 Poster: A snowHead
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I've decided it's time to quit forking out in resort to ski hire and buy a pair myself. As I'm looking to invest in something that will last a couple of years I want to make sure I pick correctly, so apologies for the dumb question but how do I go about choosing the right size. I'm 5'11" (approx 171cm) and a decent skier after 2 seasons in VT. At this moment I'm torn between going for twin tips or powder skis (or both!). Any advice over the sizing to opt for for both types would be much appreciated. Thanks guys.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Jamieibk, welcome to Snowheads. Where do you live? There's a ski testing event at Hemel Snow Centre in October - 10th I think. That's a good opportunity to try lots of different skis.
Otherwise, rules of thumb are that beginners go for chin height piste skis, more advanced piste skis go to eye height or full height. Rockered skis go longer. Rockered fat skis longer still.
I'm 162cm and I have a pair of 162 piste skis and a pair of 181 rockered fat skis. In fact you might like the Whitedot Directors too - they're a twintip fat ski.
The longer they are, the more float you'll get, and stability at speed. You'll sacrifice a bit of manoueverability in bumps and narrow places. And carrying the damn things around can be a pain!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Longer=more float???
Please tell that to my 203 SGs... 
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Sat 15-08-15 9:29; edited 1 time in total
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@Jamieibk, "2 seasons" you mean two full seasons or 1-2 weeks a season? If you go far a full season indeed then having own skis is the best choice. If you just ski one or two weeks a season and just started skiing, any intermefiate skis will do. Doubt you need real powder skis, something between 89 -107 underfoot would do for VT on most days.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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What kind of skiing will you be doing, realistically? If it's only powder (which I doubt), go for a powder ski. If you - let's say - ski 60% on piste, 25% off-piste (powder) and 15% park, get a twin-tip with some float. If you don't ski switch at all (skiing backwards), I wouldn't get twin-tips at all.
So, what is the type of skiing you want to do? And what's your weight? And are you more of a power skier, or more of a technique/finesse skier? These things all matter. Answer these questions for us, and the guys and girls here can get you some good suggestions.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Cheers everyone for getting back so quickly.
@mooney058, I've done two full seasons working for Crystal. And I take your point re whether powder skis are needed realistically
@cheizz, it'll be a combination of all 3. I can ski switch and looking to improve in the park. Currently I'd say I'm at 70% piste, 20% off piste, 10% park. Hence why I'm thinking of going for some twin tips. Weight is 76kg, height 171cm.
@marieadoconnor, I'm in Bristol. Thanks for the tips 
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If you - let's say - ski 60% on piste, 25% off-piste (powder)
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A skier in Europe who spends 25% of his ski time in powder is a very, very, fortunate chap. 
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Whitedot Ones would seem to match your requirements, look at the options: Standard, park or zero suit you best (standard my be best for your 70% piste)
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Wot @On the rocks said, probably
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A skier in Europe who spends 25% of his ski time in powder is a very, very, fortunate chap.
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@pam w, Me too......its there if you go looking!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Only drawback with twintips (apart from the rooster tails) is the fact they fit much less easily in the gondola racks.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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What @Maireadoconnor said, Come to the ski test on the 10th Oct...
The One's feature on my shortlist to demo over the next few months, along with a couple of other skis I've had recommended including Atomic Vantage 90 and Salomon Q85/Q90, but i'm also planning on demoing a few things at Hemel that I perhaps wouldnt otherwise (longer and wider) just to learn about Ski's and my own skiing.
I'm 5'7 and 75kg, looking for between 165 and 175 length probably. Similar requirements to you really. No serious park, but do enjoy popping through the easier stuff for fun.
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Are you 5' 11" or 171 cm? (5' 11" is closer to 181 cm)
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You know it makes sense.
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| Jamieibk wrote: |
@mooney058, I've done two full seasons working for Crystal. And I take your point re whether powder skis are needed realistically
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If you're doing full seasons with a powder ski int he quiver then you need to sort your priorities out
| pam w wrote: |
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If you - let's say - ski 60% on piste, 25% off-piste (powder)
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A skier in Europe who spends 25% of his ski time in powder is a very, very, fortunate chap. |
Not really, if you're prepared to go look, which and work for it.
