Hi. I want to get short (< 151 cm) / wide (95-100mm) backcountry skis but haven't been able to find anything close except for the Nordica Santa Anna Unlimited (151cm) and the DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP (153cm). I currently ski the Blizzard Sheeva 9 in a 148cm and love them, but want something lighter and better for powder. Does anyone have experience with those two skis? Or suggestions for another ski I may not have come across in my research? I am an intermediate resort skier and a beginner powder skier. Thanks!
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Short / Wide Backcountry skis
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marzNC
Angel Diva
Haven't been on the DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP, but in general I really like DPS skis. I'm petite and haven't been skiing deep powder confidently for that long. When I used to rent at Alta was the DPS Nina 99 @158cm. What I bought from a Diva a few years ago is the DPS Zelda @158. Been very happy with them.
Note that I don't do backcountry touring. I also learned to ski on straight skis over my head so longer skis are fine. Now that I've become a solid advanced skier with the help of lessons, my all-mountain skis are 85 underfoot and 159cm. I've skied them in knee deep fluffy powder with no problem, although it takes more concentration than with wider skis. When I started renting demo skis for powder days at Alta, it was hard to find any wider skis that were under 160cm. DPS is always at the Alta Demo Day in Alta, so I've had a chance to try several different models in the last decade.
Note that I don't do backcountry touring. I also learned to ski on straight skis over my head so longer skis are fine. Now that I've become a solid advanced skier with the help of lessons, my all-mountain skis are 85 underfoot and 159cm. I've skied them in knee deep fluffy powder with no problem, although it takes more concentration than with wider skis. When I started renting demo skis for powder days at Alta, it was hard to find any wider skis that were under 160cm. DPS is always at the Alta Demo Day in Alta, so I've had a chance to try several different models in the last decade.
Thanks so much! This is helpful. I actually called DPS and sadlly they don't have my size in their demo fleet this year (nor does anyone else apparently). I think I'm going to start a bike / ski brand for petite woman ; )
marzNC
Angel Diva
It's very rare for any brand to bring their shortest lengths to a demo day. DPS does at Alta because they are making them in SLC.
Paging @Pequenita .
How many years have you been skiing?
I'm a little stumped because there aren't a ton of skis that wide and also that length (alternatively, maybe I am just not familiar with those skis). Are you under 100lbs, which is sort of the only type of person I think a <151cm, 95 to 100mm waist ski would be a powder ski for? What about a Volkl Blaze 94W? It comes in 150. Sego Lupines also go short and wide-ish (but I'm not sure how much they weigh), but unless you live around Victor ID, it will be tough to demo them, and you'd have to order them next fall. Maybe @Analisa has some ideas...
Thanks! I am equally stumped. Yes, I am very petite - 4'10" and 95 lbs. Thanks for the recos. I will check them out.
Cool. I'll check them out. Thanks!
not many (< 3 years), but because I now live in Park City I ski a fair amount.
Also, welcome to the forum! As another short person (4'10"!), I feel your pain when it comes to finding good equipment. Things are *slowly* changing; another voice is appreciated. Someday we'll have more choices!
marzNC
Angel Diva
Ah, you could keep an eye out for the announcement of the date for the Alta Demo Day in early April. It's normally the first Saturday. The webpage for it usually doesn't get created until some time in March. Hard to say if it will be April 1 or April 8.
The Alta Demo Day is free. Pays to arrive pretty early to get registered and look over the brand tents. Most of the reps start setting up at 8:00 even though the event doesn't start until 9:00.
tinymoose
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I was gonna rec checking out the Faction Agent 2.0X but shortest it comes in is 155. I have the 1.0X in 154 and tbh they don't ski any longer than my 150 SLs b/c of how turny they are and the tail/tip rocker, but that may be beyond your comfort zone in length. 2.0X is 96 at the waist.
I'm 5'1" and 95 lbs.
I'm 5'1" and 95 lbs.
WaterGirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
@hills are you going skiing this ski on the resort or just BC? and what bindings would you be putting on it?
FWIW Just looking around in the 150s b/c Im avoiding working on other things....
