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Is it better to have short or long skis for park?

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Phansy
Posts: 1131 - Karma: 492
I know it sounds like a n00b question, but me and my friend were arguing over it...
Dec 20 2011 3:08AM
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Jahrassicpark
Posts: 2075 - Karma: 38
a bit longer skis are more stable for jumps and grabbing, shorter skis are better for rail. In all honesty a few inches won't make a huge difference in swingweight.
Dec 20 2011 3:13AM
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LukeB.
Posts: 268 - Karma: 22
longer also helps with balance on rails
Dec 20 2011 3:14AM
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icon1234
Posts: 3081 - Karma: 1,475
Your skis should be around as tall as you are for park.
Dec 20 2011 3:14AM
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Phansy
Posts: 1131 - Karma: 492
Longer would be easier for grabs, but wouldnt it be harder to spin...?
Dec 20 2011 3:18AM
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PON3
Posts: 3817 - Karma: 783
It all has its pluses and minuses. What do you do most?

jumps, all mountain, piste = long ski

urban, rails, jibbing = short ski

Thats just what I would follow, but that is my opinion and shouldnt be taken as too serious. Just something to follow by and give you a couple pieces of advice :) my best guess is to find a way to try both short and long skis and find what you like best!
Dec 20 2011 3:23AM
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Phansy
Posts: 1131 - Karma: 492
depends what kind of day it is... this is the why I have to have two different pairs of skis. Afterbangs and then Pow skis
Dec 20 2011 3:27AM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
in between. I am 5'10 and ride a 175-180 ski for park.
Dec 20 2011 3:28AM
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cow.
Posts: 416 - Karma: 200
recently, reccomended ski lengths have been trending downwards. around the nose is about right for pretty much everything.


but tbh, it doesnt make that much difference. if you cant enjoy yourself with skis that are a little too long/short, gtfo. your enjoyment of skiing should be independent of ski length.
Dec 20 2011 5:11AM
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Jennings
Posts: 2190 - Karma: 90
stall out mane
Dec 20 2011 10:12AM
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montanan
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 1,346
definately a personal preference thing imo. i know i like longer skis 180+, for park, or for shredding the mountain. but since i am more of a mountain rider thats proply why i enjoy longer skis for park as well. plus if you have a good size jump at your hill, you can get wacky with ur grabs the longer the ski is .. but yeah just personal preference and depends on what you do mainly. cheers, pray for snow
Dec 20 2011 11:00AM
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Errl
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 451
im about 6'1", i like my skis between the tip of my nose and forehead.. but it sounds like they fit them to you in that area now regardless
Dec 20 2011 1:58PM
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manutdsaol
Posts: 906 - Karma: 56
I go like a 170 for park but most here in the midwest go on 160's or shorter.
Dec 20 2011 2:01PM
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t_rob
Posts: 6433 - Karma: 11,458
insert snowblade washout clip here.
Dec 20 2011 2:12PM
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k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598

that was one relevant opinion.

Click for larger image

Dec 20 2011 2:13PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
Stop. Everyone just stop. What is a "short" ski? It's all fucking relative to your height for fucks sake! The statement about how everyone in the midwest "goes for 160 or shorter" is the stupidest shit ever!
And how does "short" skis help your rail skills, you still have to take of and land before and after the rail!
Dec 20 2011 2:28PM
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Janky
Posts: 1323 - Karma: -100
thank you, i knew this was a dumb thread.
Dec 20 2011 3:08PM
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Julian.F
Posts: 2738 - Karma: 1,280
im 6' and ride 166 afterbangs. id consider them to be kinda short for me
Dec 20 2011 8:38PM
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Parks.
Posts: 5612 - Karma: 1,093
im 5'7" and i ride 169s but kinda want something smaller for my next ski
Dec 20 2011 8:52PM
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Jeffmnicholas
Posts: 821 - Karma: 42
it all comes down to preference but ive found this to suit me the best
Dec 20 2011 8:55PM
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Panda_with_Guns
Posts: 3040 - Karma: 1,620
i saw a line ad and will wesson was on some short as fuck skis hitting some urban
Dec 20 2011 8:57PM
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-skier
Posts: 226 - Karma: 47
i mean im 9 feet tall and ride 164 and they seem huge on me
Dec 20 2011 9:05PM
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steezywannabeezy
Posts: 990 - Karma: 690
long skis, long... poles
Dec 20 2011 9:14PM
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masterhatin
Posts: 630 - Karma: 53
i saw an edit with sean jordan, his skis looked massive and hes really not that tall. get big boy skis, dont be some jibber nancy fuck with small skis
Dec 20 2011 11:58PM
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POWDER.RANGER
Posts: 1698 - Karma: -24
i like em long, but that could be someting to do with the fact that im 5'8 205
Dec 21 2011 12:11AM
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jjdsteeze
Posts: 2561 - Karma: 4,135
5 10 and i ride 182's
Dec 21 2011 12:12AM
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zues
Posts: 6434 - Karma: -5,332
yeap same here. my ar6's are well above my head.
Dec 21 2011 12:25AM
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Horsefacekillah
Posts: 867 - Karma: 874
Toally personal preferance man im 5'7" and i ride 175 for park and like 185 for pow
Dec 21 2011 12:43AM
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saxon
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 551
honestly, as long as the skis are within the chin to forehead range, it's personal preference.
even shorter or longer than that depends on the skier.
Dec 21 2011 2:22AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
I hope my sarcasm meter is broken, if not, then you're just ignorant.
Dec 21 2011 5:16AM
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coldcuts69
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 1,890
I ride 179's, i like the balance of the longer ski, it provides more stability for big jumps and longer rails, but if you are hitting smaller stuff I would not get bigger skis.
Dec 21 2011 7:16AM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
I would advise to go with a bit longer ski. When your hitting jumps (particularly larger ones that require a faster drop-in) the added length of a longer ski will feel much more stable. A short ski will get somewhat jittery at higher speeds and may make you feel less stable thus inhibiting confidence.

However, only listen to that first point if you consider yourself to be an experienced skier. If you are just getting into it, a long ski can feel a bit overwhelming and may make starting out a bit more difficult.


So like most things, it really does depend...
Dec 21 2011 9:29AM
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