Lets say a resort gets 10 good 1 day storms a season (its more than that, and normally for more than a day, but lets keep it easy). As an absolute minimum you get 1 lift-served pow day during the storm, 1 the day after when the skies clear, then one touring the day after that.
So 30 powder days a season, if you get 100 days in you're doing very well, so that's already 30%.
But in most places you might well get 2-3 days storm skiing form one system, another 2 good days from the lifts when it clears up, then depending on wind and how far you want to skin, another 3-5 touring after that.
I think the notion that Europe gets way less snow than e.g. US and Canada is propaganda... It snows plenty here (rest of Alps may differ...), and they seem to get plagued with shitty conditions over there at least as regularly!
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Really you want a 90-100mm underfoot everyday twin tip and 120mmish offpiste ski as a minimum - better two pairs cheap and/or second hand than one new pair. Now is a good time to buy previous season's skis on the cheap - check Sport Conrad for example.
If you really can only afford one pair, get a 110mm twin tip with camber underfoot and rockered tip/tail - that's about the best compromise to cover all bases IMO. Pretty much every company has one...
Others mentioned the Whitedot Director. Really nice ski, and the NEW one would work well (longer sidecut section and effective edge). If you care about piste skiing then the old one probably wouldn't - unless you spend most of your time offpiste, in which case it could be ideal and cheap.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| clarky999 wrote: |
I think the notion that Europe gets way less snow than e.g. US and Canada is propaganda... It snows plenty here (rest of Alps may differ...), and they seem to get plagued with shitty conditions over there at least as regularly!
If you really can only afford one pair, get a 110mm twin tip with camber underfoot and rockered tip/tail - that's about the best compromise to cover all bases IMO. Pretty much every company has one...
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Sorta agree on the former although treeline makes a big difference. European storm days can be proper grim if the lifts are even running. I think Europe tends to be the victim of blocking weather systems that can prevent storms for up to 3 weeks at a time but it seems that N America is becoming more susceptible to these too. Certainly California has had a Pacific ridge for it seems like years.
Re the latter you know that's my feeling but I kinda question if the OP has done 2 seasons and doesn't know what they want maybe they aren't that advanced and something in the mid 90s would suit.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Atomic Theorys?! 95 underfoot so plenty of float for what will drop in VT, plenty of edge hold for the groomers, lightweight and twin tipped. They're also not break-the-bank pricey. The 177 length would be ideal i think.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
A skier in Europe who spends 25% of his ski time in powder is a very, very, fortunate chap.
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I don't know, I think 25% is fairly accurate for an average season especially for people based in resorts.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I don't know, I think 25% is fairly accurate for an average season especially for people based in resorts.
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Yes - not far off.
But there is another issue - the amount of time you spend skiing offpiste in non-powder conditions (spring snow, chalk, soft bumps, whatever).
@Jamieibk, I'm a bit surprised you say you spend 70% on piste after two seasons. When I did my single season (Courchevel) I was mainly using pistes to get to the off-piste areas I wanted to ski. And that was on old school skinny skis. I'd say over the season I spent 60-70% of my time on ungroomed snow (including mogul fields etc).
I think Clarky's advice is good although if you are going to be flying for holidays in future then I would be quite happy with one pair
"If you really can only afford one pair, get a 110mm twin tip with camber underfoot and rockered tip/tail - that's about the best compromise to cover all bases IMO. Pretty much every company has one... " although I'd say 100-110.
That said, if you are really going to be spending 70% of your time on piste I personally think you have quite a difficult compromise to make between something that is good in the park and really rewarding on piste (no doubt that something stiff with a traditional camber is better on piste).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you are going back out for another season, I'd wait until you get to resort to look at skis. Chance to try plenty out (probably more than in a fridge here, and on more varied terrain), some places offer discounts to seasonnaires or may have last seasons remaining stock going for cheap.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Oh sorry , 170cm? is that the size i should opt for
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