Video Analysis Techniques for Calculating the Coefficient of Friction of Ski Wax and Ski Base Treatments Using Miniature Ski Sleds

Abstract

Testing the properties of ski base treatments is a challenging task because there are many environmental conditions and user preferences associated with both the testing and performance outcomes. In this work, we present a method for testing the coefficient of friction, and how it changes over repeated ski runs. We develop a ski track system to control the slope and geographic topography of the testing site, and we use video analysis techniques to calculate the change in the coefficient of friction across three ski runs. We have found an increase in the coefficient of friction after repeated ski runs, which indicates that there is some abrasion of the ski base treatments with repeated testing.