im 17 years old and ive been skiing since i was about 7 or 8. i can ski pretty well and have no problems going down pretty much any regular slope. but i want to get into park riding. what skis should i buy that are good for people that are intermediate to advanced skier but beginner park rider? im 163cm tall (about 5 feet 5 inches) and weigh 63kg (about 139 pounds) i want a ski that is pretty light weight, flexible and have a center binding mount, right now im leaning towards the K2 press skis in 149cm or 159cm length. any recomendations appreciated! thanks!
Jan 7 2018 6:28AM
Jan 7 2018 6:39AM
hauksolbergso you think i should go for the 159cm? any reasoning?
Personally if i were you id be in the high 160s low 170s range. I have 2 inches and 20 lbs on you but actively ride 180-187cm skis with my park setup being 182. Granted, I do have another 7 or 8 years of skiing experience on you but still being 17 my style is always changing. It wasn't until two or three seasons ago I finally got a pair of 180cm skis and haven't looked any shorter than that since. It all comes down to personal preference but if you want any sort of stability at speeds id strongly recommend at least looking into the 168-174 sorta range if you are used to smaller skis.
Jan 7 2018 6:41AM
hauksolbergso you think i should go for the 159cm? any reasoning?
As you say, your a better skier,your going to want longer skis.If you were just riding out of the park then maybe something head/over head level.
However you are in the park so 159 wouldn't be too bad,but still look around 163 length as park skis are usually pretty rockered giving them a shorter feel.
Jan 7 2018 10:36AM
Jan 7 2018 11:25AM
powpatrolAs you say, your a better skier,your going to want longer skis.If you were just riding out of the park then maybe something head/over head level.However you are in the park so 159 wouldn't be too bad,but still look around 163 length as park skis are usually pretty rockered giving them a shorter feel.
the K2 presses comes in 149, 159 and 169. you kinda tempted me to try the 169 ones but ive really only skied short skis before (skis i have now are 139cm) so the 159cm ones are still pretty long for what im used to
Jan 7 2018 11:44AM
Jan 7 2018 11:52AM
Jan 7 2018 11:54AM
Jan 7 2018 6:46PM
hauksolbergthe K2 presses comes in 149, 159 and 169. you kinda tempted me to try the 169 ones but ive really only skied short skis before (skis i have now are 139cm) so the 159cm ones are still pretty long for what im used to
If you’re 100% sold on the presses I’d push you to go 169. There is a jump between kids skis and men’s skis. I jumped from a 137 to a 161 when I was just over 5 feet y’all and was stoked to actually have stability. A longer ski will give you a better platform to turn + be way easier on jumps so you don’t wash out. Seeing what size you’re riding now something in the mid 160s would be awesome for what you’re looking for.
Jan 7 2018 8:37PM
Jan 8 2018 10:51PM
Jan 9 2018 11:18AM
Jan 9 2018 11:23AM
ZypherIf you’re 100% sold on the presses I’d push you to go 169. There is a jump between kids skis and men’s skis. I jumped from a 137 to a 161 when I was just over 5 feet y’all and was stoked to actually have stability. A longer ski will give you a better platform to turn + be way easier on jumps so you don’t wash out. Seeing what size you’re riding now something in the mid 160s would be awesome for what you’re looking for.
idk if im 100% gonna choose the k2 presses but they seem like the best option right now, i will for sure get something over 149cm now but idk if i want the 169cm ones, why does ski sales people and stuff advice you to get something as tall as you or a bit shorter if all of you swear by getting longer skis? care to explain?
like what are the pros and cons of getting 159 vs 169cm skis
**This post was edited on Jan 9th 2018 at 11:38:40am
Jan 9 2018 11:51AM
hauksolbergidk if im 100% gonna choose the k2 presses but they seem like the best option right now, i will for sure get something over 149cm now but idk if i want the 169cm ones, why does ski sales people and stuff advice you to get something as tall as you or a bit shorter if all of you swear by getting longer skis? care to explain?like what are the pros and cons of getting 159 vs 169cm skis
**This post was edited on Jan 9th 2018 at 11:38:40am
159 would probably be easier to do tricks and stuff
on,’swing rate’.
169 more stable at high speeds and if your growing then ya have more room
Still personal preference
Jan 9 2018 1:20PM
I’m 5’7” and ride 176’s as my main park skis but also have a pair of 185’s that I am equally comfortable riding. That said, I weigh 160lb and have 16 years of skiing experience. My advice is to go in the 165-170 range. I went from riding 155’s to 177’s and it was night and day. Made balance on rails way easier and hitting features at high speeds way less scary. My park quiver includes 176 b dogs and head caddys, both great skis for different purposes I guess. The caddys are light and soft so that would be my recommendation for you (I don’t have much experience on K2’s so I can’t reflect on that). The b dogs are fatter and imo a more fun ski and great for slushy parks/trees but I don’t like the turn radius for hitting the big park. Also got a pair of 185 volkl walls that I got from a friend but my dad is getting into park so he mainly uses them. Good luck dude!
Jan 9 2018 1:30PM
hauksolbergidk if im 100% gonna choose the k2 presses but they seem like the best option right now, i will for sure get something over 149cm now but idk if i want the 169cm ones, why does ski sales people and stuff advice you to get something as tall as you or a bit shorter if all of you swear by getting longer skis? care to explain?like what are the pros and cons of getting 159 vs 169cm skis
**This post was edited on Jan 9th 2018 at 11:38:40am
Look at it this way, If you plan on going pure rail rat then the 159 cm will do you just fine. The reduced weight (while it isnt a ton) will help you out on doing small spins and stuff on rails and small jumps. In other words, the 159 will give you a slight advantage in maneuverability and that's about it.
Since this is your first year in park, I can't see you whipping out massive spins so the benefits to the 159 are already lost there. The 169 will give you much more all mtn stability among more relief and forgiveness when botching a spin or jump and will allow you to have more fun just ripping around everywhere that isn't park.
Jan 9 2018 2:01PM
GREEN_BASTARDI’m 5’7” and ride 176’s as my main park skis but also have a pair of 185’s that I am equally comfortable riding. That said, I weigh 160lb and have 16 years of skiing experience. My advice is to go in the 165-170 range. I went from riding 155’s to 177’s and it was night and day. Made balance on rails way easier and hitting features at high speeds way less scary. My park quiver includes 176 b dogs and head caddys, both great skis for different purposes I guess. The caddys are light and soft so that would be my recommendation for you (I don’t have much experience on K2’s so I can’t reflect on that). The b dogs are fatter and imo a more fun ski and great for slushy parks/trees but I don’t like the turn radius for hitting the big park. Also got a pair of 185 volkl walls that I got from a friend but my dad is getting into park so he mainly uses them. Good luck dude!
the caddys seems like a good choice but i can only find them in 161cm and im pretty sure im gonna go for around 170cm skis and also ive read alot of places that the k2 press are good beginner and over all good skis so i think i will buy the 169cm k2 presses. thanks for the advice tho