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July, 2025

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Knee issues and ski width?

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BRsnow
Posts: 28 - Karma: 105
Newer to skiing after years on a board. Getting older so curious if there is any merit to ski width and knee issues. Getting ready to pick up another set of skis, so appreciate the insights.
a year ago
5 0
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g_lectrolyte
Posts: 202 - Karma: 1,506
Yea I find anything over 110 underfoot is pretty unnecessary and tugs on the knees harder. My pow skis are 108 (widest I need in the PNW and it gets insano deep here a couple times a year) and my park sticks are 90 underfoot. Kind of hate the trend of park skis getting to be 100+ wide, it does give you more stability and stuff but like we are getting too ridiculous with it.

Fat skis have their applications but you see so many people on a rock hard groomer in the morning on 115+ fatty pow skis and its so wack.
a year ago
8 2
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labubu-craze
Posts: 971 - Karma: 2,390
BRsnowNewer to skiing after years on a board. Getting older so curious if there is any merit to ski width and knee issues. Getting ready to pick up another set of skis, so appreciate the insights.


If ya focus on technique and have a good warmup routine, should keep the knees in good stead breh
a year ago
0 3
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9660 - Karma: 71,886
Narrower skis definitely help, what helps more is not being backseat.

Source:
I skied magic Js which are 127 and not super stiff a lot and then moved to the still very wide Revolt 114. The Revolt 114 cannot really be skied from the backseat and I suddenly had way less knee pain.
a year ago
4 0
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Voyage86
Posts: 990 - Karma: 3,770
g_lectrolyteYea I find anything over 110 underfoot is pretty unnecessary and tugs on the knees harder. My pow skis are 108 (widest I need in the PNW and it gets insano deep here a couple times a year) and my park sticks are 90 underfoot. Kind of hate the trend of park skis getting to be 100+ wide, it does give you more stability and stuff but like we are getting too ridiculous with it.

Fat skis have their applications but you see so many people on a rock hard groomer in the morning on 115+ fatty pow skis and its so wack.


L take, fat skis are just more fun for some people. the perfect ski for the terrain is the one that will put a smile on your face… 115+ on rock hard groomers?- it’ll do
a year ago
7 3
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BRsnow
Posts: 28 - Karma: 105
I am looking at 104-108, that technically should cover all but the rare snow conditions here in Colorado. So not super wide
a year ago
0 0
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nmwninjart
Posts: 3110 - Karma: 16,144
I feel like if you're small/light with short legs wide skis don't vibe well. I really like my 88 and 90 widths, but the 95s make my knees hurt. I don't have any knee issues other than high mileage and old.
a year ago
3 0
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BRsnow
Posts: 28 - Karma: 105
nmwninjartI feel like if you're small/light with short legs wide skis don't vibe well. I really like my 88 and 90 widths, but the 95s make my knees hurt. I don't have any knee issues other than high mileage and old.


Thanks, my current 92 don’t hurt and am 5’9” 190lb, with solid legs, lots of mtn biking and hiking, but also getting older.
a year ago
2 0
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dmcdmc
Posts: 208 - Karma: 1,432
It totally depends on the snow conditions. Wide skis in pow are easier to ski and take less effort and I find are easier on the knees than narrow ones.

In harder conditions, wider skis will be harder to get on edge and put more stress on my knees relative to more narrow ones.
a year ago
5 0
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b0ss
Posts: 822 - Karma: 6,377
The narrower the ski the less lateral stress on the knee.
the softer the ski and boot the less sagittal knee stress
a year ago
0 0
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38303 - Karma: 132,194
You could hit the gym and build-strength, but 108's daily will do that for ya instead.
a year ago
1 1
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BRsnow
Posts: 28 - Karma: 105
GayWolf420You could hit the gym and build-strength, but 108's daily will do that for ya instead.


Legs are strong:-)
a year ago
1 0
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Rparr
Posts: 5781 - Karma: 49,393
I can definitely feel the strain of a wider ski on my knees, but my knees are held together by bubblegum and duct tape. I don't like anything wider than 90mm
a year ago
2 0
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sheddd
Posts: 119 - Karma: 511
I’m 51 and do notice the added stress from wider skis… I still ski fattties but a little less often.
a year ago
5 0
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