US Patent 7226071 Running surface for a winter sports apparatus

The gliding properties of running surfaces for winter sports apparatus, e.g. skis and snowboards are improved by a mineral addition chosen from the sodalite group and tsaregorodtsevite-wadalite series or a mixture thereof. An ultramarine is especially preferred as the mineral additive. Gliding properties are similar to or improved in comparison to those obtainable with the addition of soot, carbon black or graphite. The mineral addition according to the invention can however be combined with the addition of soot, carbon black or graphite. The invention also opens up new possibilities in the coloration of running surfaces.