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Ski Size question answering time (figured I should)

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Triple_Strum
Posts: 6384 - Karma: 953
Well since people seem to have so many questions about ski size in addition to binding questions, here are some guidelines (Disclaimer: I am not the fore-most expert on this, but do feel I know what i am talking about. Knowledgable folks feel free to add):

Ski length has to do with two main things: 1) Skier weight 2) Skier Ability. Let's look at the first. Some people base how long their skis should be on their height. This is only because most people have the same body type, so it is okay to generalize. However, the flex and weight on the ski, and therefore how it performs is based on weight. So here goes:

If you are a lightweight skier , that is, 130 and below, you should probably be skiing something between 160 and 175 range. This is a large range, but that is because it is also highly dependent on skier ability. So, if you are new to freeride or skiing in general, I would recommend on the lower end of this range. If you have been skiing a while and are a "type III" skier, then I would say up to 175 will be fine for you. Some people can actually handle an even bigger ski, but if you are getting recommendations on your ski length, probably not the case for you.

If you are a middle weight skier , that is, between 130 and 160, your range can be anywhere from 165 to 180. Again, this is contingent on skill. Beginners, still to the lower end, 165-170 and better skiers can hit the upper end.

If you are a middle heavyweight skier , that is, 160 to 185 pounds, you will probably want a ski between 175 and 185, again based on skill.

Lastly, if you are heavy skier , that is, 185 lbs and up, as is my case, you will want something 180 cm or higher. Smaller skis will simply not perform like you want, and you will put too much force on the center and wont get the contact and control from the tips that you want.

As a final note: park specific and all around skis will definitely differ from big mountain and powder skis. Park and all mountain skis might stick to the shorter end of some ranges, while powder skis can go a bit longer. Also, know the flex of the ski you are considering. If it is an extremely soft flex ski, it might need to be a tidge longer than you would expect, and vice versa for stiff skis. We should make a table of the flex of different skis... whew, that is a good start I think.
Oct 25 2005 8:33PM
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Ski-dawg
Posts: 527 - Karma: 10
no but it explained the whole thing in this thread and thousands of other threads
Nov 6 2005 11:40AM
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buffalo
Posts: 141 - Karma: 10
Ok, help me out here...

I'm guy whose 5'7" and 102lb (yes i'm very skinny, no muscle... very sad). I'm a good skier on the mountain but I can't do anything in the park. Hoping to change that this season. Right now I'm probably going to buy the 05 K2 PE's. Should I go for the 159 or 169 skis? 159's would probably be better for this season, but the 169's would let me grow more into them and use them next year.

Advice from you more knowlegeable skiers?
Nov 6 2005 1:10PM
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johanblaze
Posts: 4987 - Karma: 345
169s.
Nov 6 2005 8:38PM
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DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 237
169 will be sick this year too. no way near being too big. there not even taller than u.
Nov 6 2005 11:32PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
What are you talkiong about? someone who is like 5'6 and 150 should not be on a ski that is 160. Weight, height and ability are all equally as important.
Nov 7 2005 12:24AM
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SteezinSteve
Posts: 34 - Karma: 10
Ok so I weight 155, and I'm a type 3. I've been skiing all my life (18yrs) and just about two years ago I got into freeskiing. I just bought some 169cm Fujatives and when I got them back after the bindings had been mounted they seem way too short. There is not enough tip, what size should I be looking at, and does anyone want to buy brand new Fujatives, w/ brand new Look P12 bindings? $375.00.
Nov 7 2005 9:20PM
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DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 237
im 160 and have 179 fujas. oh and 6'
Nov 8 2005 3:25PM
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rpcs2222
Posts: 26 - Karma: 10
all this sizing is relative to the ski. i 210 pounds and have skied skis anywhere from 167 to 184. it all depends on the ski. race skis are getting shorter every day but still performing the same if not better. thats the same with all types of skis. its all about the construction.
Nov 8 2005 5:49PM
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J.S
Posts: 21 - Karma: 14
cant wait for the snow(Y) im craving skiing sooo bad
Nov 8 2005 10:16PM
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Grimace.
Posts: 8345 - Karma: 25
most pointless comment besides the one that i am writing
Nov 12 2005 2:10AM
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DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 237
one thing not mention was different skis. Your usually going to want longer pow skis than park skis.(forgive me if this has been metioned)
Nov 13 2005 10:29PM
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jaypeakskier14
Posts: 113 - Karma: 14
k everyone seeams to me arguing about weight vs. size they come hand and hand if your tall you need more hight if your heavy you need more stiffness in your ski your not going to put guy who is 5"'6 220 and a biginner on a bigginer ski that is 180-185 thats retarded what you should sugest is going to a higher end ski thus it has more stiffness then you can come down in length of the ski cause if you put him on thos 180cm beginners its going to seam like he is riding fuji's when he is skiing at high speeds and thats not going to make skiing fun for him he is just going to want to pack it in for the day and head down to the bar because he has no control over his skis
Nov 15 2005 1:53PM
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*freeskierpj*
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 13
im 5 9 and weigh 110 pounds. i heard the line invaders would be a good choice. comments on the invaders or what you think i should get?
Nov 15 2005 3:01PM
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Grimace.
Posts: 8345 - Karma: 25
whats ur price range/ski skill/where do u ski themost
Nov 15 2005 7:38PM
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Erie
Posts: 1439 - Karma: 15
then your 11 years old
Nov 20 2005 1:11PM
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gregor
Posts: 1069 - Karma: 83
I'm 182lbs and 182cm tall!

