Alternative Core Materials

[drmiles]

I'm working on making some skis for a class, and am considering either a carbon fiber or an aluminum honeycomb core. Does anybody have any experience with either option?

Obviously the honeycomb will be lighter, but slightly thicker (in my estimation). The carbon fiber core would make for a stiffer core (much more than wood), but would be heavier. The primary question I have is what sorts of dimensions I would need for each in order to maintain integrity, and for the fiber core, what orientations would be suggested? Also, probably more important, which core would work best? Thanks!