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Are tall Skiers disadvantaged?

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pj21
Posts: 400 - Karma: 4,635
I'm 6'1' and reasonably tall for my age (15), got moderate park skills (backflip, most rails) and feel as if I am disadvantaged being tall. My shorter friends have it easier spinning and flipping, Is it because they are better than me or have a lower centre of gravity making it easier to do tricks?

So do tall skiers have a disadvantage skiing?
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Sep 3 2014 8:07AM
480 186
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J_Berg
Posts: 562 - Karma: 2,031
6'3 almost 6'4 i can throw flips and stuff as well. I usually look at it as that we have more weight, go faster, boost higher, charge. Idk if its true but a large part of skiing is your mentality/belief in yourself
Sep 3 2014 8:16PM
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nford
Posts: 227 - Karma: 1,686
.FRY.i'm calling bull shit

you are wrong
check out my season edit
even my outfit can explain how old I am hahahaha
(outfit was stupid af and I've matured with it since)
Sep 3 2014 8:17PM
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nford
Posts: 227 - Karma: 1,686
pussyfooterSorry. *A sport you can turn into a successful career.



Lets be honest here, 99% of skiers who want to be a "pro skier" will not succeed and maybe 25% of them will get sponsored, get good, etc but won't make a career out of it.

The only way you can make a career out of skiing is to be like tom, or simon, tanner etc which is .1% of freestyle/newschool skiers. Its very unlikely, especially being over 6ft tall (name a very successful tall professional skier) for anyone to be a professional skier and actually be very successful.

Being over 6ft tall and being young is a huge physical advantage and look at football/baseball/basketball players that are successful, they started out very athletic as they were young (usually bigger/taller than their classmates) and now they play a sport they love and are practically set for life. Of course the odds are low here as well but I'm just saying, every kid who skis thinks they should be a pro skier, when being a pro skier isn't even that legit compared to a "real sport".


Of course not everything in life is about money, but if some kid tells me he 13 and 6ft tall, hes probably going to get taller and should try out a sport like basketball or football and not worry about skiing. If you do well enough in high school you can go to college for free, thousands of student athletes get free college educations and thats 1000 times better than anything skiing can offer (unless you're a ski racer, but thats decently rare compared to football/basketball/baseball/tennis/golf etc)


This is a skiing website but I feel like at times we should explore other sports, we can ski the rest of our lives.

I know your referring to me when saying this
I don't mean to brag or sound snobby, but yes, I am very athletic
Being 6'2 and having my peers at around a foot below me has allowed me to surpass them physically and be able to be more aggressive and basically better at sports then them.
I have a passion for skiing
It brings joy to me when I do it and allows me to free from some of my problems, just makes me concentrate on just that.
I don't know what is to come for me, I've been progressing a lot recently
Maybe I can set a goal on going pro for a couple of years, if that doesn't sound farfetched.
But most sports just don't give the pleasure to me as I get in skiing, and I'd love to pursue something I love rather then to do something I don't, just because I have advantages.
Sep 3 2014 8:25PM
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toastyteenagers
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 6,793
.FRY.i'm calling bull shit


There's a kid in my class a few years ago who is 6'2
I'm 5'8 and I sorta consider myself tall
Sep 3 2014 8:39PM
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250r
Posts: 2274 - Karma: 1,020
.FRY.i'm calling bull shit


haha before i moved out west i could pick up my brother and throw him across the room, come back a few years later and he's now 13. he's 6'0 and I'm 5'9...haha its fucked
Sep 3 2014 9:09PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
shugz is pretty tall, pulls it off

https://vimeo.com/63438529
Sep 3 2014 9:25PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
RubberSoulbeing short and having a low center of gravity certainly doesnt hurt, and yeah, it's probably no coincidence that most pro skiers are sorta small guys, but let's be real here, is a difference of like 5 inches max and a few dozen pounds really a make or break difference?

the scale of everything in skiing is big, i have a hard time imagining physics-wise that a 6'2" 180 lb dude is really that much more challenged than a 5'9" 160 lb dude when theyre hitting a 50 foot jump. what's the supposed key difference, a 5 inch difference in center of gravity? the weight? momentum? this isn't gymnastics, the difference between successful and non successful skiers isn't the ability to cram an extra 180 into a small time/size frame

i'd love for a scientist who is knowledgeable on the subject to chime in but ive actually never met someone who could apply their education to skiing in a useful way re: physics of jumping and spinning


The whole CoM and CoG thing with tall athletes seems blown out of proportion to me. Like you mentioned there might be a some slight disadvantages, but nothing that can't be compensated for.

I don't think a having a low CoG is always an advantage either, its how we control and manipulate it. A skier's ability to sense and control their trunk in their environment is typically what dictates their ability to perform complex tricks. Unlike gymnastics, a ski jump is never the exact same, there are too many external factors such as snow speed, temperature and wind. Being taller, means that your limbs are further from the centre, therefore, in theory is more difficult to manipulate the body position in the air. But as far as I'm aware it shouldn't make that big of a difference. Unless you end up being really tall.

