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What length to use for a backcountry ski

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mbrooker
Posts: 7 - Karma: 15
I'm just getting into touring and trying to decide whether I'd like to go with a 190-192cm ski or a 186cm ski. I'm 6'2" ~190lbs and understand that the 190-192 range would be closer to a standard ski length for someone my size and is pretty much the size I ride. I was hoping to get some words of wisdom on what people find works best.
Jan 16 2018 11:03PM
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jca
Posts: 4171 - Karma: 6,311
is it going to be a ski for straight backcountry or a mix of inbounds/side/backcountry?
Jan 17 2018 6:58PM
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mbrooker
Posts: 7 - Karma: 15
jcais it going to be a ski for straight backcountry or a mix of inbounds/side/backcountry?

Its gonna be primarily backcountry, but definitely gonna do some sidecountry/slackcountry as well. I actually got a pair of liberty joe shuster pros for a good deal
Jan 18 2018 10:08AM
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snowpocalypse
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 3,525
I personally size down for a pure AT ski. Tight trees, rocks and skinning all are way nicer with a shorter ski. I'm typically milking the turns a little more so I'm not as concerned with stability at speed like I would with a lift ski. I ski a 189 for a resort ski and 175 for a BC ski. My touring partner at 6'5" still skis a 175. Food for thought.
Jan 18 2018 11:21AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
bust out your dad's 215's like a real man who has dingleberries on his sack from shitting in the woods.
Jan 21 2018 6:32PM
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LeeLau
Posts: 104 - Karma: 633
snowpocalypseI personally size down for a pure AT ski. Tight trees, rocks and skinning all are way nicer with a shorter ski. I'm typically milking the turns a little more so I'm not as concerned with stability at speed like I would with a lift ski. I ski a 189 for a resort ski and 175 for a BC ski. My touring partner at 6'5" still skis a 175. Food for thought.


I'm with this. More "backcountry"; more pain in the ass maneouvering a big ski. Unless your BC is Alaskan faces
Jan 22 2018 7:32PM
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JohnJonsz
Posts: 317 - Karma: 871
mbrookerIts gonna be primarily backcountry, but definitely gonna do some sidecountry/slackcountry as well. I actually got a pair of liberty joe shuster pros for a good deal


I'm all about fat backcountry skis but its critical you have a lighter AT binding/boot setup. Like if you put marker dukes or equivalent on those libertys, you're gonna get quite a workout going uphill
Jan 22 2018 8:31PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Realtalk:

I use a 192 TST with kingpins for sidecountry and deeper days, then my 178 Vanguard 97's for peak bagging or longer tours where the weight would mostly get in the way.

Then an assortment of options with Dukes or Aaadrenalines for purely sidecountry on my fatshit skis that I wouldn't want to go on any sort of long tour with anyway.
Feb 11 2018 2:50PM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
Echoing the "size down" thinking.

1. You won't miss 5cm in the bc. It simply won't be an issue.
2. Lighter.
3. Less tail to get in the way with kick turns.
4. For lighter, narrower setups (spring, hard snow, big days), folks typically size down because they're still getting a longer contact length out of a barely rockered 178cm than they would with a rockered 184.
Feb 13 2018 12:55AM
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