Ski Length?

[Amie H]

Pretty sure I know the answer to this one. But I'd love to hear your thoughts.

My oldest skis in use are a 2016 model I bought new in 2018. Rossignol Temptation 84. 146 length.

Next oldest are K2 True Luv, same length, also bought new, but older year stock than when I bought (2019 ish?)

Then I have the Stokli Nela 80 bought a few years ago new in a 149 length.

Those lengths have always been comfortable for me and some of you may know.I struggled with those Stoklis at first because they felt much longer ( very little rocker.) But after a little work at my local, finally mastered them w a change of stance.

The past year and a half I have improved, in my opinion, a great deal. Not just technically skiing ability but also strength, endurance, and confidence. I am still a lot slower than others.But I am much happier now putting the pedal to the metal(wood?!)when I have a wide open piste in front of me. I'm getting a chattery "flapping" feeling in the front of the ski at speed. I had that happen on the K2s at the end of last season, and this season on both of the other skis. Last season I thought it was because the K2's are lower quality than the others, but it's even happening with the Stoklis now.

So I feel like it's time for me to go up in length for sure, but not TOO much, so as to set me back in my gains.

I am 5'2" but over 150lbs.

I've had my eye on Black Cows Camox Birdie for a couple of years. Seems like what my quiver could use - a wider waist + more rocker ski that can handle deeper snow either in Tahoe or the UP. But the shortest length is a 156. I feel like maybe that's a couple of centimeters too long? Or maybe not because there's a lot of rocker in it

Whenever I use those sizing guides, they put me around low 150s.

How long is too long?

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[santacruz skier]

@Amie H I've skied with you before at Northstar! You would be fine on the Black Crow Camox Birdie in a 156. Actually, I have that ski in that size from 2018. They are in the garage at the Northstar house.
A great fun ski in Tahoe. Also, you might like the Sheeva 9 or 10 for Tahoe...

 

[mustski]

156 with rocker is not too long for you. I am also 5’2” and 135. 156 is the shortest that I ski and that would be a carver. My daily all mountain driver (with rocker) is a 167. My soft snow ski is a 165. My Secrets are a 163. My point is that is very little difference in these measurements.

I feel a lot more unstable on a ski that is too short. I think you will love the 156 IF you love the ski.

Demo the ski first- then decide on length. I have demoed skis that were too long for me and too short for me, but it was enough to know that I loved the ski and bought it in my own length.

 

[Amie H]

@Amie H I've skied with you before at Northstar! You would be fine on the Black Crow Camox Birdie in a 156. Actually, I have that ski in that size from 2018. They are in the garage at the Northstar house.

I was thinking of the videos I made of us last year skiing Northstar. This year, I started my day in January at Northstar with Drifter as my 1st run of the day. Besides it being a little icy in the shade first thing in the morning, it was fine. In other words, I can jump right in to a long, faster blue run and keep going without break.

I will look into those Sheeva models you noted.

@mustski - you are my height? Somehow I remember you as taller! Im back in Reno next week for a quick visit. Lmk if you might like to grab dinner Wed or Thursday evening. I might be skiing Rose Friday, or if roads are clear, Ill head to Diamond Peak as I haven't been there this season.

(Or any other Reno gals, for that matter. Im staying downtown as usual. )

 

[Bsheresq]

I am very similar in height/build to you, have also improved a lot over the last year, and I also recently found that my 149cm length skis (Renoun Earhart), which previously were great, started feeling squirrelly. I demoed a few skis and went with the Nordica Santa Ana 87 in a 155cm, which instantly helped me feel more stable and confident, and I immediately saw an improvement in my skiing. As I had already been planning on picking up a wider ski this year, I also picked up the Santa Ana in a 102mm width in a 161cm, and I have been having a really fun time in bumps and trees with it. I was surprised that I feel so comfortable with the 161cm but it hasn’t been a problem and they turn very easy. So I definitely second the advice to demo different sizes, then decide. & I’d suggest trying out the Santa Ana.

 

[TiffAlt]

I encourage you to try the 156! I don't think it'd be too long at all. I feel I can really relate.

I think length is what I am feeling too as I progress, though my sizing preferences have already gone longer. I'm 5'2.5" and ~115lbs.

When I was a beginner, I was sold a ski in the 149 length that I absolutely hated - not completely due to length, but I digress. Demo demo demo is the name of the game and I wanted to try a new ski that wasn't a rental badly, but I was having trouble finding it. They just didn't carry anything performant in that low a length.

I found that the shortest demo offered by my local mountain was a 154cm Yumi 84 and was seriously considering it out of desperation. I thought it was going to be too long, but the push came from here when the Divas convinced me it really wasn't too long for me. I now own this ski, that's how much I loved them.

I'm now thinking I might be ready to go up again as I progress further since they are starting to feel chattery at speed. I'm trying frontside skis in longer lengths (usually around 160) with metal to find a better ski for me and I do not feel that's too long at all. I feel very comfortable and capable on that length.

