ski length... skis too long... impact performance?

[snowsoc11]

I am 5-8, 130lbs and have the 175cm black diamond Joules. I bought them 2 years ago. Bottom line is I later realized Black Diamond recommends 160-165 for someone my weight. I have always thought my skis were a bit hard to control, but I just contributed this to me needing to improve (I am between int/advanced level). I guess my question is, if I continue to ski in the 175s, how does this impact my performance? I do not have loads of money now to buy new skis/skins and am wondering if the extra length really is a big deal or not. I am ski bumming this season to become a better skier, so if this is going to negatively impact improving or skiing well, than I should probably get a shorter pair, but if it is something I can probably get used to, than not getting a new pair is preferred. Thanks!

[mntlion]

you will improve into them, just learn how to ski

[dark_star]

I am 5'6" 140 lbs and I ski 175s all the time. It's a great length for everything but zipper lining moguls, gives great stability on carved turns and steep slopes. No reason to get a shorter ski IMO if that's what you got. Plus if and when you get a shorter ski you'll feel like a rock start in tight terrain.

edit: I should also say that you still CAN ski tight terrain and I do all the time, it's just that given the choice I'd rather be on my shorter boards in those circumstances. In other words, no excuse to blame it on the gear! that's the beauty of the quiver.

Sent from my GT-P6210 using TGR Forums

[bridge]

you will improve into them, just learn how to ski

Good point, get the 175, more float, more stability, your legs will get stronger and catch up

[dcpnz]

I'm a contrarian anti-mag on ski length:

They're probably a bit too long for you (being a traditional camber, non-rockered ladies ski),
Sure if you ski a bunch you'll improve and probably get by just fine on them but i think you'll have more fun and progress faster on a shorter ski,
At your height/weight I'd be looking 165 ish for an allaround ski.


[FWIW - my 5'8" 135lb advanced/expert better half skis a 175 rockered powder ski and every thing else in the quiver is 163 - 168]

[Chainsaw_Willie]

Conventional wisdom says go shorter.

If $ is a concern then necessity sense says learn to ski what you have. As you get better you will learn to make a longer ski do what you want. There is a reason skis aimed at beginners and intermediates are generally softer with more sidecut and why expert skiers typically prefer a longer, ski with a bigger radius.

Still, might not be a bad idea to start saving your ski-bum pennies for something else. Demo as many different skis as you can so you'll get a better idea of what you like. Some longer skis ski short, some shorter skis ski longer. Some are playful and lively, some are damp and planky. Figure out your personal preference and go from there.

[ISL]

Demo some 165 cm skis, preferably Joules, but it may not matter much. You'll be able to answer your own question much more reliably than the forum can.

I know taller/heavier women who like the Joule and Kilowatt in 165.

At ~6', 175-180 lbs, a switch from 184s to 177s in the Kongur was a change from a ski I loved when I was on form and confident to a nimble ski that I can take everywhere, even when I'm tired. The shorter ski is much more forgiving. I miss my beloved 184 only when I'm strong and skiing fast in open terrain. Shorter than ~170, and a ski starts feeling way short.

If cost is an issue, and you haven't done it before, a few ski lessons from a good instructor will cost less than new skis and will help you get the most value from your season on your current skis.

[XXX-er]

Not familiar with that ski but if they are a trad non-rockered ski maybe you don't have enough weight or ability to bend the ski which is more or less how you turn them ...when they uncamber into a banana shape ?

[mtngirl79]

Are these the first skis you have owned yourself? If not, what did you ski before? I am thinking you could make the skis you have work, or you should be able to, but I think you will improve faster if you find a way to get a shorter pair of skis for a little while.

ISL's advice to take a lesson is good, especially if you haven't ever, or in a long time. Lots of little things that are easy to fix can make a huge difference.

If I were you, though, I would keep the joules if you otherwise like them, and make a thread in gear swap and try to find some shorter skis, maybe something pretty beat up for cheap. I bet the mags will hook you up, especially if you post some stoke, or entertain them with hope of some boobies.

From what I have seen, most of the time the intermediate/advanced level is where a lot of women get stuck, and it is often more of a confidence issue than a technique issue. With men, it is usually the opposite... so some skis that are easier to handle for a little bit might boost your confidence and have you skiing like you never have before.

Then go back to the joules and see what you think.

[Core Shot]

Long skis truck
Short skis suck





Depends on if you like trucking or not.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Stop sucking. That's my recommendation.
And maybe eat some more red meat.

[Chainsaw_Willie]

Stop sucking. That's my recommendation.
And maybe eat some more red meat.

5'8"/130 is perfectly acceptable for a woman.

[Snow Dog]

If the ski feels too long then it probably is. I outgrew the desire for long skis and ski better for it. Until you're going fast and steep there's no real advantage to a longer ski. I'd rather go wider than longer.

OTOH, as your core strength increases the skis will become easier to control. Lessons help too but probably aren't available with a ski bum budget.

[hilmersen]

Go shorter. I am 6"/185 (184/83kg) and ski everything from 2 meter skis down to 160. After picking up sl-racing again (with 165 skis), I have startet to drift towards shorter skis.

The following video was done with 175cm/83cm waist skis (I am the guy with the camera/orange jacket). I had one fall due to the short length - I was just too much forward in on such narrow skis when the speeds decreesed on the flats. More length would have given more stabillity. Anyway, I would not have chosen differently, as a longer ski would have been harder in the colouir. On harder snow the 175 can handle anything. (I'm skiiing Movement Bond, a cambered ski with slight tip&tail rocker)

[snowsoc11]

Thanks for the advice guys and girls. I think I will keep the ski I have but like the idea of demo-ing the 165 Joules and other skis and Ill just see how it goes. After that Ill decide if it is worth getting the shorter ski, which I am thinking will be the case. I probably cannot afford lessons but hoping to meet up with some other bums that can give me some tips, we will see how it goes.

[Chainsaw_Willie]

Go hang around Altabird during one of the Straightline camps. Maybe you can glom onto a group and no one will be the wiser...

If nothing else you could follow them around all day and watch what the coaches are telling people.

[Jim S]

Go hang around Altabird during one of the Straightline camps.
If nothing else you could follow them around all day and watch what the coaches are telling people.

..
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[stuckathuntermtn]

5'8"/130 is perfectly acceptable for a woman.

whoops. Missed that part. I should be nicer, I guess. 5' 8" 130lbs scandanavian sounds fucking depressingly hot.

[hilmersen]

Did not see that you were Norwegian. Where are you planning to ski? If in Norway, I think you'll be fine with the 175...but you could go either way. In the alps I would go for the shorter option,.... I would guess that you are a better skier than you claim, as intermediate level is really quite low for someone that has grown up with snow. You could also check if your boots are good enough. Boots are more important than the ski IMHO, and probably impact the skiing more than a few cm more or less.