 Poster: A snowHead
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What skis should I get in terms of size/type/width/settings when I hire in Obergurgl on the 2nd.
I am 178cm (5'10/11"), 13.5 stone and have about two weeks experience being a happy parallel skier on easier slopes, but apprehensive as hell when on steeper pistes and then tending to stem turn/snowplough. Not interested off-piste at this point in time.
I was given 175's in Italy earlier this year and they felt wrong, wrong, wrong.
All advice and thoughts welcome as I really don't wish to leave it to the whim of some hungovern ski shop guy, and at present I have insufficient knowledge to help myself.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Peter Leuzzi,
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was given 175's in Italy earlier this year and they felt wrong, wrong, wrong.
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in what way ? Skis should be about head height - so 175 seems OK - did they feel too long, too short ?
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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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IMO 175 is on the long side for you, particularly given your experience. I think you'd find 170's a much more amenable length. You could even go shorter - perhaps 165. I think it would help with your parallel turns, but that is only my opinion. They do say that for a general ski for piste use, aim for anywhere between nose and forehead.
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I am 5'11" and 12-ish stone and I find 170 a perfect length for all-mountain use.
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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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Peter Leuzzi, Try and get a pair of Fischer RX 8 I have not used them myself but know 3 people that have. All have given glowing reports and there ability ranges from ski instructor to 3 week skier, as for size 170 seems right but i'm no expert.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Wait see what our top ten throws up on friday night. 
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!75cm seem long. I'm 4 inces taller and ski on 175. I thought guidance was chin to nose high unless you are doing serious off piste. I'd go chin high
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How much is weight a factor, or is height the dominant/only variable to consider? (for intermediates). 
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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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They do say that weight is a more important factor than height. However, the original poster appears to be an average weight for his height so I would say the general rule of thumb is as good as any. I would guess that the ski itself is a factor as well as length ie. stiffness, especially for heavier more aggressive skiers. All depends on where you take the ski as well I suppose. Too many variables 
(I stil say anthing in the 170 range would be a good option for the poster, apart from Metrons which would obviously need to be shorter).
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Thanks for your comments.
ski, felt like clown shoes actually. They were just so long and as my technique isn't all there as yet a couple of times my skis crossed. I didn't feel as though I had sensitivity there, if that makes sense.
conor, funnily enough I tried 165's at Milton Keynes last week and they felt great. I just didnt want to fetter opinions by letting on too early in the thread. Are they likely too short once I get out onto the real stuff?
clive ward, why Fischer RX8? Are they likely to be available in a ski hire shop in Obergurgl?
SMALLZOOKEEPER, I saw that thread earlier and think maybe if someone could help me identify a bunch of options of ski types (suitable to my physique and experience) I could then walk into the shop day one and work my way down the list until I get one available. Will you assist?
No-one has commented on settings. Thoughts please?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Peter Leuzzi, I've only skied in Soll Austria this year and they were in all the Shops to hire. Fischer is a very popular ski in Austria. PS did you read my post? thats the reason
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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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Peter Leuzzi, 165s then...you can always change them later in the week.....
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ski, agreed. But how will I know that I should get longer skis? The 165's will assist me to improve but how would they feel when I knwo they are no longer what I want?
Also, can I ask what you think for my wife, a nervous 2nd weeker. She is 5'6" and 9 stone 4. 155's?
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You know it makes sense.
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Peter Leuzzi, if you like the 165's you may not want longer skis. Benefits of longer skis would be more stability at speed and more flotation in powder, but you are not yet at that stage and when you get there you'll know it. When you get in the hire shop though, be adamant about what you want otherwise you might end up on something too long again.
Re your wife, yes I'd say a nice easy turny ski in about 155. My wife is on Atomic C9's in around that length. She loves them but not sure if you'll find them in the hire shops now though.
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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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conor, you are bang on with your comments, me thinks! This is the whole point of my asking this question - I want to be confident with the hire shop gang because I can imagine it'd be hit and miss unless I can be somewhat assertive.
clive ward, noted re the Fischer's. Anyone suggest some alternatives to them?
SMALLZOOKEEPER, where are you? Shirking my question?
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Poster: A snowHead
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conor,
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you might end up on something too long again.
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Long...do me a favour. I'm only 165cm and as a total beginner I was onto 165...many years ago. The last skinny skis I used were 190 (around 18 weeks use). I'm testing out some skis next week, I will be on 166's. Rant over
Skis have got shorter and more shaped. Peter Leuzzi, lessons will help you to improve, and as a guide WC Slalom skiers (men) are on about 155cm.... easiski can put me right if they are a little longer this season.
Everyone crosses their skis sometimes! Have a read of some online reviews and make your own shortlist, write it down, give it to the tech in the hire shop, and they will have something to match you to.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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snowbunny, will you come to Obergurgl with me?
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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snowbunny, April 2nd. Do you mind:
a) negotiating my ski hire,
b) sleeping in between my wife and I,
c) babysitting every other night? 
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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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snowbunny, too long for him I mean. He did say in his initial post that he was not entirely happy on the 175's, hence the suggestion to go shorter.
Can't remember what I learned on, probably 170-175. I think going shorter as a beginner could be very beneficial in improving turns.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Peter, I'd go with 165-170 for you, and as others have suggested stay shorter unless you really need to go longer (some go longer rather than going for a stiffer ski, some because a longer ski will absorb more mistakes, and it's easier to do that than admit to needing lessons, and some go longer because they race gates all day every day)
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Peter Leuzzi, I wasn't suggesting that you should go longer.....rather that you could change if you want too...I'd ditto Wear The Fox Hat, 's advice...
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snowbunny, WC skiers (men) are on minimum 165cm, due to FIS regs (women are on minimum 155). Slalom skiers would be on shorter if they could, but IIRC the reg was put in place to try and lower the Gs pulled and prevent ACL injuries.
Peter Leuzzi, shorter skis will be more manouvrable but also generally twitchier. Last time I was on a piste only trip I was on 160cm, but I use 184 for off-piste (I'm a couple of cm taller than you and a bit heavier at 90+ kg and the extra flotation in soft snow is pretty necessary). I would probably agree with WTFH for you for piste skiing at 165-170. You'd only need longer if you were going for some high speed stuff, but I wouldn't recommend that at your experience level. Go for a ski advertised as an "on-piste carver" (i.e. a bit gentler than a slalom ski) in 165 and you should have a ball. If it catches you out too much, and you find you have to concentrate more than you want to, change it for something 5cm longer. (Reading back, it looks like that's what ski recommended too)
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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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GrahamN,
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snowbunny, WC skiers (men) are on minimum 165cm, due to FIS regs (women are on minimum 155). Slalom skiers would be on shorter if they could, but IIRC the reg was put in place to try and lower the Gs pulled and prevent ACL injuries.
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Thanks for clarifying that. 
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