Another thing to point out, is those taller athletic people that very well could be amazing skiers are likely already streamlined into other sports due to their height. So that might be another reason why there are more shorter skiers, default. There are several taller skiers that still slay they are just less common.
Sep 3 2014 9:26PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
Download-My-AppsAnother thing to point out, is those taller athletic people that very well could be amazing skiers are likely already streamlined into other sports due to their height. So that might be another reason why there are more shorter skiers, default. There are several taller skiers that still slay they are just less common.


yeah, i also think it's a possibility that the whole short skier thing is more on the correlation side of things vs causation, what you said here being one of the big drivers of this
Sep 3 2014 9:29PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
RubberSoulbeing short and having a low center of gravity certainly doesnt hurt, and yeah, it's probably no coincidence that most pro skiers are sorta small guys, but let's be real here, is a difference of like 5 inches max and a few dozen pounds really a make or break difference?

the scale of everything in skiing is big, i have a hard time imagining physics-wise that a 6'2" 180 lb dude is really that much more challenged than a 5'9" 160 lb dude when theyre hitting a 50 foot jump. what's the supposed key difference, a 5 inch difference in center of gravity? the weight? momentum? this isn't gymnastics, the difference between successful and non successful skiers isn't the ability to cram an extra 180 into a small time/size frame

i'd love for a scientist who is knowledgeable on the subject to chime in but ive actually never met someone who could apply their education to skiing in a useful way re: physics of jumping and spinning


The whole CoM and CoG thing with tall athletes seems blown out of proportion to me. Like you mentioned there might be a some slight disadvantages, but nothing that can't be compensated for.

I don't think a having a low CoG is always an advantage either, its how can rotate around it. A skier's ability to sense and control their trunk in their environment is typically what dictates their ability to perform complex tricks. Being taller, means that your limbs are further from the centre, therefore, in theory is more difficult to manipulate the body position in the air. But as far as I'm aware it shouldn't make that big of a difference. Unless you end up being really tall.

Another thing to point out, is those taller athletic people that very well could be amazing skiers are likely already streamlined into other sports due to their height. So that might be another reason why there are more shorter skiers, default. There are several taller skiers that still slay they are just less common.
Sep 3 2014 9:33PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
fuck sorry didnt mean to post twice
Sep 3 2014 9:34PM
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sugarloaf_steez
Posts: 104 - Karma: 1,921
Bobby brown is about 6'2" and was the first skier to triple...stop blaming shit on your height.
Sep 3 2014 9:48PM
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elinde
Posts: 1459 - Karma: 2,934
I was 6'1 at 15 now closer to 6'3 at 16... haven't felt any negative effects from height. Get on a tramp.
Sep 3 2014 9:53PM
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Goldstein
Posts: 153 - Karma: 347
Im around 6 2 and its definatly a disadvantage. You wont belive how hard it is to find tall clothing!
Sep 3 2014 10:37PM
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Willskiforfree
Posts: 929 - Karma: 3,159
Bobby brown is pretty tall but he still throws down, simon dumont is super short and he also throws down
Sep 3 2014 10:43PM
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matoco
Posts: 35 - Karma: 69
I would say that being smaller has some definite advantages, especially if you are short and still muscular (stocky). If you think about it, freeskiers are really just gymnasts who are on two long sticks. Watch the mens gymnastics events at the olympics and I bet it will be difficult to find anyone over 6' (although I have not checked this). This isn't to say that you can't be tall and not kill it, as there are obvious examples of this. However, the perfect freestyle skiers body would probably be a strong person who is under 5'10" (Tanner, Simon, Wallish, etc etc).
Sep 3 2014 11:11PM
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qazwsxedc34
Posts: 2886 - Karma: 2,252
montananJohn Spriggs is fucking huge and he still slaying it hard. and a lil ways back around Leval 1s movie High Five, that era etc. emil coty was a beast and slayed some sick handrails , and Liam Downy had some sick seggys and he is a beast and he is still killing it. just depends on the person i think and there skiing ability .


