The physics of skiing refers to the analysis of forces applied on a skier using the discipline of physics. Heavier people get more potential energy and also since larger skis move faster, to an extent they go faster. The reason larger skis generally move faster is because the weight is spread out and less force is applied per unit of snow, allowing the skis to glide on the thin water coating on the top of the snow.
Friction allows you to stay in control while skiing. It is what slows you down. Wax is applied to the base of the skis to try to reduce this in order to go faster. In ski racing it is the people who allow the least amount of friction between themselves the snow and air who win. But without friction we would not be able to experience the true joy of skiing. There are several ways to model this friction, and also theories on ideal carves. The equation for determining the coefficient of friction is =Fn/Ff. The equation Ff=(Fn) can be used to determine how much force the friction is creating. Ff equals the force created by the friction, Fn equals the force perpendicular to the direction of travel.