 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
My wife's friend ( 5' 6" ish ) keeps on going on at my missus about how wonderful short skis are ... she uses skis that are 1m20cm long. Currently my wife ( same size ) uses 1m50 skis, which I insist are better for her ....who is right ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
On the face of it, you probably are....especially if your Missus is happy on 150s.
Weight and ability have a big influence on length.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
150cm best, 120cm essentially a kid's ski length (bet the friend never skis fast, or has amazing balance!).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
My 9 year old has out grown her 120's. 150 sounds about right to me for a piste ski.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@Irrev, @musher, Yes that's what I thought, but why ? The friend says it's far easier skiing on short skis as they " they turn quicker, easier to do hard slopes etc. ".
What are the downsides to short skis ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| eblunt wrote: |
What are the downsides to (overly) short skis ? |
- Squirrelly
- Unstable
- Lack of support
- Not enough surface area for more difficult snow conditions
- Easily overpowered
- Lack of edge grip
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My 8 year old has 129cm skis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'd say 150 is still too short for someone 5ft 6. 120 is WAY too short. Echo @Old Fartbag'S list.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Upside. Easy to carry when you have to carry for the OH.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@eblunt, Bet your friend's wife snowploughs! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
I saw a few (independent) people on weirdly short skis in Jungfrau a couple of weeks ago. They stood out because they were flying down runs with apparently no control of their speed or direction. I don't know if that was the skis or it was just their first day skiing and someone had told them short skis were easy 
Skis aren't exactly difficult to turn, if you can ski even slightly competently... so assuming that your wife can, then I can't see what advantage short skis would give her?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
I'm female, mature, 5 ft 5". Depending on make, the normal recomended standard piste/carver-style ski with normal camber design is around 150-158 (I ski a 166 All Mountain but that has significant tail and tip rocker).
I started off on a 144s when I bought my first skis many years ago, as a low intermediate - and they were great, very agile, forgiving and great on short turns, edged nicely and did everything that I wanted of them. But as I got better I found them unstable at speed, not very fast and not giving me what my skill level wanted to do. So I got a pair of 152s and now also the 166 AMs (which are around the same contact length as a 152-155 I think). They are a lot better at speed but (being of the same make and model) have a longer radius so are not quite able to give me such tight short turns (skidded, pivoted, jumped or carved). I miss them for that but I wouldn't go back to them, and my abilities have increased greatly since I got the longer skis. If anything I now want a longer ski, but maybe with a shorter radius (for piste groomers as opposed to other conditions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| eblunt wrote: |
@Irrev, @musher, Yes that's what I thought, but why ? The friend says it's far easier skiing on short skis as they " they turn quicker, easier to do hard slopes etc. ".
What are the downsides to short skis ? |
Significantly reduced stability at even moderate let alone higher speeds (hence safety issue), reduced flotation in fresh snow (less surface area; another possible safety issue), reduced grip on icy, steep surfaces (less ski edge length) and likely to impede skill development (i.e. it's much easier to 'cheat' on very short skis and if you stick with that length, difficult then to learn how to use whole ski effectively and hence make progress). Not aware of any manufacturers recommending a piste ski length for ladies of the quoted height at less than approx 150cm (but what do the designers know?!). Essentially the friend is on a 'novelty' ski, and her skiing will be limited, certainly re speed. All sounds a little 'idiosyncratic' ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| eblunt wrote: |
What are the downsides to (overly) short skis ? |
- Squirrelly |
Interesting term, though can't locate in my ponderous tome of techy ski terms. Am always up for learning a new trick, maybe you can demo this for me?! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
...like riding on 2 frenetic racing snakes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| ...like riding on 2 frenetic racing snakes. |
Novel, sounds positively poisonous fun. Short ski are us then? After you, sir ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Irrev wrote: |
| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| ...like riding on 2 frenetic racing snakes. |
Novel, sounds positively poisonous fun. Short ski are us then? After you, sir ... |
Pass.....I'd rather dig some of the 2m jobbies out of the attic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| Irrev wrote: |
| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| ...like riding on 2 frenetic racing snakes. |
Novel, sounds positively poisonous fun. Short ski are us then? After you, sir ... |
Pass.....I'd rather dig some of the 2m jobbies out of the attic. |
And the multi-day-glo onesie too while you're at it! Ah, nostalgia ain't what it used to be ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
