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New Ski and Ski Length Advice

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ToilBugler
Posts: 2 - Karma: 11
What's up Newschoolers? I'm due for a new pair of skis after busting my pair of 2014 Line Chronics, size 171 last year.

I'm an advanced type 3 skier. I ski the Northeast. I'm either in the Poconos or up in the White Mountains at Wildcat. I'm 5 foot 11'' and weigh 145 pounds.

I split my time about 80% skiing trees and steeps and 20% skiing park. I would ski 95% trees and steeps and 5% park if northeast snow conditions allowed for that, but that's obviously not always the case. I'm looking for a ski that inspires me to send cliffs in the trees and on steeps, can ski powder when the weather allows it, and can handle itself in the park. Keep in mind that I'm still progressing as a park skier; I can only throw 540s and am not great at staying on rails yet.

What does everyone recommend? I'm looking at the J skis Allplay and the Slant Blaze right now. I think the Allplay leans as more playful while the Blaze is more for trees/steeps. I'm also curious about whether I should move to a 178 instead of a 171 for size. I found the 171 to be nice when in trees and in the park, but a little squirrelly for my height when on steeps or groomers.
Aug 22 2018 7:22PM
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ToilBugler
Posts: 2 - Karma: 11
Im also looking at the Armada ARV 96 and 106.
Aug 22 2018 7:31PM
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f100prerunner
Posts: 504 - Karma: 1,313
On the topic of what ski I don’t have too much input however don’t be afraid to ski a 178 like you said let alone even a low 180s ski
edit: arv’s would definitely be a good choice, looks like a fun ski from what I’ve seen

**This post was edited on Aug 23rd 2018 at 2:27:39am
Aug 23 2018 2:26AM
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powpatrol
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 10,734
Lots of good skis for all mountain with a bit of park thrown in these days.
As mentioned above,Armada ARV series
ON3P Kartel series
Line Sir Francis Bacon might also tick the bill
Black Crows Camox
K2 Marksman
Atomic Bentchetler 100
P.S: With your height you should definitely be riding something like 181-184 or even higher depending on how aggressive you end up skiing.
Aug 23 2018 6:15AM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6793 - Karma: 23,533
Get the longer skis
Aug 23 2018 1:00PM
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CSteaZy
Posts: 51 - Karma: 239
The Allplay at 178 makes a great East Coast daily driver
Aug 25 2018 2:44PM
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N41v131355
Posts: 209 - Karma: 341
i'm 5'10 and 155. I don't have skis lower than 181. 181-186 works like a charm
Aug 25 2018 4:08PM
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HypeBeast
Posts: 9774 - Karma: 72,205
178 at least. Short skis are for squares
Aug 25 2018 4:59PM
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sdotterer014
Posts: 18 - Karma: 35
I'm the same measurables as OP, 5'11" 145lbs. Been looking into the Allplays a bit myself. I currently ride 171 AR7s and wish they were longer. I've been on the fence about 178 or 184. Thoughts?
Nov 11 2018 11:32AM
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HypeBeast
Posts: 9774 - Karma: 72,205
sdotterer014I'm the same measurables as OP, 5'11" 145lbs. Been looking into the Allplays a bit myself. I currently ride 171 AR7s and wish they were longer. I've been on the fence about 178 or 184. Thoughts?


If you're skiing all trees like OP, shorter skis may be beneficial in that area cuz they'll be easier to pivot in tight areas. I am 6'0" and have 188cm and 185cm twin tip skis and I have on occasion caught my tails on trees behind me (probably more my fault than the skis). Skill level can be a guide in what length to get. Will you be growing more- if so longer may be better. If you own a ski bag, consider the possibility that longer skis may not fit anymore depending on how big your bag is, so that may be an extra cost to fork over.

Personally I would go with the 184cm. The all play in 184 is actually 181.4cm straight measurement per blister review. It's also rockered so that lowers your effective edge. It may feel like a large jump at first but you'll learn to love the stability and look of longer skis. Also since they're twins, whether you follow recommended mount point or go closer to center, the skis in both instances will feel shorter than a purely directional ski since a lot of length will be behind you. For reference, I have armada arv skis in 188cm (true length is actually closer to 184cm) mounted at recommended, and blizzard g-force in 174cm (non-twin, directional). The blizzard skis actually have 1cm longer length in front of my binding than the armada. In other words my 188cm semi-twin tips feel the same length as my 174 skis....
Nov 11 2018 4:02PM
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sdotterer014
Posts: 18 - Karma: 35
IsitWinterYet17If you're skiing all trees like OP, shorter skis may be beneficial in that area cuz they'll be easier to pivot in tight areas. I am 6'0" and have 188cm and 185cm twin tip skis and I have on occasion caught my tails on trees behind me (probably more my fault than the skis). Skill level can be a guide in what length to get. Will you be growing more- if so longer may be better. If you own a ski bag, consider the possibility that longer skis may not fit anymore depending on how big your bag is, so that may be an extra cost to fork over.

Personally I would go with the 184cm. The all play in 184 is actually 181.4cm straight measurement per blister review. It's also rockered so that lowers your effective edge. It may feel like a large jump at first but you'll learn to love the stability and look of longer skis. Also since they're twins, whether you follow recommended mount point or go closer to center, the skis in both instances will feel shorter than a purely directional ski since a lot of length will be behind you. For reference, I have armada arv skis in 188cm (true length is actually closer to 184cm) mounted at recommended, and blizzard g-force in 174cm (non-twin, directional). The blizzard skis actually have 1cm longer length in front of my binding than the armada. In other words my 188cm semi-twin tips feel the same length as my 174 skis....


Thanks for the info. If 184 in their ski is more like a 181 then that's a no brainer for me. I've always mounted true center and if I don't with my next pair I will keep it very close. Convenient you said you have ARVs as I've been considering these as well. I've heard mixed reviews about the Allplay stability as speed. What can you say about the ARV at high speeds?
Nov 11 2018 4:30PM
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HypeBeast
Posts: 9774 - Karma: 72,205
sdotterer014Thanks for the info. If 184 in their ski is more like a 181 then that's a no brainer for me. I've always mounted true center and if I don't with my next pair I will keep it very close. Convenient you said you have ARVs as I've been considering these as well. I've heard mixed reviews about the Allplay stability as speed. What can you say about the ARV at high speeds?


Uncharacteristically for the skis and not recommended by most, I actually used them as my daily driver in the east (VT NY, and WV) as well as trips out west. Encountered all sorts of conditions: perfect groomers, rock solid ice, slush, crud, up to 1ft of powder, and everything in between. They felt great to me, but anything is an upgrade from Line Afterbangs (my poor college student skis). There weren't really any scenarios yet where I wished I had something better.

I will say when you get up above 50-55mph on groomers, they don't feel as stable but that's to be expected. Some skis may be better in that speed category but I'm not qualified to say which since I haven't had the luxury of testing many others out. They felt great in the air. I will reserve any more of my comments about the skis to what the blister and roofbox reviews say. Pretty much spot on.

The ARV 106 got revamped this year and I think may be stiffer and they might be better at speed than previous years. Again read the roofbox and blister reviews on these.
Nov 11 2018 4:55PM
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