Skis - Ski Length
After deciding on the
Ski Type you need, you then have to choose the appropriate Ski Length. This is very important since it greatly affects your performance in
Skiing. Besides, you will not be comfortable in Skiing if you do not have the
Skis with the proper Ski Length for you. The Ski Length will vary as you progress- from short to longer Skis, or nose-height Skis at the start, then Head-height when you feel a bit more confident. In this section, we will take a look at the different things to consider in finding the Correct Ski Length:
- You need to consider the Skiing Discipline that you want to do, your level of Skiing skill, and also your weight. These factors are definitely great indicators in finding the Correct Ski Length for you.
- Most Skis are measured in centimeters (cm). Conventional Skis usually have five cm increments - from approximately 175 to 210 cm, and most Shaped Skis are 160 cm, 180 cm, or 190 cm long. Most Carving Skis are about 20 cm shorter than the traditional ones. As one of the general guidelines, most Carving Skis should reach between your nose and your forehead.
- Your weight can be a useful guide in choosing the right Ski Length. Ski manufacturers are creating different Skis suited for people in varying weights. It pays to listen to the salesperson or technician. In general, they know better what is right for you. But the right Ski Length can be determined based on the "feel" of the Skis. It falls on the pair of Skis that feels not too long and not too short. Do not go for the extremes. Select the pair that feels right for you.
- If you want Skis that will enable you to steer more easily and carve more effectively at slow speed, choose shorter Skis. Likewise, they are lightweight and very stable.
- If you want to ski through different Snow Conditions such as Crud Snow Condition and tracked Powder Snow Condition, choose longer Skis to keep you centered and to smoothen out Moguls. Longer Skis are also the effective Skis for very aggressive skiers who ski for speed in mountain conditions.
Make sure to determine the Correct Ski Length according to your skill level, your weight, and the Skiing Discipline that you want to pursue. More and more variations of Skis are flooding the market today so you really need to consider these factors so that you can pick out the Skis with the Ski Length suited to your Skiing needs.
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Tuesday 14th August 2007 at 4:23:44 PM
I think ski length should be selected according to one's weight. What the ski "feels" is your weight not your height but, if you are a beginner, choosing a shorter ski will facilitate learning. Once you have mastered parallel skiing you can start selecting a more specific lenght and sidecut. As long as you stay on gentle slopes, short and soft skis will work well enough, as soon as you go to the steeper and harder ones you'll feel the need for a different, more advanced ski.
Excuse my poor english, I'm from Argentina, South America, I hope what I wrote above will be useful to some beginner fighting to maneuver his too long skis.
Jorge Belloni
e-mail : jorge.belloni@gmail.com
Sunday 15th February 2009 at 9:46:13 AM
Jorge, Thank you for your comments. I just started skiing again after 15 yrs. I was an advanced beginner then. A friend suggested a short ski to start. I did well with them, but i found that when i went fast on a steeper hill, i was out of control. I agree with you, because i am 6''2" and weigh over 230lbs. I am now going to try a longer ski that will give me the stability. Thank you and your English is great.
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