The kick zone is below the foot and somewhat variable but
generally extends several inches in front of the toe and just behind the heel.
Kick wax is a bit more interesting than glide wax because, like the kick zone,
it is variable. Different kick wax is
used based on the temperature. The general idea behind kick wax is that it lets
the ski stick to the snow. However the way it works is a bit different. The wax
actually allows the snow to stick to the wax.
Snow has a crystal structure that makes it rather rough at
the microscopic level. The rough snow surface
grabs onto the corresponding rough surface of the wax and allows the skier to
push, or kick forward. If the wax actually stuck to the snow it would be disastrous
for the skier because snow would build up on the bottom of the kick zone and
reduce the ability to glide. This actually happens when the wax applied to the
ski isn’t matched to the size of the snow crystals on the trail.
Fortunately skiers don’t have to carry specialized equipment
to the trail in order to gauge the microscopic magnitude of the ice. All they
need is a thermometer. How does a
thermometer predict the size of snow? The answer is the same answer that makes all
of science work. The natural world is
predictable.
Snow crystal size is dependent on temperature just like the descent
of an apple to Earth as it falls from a tree is predicted by the force of
gravity. Science has exposed countless predictable phenomena and relies on this
predictability to explain new observations, make predictions about yet
unobserved events and even helps skiers stick and glide on snow.
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