Member of the Month

je_t.aime_canard
January, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Beginner Park ski length Question

profile picture
tsk94
Posts: 184 - Karma: 122
Hey guys, I've decided that I'm going to finally pickup a pair of park skis for the end of this season and the start of next. I'm looking at the Volkl Step, read a lot of good reviews about them and I also know the Volkl rep so I can get a good deal. I decided to go with these over the Wall because of the softer flex and rocker tip and tail. Anyways, as far as the length I'm not too sure. I'm 5'5", 110lbs, so I'm small and light, probably will NOT be growing much at all, so I'm torn between the 163 and 171. I'll be using these probably 60% park, 40% groomers/bumps.

Any advice would be much appreciated!
May 5 2013 2:36PM
4 1
profile picture
djensen
Posts: 56 - Karma: 69
I'm about your weight (120lbs) and i'm 5' 8" and I used a 171 this last season. It was great and I think that you'll want to get that size. I'm sizing up because I felt that 171 is too short for me. But I think that if you get the 163 then you'll end up having to buy the 171 later on.
May 5 2013 3:23PM
1 0
profile picture
NoBigDeal
Posts: 2790 - Karma: 629
171
May 5 2013 3:32PM
1 0
profile picture
Brule.
Posts: 3964 - Karma: 6,500
Measure skis from the eyebrows down. Either way I am about your height and I would suggest 163 in order to make shorter turns. You probably wouldn't want a 170 because you probably wouldn't make short enough turns in the trees.
May 5 2013 3:48PM
1 1
profile picture
tsk94
Posts: 184 - Karma: 122
Thanks for the replies, +k to all. I'm leaning towards the 171. Other question that I have is the mount point, I know that they are a symmetrical ski, but if I still might be using these ~40% out of the park would mounting them center be okay? Or should I go 1-2cm back?

May 5 2013 8:49PM
0 0
profile picture
50Kal
Posts: 2835 - Karma: 5,534
Call or email Volkl to double check. They make that ski with a full rocker. It will ride different than from your more normal camber ski. And seeing how the step is fully symmetrical to begin with I wouldn't go back more than -1cm from center on top of that. But like I said ask Volkl.. They would know best since they made the ski.

Oh and 171 will fit you perfect for size.
May 5 2013 10:22PM
0 0
profile picture
p-fo
Posts: 9372 - Karma: 6,156
The amount of shit advice in this thread is too damn high.
It sounds like you're already a fairly strong and experienced skier in general, so you should be able to handle the 171 fine, especially since it skis shorter due to the rocker anyway.
And PLEASE center mount them. They're symmetrical, which means they were MADE to be mounted there.
May 6 2013 1:25AM
0 0
profile picture
tsk94
Posts: 184 - Karma: 122
Thanks man, I was leaning towards the 171 heavily as the 163's, I think, would just seem to short, especially like you said with the rocker and center mount it would seem small. Probably going to pickup a pair, I can also get the Walls for the exact same price in 169's, so now I'm kinda torn between the two.
May 6 2013 9:45AM
0 0
profile picture
50Kal
Posts: 2835 - Karma: 5,534
The wall is stiff. If your gonna do a lot of big jumps and railing down groomers at mach speeds go with the wall. If you want something softer, easier to butter go with the step. You can butter on the wall but it's gonna take more effort.
May 6 2013 11:49AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)