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Help Needed: Petite skier - Bought wrong size skis!

Susan L

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I hope you’d try the skis out and decide for yourself whether they are the right size for you or not. I am all for shorter skis to make life easier. I am 5’3” 145# and I am an aggressive skier. My skis are between 152-156 and I have no issues with stability, especially at speed. Most women skiers I know are honestly using skis that are way too long for their height/weight/skill levels and would benefit if they downsize.
 

Pequenita

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Last note - I went to 149cm length skis this season for my daily driver after a dozen years on a 156cm length. I made this change because I am getting more lazy. :smile: My skis when there is new snow are 158, and my SL skis are 150, which are probably too long for an SL ski for me. I'm a bit lighter than you, @kayobiii, but I did want to give you this datapoint. Good luck!
 

Amie H

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I like skis on the shorter side, myself. I'm short (5'2") but as we American gals say, I'm "thicc." :wink: Full rear & thighs, clothing size 12-14 US.

I take my shortest skis out on the snow when I'm unsure of conditions (though they are also my most narrow, so super easy to turn.) Easier to carry, too!
 

cosmicplanks

Angel Diva
@kayobiii just one more person here to chime in on the shorter skis. I ski mostly off piste, lots of bumps and steeps in my home mountain. I’m 5’7” (170cm) and 156lbs. My skis are 157-163cm. My favorite ones are in the high 150s. I never once felt unstable in my skis- if I did, it was entirely user error.
 

skibum4ever

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I was skiing in the 160-165 length, 90-102 width before I broke my leg. Those skis look really long and wide now.

I have dropped about 10 clicks in each dimension and feel no instability. Also, I am far from being a lightweight.

Just my two cents...
 

kayobiii

Certified Ski Diva
I hope you’d try the skis out and decide for yourself whether they are the right size for you or not. I am all for shorter skis to make life easier. I am 5’3” 145# and I am an aggressive skier. My skis are between 152-156 and I have no issues with stability, especially at speed. Most women skiers I know are honestly using skis that are way too long for their height/weight/skill levels and would benefit if they downsize.
Perfect, thank you for your reply, Susan. I love hearing so many of you experienced skier are skiing shorter skis with no issues. I’ll post here how I get on when I try them next week!
 

kayobiii

Certified Ski Diva
I like skis on the shorter side, myself. I'm short (5'2") but as we American gals say, I'm "thicc." :wink: Full rear & thighs, clothing size 12-14 US.

I take my shortest skis out on the snow when I'm unsure of conditions (though they are also my most narrow, so super easy to turn.) Easier to carry, too!
Haha I love it! I’m 5ft but around 117-120lbs, with thicker thighs and rear too (UK size 8-10). I had read online that if you’re “thicc” you should go longer, but I’m learning not to listen to everything on the internet as gospel! I suppose it’s all subjective, plus a lot of advice comes from men who have totally different weight distribution to us. I much prefer hearing these real life stories from women I can trust! Thanks for your message, I’m looking forward to trying them out now :smile:
 
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kayobiii

Certified Ski Diva
@kayobiii just one more person here to chime in on the shorter skis. I ski mostly off piste, lots of bumps and steeps in my home mountain. I’m 5’7” (170cm) and 156lbs. My skis are 157-163cm. My favorite ones are in the high 150s. I never once felt unstable in my skis- if I did, it was entirely user error.
Woohoo, another win! Thank you so much for your message. From a quick google we’re actually the same BMI so hopefully I feel the same as you on the shorter skis and enjoy them. Will try them out next week to be sure but generally feeling much better about this purchase, thank you
 

kayobiii

Certified Ski Diva
I was skiing in the 160-165 length, 90-102 width before I broke my leg. Those skis look really long and wide now.

I have dropped about 10 clicks in each dimension and feel no instability. Also, I am far from being a lightweight.

Just my two cents...
Excellent, thank you for chiming in! It’s great to know you’re not feeling any instability. I suppose if I feel it, it’s a sign I gotta work on and adjust my balance rather than automatically blame the skis. Thanks again
 

SnowHot

Angel Diva
Hello Divas!
Lovely to meet you all virtually, I hope you’re having a great week so far. Essentially, I’ve made a blunder and purchased skis a little short for me and I’m looking for advice.

