It has therefore not much sense to analyze the dynamic behavior of the skis in free-free conditions or with the ski pressed against a solid ground as can be done in laboratory. In order to assess the ski's characteristics in real working conditions, sensor nodes, including a three-axial accelerometer and a GPS, were designed and produced at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Politecnico di Milano. A test campaign was carried out on SL and GS skis of most of the top ski firms. Qualitative feelings of a professional ski tester were compared with the measured accelerations and trajectories.