I totally understand your worries, but feel you'll be pleasantly surprised when you move up in length like I was! I also feel those sizing guides underestimate shorter skiers. Maybe that sizing chart is not as linear as they believe? Good luck

 

[Amie H]

I had to pop into my local ski shop today for some new baskets.

I was looking around at some sale items they had and spied a Santa Ana 84 in 158 length but my regular guy that I deal with there wouldn't sell it to me! After I described my desire to go up in length, he said I'd be wasting my money because it's not that much of a difference because of how much rocker is in the front, that I should hold out for something a little bit longer if it's got that much rocker.

He also said,,"You have those good Stoklis, why are you looking for something else?!" I reminded him that they are only 149cm.

We talked about the Black Crowes I'm interested in, and he encouraged me to go at least to the 162s if I end up getting them. (This shop is not a dealer, but he's familiar with the brand/model.)

Shout out to my guy, Ben, at Ski Haus in Arlington Heights, IL for the honest assessment.

 

[VickiK]

@Amie H , 156-159 cm would be a good length for you. I'm 5'1", that's the length I ski. There's a ton of skis that fall into that range, with a ton of widths too. Demoing is a good idea. Meeting up with a diva who has that length with a system binding, and is willing to lend them to you, is another option.

 

[Amie H]

@VickiK that's a nice idea, but probably not practical for me, being out here in the flatlands. To be honest, I would not feel comfortable borrowing someone else's skis, even for just a single run.

Demoing in general is ideal, but also not likely as I travel to ski when it fits my 2 job plus caregiver schedule. Also...I just wanna get going w new skis already, lol. I've been doing well at one of my jobs and have some money burning a hole in my pocket

I likely only have 4-5 more days on snow this season, so, yeah, I probably should keep looking and see if a demo day matches up with a trip next season. Feeling just a tad Veruca Salt-ish, though: "I want it NOW!"

 

[diymom]

While not a be-all, end-all tool, I've found an online ski length calculator that gives a decent estimation. Needless to say, it cannot take into account personal preferences for longer or shorter. Nor does it take into account the construction of the ski. But as far as a rough guideline goes, I feel like it is ok. For your given height and weight, it pretty much agrees with @VickiK for an all-mountain ski, and goes longer for big mountain / powder.

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[Amie H]

I just noticed I've spelled BLACK CROWS incorrectly twice in this thread. Yeesh.

 

[diymom]

I just noticed I've spelled BLACK CROWS incorrectly twice in this thread. Yeesh.

I'm guessing the first one was a very helpful auto "correct"

 

[mustski]

I was thinking of the videos I made of us last year skiing Northstar. This year, I started my day in January at Northstar with Drifter as my 1st run of the day. Besides it being a little icy in the shade first thing in the morning, it was fine. In other words, I can jump right in to a long, faster blue run and keep going without break.

I will look into those Sheeva models you noted.

@mustski - you are my height? Somehow I remember you as taller! Im back in Reno next week for a quick visit. Lmk if you might like to grab dinner Wed or Thursday evening. I might be skiing Rose Friday, or if roads are clear, Ill head to Diamond Peak as I haven't been there this season.

(Or any other Reno gals, for that matter. Im staying downtown as usual. )

Definitely! Truth I’m only 5’2”! I’m up for dinner either day … @SnowHot @Soujan ? If you go to Diamond Peak, I’ll meet you for the day. Conditions have been pretty firm overall and with low tide, we should probably check what’s open.

 

[Soujan]

Just seeing this but I would be down for dinner Thursday.

 

[SnowHot]

Pretty sure I know the answer to this one. But I'd love to hear your thoughts.

My oldest skis in use are a 2016 model I bought new in 2018. Rossignol Temptation 84. 146 length.

Next oldest are K2 True Luv, same length, also bought new, but older year stock than when I bought (2019 ish?)

Then I have the Stokli Nela 80 bought a few years ago new in a 149 length.

Those lengths have always been comfortable for me and some of you may know.I struggled with those Stoklis at first because they felt much longer ( very little rocker.) But after a little work at my local, finally mastered them w a change of stance.

The past year and a half I have improved, in my opinion, a great deal. Not just technically skiing ability but also strength, endurance, and confidence. I am still a lot slower than others.But I am much happier now putting the pedal to the metal(wood?!)when I have a wide open piste in front of me. I'm getting a chattery "flapping" feeling in the front of the ski at speed. I had that happen on the K2s at the end of last season, and this season on both of the other skis. Last season I thought it was because the K2's are lower quality than the others, but it's even happening with the Stoklis now.

So I feel like it's time for me to go up in length for sure, but not TOO much, so as to set me back in my gains.

I am 5'2" but over 150lbs.

I've had my eye on Black Cows Camox Birdie for a couple of years. Seems like what my quiver could use - a wider waist + more rocker ski that can handle deeper snow either in Tahoe or the UP. But the shortest length is a 156. I feel like maybe that's a couple of centimeters too long? Or maybe not because there's a lot of rocker in it

Whenever I use those sizing guides, they put me around low 150s.

How long is too long?

