 Poster: A snowHead
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I was going to pm easiski with this one but thought others may be interested .
My SO is vertically challenged and ideally would like to ski something in the 140s.
She is probably a decent skier and uses unisex skis - but as has been mentioned before - can not get them small enough.
Some manufacturers (Fischer and Atomic) I notice do kids versions of their better skis ( eg Fischer WC - RC.)
Are these skis in smaller sizes just smaller versions of their big brothers - and consequently real alternatives for ladies?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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 am very short also, and ski Volkl Attiva 4* - these are a womens' specific ski, but I like them because they suit my height and weight. I was advised not to use childrens skis because they are not built to take the muscular strength of an adult, even a small one.
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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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My lovely other half is how shall I say..... stumpy, now i love her non the less for this but she too skis a 140 ski, we went out and got her a pair of Dynastar Sweet Trouble twin tips in 140cm, which are holding up great and recently got some Line Celebrity Mini ones for trashing on dry doormat slope.
So
IMHO, if your SO is really that short then go for it, The Wend really has had some cracking jumps off the Dynies!
A
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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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adam_button, Mrs Button wouldn't appreciate being called 'stumpy' . My kids just about get away with 'hobbit' but I haven't got hairy toes. ' 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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In all honesty, the jr skis are not up to par with the adult skis, unless you get into the high end race version of junior skis. If you are going to pay out the coin for those, you may as well get her into a really nice women specific ski.
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Thanks everyone , so the panel seems to be divided! to be fair I was alluding to the high-end version of the kids race skis ... and SnowHot, if you read some of the other threads on the subject of ladies skis you will see that some very experienced ladies hereabouts are yet to find a women-specific ski that they would describe as 'better than average'.....
Helen Beaumont, I've used short-arze once or twice but I've learnt now .. 
docsquid, I'd have thought there were some impressively fit and strong youngsters around - and as we have seen here , many are infinitely more skilled as juniors than most of us can aspire to .. so I'm a little surprised at that ... I assumed it was just a height and weight thing?
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Wed 4-10-06 9:28; edited 1 time in total
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Agenterre, Remember that skis know how heavy you are - not how tall.....how much does you SO weigh ?
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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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Agenterre, Looking at the Salomon size chart (based on weight) - 145/150cms seems to be the starting size for her. Salomon do have several adult skis that short...but you'll need to find them !
Looking at the children I coach on plastic, they grow out of childrens skis when they are still quite small (13-16 yrs), so I'd not be too sure they'd be a great idea...probably a demo is the best way.
Bartletts of Hilllingdon have a huge range of skis -espcially race skis for adults and children, why not ask them ?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Agenterre, I like most of my students to be on skis between shoulder beginners) and bottom of nose height, so if your lady is less than 5' she'd pretty much have to get junior skis. At 55 Kgs she's around 9st though, so a short adult one would be better. My favoured hire shop has lots of Volkl Unlimiteds in 142 etc, because I want them for my peeps. However they're proving so popular that they're getting loads more in this year between 135 and 160. I just think lots of ski shops are behind the times. Doesn't help your lady though.
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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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Agenterre, I was flatly refused the hire of childrens' skis in Courchevel. I wanted something around 140-150cm, and wanted to try the Atomic kids' slalom skis. They said I would be too big and strong. Although I am only 5 ft 2 and only weigh 7 1/2 stone, and take age 12 clothing (I am the same size I was when I was 12 years old and I am now 48!), they still said an adult woman is stronger than a 12 year old child, and that I could break the skis.
This is odd, because a lady motorcyclist I know in Canada, who is also a ski instructor, uses childrens' skis by choice, as she is also very small and slight. I suspect it is a legal thing - if they hire childrens' skis to you and you break them and get injured, then they may be held liable. If you break adult skis it is your own problem.
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| Quote: |
I suspect it is a legal thing
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I suspect it is a money thing. Kids skis are cheaper. Same reason pubs won't serve you a children's sausage and chips. We bought some second hand skis in a shop near Annecy, to be used by visitors to our apartment, mostly a lot more than 7/8 stone. A helpful guy went through the options and sold me some skis which he said would be fine for lightish adults. Rossignol Saphir VS 140cm, in good condition. He was right, and they have been extremely successful, saving a variety of female visitors a fortune in hire costs. Some beginners, one (my daughter) quite a good skier who has been at it for 18 years. One of those concerned was hefty, to put it no more bluntly, and she crashed around happily on the skis, including some jumps on one of her private lessons. No complaints at all. My personal, non-technical, prejudiced view is that ski shops regularly put holiday skiers on planks which are far longer than they need and several middle-aged British friends have been much happier after I have personally escorted them back to the shop and insisted on shorter ones, ignoring all the clucking and head shaking from the athletic mountain-bred 20 year olds behind the counter.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Agenterre wrote: |
SnowHot, if you read some of the other threads on the subject of ladies skis you will see that some very experienced ladies hereabouts are yet to find a women-specific ski that they would describe as 'better than average'.....
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you will find that I am one of those women. I have 7 pair of skis, only one of which is a women specific ski.
WSS's are bringing the technology up a notch, so you will be seeing a lot of improvements in that area.
I still think that a majority of the women skis are going to be a bit noodly, but I also think they will have a few offerings that will target the aggressive woman skier.
However, I am a bit of a gear junkie and I only see the Highest end of junior skis as being substantial enough for an adult woman. If you're going to pay that $$$, then you may as well get a unisex ski or a WSS.
Now....if you get a great deal on a HIGH end Jr ski, go for it.
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FAQ
not that our scales have a memory feature of course) and I confess I thought it was a combination of both height and weight ..
