Candide AK YOUTH Skis

Designed for experienced young skiers seeking thrills off the beaten path, the Candide AK YOUTH is a freeride ski built to handle big mountains and powder with ease. With its generous dimensions and tailored profile, it incorporates the technical principles of the adult models in the AK line, adapting them to lengths suitable for advanced young skiers. It’s intended for advanced skiers capable of handling a wide, responsive ski on varied and challenging terrain. Its promise: to combine floatation in deep snow with responsiveness when initiating turns, without sacrificing stability at high speeds.

A freeride program geared toward big mountain and powder

The Candide AK YOUTH is designed to venture off groomed runs and explore open terrain, couloirs, and snow-covered slopes. Its 106 mm waist provides significant float in fresh snow, minimizing sinkage and facilitating glide in powder. This wide profile clearly places it in the freeride category, with its preferred terrain being off-piste and on large slopes. The ski is not designed for speed on groomed runs, but for freedom of movement on ungroomed snow.

Dimensions and radius: width and quick turn initiation

The Candide AK YOUTH’s dimensions are 136 / 106 / 131 mm at the tip, waist, and tail. This relatively symmetrical profile promotes balanced handling both when lifting the tip and when exiting turns, which is an asset for technical freeriding. With a stated radius of 13 meters on the reference size, the ski initiates turns quickly, which is well-suited for riding in rugged terrain where short, precise changes in direction are necessary. The triple-radius sidecut technology contributes to this responsiveness at the tip while ensuring increased stability in the waist and tail.

Double rocker profile and classic camber: floatation and grip

The Candide AK YOUTH features a double rocker profile combined with classic camber in the central zone. The raised tip and tail make it easier to enter and exit turns in deep snow, reducing the risk of the ski sinking and making it more maneuverable in powder. The camber underfoot maintains solid contact with the snow, ensuring grip and power transfer when the terrain hardens or speed increases. This hybrid profile is well-suited for advanced young skiers who alternate between fresh snow and more compacted sections on the mountain.

Construction and Materials: Lightweight and Dynamic

The Candide AK YOUTH is built using materials selected for their balance of lightness and dynamic performance. Here are the key components of this ski:

• Paulownia/Poplar core: two lightweight woods that reduce the ski’s total weight to 1,700 g for the standard length, making it easier for a young skier to handle.
• Triaxial fiberglass: It wraps around the core to provide controlled torsion and even energy transfer along the entire length of the ski.
• Carbon fiber: integrated to enhance responsiveness and agility without adding weight to the construction.
• Sandwich construction: This assembly method ensures consistent structural rigidity and long-lasting durability.
• Organic epoxy resin and FSC-certified wood: material choices that reflect a commitment to responsible manufacturing, without compromising on performance.

Available in three lengths—147, 157, and 167 cm—the Candide AK YOUTH is suited for young, experienced skiers of various body types looking to improve their alpine skiing skills off marked trails. Its freeride profile, generous waist width, and meticulous construction make it a well-rounded option for those seeking to explore big mountains and powder with a ski tailored to their skill level and riding style.