Short Skis

[schmalex]

Over the past few years, I have got into snowblading, as I don't ski often enough to really improve my technique, so just aim for fun on / off the pistes (although, powder's a PITA on 90cm planks!).

Whilst I know that snowblading makes me look gay & retarded & stupid & everyone will laugh at me, I really don't care that much, as I only get a week every couple of years (at most), so want to enjoy my time on the snow as much as possible.

Over the past few weeks, I have been thinking about moving to a halfway house of 125 / 130cm Short Skis, as they will offer me a little more speed on piste and will be able to venture further off piste.

Can anyone recommend some good Short Skis. I'm fully aware that I am placing myself wide open for pisstaking for considering anything less that 220s, but c'est la vie!

[130R]

I'd try (hire) some 155 / 160cm carving skis, if you are ok on snowblades I doubt you will find it a massive jump up to be honest. If you live near a dry slope maybe try them there first. What you really want to go off piste is some all mountain skis but then these are worse on piste than carving skis. I am far from the worlds greatest skier but I've got some Scott Punisher skis (not the jib version) and I would definitely recommend them as a ski that can do almost everything (the exception being really rock hard icy pistes where they sort of suck, or at least I do on them ..)

[MP85]

I know what you mean re: blades. I used to ski regular, I've not been for four or five years now and want to go for an all mountain/free ride ski to catch a compromise!

Can I ask what size punishes you have and you're height? I'm concerned that at 6ft4 I might be silly getting anything shorted than 180's. intact I'm currently looking at hiring set of 180 or 185 twin tips when I shoot over the pond next month.

I really need to get my ass down to a slope before then but I have an awful feeling it will be rammed with people on the run up to Feb HT!!

[schmalex]

I'm 6'0" and weigh about 14.5st. I've gone for a set of 120cm very wide twin tip longboards for this year to see how I get on, as they seem like a good compromise between blades and proper skis so I can, hopefully, enjoy the manoeuvrability of blades, whilst also being able to go into powder a little more.

When I ski regulars, I typically nowadays choose around 155 / 160cm carving skis. The technology has moved on so much that long skis aren't the necessity they were even 10 years ago

[HCMH]

Short skis are fine for groomed snow but for off piste/ back country powder go big and if possible with a rocker tip. Short skis in powder are completely useless.

Oh and I wouldn't bother with twin tips unless you plan on spending a lot of time in the park and landing jumps or taking off fakie, which is what they are designed for. The number of people I see on twin tips that can barely ski in the forwards direction astounds me!

[MP85]

I see what you mean.

I'm terrified of being st having missed some years skiing! What size carver would you suggest? These are (or always seemed to be) shorter than your all Mountain skis anyway, right?

[IanMorewood]

Rent some 150's give it a try unless theres a load of snow you should have a blast.

[HCMH]

MP85 said:

I see what you mean.

I'm terrified of being st having missed some years skiing! What size carver would you suggest? These are (or always seemed to be) shorter than your all Mountain skis anyway, right?

You'll get back into it very quickly, of course I don't know what level you are at but I suspect you want to focus on the groomed snow, from what you have said. At 6' 4" I would go for something around the 180cm mark, depending on the type of ski of course. A little shorter if you want an out and out slalom ski.

I am 6' and have a 176cm twin tip for the park, 185cm 70% powder/ 30% piste ski and a 185cm, 108mm waisted powder ski (amazing!).

The great thing about rental is you can always change if you're not comfortable.

[Whitean3]

I would consider trying out some race slalom skis- e.g. Volkl racetigers at 158 cm- I had a blast on them.

[schmalex]

A friend is taking a spare pair of 155 slalom skis with him, so I'll take them out for a couple of days to see if I can be lured back from snowblades!