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Ski sizing: head, nose, forehead?

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aj_sizzle
Posts: 9 - Karma: 10
Hey, just wondering (b/c I'm thinking of buying new skis) if there is any advantages/disadvantages etc. to different ski lengths. I'm around 5'9" (and pretty much done growing) and at an intermediate - advanced lvl of freestyle/ regular skiing. Right now I own 161 cm and there about my nose/upper lip height. They seem short and thin in the width department. Im mostly a park skier.
Feb 15 2009 9:47PM
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Silence
Posts: 16030 - Karma: 150
Shorter - More Manouverable (arguably easier to use on rails, spins etc)
Longer - More stable, harder, better
Feb 15 2009 9:49PM
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Smuffy
Posts: 4686 - Karma: 3,408
pretty much the truth. mine are about nose height, so im kinda in the middle.

longer are usually better for jumping, especially if theyre stiff. short soft skis are more fun i think, but thats my personal view.
Feb 15 2009 10:08PM
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hellomynameisjef
Posts: 5794 - Karma: 167
i agree. the tips of my skis curl over my forehead and i love it
Feb 15 2009 10:12PM
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DannyArnold
Posts: 247 - Karma: 366

try some different lengths, find what you like and what makes you happy, i personally like long skis

Feb 15 2009 10:14PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,813
it depends... se I have chronics which go up to my eyes and I have Ar6 that go up to my forehead. I find I have an easier time using my taller skis but thats because they are more flxible and poppy, so thats an other facto to consider.
Feb 15 2009 10:17PM
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Whifazoo
Posts: 737 - Karma: 132

i would go with somethin about 175

but be carefull if ordering online. cuz my dad got some guns online and they are 181 but salomon measures total length so they turn out the same as my 175 armada arvs (armada measures running length)

Feb 15 2009 10:19PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I like top of head for park, a few inches above head for all mountain, and 6 inches above head for backcountry. booyah
Feb 15 2009 10:24PM
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theblacktaco
Posts: 1462 - Karma: 82
i ride around eye length with my chronics ... but i havnt really tooled with anythinge else
Feb 15 2009 10:35PM
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kthnxbai.
Posts: 2847 - Karma: 179
i used to ride around eye height and recently switched to just above my head.   so far i like it way better all around.
Feb 15 2009 11:20PM
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spliff.Life
Posts: 7847 - Karma: 1,549
yupp

mine are about 2 inches taller than me
bigger is better!
Feb 15 2009 11:29PM
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drumbumocdp
Posts: 3229 - Karma: 1,098
big skis. center mounted
Feb 15 2009 11:31PM
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garettnorthey
Posts: 3049 - Karma: 173
+1!
Feb 16 2009 4:31AM
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PurpleDino
Posts: 1513 - Karma: 483
thats not really true. longer skis kinda make it easier to spin. cuz the length of them can whip around. but they definetly are more stable and look better than skis that go to your nose.
Feb 16 2009 7:13AM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
for a person that is 5'9" id suggest around 170
but it also depends on your weight and where you mount them
Feb 16 2009 12:21PM
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kthnxbai.
Posts: 2847 - Karma: 179
im 5'4" and ride a 170 center mounted in the park.
Feb 16 2009 1:25PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
It really depends on so much.

I don't own any skis that aren't at least as tall as I am, it's really personal preference. I like longer skis.
Feb 16 2009 2:12PM
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VTtreeskier
Posts: 1833 - Karma: 64
Dont really ski park anymore so i got no reason to go short, top of head or higher is good
Feb 16 2009 2:20PM
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mwg216
Posts: 158 - Karma: 11
I ski in the park and big mountain but mainly big mountain so I like the skis to be about up to my forehead running length..
Feb 16 2009 2:57PM
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Dylan_
Posts: 9824 - Karma: 1,404
i ride 171's and im 5'9, their good enough to get tech on rails, and support in the air/ going off jumps. perfect height for me
Feb 16 2009 3:08PM
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punkrock32
Posts: 1183 - Karma: 21
Ive gotten used to skiing bigger skis for park (my biggest issue is stability, so im a fan of very stiff park skis as well) and don't really ride anything under 180 length for park.  It really just depends on what you like.  Stiff skis are going to be better for big jumps and pipe, while a softer ski can be more fun on rails, etc.
Feb 16 2009 3:35PM
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lemonsteeze
Posts: 49 - Karma: 11

yeah i like long skiis

Feb 16 2009 3:49PM
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fragglemuffin
Posts: 3312 - Karma: 444
i used to ski on stuff about up to my eyes, but i moved up to some skis i little taller than me, center mounted, and im never going back to a shorter ski...they are much more stable on everything i do, and so much more fun
Feb 16 2009 3:55PM
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