Ski Length - Am I skiing too short?

A snowHead

Hi guys,

I'm now into my third season of skiing and would now consider myself to be a progressing intermediate. I mainly Ski in Scotland being close to Glenshee and Cairngorms though will be visiting France again this year. I'm 5ft 10" tall and medium build weighing 86kg or 189lbs. On holiday I'm happy to ski fairly aggressively on all the black routes, though prefer to carve than straight out downhill speed. I’ve unfortunately not really been all that fortunate enough to experience decent powder and off piste, maybe this year......
At present I ski with 165cm Dynastar Booster 10’s which have a 15m radius and are classed as a Carver. I get on ok with these ski’s but suspect going up to a 170 or 172 would benefit me, given my weight? 165cm seems to a recommended length for my height but as I’m heavier built then I can’t help but think I should be on a longer ski.
I’d be interested if anyone else on here is a similar weight/height etc and what length they ski with. I’ll probably try several lengths on holiday this year would but welcome any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks
Smile

A snowHead

I'd reckon you want skis around 10cm longer than you're currently on - or, whatever makes you happy

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Welcome to SH

Depends on the model ski and how you want to use it- I'm your weight but taller and a more experienced skier. My skis range from a 172 cm Dynastar Contact 10 (72 mm wide carver) to a 191 cm Scott P4 (108 mm wide). The WC guys use a 165 cm for SL and 200+ for downhill, so there really is a different tool for each job.

Without knowing more, I'd recommend getting an all mountain ski that is wider and longer- maybe +-90 mm under foot in the mid 170s, and keep the carver for when the snow is harder. Could go a bit narrower if you plan to ditch the carvers and a bit wider if you will travel with both and want to get more into off piste.

If you like Dynastar, the Legend Sultan 85 in a 172 or 178 is a good all-rounder that has been well reviewed. Lots of other good choices out there as well.

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I'm 5'11 and 76kg, I have 170 (80 waist) twin tips only for the park and 182 (105 waist) powder/all mountain skis which I use 90% of the time.

I mainly ski west coast US though so quite different to Scotland.

I started with 165s and was a bit worried about getting longer skis but I would say go for it and grab yourself something 175-180 and go explore the rest of the mountain. If you get something longer but tip and tail rockered it will still feel (and turn) like a shorter ski.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

I'm 5'10 and about 78kg and my skis range from 169 for my speedwave 11 piste skis to 179 for my Storm all mountains

Help!!

Ski Length - Am I skiing too short?

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