Alpine ski with selective reinforcement

Claim 1

In a snow ski having a predetermined cross-section with opposing first and second sides, the ski extending a desired axial length from a forward shovel area to a rear tail area, comprising in combination: (a) a bottom running surface; (b) a top surface; (c) a core positioned between the bottom running surface and the top surface; (d) a compression carrying laminate layer positioned above the core and below the top surface; (e) a binding area intermediate the tail area and the shovel area having a front poriton nearest the shovel area and a rear portion nearest the tail area; (f) a main facing laminate layer positioned below the core and above the bottom running surface for carrying the substantial portion of the tensile loading in flexure; (g) top edge means extending substantially the axial length along the opposing first and second sides of the ski adjacent the compression carrying laminate layer; (h) bottom edge means extending substantially the axial length along the opposing first and second sides of the ski adjacent the bottom running surface to provide wear-resistant surfaces; and (i) at least one high strength fiber reinforcing means generally horizontally positioned at least partially in a slot in the core within the cross-section extending forwardly from the front portion of the binding area to the shovel area and rearwardly from the rear portion of the binding area to the tail area external of the compression carrying laminate layer in the compression portion of the cross-section to increase the flexural response and compressive strength of the ski.