Ski Advice

[eastcoastpowderhound]

I didn't know.

I figured as much...which was why I mentioned it...nip it in the bud before it leads to time on a shrinks couch. ;-)

 

[hammer]

I didn't know.

No worries...I would have figured that one out sooner or later.:smile:

 

[koreshot]

Just hand him the 170 Fischers and tell him "here, man up!"

 

[awf170]

In a way, you're probably right. Perhaps a taller skier could still use a longer ski due to leverage or something, but weight, I think, is a much more important factor. Any length estimates based solely on height are probably only good if you are exactly average weight for your height. I'm 6' 1" but only 165 lbs so I've been leaning towards shorter skis lately.

I've actually been thinking about the leverage thing lately. Yes, more height will give you more leverage, but being taller is also going to make you weaker (lets say the skiers have the same body fat %)

Ex:
Skier one is 6 ft. tall and 135 pounds (15% body fat)
Skier two is 5 ft. 6 inches tall and 135 pounds (15% body fat)

Yes, skier one is going to have slightly more leverage but they also going to be slightly weaker since some of his body weight is taken away in height instead of muscle. So in my very uninformed opinion both these skiers will even out in the amount of force they can apply on the ski, making height a useless judge. Opinions?

 

[koreshot]

I've actually been thinking about the leverage thing lately. Yes, more height will give you more leverage, but being taller is also going to make you weaker (lets say the skiers have the same body fat %)

Ex:
Skier one is 6 ft. tall and 135 pounds (15% body fat)
Skier two is 5 ft. 6 inches tall and 135 pounds (15% body fat)

Yes, skier one is going to have slightly more leverage but they also going to be slightly weaker since some of his body weight is taken away in height instead of muscle. So in my very uninformed opinion both these skiers will even out in the amount of force they can apply on the ski, making height a useless judge. Opinions?

I would like to provide my equally uninformed and guessy opinion on this. If height was not a big factor in being able to pressure the skis and get the best out of them then why are these guys all in the almost 6 feet and taller range:

Alberto Tomba - 5'11"
Herminator - 5'11"
Bode - 6'2"
Eberharter - 5'11"
Raich - 6'

Height has got to matter somewhat...

 

[andyzee]

Just hand him the 170 Fischers and tell him "here, man up!"

Best advice yet!

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

I've actually been thinking about the leverage thing lately. Yes, more height will give you more leverage, but being taller is also going to make you weaker (lets say the skiers have the same body fat %)

Ex:
Skier one is 6 ft. tall and 135 pounds (15% body fat)
Skier two is 5 ft. 6 inches tall and 135 pounds (15% body fat)

Yes, skier one is going to have slightly more leverage but they also going to be slightly weaker since some of his body weight is taken away in height instead of muscle. So in my very uninformed opinion both these skiers will even out in the amount of force they can apply on the ski, making height a useless judge. Opinions?

All depends on where the weight is located...if the 6' guy has a head that weighs 100lbs and the rest of his stick figure is 35lbs he's going to want a longer ski than the short guy who's cankles weigh 100lbs and the rest of him weighs 35lbs.
All kidding aside, it comes down to fore/aft balance...the taller you are the more subtle changes in your balance will affect the tip of the ski...a longer ski will smooth out the ride. Turn shape and type of snow will have at least as much to do with ski length...all those world cup guys race SL on 165s...but if you caught up to them on a powder day they'd be on something quite a bit longer.
Ps. 6' tall and 135...that dude needs to eat several dozen cheeseburgers...daily.

 

[bigbog]

...better length..imo

jack97 included a link on eBay for RX-6s in a 150cm length, same price as Sierra Snowboards...may be worth considering. Anyone here had any bad experiences with eBay purchases?

that's a much better length for him..in that ski...$.01

I figured as much...which was why I mentioned it...nip it in the bud before it leads to time on a shrinks couch. ;-)

:lol: :lol:

 

[hammer]

Still sitting on that fence...any other ski recommendations for a 5'6" 14 (almost 15) YO intermediate?

 

[Greg]

I've actually been thinking about the leverage thing lately. Yes, more height will give you more leverage, but being taller is also going to make you weaker (lets say the skiers have the same body fat %)

Ex:
Skier one is 6 ft. tall and 135 pounds (15% body fat)
Skier two is 5 ft. 6 inches tall and 135 pounds (15% body fat)

Yes, skier one is going to have slightly more leverage but they also going to be slightly weaker since some of his body weight is taken away in height instead of muscle. So in my very uninformed opinion both these skiers will even out in the amount of force they can apply on the ski, making height a useless judge. Opinions?

Also, you need to consider the type of ski. A skinny bump ski will not provide as much stability as a similar length mid-fat or powder ski.

 

[tree_skier]

Here's one option

http://shop.sierrasnowboard.com/browse.cfm/4,2798.htm

a recreational slalom ski in 150 would be a good ski for him and size should be good for 2-3 years.

Or

http://www.ski-depot.com/miva/merch...jr07&Category_Code=fischkid07&Product_Count=0

For $349 with binding a jr GS race ski up to 170 length but a 165 would work nicely for him. and jr SL go up to 150 depending on if he prefers short or long turns. I would recommend the jr ski over the adult at his age and at 349 for ski and binding tough to beat.

My 12 yo 5'6" 135 lbs son is racing on junior 150 SL, 165 GS and 185 SG skis. I hope to keep him in the Jr skis for at least 2 more seasons. On most east coast days it's hard to beat a race ski especially for youth that fit the Junior ski market.

 

[WWF-VT]

Still sitting on that fence...any other ski recommendations for a 5'6" 14 (almost 15) YO intermediate?

Give Ski-Depot a call. May be a few more $ than ebay or sierra but it's better to get the right length for the Fischer RX-6's and ask them about the AMC line for your son's size and ability

 

[hammer]

Went the cheapo route for now...bought a pair of 160cm Fischer RX3s (with the Railflex2 system and FS10 bindings) at a local ski shop for $149. As far as I can tell, they seem to be equivalent to the RX4s...not an advanced ski but my son's a relative lightweight so I don't think he will overpower them at this point.