They are the brand new 2025 Blizzard Black Pearl 84s in 146cm. I’m around 153cm tall and they come up to my cheekbones. I’d normally go 146-155 for skis. I was previously advised these would be the most fun and versatile, which is why I got them. I also got them mounted with beautiful matching bindings, and although a lovely combination means I now obviously cannot return them!

I took them in to get them checked with my boots and the guy asked me why I got them short, and that he would’ve went longer given I’m an advanced skier and these have a rocker so slightly less effective edge. He says they’ll still be super fun but knows I like to charge fast on piste, so said they might be a little less stable for the higher speeds I like to go at. I feel really stupid and sad now!

I’m worried I’ve just wasted my money, of which I don’t have loads anyway so it’s making me quite anxious. Could any petite skiers reassure me they’ll be fine? Also, I know not to sell here as I’m a newbie but if anyone was interested (either a petite skier or perhaps for their teen) in knowing more or swapping, I’m happy to give you more information if you want it. I’d be willing to swap for used, or give away very discounted from what I paid to be able to buy my right size. I can’t afford to buy another pair right now..

Thanks for reading and happy ski season ❄️
Have you skied these yet?

I'll be brutally honest, the real answer is "depends"
I tend to ski a bit longer than advised for my size, and I do okay on then, but I also occasionally demo skis that are much shorter and find them to be enjoyable.

I think you should ski them and see if you like them in that length, and if you do...go with it.
If you end up not liking that length...sell 'em and get the longer length or heck...maybe something entirely different.
 

scandium

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
For me it depends on the ski and the conditions. I am 158cm/55kg; my piste skis in Australia are the Volkl Racetiger SC in 150cm and I downsized deliberately on the exact same ski due to narrow runs and manmade snow being the usual conditions. I haven't missed the extra 5cm!
 

Ontarioski1822

Diva in Training
As a petite skier (<152cm, 50kg), I feel like I made the opposite mistake. I just bought the BP88s in 152cm. I haven’t gotten my bindings mounted or tested them out but I’m feeling a tad bit of buyers regret over not going shorter!
 

kayobiii

Certified Ski Diva
As a petite skier (<152cm, 50kg), I feel like I made the opposite mistake. I just bought the BP88s in 152cm. I haven’t gotten my bindings mounted or tested them out but I’m feeling a tad bit of buyers regret over not going shorter!
It’s not a nice feeling! I guess what I’ve learned from this thread is you never really know until you try, and that a few mms is unlikely to be a total disaster hopefully. If you’re based in the U.K. you’re more than welcome to come try mine out in comparison to yours. Obviously mine are a little more narrow as I prefer that for carving but would still get the general feel…
 

Ontarioski1822

Diva in Training
It’s not a nice feeling! I guess what I’ve learned from this thread is you never really know until you try, and that a few mms is unlikely to be a total disaster hopefully. If you’re based in the U.K. you’re more than welcome to come try mine out in comparison to yours. Obviously mine are a little more narrow as I prefer that for carving but would still get the general feel…
Thanks! Unfortunately we’ve got a pretty large ocean between us. I’m hoping I’ll enjoy them once I get them out but I’m also seriously considering buying the 146s and returning the 152s. I was on 130s (lol) for years so I’m not sure what came over me when I bought the 152s. I hope you love them once you try them!
 

kayobiii

Certified Ski Diva
Thanks! Unfortunately we’ve got a pretty large ocean between us. I’m hoping I’ll enjoy them once I get them out but I’m also seriously considering buying the 146s and returning the 152s. I was on 130s (lol) for years so I’m not sure what came over me when I bought the 152s. I hope you love them once you try them!
Oh yeah, now I notice your username! I know exactly what it feels like to question what came over you when making purchase haha :doh:. I mean if you look at the Blizzard website I think it does recommend the 152-158s for our size and ability, so it’s not like you made a totally silly mistake. Suppose it might just feel funny for a while if you skied on short skis like 130s for a long time.
 

Trailside Trixie

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
One thing I've learned is the ski length isn't an exact science. It often boils down to preference. My usual skis are in the mid 160s range. However, i came up on a couple different deals of skis that were 158, I bought them and you know what other then them being turnier, I don't notice much difference. They are certainly awesome in the trees and easier on the bumps. You should definitely ski your skis and see how it goes, you might find you love them.
 

maddy13

Certified Ski Diva
I’m 5’1, and would definitely need longer than 146. Maybe terrain and snow type change preferences? I’m preferring skis in the 160s if they have tip and tail rocker…
 

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