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When we skied together I felt like your skis were too short. I really believe that at your size you could easily ski somehting in the low 160s depending on which ski. For sure in the Black Crow Camox Birdie you can ski it in a low 160s.

I really believe some of your lack of confidence comes from skiing a ski too short and you lose stability at speed so you don't want to pick up speed. I really really think you'll find confidence in a slightly longer ski.

 

[Amie H]

@SnowHot thanks so much for the observation. I absolutely think you are right, and as a professional ski tester, I trust your judgment!

Last season when we did that morning at Rose, I know I was slow in part because I really didn't wax my skis well! Thankfully your better half generously fixed my skis up after, so I had a great next day at Northstar. But, yes, I also had started feeling instability, which I thought was just me being nervous because of the chatter/"flappiness" you know? In other words, I am just now putting this together that I was feeling - I guess uncomfortable is a good way to put it - because if I stepped on the gas, I didn't like that vibration.

Prior to this season, my fear was coming back after serious injury/surgery in 2019.

A combination of putting the time in on snow, working out more and more, and time passing from the injury (and maybe even feeling good from the estrogen regimen Im on) , I don't get nervous anymore, and that kind of just happened this season. So now that I am just flying around and jumping into steeper/longer and even bumpier runs without hesitation, NOW I'm really feeling the short-ness.

I doubt I will be on anything new to me this season...I've only got maybe 4 days left. Although never say never...Wisconsin might have some more juice left in the season after this weekend's rain/warm spell.

I did find a shop in the suburbs of Milwaukee who has the 2026 Camox Birdie, so if I get time one afternoon I could take a run up there.

Or maybe when I'm in Reno this week, I'll take a look at a shop as well, and see what they have on offer. (Is there a shop you recommend?) I land Wednesday around 3 so maybe I could pop in to a shop to browse before dinner.
I'lll be back in Reno the 2nd week in April, too.

 

[mustski]

Check Bobos. They have good selection of demos and their tunes on the skis are excellent.

 

[Amie H]

@mustski thanks!

Maybe I will rent something to demo and see how more length feels (cue Michael Scott...)

 

[SnowHot]

@SnowHot thanks so much for the observation. I absolutely think you are right, and as a professional ski tester, I trust your judgment!

Last season when we did that morning at Rose, I know I was slow in part because I really didn't wax my skis well! Thankfully your better half generously fixed my skis up after, so I had a great next day at Northstar. But, yes, I also had started feeling instability, which I thought was just me being nervous because of the chatter/"flappiness" you know? In other words, I am just now putting this together that I was feeling - I guess uncomfortable is a good way to put it - because if I stepped on the gas, I didn't like that vibration.

Prior to this season, my fear was coming back after serious injury/surgery in 2019.

A combination of putting the time in on snow, working out more and more, and time passing from the injury (and maybe even feeling good from the estrogen regimen Im on) , I don't get nervous anymore, and that kind of just happened this season. So now that I am just flying around and jumping into steeper/longer and even bumpier runs without hesitation, NOW I'm really feeling the short-ness.

I doubt I will be on anything new to me this season...I've only got maybe 4 days left. Although never say never...Wisconsin might have some more juice left in the season after this weekend's rain/warm spell.

I did find a shop in the suburbs of Milwaukee who has the 2026 Camox Birdie, so if I get time one afternoon I could take a run up there.

Or maybe when I'm in Reno this week, I'll take a look at a shop as well, and see what they have on offer. (Is there a shop you recommend?) I land Wednesday around 3 so maybe I could pop in to a shop to browse before dinner.
I'lll be back in Reno the 2nd week in April, too.

Definitely try something longer.
And Pat is right, Bob's has great selection of skis and great tunes.

 

[Amie H]

I talked to the rental department at Bobo's in Reno. Two skis I may be trying in high 150s-low 160s that they noted having in stock in my desired size range:

Nordica Santa Ana
Rossignol Arcade

It's $55 per rental.

The Rossi's are 84 w so could be a suitable replacement for the temptation 84s that I've outgrown, so to speak. We shall see.

I plan to take my skis (probably bringing the Stokli Nelas) and whatever I rent that day to the mountain, schlep both pair on piste, lock mine up, ski the rentals. If I hate them, can always go back to mine.

Thursday I'm leaning Northstar and no way I'd go all the way back to the car after waiting for/riding a bus, and walking across a lot (IYKYK) then hauling all the way back. So it will have to be double pair schlep! I have a ski strap/shoulder carrier that might be helpful for this endeavor. I'll just bundle like firewood. Can't wait to get looks for being a kook! (Side bar: this makes me think about not buying an EPIC multi-day next year. I feel so obligated to use those days up!)

If I had any brains, I'd just go to Rose Thursday with multiple rentals and test them over there. Easy enough to stroll back to the car if needed. I'm bummed I didn't know about the Bobo's Demo Days on March22nd, I would have scheduled this trip around that. But I am working at the pool on the 21st and 23rd so that won't work and, alas, we don't have Star Trek-like teleportation devices yet.