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Powder Ski Size

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Potatoes
Posts: 1131 - Karma: 14
I'd greatly appreciate any help I can get with sizing my ski.

Since I started skiing in the park, my preference for park ski size has always been constant - my skis are tall enough so the tips curve around my head. That's just the way I like it I guess. So right now, I'm 170lbs, 5'10, and on 176.

I'm looking to buy a backcountry ski, and frankly I have no idea what size to get. I assume I'd go bigger, but I'm not sure how much bigger. I want a ski size that'll perform GREAT while hitting backcountry jumps into deeper snow, while also allowing me to have fun and go fast on steeps.

Basically, I'm asking how big should I go where the ski will still be able to perform well on jumps?
Nov 19 2011 11:20PM
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gr4
Posts: 1499 - Karma: 945
it really depends on the ski, but definitely go bigger. im 6'1" 175 and i ride 187 donner parties and 184 new lifes and i still think i could go longer than that. longer skis arent any harder to ride and give you much more stability.
Nov 19 2011 11:23PM
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thegouda
Posts: 196 - Karma: 57
im 5'8" and ride a 187 liberty helix as my every day ski and a volkl chopstick in a 185 for my powder ski.  id like to go a little bit longer in my powder ski though, maybe around 187 or so.
Nov 19 2011 11:49PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7160 - Karma: 17,589
Its a bit of a misconception that you have to go long with powder skis. It used to be the case with narrower waisted, regular camber skis, but now that skis are so wide and rockered, the float is great even in smaller sizes. I personaly ski a 181 suspect and Thall in the park and a 184 rocker 2 for powder. So only 3 cm bigger. There is a 192 rocker 2 but I dont need to go that long. The float I get is fine in the 184 size and the shorter length makes the skis very playfull.

So overall, with wider more rockered skis, you do not need to go alot longer then your park skis.
Nov 20 2011 2:00AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
It's all personal preference. How tall are you?

If you're in the 6 foot range and greater, I'd find a 184 rockered ski much too small.



I like to charge when I ski, so a longer ski, the better. More stability at high speeds.
I'm 6'2, 180lbs. And I'd never consider going below 186 for a pow ski. Just too short.
I was on 189 One Lifes for 2 season, they charge and hold up great for pretty much everything. I love the ski, but just wished it was a little longer due to it's running surface.
This year I'm going 194 New Life. More running surface, more stability at high speeds.


Rockered skis can run or feel short, which is why people prefer to usually look into a larger size than regular.
Also, when it comes to length of a powder ski, you should consider weight of the skier over height.

For OP, I'd look in something around 180+. What will this powder ski be used for? Playing around in fluff? Charging?
Nov 20 2011 2:09AM
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