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I first started monoskiing 1980 after 3 knee surgeries and was hooked on the first day. I have not skied conventional alpine skis since.. (something I'd been doing since age 9!). With both feet being secured to one surface area, the impact (shock) forces are greatly reduced because of the increased surface area. The side-by-side stance, while inherently "tippy", is very supportive of the knees and reduces lateral forces to the knees as well as distributing the impact forces evenly between both legs. As you can see by the photos, the "sitting in a chair" position is very compatible with using a mono and this position keeps the diminished joint space at an angle unlikely to allow contact between the tibia and femur. Additionally, the knees mutually support each other laterally, making twisting injuries much less likely. It has been working for me and my poor, tortured knee for 25 years!! (Click here to read about what the doctors at the famed Steadman /Hawkins Clinic think about the monoski and my injured knee.) I would like to see some real, controlled studies done on the monoski
and its inherent propensity to be protective of the knees. Orthopedists….binding
manufacturers……anyone out there interested???
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HOME Copyright © 1999 Doc Mono Productions all rights reserved |
For
those of you unfamiliar with what a monoski is, it's a more-or-less conventionally
shaped snow ski with conventional ski bindings
mounted side by side. It was originally developed by surfing legend Mike
Doyle in the early 70s' and has slowly gained world-wide after a brief
period of intense popularity in France in the mid 80's. There are currently
several manufacturers 
producing
monoskis with modern techniques and materials. ( For more info.
The
"tippy" stance becomes less pronounced as speed increases. The physics
of having both legs working together with a single "sweet spot" underneath
you makes for a very powerful tool to handle all snow conditions save
for boilerplate ice. Soft snow like powder, packed powder, wind-blown,
slush, corn carveable groomed and bumps are the conditions most favorable
to monoskiing, but any conditions that you can set an edge in are
doable. Spring corn, groomed runs and powder are the best conditions in which to first
try a monoski. Anyone with solid, intermediate skiing skills can pick
it up with the right ski, a little instruction and forgiving (soft) snow
conditions. Try it…..you'll like it!!