Icelantic skis which smallest length is 155.... but they have a lot of tip and tail rocker https://www.icelanticskis.com/pages/22-23-backcountry-collection-womens but you may be able to find the Alpine versions to demo more easily ..... paging @Analisa
Atomic Backland comes in a 156 https://www.atomic.com/en-us/shop/product/backland-98-w-aa0029504.html#color=31385
https://www.kaestle.com/en/alpine/skis/show/tx93-w/ 154
And this https://www.evo.com/skis/dps-founda...97/dps-foundation-99-grom-skis-kids-2023-.jpg Not suggesting that KIDS skis have the same core/ build as adult skis but this was interesting as it states that it has "Foundation Core – Aspen core with Unidirectional Carbon stringers" - not sure how many kids skis have carbon stringers? would be interesting to know how they ski
https://www.momentskis.com/collections/22-23/products/sierra - fun!!!! comes in a 152 skis short
https://www.powder7.com/Moment-Sierra-Skis-152cm-New-Flat-2022/for-sale if you like astronauts
When DD was your size she had the Shiro JR as her powder ski. 100 under foot in a 153. This is the current version.... https://www.voelkl.com/en-us/products/skis/freeride/revolt-100-jr/?season=196 might be heavy for touring but its a ski that comes in a longer turn radius than some of the others....
Other kids powder skis Blizzard Cochise, Line Sir Francis Bacon and some of the Armada skis...
FWIW Just looking around in the 150s b/c Im avoiding working on other things....
Icelantic skis which smallest length is 155.... but they have a lot of tip and tail rocker https://www.icelanticskis.com/pages/22-23-backcountry-collection-womens but you may be able to find the Alpine versions to demo more easily ..... paging @Analisa
Atomic Backland comes in a 156 https://www.atomic.com/en-us/shop/product/backland-98-w-aa0029504.html#color=31385
https://www.kaestle.com/en/alpine/skis/show/tx93-w/ 154
And this https://www.evo.com/skis/dps-founda...97/dps-foundation-99-grom-skis-kids-2023-.jpg Not suggesting that KIDS skis have the same core/ build as adult skis but this was interesting as it states that it has "Foundation Core – Aspen core with Unidirectional Carbon stringers" - not sure how many kids skis have carbon stringers? would be interesting to know how they ski
https://www.momentskis.com/collections/22-23/products/sierra - fun!!!! comes in a 152 skis short
https://www.powder7.com/Moment-Sierra-Skis-152cm-New-Flat-2022/for-sale if you like astronauts
When DD was your size she had the Shiro JR as her powder ski. 100 under foot in a 153. This is the current version.... https://www.voelkl.com/en-us/products/skis/freeride/revolt-100-jr/?season=196 might be heavy for touring but its a ski that comes in a longer turn radius than some of the others....
Other kids powder skis Blizzard Cochise, Line Sir Francis Bacon and some of the Armada skis...
shadoj
Angel Diva
Moment Sierra @152 is definitely worth a shot, though it's only 91mm underfoot at that length. I loved demoing the Hot Mess (narrower) a couple years back, and the Sierra is on my future demo radar as a wider ski.
Personally, at 4'10" with narrow hips, anything >153cm starts becoming a kick-turn & uphill-skating issue, due to the amount of tail, even if I can "handle" longer skis. Mount point does play a role in this.
Personally, at 4'10" with narrow hips, anything >153cm starts becoming a kick-turn & uphill-skating issue, due to the amount of tail, even if I can "handle" longer skis. Mount point does play a role in this.
tinymoose
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I also find I can't go too wide. Like not too far into the 90s or it messes with my stance, especially in bumps, b/c I feel like I can't get my feet narrow enough. Not sure if other small people run into this issue also?
WaterGirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I'm assuming if she's in Park City she's getting that "light fluffy snow" and this might be enough of a ski ....
but I hear you on the length for kick turns.... depending on how long your legs are as well.....
shadoj
Angel Diva
Yes, with her light weight, a narrower ski with good shovel design shouldn't have an issue in those conditions. We're both already skiing skis longer than our height. I'm amazed at how much snow my 82mm-waist skis can handle!
@tinymoose - I have yet to demo anything in the upper 90's, but narrowing my stance in a comfortable, athletic way doesn't leave much room between wide shovels in case of mild deflection, so there's that, too.
lisaski
Certified Ski Diva
I'm 5'5" and ski a 169 length with 107 mm underfoot for my newest setup. I wouldn't worry about going so short on skis in the backcountry. Powder turns are more fun if they are long radius.