I've just bought AR5s @ 176cm!

Am I a fool in not buying 181s?

I like, ski fast... like! innit?
Nov 20 2005 7:08PM
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SkiMN
Posts: 4005 - Karma: 38
yeah, but it was about time
Nov 21 2005 10:56PM
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crm
Posts: 286 - Karma: 10
I think so. 182 pounds is quite a lot, you should get the biggest size you can, being 181's with the ar5's. I am 6', 160 lbs and I would probably get the 181's for myself.
Nov 24 2005 3:16PM
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HoodNative
Posts: 1237 - Karma: 16
nailed it
Nov 28 2005 3:43PM
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bueyan
Posts: 1092 - Karma: 34
very good thread, thank you.
Nov 30 2005 11:01PM
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froom
Posts: 287 - Karma: 10
Ok total newb question, but what are the dissadvantages of skiing skis that are a little too short?

Everyone seems to advocate go longer, but I've also been told if you're not sure, go down.

Also, in the thread discussing how tall your ski's are in relation to you (I know, I know, it's all weight, not height), tons of people said that their skis are up to their eyes.

I'm 5'11-6'0'' and weigh about 163 lbs. Just bought a pair of 171's. By the standard set in this discussion the skis are too short.

So primarily, A) what are the disadvantages of skiing somewhat short skis and B) how strongly would you advocate taking em back and moving up?

I've skied for like 12 years, but mostly carving. Just getting into rotations/jibbing, so I didnt think having em a little shorter would be that bad. Advise. thx
Dec 1 2005 12:28AM
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Kev
Posts: 7411 - Karma: 35
Basiclly having a longer ski, is going to be more stable espcially when hitting jumps/landings, and more stable at high speeds.

There gonna be less squirelly, and your not going to be in most cases less likely to overpower them.

If you already have your 171 mounted it gonna be kinda hard to return them. It's not like they won't work, but when your riping at mach 10, hitting 45 footers, or trying to boost as high as you can in the pipe, skiing on something longer will probably work *better*.
Dec 1 2005 12:50AM
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Liam.
Posts: 5172 - Karma: 21
^lol
Dec 2 2005 9:09PM
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snoopy
Posts: 5240 - Karma: 30
word.
Dec 3 2005 10:35PM
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meagan1788
Posts: 7 - Karma: 10
I'm thinking about getting the Armada ARW. I'm 5'8 and about 130. Do you think I should go with the 160 or 170? I ski the park, but I also ski a lot of all mtn.
Dec 4 2005 1:21PM
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snoopy
Posts: 5240 - Karma: 30
170 for sure. Longer the better.
Dec 4 2005 1:35PM
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Davevinc1080
Posts: 723 - Karma: 10
thats a pretty good way to put it
Dec 6 2005 8:05PM
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meagan1788
Posts: 7 - Karma: 10
yeah... but this guy at the ski shop, the ski dude told me that would be way too long, that i should definately go for the 160.
Dec 9 2005 6:01PM
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DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 237
90% of the time people in ski shops done know shit.
Dec 9 2005 7:59PM
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reggyboy
Posts: 1608 - Karma: 13
i agree wid the original post weight and ability are the key issues when buying a ski but the ski should never be shorter than a the height o your nose. but thats just my opinion. short sksi jut dont hack it
Dec 12 2005 12:59AM
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ad_rockMN09
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
I'd like to add one more thing. being that I'm from Minnesota and there are never good conditions here, size of a ski has a lot to do with what a person is comfortable with. yes there are some soft skis and some stiff skis, some fat and some narrow, but typically the longer a ski is the harder to control. So in crappy ass conditions like ice and rutts and slop shorter may be the way to go. Then there is the shape of the ski and what you're using it for. A good side cut allows a person to go with a smaller ski based on how it performs, but a ski like a 1260 that doesn't have much of a side cut may push you to go a little longer than usuall but in that case you're probably not going to buy a 1260 as an all mountain ski. So even though I do agree with the weight stuff thats been said I think more of a factor is what you're going to use your skis for.
Dec 12 2005 4:51PM
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froom
Posts: 287 - Karma: 10
I'm new to the park, so just wondering...

Everyone seems to be saying if you're not sure, go longer.

Isn't there anything to be said for shorter skis, at least in the park?

Lighter, easier to spin, arguably easier to balance on rails?

Or are those benefits drastically outweighed by the added stability on landings, and better performance outside the park, that you get from longer skis.
Dec 13 2005 1:03PM
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DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 237
Now people are centre mounting skis so having a slightly shorter ski wont make spinning ect that much easier but it look a lot better. Short skis just look stupid and long ones have more stability and easier landings. Bottom line, go long.
Dec 13 2005 4:38PM
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froom
Posts: 287 - Karma: 10
I want to be able to carve, spin, and hit rails though...

