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Ski length for a beginner

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pandasteeze
Posts: 382 - Karma: 38
I did a search and I noticed that people have been recommending really long skis for the park.

I am 5'9" and 150 lbs. I've skied grooms and some powder for most of my life, but I want to start hitting the park. I will probably be on 50% park and 50% groomers.

I'm a complete beginner when it comes to park. The most I can do is a 180.

What ski length would be best for me? I was thinking something between 169cm or 171cm with center mounting. My slalom skis that are 162cm, so I'm used to being on shorter skis.
Feb 26 2010 1:57PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
176ish sounds good. since you know how to ski, you will progress quick, and if you buy short then you will end up wanting something longer
Feb 26 2010 2:11PM
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selkirks
Posts: 1978 - Karma: 59
Anyone remember the Graduated Length Method (GLM)? Old, but still essentially true.

Beginners generally favor shorter skis. I would probably go with something around 170 if I were you. It's all personal preference, but generally, you're going to have a much better time with shorter (but not ridiculously short) skis.
Feb 26 2010 8:25PM
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BerGNARdo
Posts: 406 - Karma: 44
im almost exactly the same height and weight and i thought my 171 center mounted suspects were the perfect size. I also have 166 ar5's (which feel a little to small) and 177 afterbangs (which feel a little to big) so 169 to 171 should be perfect for you.
Feb 27 2010 2:29AM
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pandasteeze
Posts: 382 - Karma: 38
I bought some volkl ledges at 169 for a really good price. really fun to ski on once i got used to the center mount.

I really seems like a 176 isn't that much longer than a 169. does 3-4 cm on each tip make that much of a difference?
Mar 1 2010 1:39AM
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PhuzzyWuzzy
Posts: 358 - Karma: 82

Get a ski roughly as long as you are tall. 

Any twin-tip ski will ski shorter bacause the last 12cm or so of the tail doesn't touch the snow and if you mount them closer to center, they will ski even shorter. 

Mar 1 2010 12:05PM
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mmckechnie
Posts: 1483 - Karma: 29
I'm about 5'10" and my skis are 176.  I think a 170 to a 174 would be good for you.
Mar 1 2010 12:24PM
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