John Spriggs is average in the park though.
Sep 3 2014 11:13PM
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SnowshoeThompson
Posts: 1092 - Karma: 1,411
stupendous-manshugz is pretty tall, pulls it off

https://vimeo.com/63438529


no he's not, haha
Sep 3 2014 11:23PM
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psizzle
Posts: 1299 - Karma: 567
http://vimeo.com/19229014
Sep 3 2014 11:25PM
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gwhitey
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 312
I feel like taller riders can kill it. i fucking love skiing over most things and im 6'9". Basketball doesn't have to be the go to to taller people. I'm alright at park skiing, and love seeing progression with everyone. I started playing my junior year in high school, never played it before in my life, always a hockey kid in the winter before that, finally gave in to all the basketball questions i got and still get on on a daily basis. My skills grew and i eventually started to like it and got pretty decent the senior career. Right after it ended i took a week long trip to utah and had one of the best times of my life. Got asked to play at some colleges but i knew i'd prolly sit the bench my first year, not being able to ski with all my friends. So fuck that, i'd rather ski. People have actually gotten pissed at me answering no when they ask me if i play basketball because if it was them, they would. wahhh
/sorta drunk
/end rant
Sep 4 2014 12:00AM
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ScooterLapooter
Posts: 849 - Karma: 9,231
Nick Martini is 6'2-6'3
Sep 4 2014 12:45AM
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DManley
Posts: 463 - Karma: 1,588
nfordI know your referring to me when saying this
I don't mean to brag or sound snobby, but yes, I am very athletic
Being 6'2 and having my peers at around a foot below me has allowed me to surpass them physically and be able to be more aggressive and basically better at sports then them.
I have a passion for skiing
It brings joy to me when I do it and allows me to free from some of my problems, just makes me concentrate on just that.
I don't know what is to come for me, I've been progressing a lot recently
Maybe I can set a goal on going pro for a couple of years, if that doesn't sound farfetched.
But most sports just don't give the pleasure to me as I get in skiing, and I'd love to pursue something I love rather then to do something I don't, just because I have advantages.


Boom! It's a no brainer do what you want homie!
Sep 4 2014 1:07AM
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[walter]
Posts: 129 - Karma: 208
I'm 16 and 6'3" and the only problem I have is the taller I get the shallower the powder gets
Sep 4 2014 1:16AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,687
stupendous-manshugz is pretty tall, pulls it off

https://vimeo.com/63438529


Dude, that kid's like 5'8 at best...
Sep 4 2014 1:40AM
1 0
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
nfordI hate being a claimer but I'm 6'2 and 13
And I have a good amount tricks, hasn't stopped me


Sorry to claim way harder dude, but im 9'14 and 4 and I can triple. COME AT ME BRO
Sep 4 2014 7:39AM
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Bum.Life
Posts: 507 - Karma: 2,608
Another disadvantage is that tall skiers need bigger skis, which generally means a bigger turn radius. That can make tree skiing a more difficult
Sep 4 2014 10:39AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,687
I'll say this much. I'm over 6' and I suck. So it's definitely the height handicap.

...but at least I get with hotter chicks!
Sep 4 2014 10:46AM
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milk_man
Posts: 5214 - Karma: 6,494
OP you're taller than me, and probably also better than me so you'll be fine.
Sep 4 2014 10:49AM
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*YungBuckwheat*
Posts: 474 - Karma: 893
Yeah man it blows, I'm 15 and almost 6,3. I've almost hit my head on the knolls of jumps so many time doin inverts. I guess its more because I can't pop for shit tho.
Sep 4 2014 11:09AM
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elinde
Posts: 1459 - Karma: 2,934
TightRipperDaveYeah man it blows, I'm 15 and almost 6,3. I've almost hit my head on the knolls of jumps so many time doin inverts. I guess its more because I can't pop for shit tho.


Yeahhhhhhh I don't think height is the problem there buddy...
Sep 4 2014 4:24PM
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nate4500
Posts: 41 - Karma: 45
If you are good you can go far and maybe become pro if not just keep skiing for fun.
Sep 4 2014 7:20PM
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weenisfuck
Posts: 26 - Karma: 9
I think that your just a lil bitch faggot pussy boy
Aug 25 2015 7:07PM
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pj21
Posts: 400 - Karma: 4,635
weenisfuckI think that your just a lil bitch faggot pussy boy


Fuck u Banjo Plummer
Aug 25 2015 7:33PM
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weenisfuck
Posts: 26 - Karma: 9
I LIKE YOUR COMMENT ARCHIE ROBERTS
Aug 25 2015 9:30PM
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JakeBarrett
Posts: 1237 - Karma: 1,843
I'm a little under 6'1" and the only troubles I've ever had with skiing are in finding clothes that are tall as fuck on me, and even that isn't too hard. Don't just make excuses, look for solutions
Aug 25 2015 10:23PM
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Lonely
Posts: 6601 - Karma: 59,670
I'm 6,1 and the thing I hate the most is my long lanky arms, like what the he'll am I supposed to do with these apendages when I'm sliding rails. They're just noodles flailing everywhere. Then again it's nice cuz I can dunk. But I prefer to ski so
Aug 25 2015 10:46PM
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Casey
Posts: 7785 - Karma: 23,466
Its all center of gravity and power to weight ratio. If you are tall it works against both of those. The only pro skiers that are tall are also ridiculously strong.
Aug 26 2015 1:26AM
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Gavin_Newcomer
Posts: 102 - Karma: 265
honestly the only disadvantage that tall skiers have is that tall t's actually fit
Aug 26 2015 2:11PM
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Jon_Taffer
Posts: 1374 - Karma: 5,383
bobby browns like 6'2
Aug 26 2015 2:18PM
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suup
Posts: 1485 - Karma: 4,366
eheathSorry. *A sport you can turn into a successful career.



