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hi_vis360
November, 2024

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What size and what skis? My skiing life story, all advice appreciated

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SKI-J
Posts: 45 - Karma: 163
Ok so, I'm around 6'3" and I think I'm 160lbs or there abouts (First time I've used lbs, got to cater for the mostly American audience though don't I) Spent a season in Alp d'huez last year and im doing the same this season. I'd say I'm a fairly decent skier but that's when I'm on the piste, can ski blacks comfortably, and like to ski hard and fast ;) haha. Was just beginning to go off piste last season in like 1-2 foot powder when it snowed, I'd say it was reds and blues of off piste dropping small, about 6ft, "cliffs". In the park I was just hitting red jumps and throwing a few grabs (lots of room for improvement)
That's where I'm at and I did all of that on some rental 08 170cm salomon crossmax's haha, didn't improve that much due to a knee injury mid season which kept me off the hill from mid January until the beginning of march, missed a lot of prime powder days and when I got back on skis my knee was noticeably weaker so kept me from trying anything new really. Looking to improve massively this season, want to be better in general in the powder and hit bigger drops, wider skis with better float will obviously help, and hoping to get to a stage where I can do 360s, butters and hit rails (never even hit a box before, those 2ft wide ones don't count) in the park. Might improve more but they're the goals for now.

Now I can't spend another season on salomon crossmax's so I'm buying skis, what skis should I look for? I'm thinking chronics at the moment, and what length? 178 is my guess, sceptical about 185s, should I be? Looking to buy used aswell so if you're selling get in touch
Nov 8 2013 6:02AM
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JahLiam
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 7,828
Ski blades
Nov 8 2013 6:07AM
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SKI-J
Posts: 45 - Karma: 163
I'd rather ride on your mum than ski blades
Nov 8 2013 6:17AM
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coling
Posts: 1086 - Karma: -3
Pwned. Id say 180 to 185s. 178 would be fine too. Alpduez huh? You lucky bastard
Nov 8 2013 6:21AM
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Bock
Posts: 748 - Karma: 1,652
at 6'3" definitely go 180 to 185. even a little closer to 185. I'm 6' and I ride 182 in the park 190 off piste and they both feel comfortable.
Nov 8 2013 7:51AM
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SKI-J
Posts: 45 - Karma: 163
Yer Im going to be working out there all season, its a decent resort, you been before?

185's should be good then? Spotted some 185 chronics on here, has anyone ridden chronics before, how are they? Also been offered 180 rossignol storms, would anyone recommend either of these?
Nov 8 2013 10:21AM
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TheWakes.
Posts: 685 - Karma: 235
u could do the 178 chronic or the 185 chronic. the 178 will be more playful and easier for learning new tricks, and they will be quick turning for all mountain. if u wanted to ski faster all mountain making higher speed turns, the bigger one makes sense. it will not be as friendly as the 178 on small park features tho. you are 6'3", but at only 160, you might like the shorter length. but really you would be happy on either one.

its a different sport than salomon crossmaxes lol.
Nov 8 2013 10:30AM
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Alistair.
Posts: 458 - Karma: 212
What sort of budget have you got for Skis aswell? I can guarantee a lot of people will be suggesting the ON3P Jeffrey but it's difficult to get a hold of in the UK if that's where you're at like myself!

I skiied the Salomon Rocker 108 in a 190 length and the 85mm Waist Line Chronic at 181cm all last season in La Plagne, they're both pretty much the same weight!

What would say you're gonna be doing more, piste/park/powder?
Nov 8 2013 10:44AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7160 - Karma: 17,589
Honestly dont go above 180, you just dont need to yet. If you were on a 170 carving ski last season a 178 twin will be prime for you. Chronics could be good, or look for some older prophets from line maybe. ARV tis may be worth a look too. In fact there are a ton of all mnt twins so maybe if you can, get to a demo some where and try out a bunch of skis and see what you like.
Nov 8 2013 10:54AM
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Twig
Posts: 6420 - Karma: 60,334
For what it's worth, I was in alpes d'huez last winter, and while it has some amazing terrain, the park was shit (it was early season but the features looked like they had been drawn by a small child and built drunk, I presume it gets better over the season).

I would suggest a stiffer ski than the Chronic, which while solid for Line, is a soft ski by any other companies standards OR a longer ski than 178. In a 178 at your height, you could well find them too soft and too park oriented given what you will most likely end up skiing.

I would aim for 96-108 underfoot, and I would go over 180cm personally. Given your goals which seem to prioritize some sidecountry skiing over park, length will be a benefit.

For what you're describing I'd get a 184 Line Sir Francis Bacon, I skied them in the park for a season and loved it. I rode the 178s but have also skied the 184s and had no problem spinning them even though i'm 5'9 and about 135lbs.

Nov 8 2013 7:14PM
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rylee.the.jedi
Posts: 410 - Karma: 368
yeah if your planning on skiing 1-2 feet of powder the chronics are too skinny I would definantly agree with the guy above, look at the sir francis bacons. You could also check out armada jj's. My buddy used to ski them a lot in the park and he would kill it on rails, plus he said they float amazing in pow.
Nov 9 2013 2:58AM
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SKI-J
Posts: 45 - Karma: 163
I'll be skiing off piste pretty much whenever there's good snow, then park and piste like 50/50 for the rest of the time, maybe a little more park this season actually, no injuries holding me back. I guess I could do with something a little wider, a friend was on blends last season and they seemed to handle a little of everything nicely.

Hoping to get hold of a decent used set up for around $500/£350 shipped,

I know what you mean about the alp dhuez park haha, it does get better but still a little on the small side. L2A is just a bus away though

Cheers for all the help guys,
Nov 9 2013 7:59AM
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beauchamp
Posts: 662 - Karma: 1,191
icelantic nomad rkr , 100ish underfoot , flex as butter good double rocker. take last year ones i think they're 400$ on evo
Nov 9 2013 11:09AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7160 - Karma: 17,589
I take it your from the uk? Where are based are you able to get to a dome? If you can go demo some skis and find out what suits you.
Nov 9 2013 4:23PM
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