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Should I get shorter skis?

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Andcz
Posts: 81 - Karma: 568
I have 178 cm j skis whip its and they go to about the top of my head.
I have the opportunity to get a new pair and Im wondering if I should size down to 171 cm. would it be easier to spin on jumps and rails and flips etc.?
Mar 3 2015 2:58PM
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O.Ps-Mom
Posts: 155 - Karma: 147
Yes it will be easier. I used to have a pair of 138 skis and I could practically do 3's and 5's anywhere, And butters were so easy. Now that I have a pair of 155's its a bit harder. So yes I would get shorter skis.
Mar 3 2015 3:02PM
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mseward
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 1,243
how tall are you?
Mar 3 2015 3:05PM
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Afronaut
Posts: 190 - Karma: 558
msewardhow tall are you?


AndczI have 178 cm j skis whip its and they go to about the top of my head.


171 would be okay but don't get too short skis because people will start to hate and its less steezy!
Mar 3 2015 3:20PM
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e~b
Posts: 861 - Karma: 2,735
O.Ps-MomYes it will be easier. I used to have a pair of 138 skis and I could practically do 3's and 5's anywhere, And butters were so easy. Now that I have a pair of 155's its a bit harder. So yes I would get shorter skis.


did drink a lot of monster as a kid?
Mar 3 2015 3:24PM
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gperry1
Posts: 377 - Karma: 818
I'm having the same problem, I have 171's and I'm about 5'7 and they go to the top of my head. I was wondering if I should get shorter skis but I'm not sure I want to make another ski purchase.
Mar 3 2015 3:24PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,485
Its all personal preference, but id stick with the 178 range at your height
Mar 3 2015 3:28PM
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Holzsteezy*
Posts: 584 - Karma: 1,110
178 if its at the top of your head.
Mar 3 2015 3:36PM
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Bensun
Posts: 480 - Karma: 1,654
it would be nice if you gave more info. if you are hitting bigger sized jumps 40+ it is nicer to have a more stable ski... also when going faster speeds. IMO I would use skis no shorter than bellow my eyebrows. but its also personal preference and whatever you have more fun riding.


for me it took a while to get used to. went from 168's (too short) to 176's (a little long) and had a different feeling in swing weight but after about a month the stability of the ski just made it much more manageable when stomping tricks. I am 5'8 btw. also depends on rocker
Mar 3 2015 3:43PM
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dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
I went from 178 to 173 just because the skis were super cheap and I can't tell the difference.
Mar 3 2015 4:03PM
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yungcigsmoker
Posts: 785 - Karma: 5,922
My 171 Armada's go to the top of my head. But I've been using my 180 ninthwards and have not noticed a difference. I feel more stable on the 180s, but I think 175 or 176 would be the best height for me. It's all personal preferenc, but if I was in your position I would not go any shorter.
Mar 3 2015 4:09PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
i suppose it depends on if you ever ski chop/crud? also, do you ever like to bomb the fuck out of runs? you'll lose some stability with smaller skis. i wouldn't do it unless you can rock a multi-ski quiver. there will be days where you want bigger skis.
Mar 3 2015 4:21PM
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rtl32
Posts: 679 - Karma: 1,161
Take a tape measure that has centimeters and look at how long 8 cm is. now think about putting 4cm on each side of the ski, tip and tail. The difference will be negligible, not enough to notice. Go longer
Mar 3 2015 4:31PM
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fresh_prince
Posts: 993 - Karma: 11,910
shorter= better for rails, less swing weight
longer= more speed for jumps/ more stable
Mar 3 2015 4:32PM
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Mr.noodle
Posts: 1361 - Karma: 4,651
captain_whaleI'm having the same problem, I have 171's and I'm about 5'7 and they go to the top of my head. I was wondering if I should get shorter skis but I'm not sure I want to make another ski purchase.


Mom 5'9" and have a park skis that are 172 and pow skis that are 178 it's mainly preference
Mar 3 2015 4:54PM
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BT_MONEY
Posts: 65 - Karma: 22
you can buy my 171 2016 head caddys!
Mar 3 2015 6:00PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
if they're center mounted, skis as tall as you are fine
Mar 3 2015 6:01PM
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T-Nutcracker
Posts: 1056 - Karma: 434
NO LOL. THIS AINT ROLLERBLADING. THIS REAL SKING.
Mar 3 2015 6:06PM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
I'm 5'6" and ride center mounted Armada 164's. I had a pair of salomon's that were 157 and they were too short for me to enjoy. I rode them basically in tree shit because I didn't care if I destroyed them.

I like 164 so much I just bought another set.
Mar 3 2015 6:10PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
Im 5'7 and ride 177 pow skis all day everyday. I do like a shorter park ski and longer pow ski tho. That being said I can handle anything. Rid some 181 Kartels the other day that were quite a bit taller than me and i was doing tricks of jumps and bombing groomers. I like the extra length for stability, but they did get caught up in a few places where my other skis wouldn't.
Mar 3 2015 6:19PM
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Hoodliving
Posts: 1033 - Karma: 1,873
Wow, I'm 5'6 and I ride a 181 in the park, just downsized to 176 and wouldn't want to go any smaller period. The people that are taller than me with skis shorter than mine just blow my mind. Like do you only go moderate speed and stay on groomers.

Longer is more stable and more stylish I think. Shorter is sketchy and ugly.
Mar 3 2015 8:01PM
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hulkhoganite
Posts: 23 - Karma: 218
Yea but its harder and steezier looking on the 178's
Mar 3 2015 8:17PM
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
I disagree with the people saying its easier for rails and butters on longer skis. I've been skiing on 171 line anthem and 170 rossi storms for a few years now and as I've gotten taller, stronger, and heavier I've found that its harder to feel stable on butters and tail presses with a shorter ski. I haven't skied park on anything bigger than a 170, but I feel as if it would be more stable all around.
Mar 3 2015 8:42PM
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Randel
Posts: 123 - Karma: 178
I'm 5'9 and ride 178 whipits and 181 filthy riches. If you're riding 178's you are right where you should be. Perfect balance between stable and maneuverability.
Mar 3 2015 9:10PM
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