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What size ski to get? Tried searching

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NyTical
Posts: 36 - Karma: 10
I tried doing as much research as possible all over but i still need some advice since my situation is a little different.

Im trying to figure out the right size ski to buy this year.

Ive seen the guides on the web for the size ski based on your weight height etc but heres where my situation is different.

Dont kill me but i have always skiboarded on sub 105cm boards.

Last year i decided to move on to skis and got myself a pair of 166 Armada AR6's from a member here.

Long story short i loved "real skis" and def want to stay on twin tips.

Now for my height and weight from what ive read 166 seems too short for me but i felt like i wanted the shortest skis possible because i was switching from such small skiis.

but now i wanna buy a different pair of skiis this year and im wondering if i should move up in length.

stats

5'11- 165lbs
East coast (for now) mostly Vermont skiing
I can ski everything pretty good, love the trees and got into park a few years ago

I want a ski that i can use all mountain, whether im skiing trees in VT, park in NJ or when i go out to Utah every winter to advance myself

Should i stay with a shorter ski because im still getting used to "long" skiis compared to little skiboards? or should i be getting used to the right size ski?

and what exactly should be the range for my weight and height? 171-181 or so?

also what are the ups and downs of going longer or shorter?

sorry for the novel, any help is appreciated and plus k for it
Jul 28 2011 3:57PM
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randyjohnson
Posts: 613 - Karma: 49
definitely size up, probab ly no shorter than 176, and try a line anthem or k2 kung fujas or something of the sort they do good everywhere and can hold their own in pow but since youll mostly be in VT it definitely a more park oriented ski id say
Jul 28 2011 4:04PM
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NyTical
Posts: 36 - Karma: 10
cool man thanks...+k

Are the reasons for wanting a bigger ski the common sense stuff like they are faster and more stable? i  feel like the longer they are they harder to spin and control they are but maybe im just not used to the length yet.


Jul 28 2011 4:22PM
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randyjohnson
Posts: 613 - Karma: 49
yea the longer ski is gonna be a lot more stable for ya and youll get used to the length no problem, specially at your height youll probably like the extra length
Jul 28 2011 5:03PM
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NyTical
Posts: 36 - Karma: 10
appreciate it man!
Jul 28 2011 5:09PM
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Keith.
Posts: 967 - Karma: 88
I would get atleast 170+ perferably around 175. If you go for rocker go for 180s. I suggest the Line Mastermind, unless your looking for something a little more all mountain oriented.
Jul 28 2011 5:33PM
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lukewalnuts
Posts: 2730 - Karma: 152
sorry to threadjack but i'm 5'3 and i wondering if i should go 166 full camber or 170 rocker
Jul 28 2011 5:52PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7488 - Karma: 11,550
You said you ski primarily NJ or VT, so youll want a ski thats more adept to landing on hard surfaces, so I would stay away from a more powder oriented ski due to durability if youre hitting rails and hard landings. Look into most Line or Armada skis. Ive heard great things about them but have yet to ski them myself. My friend swears by the JJ.
Jul 28 2011 5:53PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
175 - 185 for a park ski
Jul 28 2011 6:01PM
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DERS.
Posts: 6299 - Karma: 1,293
a 166 cambered will feel the same size as a rockered 170... so the question the is do you want a rockered or cambered ski.

and to the op
size wise anything from 175-180

as to which ski....

armada el ray's/arv's (175)
k2 kung fujas (179)
line chronics/ blends (178)
on3p jeronimos (181)

Jul 28 2011 6:12PM
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NyTical
Posts: 36 - Karma: 10
thanks to everyone for the advice, +k.

got a decent idea what size im gonna go with now and i might try to stick with armada skiis.

Like one of you guys said there's prolly no point in getting any kind of ski used for powder
Jul 28 2011 6:45PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Everyone is going to have their opinion on length and what they prefer. For example, I'm 6', ski all-mountain (no park anymore) in Vermont, and ski a 186cm fully cambered ski. My next ski purchase will be around the same length, but rockered, which will effectively make it ski a touch shorter.

My preference is for a longer ski for the stability of it. Some people prefer the agility of a shorter ski.

