Insecure about size

[Kimmyt]

Of my skis, that is...

I just seriously got into skiing about three years ago, have had my own set of skis for two years now, though last year was the first where I skiied alot on them (started travelling to ski and 'got sick' a few times when we had snow down here).

The problem is, when I bought skis I had no knowledge about them. I simply went to the store and bought what they sold me within my price range. They are Volkl Gamma (women's specific) 320 Energy's... I think beginner type skis, and I got them from a chain ski shop that now I probably would not go to since I realized there is a more quality option with more knowledgeable employees nearby.

I have progressed alot on them, and I am starting to feel like I have hit the limit of my ability on them. I have gone from not being able to snowplow down a PA green trail to feeling comfortable on all but the double blacks steeps and glades at a more serious place like Jay.

The problem is, I am very insecure about my skis. Not only do I feel I may have outgrown them (how does one know, exactly, when one cannot progress any farther on a specific pair of skis?) but more heavily weighing on my mind is the fact that I am suddenly realizing perhaps I was mis-sized on these when I bought them?

I am very insecure about their size. They are 142, and i am 5'3". I didn't really notice until last year, when I saw the size of most people's skis in comparison to their height (and I know weight plays into it as well, but I'm not the skinniest person alive). And recieved a few comments from other folks about my shorties.

Right now I can't afford new sticks, but I am really worried that come time to get new ones (and this time my motto will be 'demo, demo, demo!') I will not know how to handle something in a longer length, or that using the shorter ones will have actually hindered my progress.

:(

All you knowledgeable ladies out there, please reassure me, or impart your years of knowledge so that i may not be so confused right now!

K.

 

[ski diva]

142 seems kind of short for someone 5'3", especially if you're progressing the way you say you are. I'm not saying you were initially mis-sized; beginning skiers typically start with skis that are a little short. It makes turning that much easier.

You'll know you're ready for an "upgrade" when you feel like your skis are holding you back or when they're not providing the energy or performance you want. And you'll definitely know when you try something else and are blown away by how much better they are than your current skis.

Believe me, if you've improved as much as you seem to have, you'll have no trouble on longer skis. The key is just to try them out and see for yourself.

BTW, I'm 5'-1" and my skis are 156.

 

[volklgirl]

Wow! It sounds like you've had a great couple of years!!

It also sounds like you have indeed outgrown those skis, but not necessarily due to the length. The 320 is (digging for my Volkl brochures.......) "for intermediate to advanced women looking to improve their skiing on groomed snow..forgiving easy construction", blah blah blah. If you otherwise like the 320, you might look at the Attiva (or older Gamma) 4 Star or 5 Star, or for more pop, try the unisex version. They should have the same 'feel' but be more substantial.

More so than height - weight, agressiveness, preferred turn size and speed, and technique, as well as the stiffness of the ski are factors in determining the 'right' length for your skis. For example, I weigh around 190lbs and ski hard and fast......my skis range from 155cm (Racestock SL ski) to 180cm (Racestock GS ski), with my favorites being my SL skis and my Volkl 6 Stars at 161cm.

The only way to really know for sure what ski and what length you should be on is for you to go demo some. It's great fun!! Try several different skis in different lengths, then buy the one that makes you want to dance and sing all the way down the hill :D :D !

 

[SnowHot]

Volklgirl pretty much said it like it is, but let me add........
Both of my sisters ski on Energy 320 Gamma's.
They are a great fun ski with some good carving properties and they like the ice better than most skis. Even if you get new sticks, you may want to keep them for those icy days when you need the extra edge they offer.

That being said, of my sisters, one was in your boat last year, she really just outgrew those skis, so I had her try my 5 stars, and P50's. After her experience on different skis, in significantly longer lengths, she was hooked. This year she'll be on her own 5star Gammas in 161, after skiing on energy 320 gammas in 156.

You will not have as much problem getting a longer ski as you will if you don't get, "the right ski". Go Demo and have fun! You're ready for it!

 

[Kimmyt]

Wow, thanks for the great info girls! Unfortunately, I think new ones may be out of it this year for me... I'm doing quite a bit of travelling and won't have much extra money to play with... however, I'll definitely make a point of hitting up some demos in the area and when I'm out West and see if I can't find a pair that I like. Maybe I can catch it on sale before next season's line comes out.

I put my pseudo-fast progression up to the fact that for the first year or two I only skiied with my cycling buddies, who are all very good skiiers. In order to 'hang' I had to tag along, and found myself watching their body movements and teaching myself how to look like that. On the menu this year is to learn to ski bumps so that I'm better on ungroomed and off-piste. As for my skis being good on the ice.... let's just say I'm from PA so I get plenty of ice-skiing in and they haven't failed me yet!

K.

 

[ski diva]

Let me see; ice + PA = Blue? Or Jack Frost? :D

 

[pollittcl]

Hi Kimmyt - I started skiing on the same skis in a 163 - I'm 5"7' and 140lbs. I also had a very quick learning curve - may be due to the skis! However I felt that I had out grown them by the end of my 2nd season, when I bought a soft slalom ski in a 155. I'm now starting my 4th season and I ski on either the slaloms or an all mountain in a 159 - I have no problem with the length and I'm not aiming on replacing them this year even though I'm attempting PSIA Level 2. I did demo a lot of skis before I bought my newer ones, which really paid off - I ski Dynamics which no one else seems to do!

 

[Kimmyt]

You guessed it. I cut my teeth on the 'snow' at Blue. I go up there alot after work for the night skiing, $20 a lift ticket you can't really beat.

The first time I skiied on fresh snow (this year, at Jay) I didn't know what to do with myself! I like to think that skiing on the bulletproof ice at Blue helped me to progress so fast too!

Actually, compared to many of the hills in PA, I feel that Blue has a bit more steep of a feel to it. I went to JF and *yawn*. It isn't much, but I guess it's better than nothing!

K.

 

[SnowHot]

Ah yes, Blue.
I've never had the privelage, but Lola's husband Phil refers to Blue as "the Snow cone Slopes";)

 

[Lola]

Blue Mountain can make me sad - you know, feel kinda blue? (sorry - I just couldn't help myself).

Most of my trips to Blue Mountain lately have been disappointing - large crowds, icy conditions, long lift lines, slow lifts - and idiots, plenty of idiots. Teenage boys who have to ski Challenge (double black diamond trail) when they can't even get out of a wedge. Snowboarders on the Mountain Road (green switch back trail) who push all of the snow to the sides of the trail and leave nice ice patches down the center. Teenage girls on thier cell phones standing in the middle of Lazy Mile (blue trail) appling a new coat of lip gloss.

And let's not forget the scouts - boy scouts, girl scouts, cub scouts, brownie scouts - troops of kids with their designated chaperones pushing and shoving in lift lines - knocking each other over and playing dueling swords with their ski poles.

Ah, the joys of Blue Mountain. Anybody wanna go? :D

 

[SnowHot]

Ah, the joys of Blue Mountain. Anybody wanna go? :D

Hey! I have an idea!
Lets all go to Ski With Phil at Blue Day!