New petite skier, how to choose skis?

[xxs_skier]

I didn't want to hijack @Pennyskis thread (very helpful btw!) but as a very new skier (not doing parallel, still on greens) there's a lot that I don't know on how to choose skis. I don't really have a skiing style other than "hoping not to fall". I've tried to search this forum for other posts, but have not had much luck. If there are any resources on this, please send them my way.

@tinymoose mentioned that I need to upgrade my skis, so I might as well start gathering info for my next new pair.

I'm currently skiing a 130 Blizzard Pearl Jr. I'm 5'0 (or very close to it) and 92 pounds. I've only been on rentals a few times and the skis and I found the longer ones (maybe 150ish?) heavy and hard to skate flats with. The shorter ones were much easier to handle and I was able to turn better. I thought the 130 might be too short, but the sales guy said shorter skis are more fun. To be honest, I haven't really noticed any issues with these skis.

I definitely want something lightweight and responsive. I'm not sure about the length, but I'm guessing in the 140ish range? Is it easier to cross your skis on the longer lengths? Demoing skis might be difficult because they might not have the length that I need.

I'm in the PNW and we'll probably be doing a Whistler trip at least once a year. Right now the conditions on my local mountain have been icy or slushy. I'll probably be sticking to groomers. I also don't want to spend a ton of money on a sport that I'm having trouble learning. Would love to keep it under $700. I've seen the Yumi and Head Absolute Joy being highly recommended.

Also, how long do skis last for? My family have been going once a week since the hills opened early December and we'll probably be skiing until end of March.

Thanks all for your help, it's been really nice finding a resource like this!

 

[marzNC]

I also don't want to spend a ton of money on a sport that I'm having trouble learning. Would love to keep it under $700.

Also, how long do skis last for?

Keep in mind that new skis come out every year. That means there are sales that start soon as people start thinking about spring in March or April. There is no reason you need to buy skis from the 2022-23 season.

When I started skiing 10-15 days a season with my daughter as she learned, first I bought a pair of skis that I used for a couple seasons and then I got skis that I used for five seasons. There was nothing wrong with the first pair when I sold them to a Ski Diva. They just weren't the right skis for me any more.

If you learn to take care of skis and aren't skiing that many days each winter, should be able to use them for 5-10 years.

Another option to consider is doing a seasonal rental just for skis from a local ski shop.

 

[xxs_skier]

Keep in mind that new skis come out every year. That means there are sales that start soon as people start thinking about spring in March or April. There is no reason you need to buy skis from the 2022-23 season.

When I started skiing 10-15 days a season with my daughter as she learned, first I bought a pair of skis that I used for a couple seasons and then I got skis that I used for five seasons. There was nothing wrong with the first pair when I sold them to a Ski Diva. They just weren't the right skis for me any more.

If you learn to take care of skis and aren't skiing that many days each winter, should be able to use them for 5-10 years.

Another option to consider is doing a seasonal rental just for skis from a local ski shop.

Thanks. I think if I see a deal, I might pick up a new pair. I was talking with a mom at my daughter's school and she says her 9 year old skis on 130s so I'm guessing that mine are probably too short as her daughter isn't as tall as me.

 

[Soujan]

I started skiing when I was 30. I'm now 41. In the beginning I purchased used or new old stock off of eBay. I don't think it was until I was starting to parallel ski and going down blues that I knew what I was feeling beneath my feet or how different skies affected my skiing. At the time, I also fell into the "hoping not to fall" style but things usually did not go as planned. I still feel that way sometimes.

Do you feel like your are progressing this season? I don't think you should be spending a lot of money on something that you might grow out of fairly quickly. In the beginning, I was only able to ski between 10-15 days a season and I upgraded my skies every 2 years, I think.

I'm 5'2" and 140 lbs. My first ski was an 145 cm Atomic Hot Minx. I looked up an old review on them:

Ski hard and aggressively or do some E Z mild mannered cruising. The Hot Minx does either with ease and a secure sense of control. Easy to initiate and very good edge grip.

Not a speed specialist, but very easy to control and turn at medium speeds, even on the toughest terrain. Forgiving and highly recommended for ladies who want to “turn it up a notch” as the new Hot Minx almost invites the skier to let ‘em go and use a little more speed and gravity to allow the ski to work as designed.

That definitely did not describe me. I remember falling a lot on them. I did eventually take these skies from wedge to parallel. As I got better, my skis got longer. My current skies are 158 cm.

