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Need advice on ski length....!?!?!?!

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madi2602
Posts: 15 - Karma: 40
Im switching to skiing after 10 years riding. Im around 170 and 5' 11'' can i ski a 186cm ski? might be buying some billy goats and dont want them if they are too big for me. As of now this will be a one ski quiver. mostly ski vail. please help
Jun 20 2014 12:49AM
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PungentMelon
Posts: 202 - Karma: 2,499
is this going to be your first pair of skis
Jun 20 2014 12:56AM
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Ribss.
Posts: 3442 - Karma: 3,344
For a billygoat that is a pretty good size. This thread should be in geartalk though.
Jun 20 2014 12:57AM
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madi2602
Posts: 15 - Karma: 40
Ribss.For a billygoat that is a pretty good size. This thread should be in geartalk though.


yeh first pair
Jun 20 2014 1:12AM
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PungentMelon
Posts: 202 - Karma: 2,499
they might be a little bit big, but if you're only skiing groomers then they'll be a good size. Id recommend a little shorter but you'll probe get used to them
Jun 20 2014 2:39PM
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ANDR01D
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 3,319
professor_chaosthey might be a little bit big, but if you're only skiing groomers then they'll be a good size. Id recommend a little shorter but you'll probe get used to them


My guess is that he's not planning to ski a whole ton of groomers if he's buying billygoats, though I hear they do ok due to the camber underfoot. If I remember correctly, they have a solid amount of tip and tail rocker (especially tip), so they will ski shorter than their length. You'll probably be just fine with the 186, OP.
Jun 20 2014 4:27PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
ANDR01DMy guess is that he's not planning to ski a whole ton of groomers if he's buying billygoats, though I hear they do ok due to the camber underfoot. If I remember correctly, they have a solid amount of tip and tail rocker (especially tip), so they will ski shorter than their length. You'll probably be just fine with the 186, OP.


assuming that you will immediately or very soon be a competent skier:

yes, that's a good size. that's a TINY bit taller than you are, and those skis have tip and tail rocker right? which means they will ski a little shorter than they would with no rocker

so unless youre going to have the skills of a novice, which i really doubt considering youre switching from snowboarding, yeah go for it

also billy goats arent park skis, right, theyre all mtn? which i will take to mean youre not a park rat and won't have any need for shorter than normal skis and will prefer stability
Jun 20 2014 4:53PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7137 - Karma: 17,392
I don't know guys for an aspiring intermediate skier that is a bad choice I think. Te 186 will compare to most 190 length skis which would be way too big for the op. I would suggest looking at other skis. There are other on3p skis like te jmo which will suit the op much better. He was only considering these as they were what was left on sale. Personally I would recommend lookin a bit further.
Jun 20 2014 5:53PM
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macavity
Posts: 264 - Karma: 493
^ you have to realize, though, that the rocker on the skis is going to cut down on the effective edge of the ski, making it ski like a much shorter ski despite the length.

they might be a little difficult to ski at first, but you'd probably learn in no time. they would not be impossible to ski by any means, and you'll have saved yourself from having to upgrade to a longer ski later.
Jun 20 2014 7:31PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7137 - Karma: 17,392
hughlorin^ you have to realize, though, that the rocker on the skis is going to cut down on the effective edge of the ski, making it ski like a much shorter ski despite the length.

they might be a little difficult to ski at first, but you'd probably learn in no time. they would not be impossible to ski by any means, and you'll have saved yourself from having to upgrade to a longer ski later.


Yep but hat people forge is that the rocker only makes the ski feel shorter on groomers. When your in soft snow the rocker sections are in contact so it skis true to size. The other big factor is weight. Just because the rocker make the effective edge shorter it does not make the ski any lighter and te swing weight any less. It's mainly for this reason the op should look at other skis. H is switching so is still basically an intermediate at best so it makes no sense home using such a big heavy ski. He would be much better in an all mnt ski with less rocker in a smaller size.

I always see the argument of a rocker ski skis shorter but people forge the other implications.
Jun 21 2014 1:50PM
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Turd.Ferguson
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 2,713
it really depends on the ski, im 6' 175 and i ski a line chronic 171 but they have a slight underfoot camber and have no early rise. so im basically getting a longer length in a ski versus someone with a ski that is a 171 but contains early rise because my ski has more surface area touching the ground. i hope this helped you a little in your future endeavours
Jun 22 2014 12:34AM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10810 - Karma: 57,057
Honest, even though you've been on a board for some time, I think that's a bit long for you. I'd go down a few cm, the shape of the ski is already going to lengthen it but unless you're pretty aggressive I don't recommend that length. If you do go with it, it should work out though. It's just a lot of ski for someone switching over.
What kind of snow will you be skiing on?
Jun 22 2014 1:24AM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
i wouldnt do it honestly. they are a big ski, and honestly if you havent skied before or its been a long time and you are still a beginner, it will be a ton of ski for you. they like to charge and go fast, but it takes some experience to be able to utilize them to the fullest.

especially with the conditions colorado gets, there are definitely better choices. if you are set on on3p, the new kartel 106 or the old jmo or vicik would be a good fit. the bg's are an amazing ski, but especially once stuff gets skied out, they will be a ton of work for a one ski quiver, especially for a beginner.
Jun 22 2014 2:14AM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
tomPietrowskiI don't know guys for an aspiring intermediate skier that is a bad choice I think. Te 186 will compare to most 190 length skis which would be way too big for the op. I would suggest looking at other skis. There are other on3p skis like te jmo which will suit the op much better. He was only considering these as they were what was left on sale. Personally I would recommend lookin a bit further.


i think you have good points. OP is gonna have to make a judgment call
Jun 23 2014 10:21AM
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