That said...

Since you're coming from a short-ski background, a jump up to a 180+ fully cambered ski may be drastic and you may not like it. If a fully cambered ski is what you pruchase, I'd recommend going with a 175-180 range ski.

If you are looking at rockered sticks, err on the side of caution and look at 180-185 in length as the rocker will make the ski ride shorter than a fully cambered ski would.
Jul 29 2011 11:42AM
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NyTical
Posts: 36 - Karma: 10
very helpful info man thanks

you mentioned my big concern about sizing up...when i first got on the 166 they felt huge compared to what i rode especially when turning my ski onto boxes and rails and doing 180s and stuff.

i think im gonna move up a little, i can always get new skiis if preferred. Something like a 175

its a lot different for people who grew up just skiing. Ive skiied maybe 8 times and skiboarded about 30 times in my life so its different for me to size up.



Jul 31 2011 12:56PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Dude I think a 178 would be perfect for ya....it'll take a few times out to get used to the extra length but once ya get a feel for it you'll love it....also take a look at some of the mount threads here...mostly skiboards are mounted dead center and I'm sure your skiing style has adjusted to such....so do some research first but generally your gonna want to mount close to center to keep that same feel...and on that note if ya mount center length is alot less noticeable.... I have a buddy that skiboarded all the way up till about 3 years ago....his first real ski was a 179.....his newest is a 184 and he's fine with the length....so I wouldn't stress too much....unless some tards tellin ya to get 205s or somethin...lol But if ya want to get a big boy skiboard feel setup.....11' line SFR 172 mounted dead center.....holy poops does it feel like a big boy skiboard....fun as heck too....would only recommend it if your willing to ride somethin that wide in the park but if you can handle it it's heaps of fun.
Jul 31 2011 1:32PM
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NyTical
Posts: 36 - Karma: 10
cool man thanks a lot. I think thats a good size and i wont go any longer than 178.

As far as the mounting goes yes my skiboards were center mounted but im not sure if thats what i need on skiis. Dont people who center mount skis strictly use them for park? i wanna do park but not just park (not that u cant ski all over with a park ski anyway im sure) but still. And i dont think my current Armadas are center mounted and dont feel too different. (anyway to find out what exactly my Armada bindings are mounted at?)

My skiboards were a little wider than the AR6s but i like the width of the ski.

Basically im so new i prolly cant tell the difference between all the different stuff so i should prolly just buy used skis until i find out what i like and dont like

we'll see....thanks again +k
Aug 4 2011 9:51AM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Mounting point is a highly personal opinion. I personally stick with the manufacturer's recommended mid-sole point.

My reasoning is that the skis were engineered by someone and designed to perform best for their intended application when mounted at that point. Mounting drastically outside of that realm can often change the handling characteristics in ways that do not compliment the skis design. I prefer the way the ski turns when mounted where it was designed to be mounted.

That said, small adjustments from the recommended point can play favorably into your personal skiing style IF you know exactly what you want.

Since you are newer to skiing, I'd stick with the manufacturer's recommendation.
Aug 4 2011 10:22AM
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NyTical
Posts: 36 - Karma: 10
great advice. i didnt even know there was a manufacturers recommended setting. good to know and im gonna take that advice about not messing with all that until i know whats what

thanks

cant wait to ski
Aug 4 2011 1:39PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Yeah, the recommended mount point will be indicated by a marking on the ski, sometimes on the sidewall underfoot, sometimes on the topsheet.

Some skis will have two recommended points, one for a more forward freeski orientated recommended point, the other a more traditional rearward mount. In these circumstances, if you do park some, go with the forward recommended point.

Hope this isn't confusing and makes sense. I could find a picture of a ski with both mounting recommendations if you need it.
Aug 4 2011 1:46PM
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NyTical
Posts: 36 - Karma: 10
actually i looked at my armadas this morning so this isnt confusing me

i noticed there was a line for CENTER and if i remember correctly 2 others....-2 and -5 i think.....sound right? so what you were saying would mean to maybe mount them for -2 one if im doing park?
Aug 4 2011 2:23PM
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