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Advice on Skis and Progression

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John0
Posts: 73 - Karma: 10
Hey, I'm new to the NS Forums.

Just a few weeks ago I've started riding Park on my skis. I've been skiing for a few years, but until recently, I haven't as so much touched a box or rail. Now I'm going up to Tahoe a lot (I Live in California) and have been trying to progress in park.

Not having the most money in the world, I pretty much rented some K2 Skis for the season, cost around 200. I discovered though, that I pretty much need Twin Tips to try anything. I'm worried that if I buy them now, I will outgrow them for next season (I'm skinny, around 115 lbs and 5'8). But I'm worried that if I don't buy them, I won't be able to progress.
I need some advice. Buy the skis this season (since we still have like 3 months of snow left). What size? And will they still work for next season? Pretty much need advice on everything.

Thanks
Jan 10 2010 9:18PM
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TheButterHashira
Posts: 9691 - Karma: 1,702
This will probably be moved to gear talk,
 but if you buy some skis buy them fairly long. You arent short so maybe go for mid 160s or 170 or something. From my experience longer skis are better especially for people progressing because tiny skis are going to eventually hold you back.
Jan 10 2010 9:21PM
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Stuck.in.ohio
Posts: 331 - Karma: 36

Welcome to ns and i would definitely buy some skis even if youre younger because you can always resell them. Look in the Buy/Sell/Trade forum for a used pair of park skis in decent condition, if not buy an older model park ski online or from a shop. I would suggest around 170 cm and above so theyll be useable for a few years.

Jan 10 2010 9:24PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
How old are you?

I would buy 171, then they will last for as long as you want unless you get up over 6 feet tall, and even then they will still work.
Jan 10 2010 9:25PM
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Hoover
Posts: 1432 - Karma: 52
get some  armada thalls from last year they are light but the topsheet chips easils but ive been hitting rails and boxes and jumps about 20 days this season and they dont have a single scratch,im about 5'8 and i got 166's and theyre perfect this year and ill be using them next year to   http://www.evogear.com/outlet/skis/armada-thall-tanner-hall-2008.aspx    none in stock but i didnt really look anywere else 
Jan 10 2010 9:26PM
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willyg0808
Posts: 4231 - Karma: 1,364
Welcome to the best site in the world!  Yes I would buy skis if I were you.  Are you trying to start with jumps, boxes/ rails, pipe, all, or combo?  It really depends on what skis you should get depending on what you want to learn
Jan 10 2010 9:30PM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
166 is TINY for your height..... Get some longer sticks.
Jan 10 2010 9:30PM
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Hoover
Posts: 1432 - Karma: 52
theyre not tiny at all IMO i get plenty of speed and can whip 7's off rolers/claim so i love them
Jan 10 2010 9:33PM
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willyg0808
Posts: 4231 - Karma: 1,364
http://www.untracked.com/p2616c51b88lr-Froogle-09_line_invader_twin_tip_freestyle_skis.html is what i would go with
Jan 10 2010 9:34PM
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jamodeo
Posts: 3040 - Karma: 663
i would go for a 167-171 ish ski im around your height but i weigh 40 lbs more than you and am on a 174
Jan 10 2010 9:35PM
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LukeB.
Posts: 268 - Karma: 22
word. im 5'8 and ski 176's
Jan 10 2010 9:43PM
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MN_Nice
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 56
I'm glad people were mature on this thread. Get some Line's that are pretty flexible so you get a good feel of how you should ride. They're the future of skiing pretty much.
Jan 10 2010 10:03PM
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John0
Posts: 73 - Karma: 10
Thanks for all the help.
If it makes any difference, I'm 15 years old, and have been trying to hit all the features I can, however rails are hard for me.

The K2s I rented are 153s, which now it seems like are extremely small. Will jumping up in size make it a lot harder to ride or will it only take a little to get used to?
Jan 10 2010 10:10PM
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MN_Nice
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 56
Way too small for you. I'm around 6'2" and I ride 171's
Jan 10 2010 10:15PM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
yer im 5'7 on 183 and 179
Jan 10 2010 10:22PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
They might just feel a little unwieldy at first but they will be more stable.
Jan 10 2010 10:23PM
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Hoover
Posts: 1432 - Karma: 52
last year i had lines and they were my first pair of twintips and i thought they were the greatest thing in the world untill i bought armada then realized eith line sucks or armada is the shit
Jan 10 2010 10:25PM
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BoatsandHoes
Posts: 190 - Karma: 14
and those are way too small for you
Jan 10 2010 10:27PM
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304NordMan
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 525
buy some used skis that are big for you, at a ski swap or somthin'
Jan 10 2010 10:29PM
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MN_Nice
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 56
Yeah I figured. I'm gonna work this summer and get some 180's or so.
Jan 10 2010 10:37PM
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John0
Posts: 73 - Karma: 10
Thanks for all the help. Of course, for skis, money is a big factor. I don't mind spending more though, if I know that I can get a few years out of them. As stated, I'm 5'8, and will probably be at least 5'10 or 5'11 next season. Am I looking at around 171s?

Also, people are recommending Line skis or Armadas. Which would be better?
Ive been looking at these, as linked above. They seem to be good for their price. Any comments?

Thanks again for all the help,
John
Jan 10 2010 10:57PM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
go between 170 and 180 and you should be good.
Jan 10 2010 10:59PM
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blong131
Posts: 2193 - Karma: 59
if u expect to grow at all go 180+ no doubt.
Jan 10 2010 10:59PM
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John0
Posts: 73 - Karma: 10
http://www.untracked.com/p2616c51b88lr-Froogle-09_line_invader_twin_tip_freestyle_skis.html
Link was broken.
Jan 10 2010 11:04PM
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Stuck.in.ohio
Posts: 331 - Karma: 36

Armadas will be a better all around ski IMO, Invaders are good park skis but Armada Ar6s and T-Halls are much better for riding around the mountain. I ride ar6s and theyre a great lightweight ski that I can still ski on groomers pretty well. Look for any year ar6s because they really havent changed much over the years other than topsheet, I'm 5'10" and ride 176s and theyre great but I'd suggest a 171 for you, after a day or two the longer length won't bother you but actually help you land easier. Check ebay, the buy/sell/trade forum here on NS and google for the skis

Jan 10 2010 11:20PM
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John0
Posts: 73 - Karma: 10
Thanks for the response Ross.
Would Line Invaders work almost as well as Armada AR6s?
Jan 10 2010 11:45PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
line invaders are softer and basically a park only ski, but will work for the rest of the mountain.
armada ar6 are a bit stiffer and are good for everything on the mountain

if youre used to a 153, it may be a lot of difference to step up to a 170+ length. I would actually stick around 165-171 as you are probably going to have trouble outside of the park if you go any longer. what skier ability are you? from your info, im guessing an intermediate.
Jan 11 2010 2:21AM
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John0
Posts: 73 - Karma: 10
bump

Yeah Id say intermediate, I'm beginner in park and can only hit up medium jumps, and basic boxes. But aside from that I can pretty much go down all the slopes, nothing special.
Jan 11 2010 4:15PM
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