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All-mountain vs parkski - Build-up difference?

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Jedo
Posts: 49 - Karma: 10
Hello

I have been checking out several skis, and I do really not know which one to pick. First of all, I am not sure if I should go with an all-mountain ski or a park ski. For your info: I do hit the park about 30% of the time, and then I never hit big jumps. just the smaller ones, and do 180 or something simple.

I do ride off-piste a lot, never pow though, so I have to make short and fast cuts all the time. I also do groomers (like 50/50 groomer and off-piste, when I am not in the park). But what is really the main difference between a park ski and an all-mountain ski? Will it be easier to do carving with an all-mountain ski then a park ski? I mean, how is the two skis build-up?

If someone could recommend two or three skis (either park or all-mountain) it would be nice.

I am 188cm tall, so how tall skis do I need? RIght now I am riding AR6 181cm tall, but I feel that maybe they are too long? Like when you are riding between trees and in narrow terrain. But maybe that is just something I need to get used to.

Thanks again
Nov 29 2011 2:16PM
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nagelthebagel
Posts: 205 - Karma: 36
K2 kung fujas, line blend, salomon 2012
Nov 29 2011 3:03PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
first off,

181cm skis would usually be too short for you....

and second,

i would recommend any ski with a medium-stiff flex and with a waist of at least 90mm.
some skis i would recommend are:
line chronic 183, bluehouse MR 179, armada ARV 185
Nov 29 2011 3:35PM
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Jedo
Posts: 49 - Karma: 10
Those skis that u recommend, are thouse all-mountain skis? And what is the difference between those and for example AR6 or another park ski?
Nov 29 2011 4:02PM
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Jedo
Posts: 49 - Karma: 10
And will it be easier to carve with a wider waist? And how wide is the waist when it is to wide for my kind of skiing?
Nov 29 2011 4:07PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
the skis i recommended are all mountain skis that will be fine in the park too. it will be harder to turn the ski over (carve) with a wider waist. the widest i would recommend you go is 100mm
Nov 29 2011 4:42PM
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meowmo
Posts: 319 - Karma: -102
try the 4frnt MSP in the 187 length it has a width of 96 so your covered
Nov 29 2011 6:58PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
You should check out skis at around 100mm, and definitely try before you buy - it will feel weird for a few runs, but feel out the wider stuff and see if you like it.

Sizing, heres what I'd do -

Full cambered - go 170cm to 180cm

Rockered - go 180cm to 190cm


Rocker shortens your running length, so on hardpack, it may be good to recover a bit of that by going a bit longer with the ski length. Just something to remember when looking, a lot of all mountain skis are starting to use rocker in the tips/tails. Good hunting!

Nov 29 2011 11:59PM
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H-Slice
Posts: 529 - Karma: 120
there isnt that much difference in a park ski and all mountain ski probably some technical stuff but i doubt u would notice much difference (i could be wrong) but i think you would be happy with maybe the armada arv, salomon 2012s or k2 kung fujas
Nov 30 2011 12:12AM
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JHawk
Posts: 9 - Karma: 10
Really comes down to what your doing.

True symmetrical park skis don't typically make great all mountain skis....

but some of the more common asymmetrical twin tips are basically all mountain skis with a twin tip tail. 

Pick a mounting position a bit further back than the standard park setup and your pretty well set.

I think the real advantage now is with lots of the wider 85-105mm twin tips that could be classed as "park" skis really preform well as all mountain.
Year old models of twin tips seem to be much more available and significantly cheaper than purpose built all-mountian setups.

Find a decent set of new old stock wider twins and go for it.
Dec 1 2011 3:15AM
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Jedo
Posts: 49 - Karma: 10
Okey, correct me if I am wrong. But if you for example take AR6 or AR7 and take them up against Kung Fujas. Wont it be easier and more fun to carve with ar6? Then groomers will be more fun with AR6? Or am I wrong?
Dec 1 2011 2:18PM
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