Ski Length for Beginner Skier

[ski now work later]

Now that I'm up and around, I'm putting away my ski gear for the season and thinking about whether or not I should sell a pair of my daughter's old skis. This (14 yr. old) daughter outgrew (by height, weight, and skill) her 146 K-2 Sweet Luvs this season, which were her first ski. She's now on a 153 K-2 True Luv which actually measures slightly longer than my 156 Volkls. She's 5'7" and weighs 140 lbs., and is a low intermediate skier, so they actually worked out really well for her last month and should last a few years as she only gets about 4-6 days in each season.

Our oldest daughter (turning 21 in June) is our last kid to get on snow. This December, she will be with us for the holidays and I think she's chosen skiing over snowboarding (which will make our family 4/3 for skiers vs. snowboarders). She's tried both in Michigan (where she lives) and is a beginner, but not first timer, at skiing. She's also 5'7", probably weighs 150 to 160, and is coordinated, so I expect she will do well. She's likely to only ski 2-3 days in December when she's here, depending on conditions, at our local mountain.

We will definately get her a pair of boots just for her, but here's my question. Should I keep the 146 Sweet Luvs for her or sell them? I'm concerned that they are too short a ski for her height and weight, but if they will work for a day or two at a local hill when she's here in December, it would mean not having to also buy her a pair of skis. I am the same height and weigh 145, and I started on 156 skis which worked well for me. I'm thinking that a 153-156 ski length ski would be better for her.

Divas? What do you think?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I'm thinking that these will probably work out, given the level and amount of skiing done by her. Length not so much an issue in those earlier phases. Certainly would save some $. Unless you're looking to reclaim value before they are outdated?? Still less costly to keep than replace. Just a thought. Other opinions may vary. But if she isn't going to be a gung-ho regular skier, these shorter skis might be a better learning tool. .02 for the day. Gotta go shovel...

 

[Jilly]

I think I'd keep them for her for next season. Never know, she just might like it too much and want to ski more. Then she would need longer. But for now, "save your money!".

 

[Severine]

They'll probably be fine. I learned to ski on 140cm Rossis and I am 5'5" was around 200 lbs at the time. It wasn't until this season (my 2nd) that I started skiing on a longer length and was able to appreciate what it could do for me. For her level, I would just keep them.

 

[perma-grin]

Those should work great for her at a novice level. When given the oppourtunity I start my students out on as short a ski as possible then move them up through the length as their skills develope. I own NRT Elans skis starting at 123 cm, 133 cm 143 cm, and a pair of 150 cm Nordica SLC's all with demo bindings on them just for that purpose. It's almost impossible not to suceed when you can move them up through the length like that. Let her move to a longer ski when she becomes more centered, and confident in her tipping skills. Then she will be ready to handle more speed on steeper terrain, and approach the hill and her turns on the offense, not the defense in her ski tactics. To many skiers develope defensive manuvers ( throwing shoulders ,ab-stems, breaking at the waist ect.) out of a desperate attempt to gain control over their skis not having had the chance to fully develope a centered stance to begin with. A shorter ski rewards and encourages a more centered stance in any level of skier which will allow them to move on to a longer ski with greater confidence. Tough to hang on your tails if you don't have any. Where does your daughter live in Michigan? We teach a Ladies ski seminar at Schuss mountain the 1st week in Feb. We have wedge turners thru ex-college racers, and of course the ever popular Yoga with wine and chocolate after each day's lessons! Our ladies feel that these things enhance the relaxation aspect of the yoga. Very popular! Of course it does increase your chance of falling asleep in the corpes position! Lol! Been there done that!