Ski Length Question, Advice Welcome

[ski now work later]

My daughter is a low intermediate skier, still using the wedge to turn, hugging the hill, staying in a wedge in between turns when it's steep, etc. She's taking lessons but progressing slowly. She skis groomed conditions mostly (though 3 out of the 4 days I've taken her have been semi-powder days which is amazing for New England). She is also growing very quickly. She's 5' 2.5", age 12, weighs about 90 lbs. She's skiing her last year's skis, K2 Missy (junior) twin tips in 139, and they come up to about 1" below her chin. I'm wondering if I should move her to the 149s right away, which come to her mouth level. She says she doesn't want to ski faster, but her skis just look so short and they are twins and I'm wondering if the shorter length is holding her back or if the longer length will make her more nervous because it might increase her speed. It would be much more economical to wait until next season to upgrade her skis, probably to a ~150 length ski in a woman's ski rather than a junior ski, but I would like to see her improve this season so I'm looking for your thoughts Divas!

 

[m185]

I'm no expert but I'm just a tiny bit over 5feet - but I was told that the skis can't tell how tall you are and that you need to look at weight as well - I'm alot alot heavier than your daughter lol - When I bought skis I was told to go with the high 146 if I wanted moderate speed but if I was agressive and wanted high speed to go about 154ish...

I found this size chart - its based on girl/teen weights...(I have an 11 year old daughter thats my size but lots & lots lighter...she boards but will borrow my skis when she feels like skiing but she is an advanced intermediate skier and loves speed and moguls).

SKI SIZER

Weight Groomers Everywhere
145+ lbs 162 168-176
125-144 lbs 154 160-168
100-124 lbs 146 150-160
85-99 lbs 130-140 140
75-84 lbs 120-130 130
65-74 lbs 110-120 120
55-64 lbs 100-110 110
45-54 lbs 90-100 100
35-44 lbs 80-90 90
Under 35 lbs 67 67

Based on that - I'd wait on getting new skis for her...but you might want someone who really knows what they are talking about to chime in!!

 

[ski now work later]

Thanks! I also spoke to a few knowledgeable skiers and have decided to keep her in her current skis until next season....

 

[lady_Salina]

Hi. I thought you might want to check out somewhere like Head.com that has a product advisor.

https://www.head.com/ski/advisor.php?region=us

When I put in the information you list as a junior beginner (only goes to 59" tall) and as a woman at given height low end intermediate it recommends 149cm in both cases. Just an FYI for a second opinion.

As a former instructor i have seen kids hampered in development and a tendency to get in the back seat and push heals from being on too short of ski, but this is usually when really too short, I don't think 10 cm should make a large difference, but discussing it with an instructor who watches her ski maybe could clear up if he/she felt the ski length was an issue for her. A longer ski can give a more stable base and larger sweet spot for a more secure on the snow feeling. Think of skiing in a snow skate compared to ski, the skates go slower but feel waay faster.