Are short ski's better?

Question

I'm a beginner skier and have skied with the long ski's and found them a bit cumbersome. Are the shorter ski's better to learn on and easier?

Answer 1

Shorter skis are found in the park but because you are a beginner that won't matter yet.

It is really a balance. You don't want to start out on either one. It is better to try slightly longer skis to build the muscle that lets you carve. It will help you when you choose what skis you wants. Try not longer skis but up to your mouth or nose. It helps having something that long

Answer 2

Ski length choice depends on your height, weight and ski style. The basic rule is that a ski's length should fall between your nose and eyebrow. If you are a beginner, you normally would choose a shorter ski (that may even be below your nose, for example, coming up to your shoulders).  

However, over the years, ski lengths have been decreasing (when I started skiing-early 1970's- people regular skiied on 200 to 220 cm (over 80 inches) skis; nowadays, the ski length I ski on-184 cm (about 6 foot, 1 inch) is considered sorta long), and a lot of people are skiing on skis in the 160 to 170's range.

Since the 1970's, there have been various methods of using short skis and graduating to ever longer skis, until you are doing parallel turns on full length skis.  I think that the ski blade method derived from this approach.  I remember one heavily advertised ski school in the early 1970's in the region I grew up in that used that method-however, I do not see that method anymore.

Very short skis (such as ski blades) are easy to control, and you may be able to learn to turn without all of the frustration of longer skis.  You may be able to work into a parallel method faster.  However, you will not likely be able to get going too fast on them, as they are missing the "tail" section (which helps keep you from falling on your rear).

What I would suggest is to rent some very short skis (try something around or slightly over 100 cm).  If you rent the skis up at the rental shop at mountain, usually they will let you return the skis during the day to exchange them if you find them too short; you could then try something slightly longer.

I would NOT suggest purchasing shorter skis until you have RENTED some shorter length skis that you feel comfortable with.  (Renting skis is a great way to discover skis that you like, by the way).

Later, when you are going to buy yourself a set of skis, use this rule:

if you're a particularly heavy, strong skier who likes to go straight and fast, go for a longer ski (eyebrow length), but if you are lighter or love to turn, go with a shorter ski (coming up to your nose).

Answer 3

Shorter skis are better for beginner skiers because you can have more control over them.

Answer 4

they sure are..however once you get better if you get them too short you will be skidding in turns and its harder to stop on short skis.

Ski blades are a great way to get yourself hurt. They are impossible to stop on, but they are good if you are in a terrain park and trying to slide down rails

Answer 5

you should use skis for your height. It's easier to learn on shorter skis because it's easier to turn. Longer skis are for more advanced skiers

Answer 6

I've been an expert skier for over 35 yrs. & a member of the National Ski Patrol as well as a ski instructor & you do want to learn on a shorter ski & don't use ski blades.

It's much better to learn on a shorter ski, you'll under control very easily & you'll be able to turn much better & also stop much better. When you improve you can try a longer ski if you'd like a little more speed but you'll have to learn to turn & stop all over again.

Use a shorter ski & stay on the beginner slopes. They are marked with green circles. If you feel a little more advanced & confident you might try an intermediate slope at the end of the day. They are marked with with blue squares.

Also, make sure you always ski with a friend, it's much safer this way, especially if you get into trouble such as falling & not being able to get up alone.

As a beginner, accept the fact that you're going to fall a lot. It's part of your learning process to improve & as you try to improve you may fall more but keep trying-you'll improve.

Start with a short ski that is not as tall as your chin or even shorter.

Finally, make sure your boots are comfortable all the time & that you know how to adjust them, i.e., learn to be able to tighten or loosen them.

Check your boots & see if there's a removable in-sole. If there is take it out & buy a good running shoe in-sole that you can buy at any sporting goods store that sells running shoes or most pharmacies sell good in-soles.

You'll be glad you use the new in-sole. It makes your feet so comfortable & they never get sore or tired. This will make your skiing much better & it's just as important as a short ski.

Good Luck & have Fun skiing.

Answer 7

just use skiis that match your height and weight and skiis your comfortble in, but use short skiis because there easier to control.