What's the theory on how ski dimensions scale with skier size?

[Gepeto]

https://youtu.be/NMHrq1F0b-o

[TBS]

Long skis are dangerous. I sold all of mine after a high speed crash. I am very interested in the formula to ensure I am on the proper length ski for maximum safety. Riding long skis to show how cool you are is not for me. Please keep me updated for my safety. Thank you.


I am 5'10 165lbs.

You obviously need Soul 7s. The epitome of ski design/performance

[gregL]

Is there "theory" on this stuff? Or at least widely accepted intuition? It seems like (almost) every ski out there keeps the same width underfoot for all the sizes in length. I always thought that was very counterintuitive. What do you think? What dimensions "should" our smaller skier be on?

There is no commonly accepted "theory" on how to scale waist width/sidecut.

Plenty of models scale both depending on length. Plenty of models keep the same waist width and alter the tip and tail dimension. Plenty of models keep all three dimensions the same regardless of length. Most manufacturers do all three. Some skis in each category ski well, some less so.

[Gepeto]

It's all coming in to focus now

[thefortrees]

[skuff]

Hey! That's how you fold a fitted sheet.

[singlecross]

Surface area is the real determining factor at least in Powder... that's why good skiers always used 223cm DH boards in the pow. Still do. Better for landings too. And damp as fuck. Screw rocker, taper, and sidecut.

[ill-advised strategy]

what size are you?

6’2 ~240

I’ve also been 6’ 4 150 and 6’3 290.

So, like, not freakish or anything...but gear really isn’t optimized to work for ppl my size.

I hate it. If I could lose 70 lbs my entire relationship with the material world changes.

[TeleBeaver]

Dude, I just tried to write a real response to that question, I really did, but there are way too many variables involved here and there is no one size fits all formula, or anything even close really.

Demo some skis. Demo long skis, fat skis, stiff skis, praxis Rx, short skis, skinny skis, rockered skis, soft skis, red skis, cambered skis, blue skis, etc etc. Figure out what you like. Don't obsess over waist widths or turn radius or topsheet or length or flex or rocker profile or anything except how they feel when you are skiing the terrain you like to ski in the style you like to ski it. Then buy the skis you liked best.

Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid people asking questions.

[gregL]

Assuming you want all the skiers who try a particular model to have a similar skiing experience regardless of body size, it makes sense to try to equalize the surface area/presumed body weight ratio for any ski that spends much of its life in unconsolidated snow. You don't have to look far to see companies who do this (aforementioned Rossi 7 Series, Blizzard Rustler series).

Assuming the same for a ski that spends most of its life on hard snow, it makes some sense to try to equalize radius for presumed body weight. Most companies do this by keeping the waist dimension the same and widening the tip and tail. Radii increase with length because it is assumed bigger and heavier people will bend the ski in a turn and shorten the radius.

Even though it is almost always the goal, it's very difficult to maintain the "feel" of a model along the entire length range of a model. You can try to scale rocker, longitudinal flex, torsional flex and weight distribution by the numbers but the end result doesn't always match expectations.

[SumJongGuy]

Can't even really equate ski surface area and rider weight as the only factors in float. Speed of skier across said powder is also a huge factor in float.

[Mofro261]

another wise man once told me, "floatation is groovy."

and I became a true believer.

[gregL]

I became a true believer.

Mofro doesn't believe in sizing or slowing down.

[singlecross]

Can't even really equate ski surface area and rider weight as the only factors in float. Speed of skier across said powder is also a huge factor in float.

So do I go faster because I'm on 223 DH boards or do the 223 DH boards make me go faster? I'm confused and now pretty sure I have the onset of a migraine or panic attack.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

PugSki Jong

Epicski called...they want their thread back.

Bumping to page 2

[SumJongGuy]

So do I go faster because I'm on 223 DH boards or do the 223 DH boards make me go faster? I'm confused and now pretty sure I have the onset of a migraine or panic attack.

That's not all that's going to hurt if you're skiing 223s in bottomless powder... especially if you're in tight trees LOL

[XXX-er]

The camel toe version of my 183 atomic redsters GS are faster than my 223 RC4

[SumJongGuy]

The camel toe version of my 183 atomic redsters GS are faster than my 223 RC4

Well duh... they're RED. Of course they're faster..

[I've seen black diamonds!]

what was the question again?

I believe it was, "Do these skis make me look fat?"

[XXX-er]

no your refrigerator makes you look fat

[PNWbrit]

I'm waiting for that one guy to mention tip extenders.

[thefortrees]

I'm waiting for that one guy to mention tip extenders.

Just the tip, that’s all you need.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

I'm waiting for that one guy to mention tip extenders.

He needs to invent a way to make skis wider. Outriggers maybe.

[swissiphic]

I'm waiting for that one guy to mention tip extenders.

QFT

[skifishbum]