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How short is too short for powder skis?

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ModMommy
Posts: 10719 - Karma: 55,326
My parents bought me 162 Kitku Powder skis,they're an aggressive ski, but are kinda shorter for me. Will they still be responsive at this length, or should I try and swap em for the 170?
Oct 18 2013 3:22PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Height?
Weight?
Skiing style?
Terrain?
Skill level?
Other ski lengths?

I want to help, but I have no idea what to say since there are no details given.
Oct 18 2013 3:32PM
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.[sanhedrin].
Posts: 1649 - Karma: 917
I agree with HuckNorris. Need more info. Nevertheless, my two cents could get you started. I currently ski a 185 JJ in pow and all over. This one time I was on the hill without the JJ and grabbed anything I could from my buddies rental outfit. They were 170cm and were terrible in pow for me. Maybe it was simply not what I was used to, or maybe they were too short - it doesn't really matter, since my experience was not positive. I've started to err on the side of the go bigger motto lately with skis. True you might find yourself in some gnar with a long ski, but every other moment a loner ski will make your experience better IMHO.
Oct 18 2013 3:44PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10719 - Karma: 55,326
Opps, sorry man.
I'm 5'9 143 pounds.
These are my powder skis, so powder.
Montana, steeps, probably some Tahoe snow.
I'm an advanced, PSIA Level2 cert.
I have a 161, a 165, and a 170 of other skis.

Thanks!
Oct 18 2013 3:56PM
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thesoloist
Posts: 71 - Karma: 145
I think you meant Volkl Kiku? at 5'9, I think even 170 is a bit short. You say you're PSIA lvl2, so you definitely know what you're doing...
Oct 18 2013 4:43PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10719 - Karma: 55,326
Yeah, Volkl Kiku! They're the 2012 model, I havn't skied a 172, 170 is the longest I can really comfortably go.
Oct 18 2013 5:02PM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,005
really? you're 5'9" and 170-172 is the longest you're comfortable with? interesting. If I was your height I'd be in the 180 range for a pow ski
Oct 18 2013 5:12PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10719 - Karma: 55,326
Yeah, Living in Tahoe the snow is a bit heavy, so for me they were easier to maneuver in powder. 178 is the longest these skis come in.
Oct 18 2013 5:19PM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,005
The snow is super light out here. You'll find yourself wanting something longer. a 178 would be way better than what you have right now though.
Oct 18 2013 5:22PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10719 - Karma: 55,326
Awesome. Thank you!
Oct 18 2013 5:34PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
You can get by with either size. You are about 175cm tall so the 178s will give you much for of a charger feel versus the more nimble and quicker turning of the 170s. In my opinion, if you are the open bowls, chutes and gnar charging kind of girl, first PM me, lets meet up in Jackson or MT, secondly, get the 178s! If you like to get silly in the tight trees and want something quicker edge to edge, then go the 170s! The rocker will def make them ski a tad shorter too.

I was in the same boat going between the 188 s7s and the 195 super 7s. For mach charging and straigt lines the bigger size was bomb, but for what the majority of my riding is, the shorter and more jibby/nimble 188 was perfect. Im 6'2'' and they are right at my eye brows. Couldn't be happier!
Oct 19 2013 12:52AM
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cannaguts666
Posts: 504 - Karma: 256
I'd think its up to you. Mount them and see how you like them. I personally being 5'11 and 190 wouldn't go any less that 187cm or so.
Oct 19 2013 1:07AM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
how stoked are you for this season in the village Japanada, only one more month!^^^^
anyways, same here with the JJ. Im 6'3 180, and i was told to go with the AK JJ (demoed both 195 AK and 185 JJ) by everyone,even the guys on blistergear... I already have 190+ chargers, and i really wanted a short jibby ski for tight trees and better overall control out of bounds. The 185s measure about 183, and theyre below my eyes, but i couldnt be happier with my decision. What im trying to say is Going short isnt that bad, what you lose in speed/stability, you gain in control and jibbtasticness.

As for chick-specific advice, My sister is 5'7 135 or so, and she skis 180s for squaw. theyre def a little long for her, but only 100 underfoot so she manages. Shes looking to buy 175 VJJs this season for a better match up, but she skis long skis because she rips harder than most dudes.




Oct 19 2013 1:27AM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
So stoked pent! 36 days, got my pass, no village job so I'm never missing first box.
Oct 22 2013 3:48PM
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