What size of alpine skis do I need?

Question

I am wondering what size of skis I need.

Female

5'6"

250lbs

Thanks!

Answer 1

Start by sizing a ski for your specific weight, then adjust the length based on your ability and the type of skiing that you like to do. This chart below shows the length ski for an “average” skier, before anything else is taken into consideration:

Weight (lb) <100 110-125 125-136 136-150 151-16...

Ski Length (cm) 140 145 150 155 160 165 175 185

Now think about what level of skier you are. In general, more experienced skiers prefer longer skis for stability, while beginners tend to like shorter skis because they turn easily.

Skier's Ability Level Centimeters to Add to or Subtract from Ski Length

Beginner: Just learning to ski or skiing in wedge or skiing only green runs -10

Intermediate: Ski green and blue runs in many conditions; ski parallel; prefer moderate speeds -5

Advanced: Ski all runs, including black, in good conditions; ski at various speeds and use various shapes 0

Expert: Ski all runs in all conditions at high speeds with various turn shapes +5

Specialist: Ski often or every day; ski all runs in all conditions at high speeds +10

The last thing to think about is the type of skiing you like to do: all-mountain/freeride, big-mountain, freestyle, racing/alpine. For big-mountain and fat skis, longer, wider skis will increase your stability at high speeds and float much better in deeper snow. Don’t get too carried away, though. Sizing big, stiff skis more than 5cm above your suggested all-mountain length leads to less maneuverability. Slalom racers and bump skiers usually go with a shorter ski. World Cup slalom racers are carving around on skis between 150cm and 160cm. Throwing down laps in the terrain park? Shorten those puppies up. Most people will take about 10cm off the length if they’re spending their days jibbin’. This reduces swing weight for spins and makes them easier to handle on the rails. Female-specific skis are usually lighter and more flexible, but the size should be measured with the same considerations as listed above. The manufacturer has already adjusted their sizing charts to accommodate the ski and skier. True alpine touring skis will tend to size about 5cm shorter than all-mountain rides, but with the advent of DIN releasable touring bindings, many skiers are traveling into the backcountry on their big boards.

a lot easier to read on the link :

http://www.backcountry.com/store/newslet...

Answer 2

It depends very much upon your ability, probably you are a beginner or beginning intermediate skier, so I'd guess about a 155 cm. in a medium flex and recreational or groomed slope style.

  Enjoy the sport,  good turns, Jim.

Answer 3

ANS said it well; as you felt you needed to ask I would say you want to get a set of easy carvers. Depending on the ski you could go with around 162's if you are athletic 172's. The best thing to do is to tell the ski sales man what you ski like and if you wish to be come better.

Answer 4

50

Answer 5

Depends on your ability and what you are skiing, even then anything anyone writes on here is an educated guess. Your best bet is to rent, they will fit you at the shop.