 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there, i'm 6'1'' and 180lb.
I'd classify myself as an intermediate-to-expert skier. I usually do glades and moguls on ski trips. often go to whistler.
I wanted to ask some of you skiing people for an opinion. I've never used skis more than 168cm long. However, the online calculators based on height and weight suggest 176-181cm length.
I'm deciding between rossignol experience 83 skis that come in 168 and 176cm lengths.
Should I go for 176? In theory it would give me more support on steeper hills, however, I wanted quick turns on moguls.
I can't say i've experimented enough to make that call. Do you think i'd find I'd have a lot more stability in the glades since the longer skis would be able to hold my weight well?
What would you guys recommend?
Thanks so much!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Arrowx7, welcome to Snowheads.  I'm an old age pensioner, not an expert skier, I'm shorter and lighter than you are, and I ski on 163/165. I'd say 168 is pretty 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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176 at least! I'm not as experienced as you and 4" shorter but my skis range between 173 and 182.
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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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Great! thanks so much! Also, do you guys know if 83cm a good all-mountain ski? I mostly ski in the east, some Calgary. They don't really get many powder days anyway. The odd time I go to whistler I can rent powder skis. Or do you think something like 86 or 88 also good for groomed runs? I guess not as much edge holding though...
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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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Arrowx7, from my very limited knowledge, it's not just about the width, but also the overall ski type and construction. ie not all 88 cm wide skis will feel the same. Will your local ski retailers not give you some decent advice?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Something in the mid 80s (I guess you mean mm not cm!) is at the bottom end of all mountain skis but perfectly capable, for my first course in off piste skiing in a few weeks I'll have my 102mm Armadas as my first choice but will take my 84mm wide Storm Rages as backups in case the Armadas turn out to be a bit fat. I got lots of help when choosing my all mountains http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=1722528&highlight=mountain#1722528
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Welcome to Snowheads!
I'm 5'10" and I now have 168cm skis. I've had 195cm in the dim distant past, but these shorter fatter skis are much more responsive, and they're especially fun in the moguls. I'd imagine you're probably a bit tall for 168's and would be better with the 176's.
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Thanks for all the replies!
What is a disadvantage for a taller/heavier guy on smaller skis? I feel like you'll be able to turn better and be more agile. I guess going faster will be difficult somehow?
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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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On shorter skis you will probably find they "chatter" at speed, you would have more stability with longer ones. Short narrower skis won't float so easily, if your a great skier this won't matter so much but they will show up imperfect technique in the softer stuff.
Having said that I'm tall and heavy, I love shorter skis! Downside being because of the extra bulk the poor things are having to carry they lose their "pop" pretty quick. There is always a trade off.
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Add to the mix that my 179 obsethed have the same contact length ( ish ) as my 169 vicious. Im 5'7". So dont forget to take into account rocker etc...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Arrowx7, You really should try them before buying them. Get to a demo day. As said above modern construction with rockers etc can make a huge difference to actual contact length.
They are not cheap and you are going to use them for some time so get to a test day somewhere. If you are at Whistler there are tests all the time - go to the Yurt outside the Roundhouse and they will let you borrow stuff for half a day. Or just use your rental time to try the full range of skis they have in different sizes. I am same height and bit heavier and ski between 165 and 180 depending totally on the ski.
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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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I think it was Rossignol experience 83's , might have been 88's 180cms that I was given as hire skis from UCPA on their offpiste week last season, excellent in big carving turns on & off piste but as responsive as a london bus in tight turns, useless in moguls compared to my geriatric head 1100s. which are 170s, I'm also 6'1" but more like 200lbs dripping wet
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Thanks for all your help guys! I ended up going for the Rossi Experience 83 in 176, great ski!
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You know it makes sense.
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Just some more data to help anyone else. Mr Mogulski and I both have Rossignol Experience 78's which we love and they do work all mountain, including moguls. He is 5'11" and on 174cm and I am 5'4" and on 166cm.
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