Comments on: How To Define The Right Length For Your Alpine Skis http://homeboyski.com/2007/10/13/how-to-define-the-right-lenght-for-your-alpine-skis/ Kick Ass Ski Blog! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:16:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gourdhedd http://homeboyski.com/2007/10/13/how-to-define-the-right-lenght-for-your-alpine-skis/comment-page-1/#comment-7055 Gourdhedd Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:05:02 +0000 http://homeboyski.com/2007/10/13/how-to-select-the-right-lenght-for-your-alpine-skis/#comment-7055 Great advice, bbells, keep saying it. I went skiing for the first time at age 53 back in January. On the advice of a relative, I rented equipment from a hardware store in a small town in Colorado. Skis were sized to fall between my chin and eyes in length. Boots were atrociously uncomfortable. I found that I couldn't turn, and if I went straight, I went too fast and fell. By the end of day, I was beginning to think that this sport was not for me. We decided to go again in March. I looked the guy at the rental counter in the eye and told him firmly that I wanted ski that a beginner could use. He handed a set of 140cm ski and a better boot than previously. IT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. I could now turn, and in doing so, could control my speed so that I could ski rather than fall. For people like me, all the advice in the world that would apply to the 26 year old hot dogs is meaningless. I need comfort and tractability. Gary Great advice, bbells, keep saying it.

I went skiing for the first time at age 53 back in January. On the advice of a relative, I rented equipment from a hardware store in a small town in Colorado. Skis were sized to fall between my chin and eyes in length. Boots were atrociously uncomfortable. I found that I couldn’t turn, and if I went straight, I went too fast and fell. By the end of day, I was beginning to think that this sport was not for me.

We decided to go again in March. I looked the guy at the rental counter in the eye and told him firmly that I wanted ski that a beginner could use. He handed a set of 140cm ski and a better boot than previously. IT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. I could now turn, and in doing so, could control my speed so that I could ski rather than fall.

For people like me, all the advice in the world that would apply to the 26 year old hot dogs is meaningless. I need comfort and tractability.

Gary

]]> By: bbells http://homeboyski.com/2007/10/13/how-to-define-the-right-lenght-for-your-alpine-skis/comment-page-1/#comment-4754 bbells Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:26:04 +0000 http://homeboyski.com/2007/10/13/how-to-select-the-right-lenght-for-your-alpine-skis/#comment-4754 2/2/2009 - I disagree - in some cases. Like everything there is no one rule to follow when picking ski length. I am a ski patrol in the midwest and I am finding out something very interesting. Many of the skiers who are not into performance or high speeds are doing better with shorter than suggested skis. These are the people who are just getting back into the sport or hit a plateau between beginner and intermediate and can't advance. I have seen males 6' tall go to 155cm from 170cm skis and instantly their ability moves up a level. Same with females, 5'8" going from 150cm to 135cm and having the same affect. It appears to me that if a person is skiing on the hard packed, crusty, midwest snow, and just wants to do recreational skiing and 'tour' down the hill or make it down the slope at a comfortable and not fast, yet controllable speed, they should consider renting some shorter skis. Ski shops and rental areas are not yet suggesting shorter skis for these people because I don't think they watch the people on the slopes. But, I have suggested borderline skiers go back and swap for shorter skis when they are having problems. This usually gives those people a much more enjoyable day. And, isn't that what it is all about? 2/2/2009 – I disagree – in some cases. Like everything there is no one rule to follow when picking ski length. I am a ski patrol in the midwest and I am finding out something very interesting. Many of the skiers who are not into performance or high speeds are doing better with shorter than suggested skis. These are the people who are just getting back into the sport or hit a plateau between beginner and intermediate and can’t advance. I have seen males 6′ tall go to 155cm from 170cm skis and instantly their ability moves up a level. Same with females, 5’8″ going from 150cm to 135cm and having the same affect. It appears to me that if a person is skiing on the hard packed, crusty, midwest snow, and just wants to do recreational skiing and ‘tour’ down the hill or make it down the slope at a comfortable and not fast, yet controllable speed, they should consider renting some shorter skis. Ski shops and rental areas are not yet suggesting shorter skis for these people because I don’t think they watch the people on the slopes. But, I have suggested borderline skiers go back and swap for shorter skis when they are having problems. This usually gives those people a much more enjoyable day. And, isn’t that what it is all about?

]]> By: Volkl 07/08 Ski Review - Katana, Gotama, Mantra and Tigershark 10FT Power Switch | Homeboy's Skiing Blog http://homeboyski.com/2007/10/13/how-to-define-the-right-lenght-for-your-alpine-skis/comment-page-1/#comment-2069 Volkl 07/08 Ski Review - Katana, Gotama, Mantra and Tigershark 10FT Power Switch | Homeboy's Skiing Blog Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:12:20 +0000 http://homeboyski.com/2007/10/13/how-to-select-the-right-lenght-for-your-alpine-skis/#comment-2069 [...] Oh, and if you are going to purchase new skis, check out our tips for defining the right length for your skis! [...] [...] Oh, and if you are going to purchase new skis, check out our tips for defining the right length for your skis! [...]

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