Designed to subtly smooth out the ride and thus keep skis in constant contact with the snow , some damping systems are nothing more than shock - absorbing materials laminated into the ski .
Others are elaborate suspensions sitting right on the surface .
Designed to subtly smooth out the ride and thus keep skis in constant contact with the snow , some damping systems are nothing more than shock - absorbing materials laminated into the ski , while others are elaborate suspensions sitting right on the surface .