 

[xxs_skier]

Do you feel like your are progressing this season? I don't think you should be spending a lot of money on something that you might grow out of fairly quickly. In the beginning, I was only able to ski between 10-15 days a season and I upgraded my skies every 2 years, I think.

I feel like I'm almost back to where I was last year. Although this year I did go to the bigger mountain on a green where the path is quite narrow and steep at the beginning like a blue. The first time the conditions were icy and crowded so I fell a few times. The last time wasn't crowded and the snow was better so I didn't have to deal with ice or as many moguls and I successfully skied down without falling.

I really don't want to spend a lot of money, although it'll most likely be passed down to my other kids so that takes the sting out of the price.

 

[xxs_skier]

Update: Called a few places to see if they had demo skis in shorter sizes, nothing local, but Evo Whistler and Blackcomb have availability.

Also thank you to @Cantabrigienne for checking the demo tent for me! She said that the Saloman QSTs and Elan Ripsticks 88 in the low 150cm mark.

Evo has for demo:
- Sheeva 9
- Absolute Joy (one ski I was considering)
- Black Pearl (none to buy, but can set me up with a demo)

My local shop recommended the Sheeva Team (jr ski) which is at a cheaper price point, but pretty similar.

 

[Jilly]

So, demo the BP, you can get it somewhere else if it's the one. They're all over the place. Or maybe they can still order.

 

[xxs_skier]

So, demo the BP, you can get it somewhere else if it's the one. They're all over the place. Or maybe they can still order.

I wasn't sure if the BP would be too much ski for me at this stage and was leaning towards the Joy. But then I don't know if that would be a good ski for out here ... although it's been icy, slushy or hardpack for most of the days here on my local mountain.

 

[Elena_Ski]

As a lighweight person, I personally find Head skis just way too heavy. They feel like a pair of bricks strapped to my feet lol. I learned to ski a few years ago on Rossignol Experience 76 and love them! They are lightweight, soft, and easy to turn - great for a slender beginner. Just demoed Black Pearl 88 and they felt a bit heavier but stable and overall also pretty easy to handle. I would recommend Rossignol Experience (76, 78, 80, 82 or 86) or Black Pearl 82 or 88 for a progressing beginner. I'm from BC and have skied greens and blues in Whistler for a few seasons on my Rossis. They are not great in deep fluffy powder like we have in BC Interior but perform very well on Whistler's heavy, compact snow and ice. I bought them at SportChek store in West Vancouver, they seem to have them on sale every year.

 

[Elena_Ski]

For the length, I would go on the shorter end of the spectrum. For me, the recommended range is something like 152-157 cm based on my height and level, but as a lighweight low intermediate, I find that longer skis (158cm and longer) are harder for me to turn and they tend to take me out for a ride LOL... as opposed to me riding them)) So I've stuck with 152-153 cm skis and have been very happy with this length.

 

[ceestan]

You could buy my Black Pearl 88 in 147 cm:

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I only skied them one season. I don't think they would be too much ski for you at all. In fact, I am selling because I progressed past them in one season and needed a longer burlier ski. I definitely think this ski helped me progress. They are pretty lightweight and easy to get along with. You do need to learn how to point them down the fall line a bit and get at least a bit of speed to initiate a turn, but that's a good habit to build anyway.

Where in the PNW are you, by the way? I live in Portland and ski Mount Hood Meadows mostly. Would be willing to let you take them out for a spin, lol.

 

[xxs_skier]

For the length, I would go on the shorter end of the spectrum. For me, the recommended range is something like 152-157 cm based on my height and level, but as a lighweight low intermediate, I find that longer skis (158cm and longer) are harder for me to turn and they tend to take me out for a ride LOL... as opposed to me riding them)) So I've stuck with 152-153 cm skis and have been very happy with this length.

How tall are you? I was thinking 152cm or under. So I went skiing today and I think I have officially outgrown this ski. It felt like I was driving on a road that needed MAJOR work done. I'm guessing this is chatter? It was verrrry bumpy and wasn't too pleasant.

Hello to another BC person!

 

[xxs_skier]

You could buy my Black Pearl 88 in 147 cm:

Item not found | Buy and Sell on SidelineSwap

SidelineSwap is where athletes buy and sell their gear. Find great deals on new and used equipment, or list your gear for free in seconds.

sidelineswap.com

I only skied them one season. I don't think they would be too much ski for you at all. In fact, I am selling because I progressed past them in one season and needed a longer burlier ski. I definitely think this ski helped me progress. They are pretty lightweight and easy to get along with. You do need to learn how to point them down the fall line a bit and get at least a bit of speed to initiate a turn, but that's a good habit to build anyway.

