TLDR;
Longer skis have more stability and float better in snow
, but they also have a larger turning radius. Shorter skis sacrifice stability (especially at speed) but are quick to respond and easier to make short sharp turns. Short skis turn faster but long skis go faster.
What size skis for your height?
| Skier Height (ft) Skier Height (cm) Suggested Ski Lengths (cm) | 5’2′′ 158 145-165 | 5’4′′ 163 150-170 | 5’6′′ 168 155-175 | 5’8′′ 173 160-180 |
|---|
What size skis for 5’2 woman?
| User Height (in) User Height (cm) Beginner Length (cm) | 5’0′′ 152 137 | 5’2′′ 158 143 | 5’4′′ 163 148 | 5’6′′ 168 153 |
|---|
What size skis for beginners?
A beginner will need skis that are quite short:
10 to 15cm less than their own height for downhill skis
. A good skier might choose skis which are the same height as themselves for downhill skiing (and sometimes even a little longer for freeriding).
What size men’s skis do I need?
In general, the proper ski length is
somewhere between your chin and the top of your head
. For example, a skier that is 6′ tall will want to look for skis between 170cm and 190cm.
Is it OK to ski with short skis?
Shorter skis are great for ease of control
. They are lightweight, more maneuverable, and feel more playful. Shorter skis are easier to turn than longer skis. Because of their reduced length, shorter skis have less contact with the snow, and so there is less friction when pushing through a turn.
How do I know if my skis are too short?
The ski is too short when the soft snow platform under it will not support the load from your turn and you slide sideways instead of base-carve arc-2-arc when you would be carving arc-2-arc on a longer ski.
How long do skis last?
The average skier replaces their skis every
8 years
but your skis peak performance diminishes after 100-125 full days of use – that’s five years if you ski 20 days a year.
What size skis for 5 7 man?
| User Height (in) User Height (cm) Intermediate Length (cm) | 5’4′′ 163 156 | 5’6′′ 168 161 | 5’8′′ 173 166 | 5’10” 178 171 |
|---|
What size skis for a 5 foot woman?
| Skier Height Ski Length (cm) | ft / in cm Intermediate | 5’0′′ 152 150 | 5’2′′ 158 155 | 5’4′′ 163 160 |
|---|
How long should kids skis be?
For sizing kids’ skis, a good rule of thumb is youth skis should come
somewhere between the child’s chest and nose
. If your child is a newbie skier, lightweight for their height, and prefers turning over being speedy, then you’ll likely want to size skis around chest or chin level.
What size skis for a 5’6 woman?
| Skier Height in Feet and Inches Skier Height in Centimeters Beginner to Intermediate Length (cm) | 5’4′′ 162 147-153 | 5’6′′ 167 153-160 | 5’8′′ 172 157-164 | 5’10” 177 163-173 |
|---|
Does weight matter for ski size?
Weight. Weight also plays a factor in deciding which skis you’ll buy. A good rule of thumb is that,
if you weigh less than the average for your height, you should opt for shorter skis
. If you weigh more than average, you should opt for longer skis.
Are used skis worth it?
Summary.
Buying secondhand skis is an excellent way to save money
. The condition of the used skis you purchase is crucial to your enjoyment on the Colorado ski slopes. You also want skis that will last a couple of seasons.
How should skis fit for kids?
- They are a beginner or cautious skier.
- Their weight is lighter than average for their height.
- They like to make short, quick turns and seldom ski fast.
Can a beginner use intermediate skis?
#2 Intermediate Skis
The ski will vibrate less at higher speeds and feel more stable underfoot.
It will be harder for a beginner to learn to ski on an intermediate ski
, but a better skier will benefit from this stiffer, more precise type of ski.
Should my skis be taller than me?
Professional and experienced skiers usually go with skis taller than their heights
. But as for the regular or inexperienced ones, it is better to go with skis just a few centimeters shorter than their height. Most professionals recommend getting skis that are tall enough to reach your chin.
Is it harder to ski with longer skis?
The length and waist width of your skis determines how much surface area your ski is touching on the snow. A longer, fatter ski will float more in deeper snow, as well as gain speed faster as your weight is more dispersed along the ski. The tradeoff is that
longer skis are harder to control
.
Why do longer skis go faster?
Longer skis are generally faster than the shorter ones mainly due to basic physics.
You are exerting fewer pounds in terms of the pressure you are putting on the ski precisely because of its larger surface area
. This reduces the drag on the ski and will allow it to glide through the snow smoother instead of plowing.
Do shorter skis go slower?
Shorter skis turn easier
, particularly in the moguls. A shorter ski typically has a smaller turning radius which means that you will spend less time in the fall line and that results in slower skiing and better speed control.
Are shorter skis better for knees?
In saying that
yes shorter skis will be easier on your knees as there’ll be less leverage on them when turning
. However you may find it less satisfying & have more trouble controlling them at speed as shorted skis are less statisfying.
What length skis for intermediate skier?
Beginners and intermediate skiers will go for the shorter length in their range (
10 to 15cm under height
) to get a ski that’s smooth and easy to control. Advanced skiers will prefer a longer ski for more stability. Head for the greater lengths (5 to 10cm under height) in this case.