Lets be honest here, 99% of skiers who want to be a "pro skier" will not succeed and maybe 25% of them will get sponsored, get good, etc but won't make a career out of it.

The only way you can make a career out of skiing is to be like tom, or simon, tanner etc which is .1% of freestyle/newschool skiers. Its very unlikely, especially being over 6ft tall (name a very successful tall professional skier) for anyone to be a professional skier and actually be very successful.

Being over 6ft tall and being young is a huge physical advantage and look at football/baseball/basketball players that are successful, they started out very athletic as they were young (usually bigger/taller than their classmates) and now they play a sport they love and are practically set for life. Of course the odds are low here as well but I'm just saying, every kid who skis thinks they should be a pro skier, when being a pro skier isn't even that legit compared to a "real sport".


Of course not everything in life is about money, but if some kid tells me he 13 and 6ft tall, hes probably going to get taller and should try out a sport like basketball or football and not worry about skiing. If you do well enough in high school you can go to college for free, thousands of student athletes get free college educations and thats 1000 times better than anything skiing can offer (unless you're a ski racer, but thats decently rare compared to football/basketball/baseball/tennis/golf etc)


This is a skiing website but I feel like at times we should explore other sports, we can ski the rest of our lives.

But skiing is fun.
Aug 26 2015 7:30PM
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perryhunter
Posts: 721 - Karma: -185
On my view. I guess, it really does matter on your height. But, of course, it depends.

Like this post I see on Quora:

Yes. But it is neither better to be tall or short. It depends.

If you are/want to be a Downhill or Super-Giant racer, your chances increase by being tall and heavy.

If you are/want to be a Giant Slalom or Slalom racer, your chances increase by being smaller and being able to move your body very quickly.
Aug 26 2015 10:40PM
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dingus
Posts: 1328 - Karma: 7,877
I feel like when someone is tall and skinny like me its harder to have good style, but it all just depends on the rider.
Aug 27 2015 4:37PM
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YoungGun.
Posts: 267 - Karma: 562
Im 6'3" and I suck at skiing. My height has nothing to do with it. I just fuck around and don't progress.
Aug 28 2015 1:52AM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,158
i have a snowboard homie that's 6'8" and fucking rips.
Aug 28 2015 1:56AM
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Earl_Globz
Posts: 1551 - Karma: 779
I Don't think there is tall steeze that holds a candle to Liam Downy. OG B-ball stance. "Gorilla Steeze"
Aug 28 2015 2:17AM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4750 - Karma: -556
Same disadvantage short skiiers have in downhill or super G.


Freeskiing is basically more dangerous gymnastics but on snow.


If you want to be a pro brand yourself off the slope as well as on and be unique the sport is based on creativity the fact you can do the same tricks as pros doesn't necessarily mean you deserve to be a pro.


To draw a comparison to music basically do whatever you can to not be a cover artist.
Aug 28 2015 2:59AM
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Cahal
Posts: 945 - Karma: 594
.Fryi'm calling bull shit


I was around that height at that age, maybe just 6'1". Now I'm 16 and 6'4". There's some tall ass kids out there.
Aug 28 2015 4:08PM
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2ndTracksSLC
Posts: 298 - Karma: 153
Liam Downey Long Story Short Segment from Level 1 on Vimeo.

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Liam Downey Long Story Short Segment from Level 1 on Vimeo.
Aug 28 2015 4:29PM
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TheButterHashira
Posts: 9691 - Karma: 1,702
I think on big jumps being tall can help you bring in and layout flips. On the flipside being tall means you can slam a little harder. Big people can dwarf unimpressive jumps, but on a big jump that effect is insignificant.
Aug 29 2015 1:04AM
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brett_fisher
Posts: 2417 - Karma: 10,493
MinggYeah it's definitely easier to be shorter because your center of gravity is lower. Doesn't mean you can't be as good/ better than them though.


Im short and light and feel like i have to tuck into 90% of big jumps so thats a con but i can spin like a top and flipping goes pretty esaiy too being short.
another con is nuting on rails .
Aug 31 2015 12:13AM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9221 - Karma: 9,939
there are plenty of tall skiers that are super good. Go to a concert around breck and the only person you'll be able to spot in a crowd is john spriggs and look what he accomplished skiing. OP if you think you're disadvantaged try playing basketball so you don't have any excuses, although I'm sure you'll still find a way to complain
Aug 31 2015 9:06AM
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