Where in the PNW are you, by the way? I live in Portland and ski Mount Hood Meadows mostly. Would be willing to let you take them out for a spin, lol.

Aw man, I'm in Canada. That's too bad, would've loved to have tried it.

How tall are you btw? Speed isn't an issue for me, sometimes I end up catching too much and have to try slowing myself down.

 

[tinymoose]

How tall are you? I was thinking 152cm or under. So I went skiing today and I think I have officially outgrown this ski. It felt like I was driving on a road that needed MAJOR work done. I'm guessing this is chatter? It was verrrry bumpy and wasn't too pleasant.

Hello to another BC person!

Yeah, that's exactly what that is. I had that with my first pair of too short, too soft skis. As I newbie I switched from 132s to some stiffer, longer skis at 142 and that helped for a few years as an intermediate until they started chattering too as I improved. lol

I definitely don't think I'd go any taller than you are since you're still learning, and maybe keep it a bit shorter than you. Benefit of longer skis is more stability, downside is more ski length to deal with while learning.

ETA: I'd also personally rec trying to keep to skis maybe no wider than the low 80s at most or high 70s if you can. Only b/c it's easier to learn how to find and use your edges on a narrower ski. It takes more effort to tip a wider ski up on edge.

 

[tinymoose]

I don't know if anyone recommended it yet, but Powder7 often has a good selection of demo skis for sale. I've bought a couple pairs from them in the past. They'll usually come with bindings, and it might be a good, affordable option.

 

[xxs_skier]

Yeah, that's exactly what that is. I had that with my first pair of too short, too soft skis. As I newbie I switched from 132s to some stiffer, longer skis at 142 and that helped for a few years as an intermediate until they started chattering too as I improved. lol

I definitely don't think I'd go any taller than you are since you're still learning, and maybe keep it a bit shorter than you. Benefit of longer skis is more stability, downside is more ski length to deal with while learning.

ETA: I'd also personally rec trying to keep to skis maybe no wider than the low 80s at most or high 70s if you can. Only b/c it's easier to learn how to find and use your edges on a narrower ski. It takes more effort to tip a wider ski up on edge.

Ok, I just saw a pair of Yumi 84 (apparently 2023) for 30% off and thinking of picking them up. They have a 147 and I think the 154 would be too tall considering I'm on a 130 right now. No demos available for it, but the price seems pretty good.

When you mean don't go any taller than me, do you mean total length? Or if it has rocker, it can be slightly taller?

 

[scandium]

Ok, I just saw a pair of Yumi 84 (apparently 2023) for 30% off and thinking of picking them up. They have a 147 and I think the 154 would be too tall considering I'm on a 130 right now. No demos available for it, but the price seems pretty good.

When you mean don't go any taller than me, do you mean total length? Or if it has rocker, it can be slightly taller?

Generally total length for you given the stage you are at and also factoring in the fact that you are lightweight so don't have the advantage of extra pounds to bend a ski that would be considered "long" for your height.

 

[Jilly]

Powder 7 is not going to be a good place to buy when you're from Canada. OP is in BC.

 

[tinymoose]

Powder 7 is not going to be a good place to buy when you're from Canada. OP is in BC.

Ah okay... didn't think about that. US person here.

 

[tinymoose]

Ok, I just saw a pair of Yumi 84 (apparently 2023) for 30% off and thinking of picking them up. They have a 147 and I think the 154 would be too tall considering I'm on a 130 right now. No demos available for it, but the price seems pretty good.

When you mean don't go any taller than me, do you mean total length? Or if it has rocker, it can be slightly taller?

147 would be fine, I would think. I had a couple different pairs of 147 Yumis over the years.

Yes, with more rocker a ski can go longer as it has less running length, I'd just be careful about going too long since you're coming from much shorter skis, you're pretty short and lightweight, and relatively new to skiing. Ski length is such a personal thing. I tend to go a little shorter than some people here as a preference. My skis now are 150 and 154 and I'm about 154 in height, but in the past most of my skis have been in the 145-149 range, and I liked that for their maneuverability.

I've seen the following mentioned as a recommendation re: ski length and skill level:
Beginner - Chin height
Intermediate - Nose height
Advanced - Forehead

I don't think that really applies to everyone across the board and probably trends too short in its recommendation, especially with chin height, but maybe try to keep it between nose and forehead? That's where the bulk of my skis have fallen over the years. Obviously, I'll let other people like instructors weigh in, as I'm not one and just going off my experience learning.