Althought centre mounting would make the spinning and rails easier, it would not be good for the carving.

I've skied for many years, but I'm just a newb in the park...bottom line is I just cant give up the carving capability for the advantages of centre mounting.

So it seemed that the solution was to go shorter...although (and maybe it's just me) having short skis mounted at recommended seems to make riding switch a lot more difficult.

I think that at least while I'm learning in the park it's a good solution...

my next skis will be longer.
Dec 13 2005 5:02PM
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ad_rockMN09
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
now this is nerdy as hell, but being an engineering major I can tell you that having long skis will make it harder to spin because of the extra weight away from the center of rotation regardless whether or not they're center mounted. Now being that I sell skis at a ski shop, I can say that smaller skis will most definately help a beginner in the park. And you are very right about center mounting hurting your carving ability. You also have to worry about what skis you have. Not all skis can be center mounted, you'd have to look into that. Hope that helped.
Dec 14 2005 2:17AM
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beer.
Posts: 3096 - Karma: 44
^This guy has an excellent point.

I work in a shop, and if we used the length system outlined in this thread for everyone we'd have a lot of pissed off customers.

The guidelines in this thread are great for experienced skiers looking to get a good carving ski. It's not so good for park skiers. Things like swing weight, ability level and flex are important factors. A beginner to intermediate park skier is going to have trouble with a longer ski.

I think its stupid how people on this site relate ski size and manliness. Grow up and learn a thing or two about skis. People see pros riding huge skis and they all want to, when they forget they are not pro skiers. I just shake my head when I see a 5'6 120 lb kid riding 180 cms. Ski what you want, I guess.
Dec 14 2005 10:56AM
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froom
Posts: 287 - Karma: 10
I'm enjoying my 171's for park skiing as I'm just starting out (I'm 5'11"-6'0" and 160-165 lbs).

Again it really raises the issue of whether it's really possible to have a one ski quiver.

I'm looking to pick up a pair of Atomic tweaks for riding the rest of the mountain. Wicked tortional stiffness, a little bit longer, but still twin tips for switch and a little BC (the VERY little that is around here).

I have come to the conclusion that a one ski quiver just isnt possible, unless you split the length/stiffness difference, in which case you are getting the short end of the stick in both situations.

There seems to be no true all mountain/park ski...although I'm open to suggestions.
Dec 14 2005 11:27AM
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kj_hud
Posts: 667 - Karma: 17
what do you guys think about marker 14.0 freeze comp bindings? featured in freeskier last month as sarah burkes binding of choice...if riding those makes me a girl i would not mind being sarah burke
Dec 14 2005 11:16PM
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froom
Posts: 287 - Karma: 10
this is a ski size thread!
Dec 15 2005 9:24AM
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kj_hud
Posts: 667 - Karma: 17
yeah wrong thread my bad
Dec 15 2005 10:51AM
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Ski-dawg
Posts: 527 - Karma: 10
Yah i have Skogen's 176 and i am aroung 5"10 and like about 135
Dec 15 2005 3:31PM
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Hypnotize
Posts: 3 - Karma: 10
Yeah i got some rosignal axiums are they anygood?
Dec 18 2005 5:47AM
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Edward.
Posts: 9366 - Karma: 445
would a 165 do good for me if im about 157 cm tall and 120 lbs?
Dec 19 2005 4:04PM
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Sir.Pete
Posts: 1617 - Karma: 84
5'8 140-150lbs. ar5 in 170 or 175. just a park ski. got other skis for big mtn and backcountry jumping. both skis would work but which would u suggest?
Dec 20 2005 12:00AM
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aznrida1080
Posts: 345 - Karma: 10
take a deep breath
Dec 21 2005 2:03AM
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EClay46
Posts: 2499 - Karma: 69
thanks
Dec 27 2005 4:56AM
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Freund
Posts: 111 - Karma: 10
haha this came up right after i made a post about ski size. what i was sayin is i weigh 140 and am 5'9" but my skis are 150 and boots are 31.5. but i dono if any of you are racers cuz no one gets that i need shorter skis because i go threw gates.
Dec 29 2005 5:22PM
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lastxlight
Posts: 1611 - Karma: 10
I happen to like skis that are shorter, and I handle them better. Im 6'0 and ski Rossi Scratch Sprayer BC (182)and it's a really harsh change for me.( Only cause I am harsh budgeted ) and I really liked the feel of them over others i tried.



Is it weird that I like to take my old straight skis out for hitting groomed runs once in a while?
Dec 30 2005 12:25AM
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Freund
Posts: 111 - Karma: 10
yea i dono i use to go with 180s and all that and now im at 150s for racing. less edge but more control of the front. haha. and if your good at the old skis usem. haha i got some from my uncle last year and brought them to the park and broke the bindings right away cuz they hadnt been used in like 10 years. haha
Dec 30 2005 3:02AM
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InfernoHits
Posts: 4755 - Karma: 192
yea I always thought ski length was more dependent on height than on weight, but I guess I am wrong
Dec 31 2005 2:14PM
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