Skis for small female skiers

[zensmontana]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has skiied the Rossi Experience 82 w TI in a 151cm. I'm 5 feet, 100lbs and usually ski 153 to 156, intermediate skiier, can make it down black diamonds if I have to, but not very gracefully. I do prefer a stiffer flex ski, so leaning towards these. Ski in the west, varied conditions, groomed, groomed with crud, etc., fresh snow. Thanks!

 

[marzNC]

Welcome! Have you skied skis shorter than 150cm?

I'm about your size, a few pounds heavier, became a solid advanced skier after age 60. Although my daily driver for trips out west are 159cm, my skis for the east are 10cm shorter. Recently bought BP88s @152 instead of 158cm. Haven't skied them that much yet but had fun so far. I'd demo'd an earlier version of the BP88 @145 and had a good time on Taos bumps.

I've liked every Rossi skis I've ever demo'd in the last 15 years. But it's been a few years so don't have any experience with current models.

 

[zensmontana]

Yes, Atomic Maven 84 at 144, was ok for soft snow, Spring skiing, but I felt they were too short for skiing fast groomers and don't feel stable enough for me. I'm currently also skiing Head 87 at 153 length also, stable, cuts through crud, but want a ski with a smaller waist for carving groomers, but still wide enough for crud.

 

[echo_VT]

Hello! Also a shorter diva who prefers a stiff n stable ski — I’m on kids racing skis, my daughter’s skis to be specific. She’s on 165s Nordica Santa Ana’s and I picked up her 150 volkl racetigers slalom skis for this season. They’re pretty phenomenal and the right size for me. Could go with GS (170) as well for a longer radius ski.

 

[JaneB]

It's a very nice ski. I have it.
It's a lot of ski.
Demo the Ca version as well. You may be happier with that one.
I'm about your size.

 

[Kissmark]

Wow! now I'm wondering if my skis are too short? I'm 5'3", 135lbs, and someone at the rental shop suggested a pair of 139cm skis. I am very much a beginner and tried them and thought they are good. Should I exchange for something longer?

 

[zensmontana]

It's a very nice ski. I have it.
It's a lot of ski.
Demo the Ca version as well. You may be happier with that one.
I'm about your size.

Do you ski the 151s, stable going fast on groomers, cuts through crude, fresh snow?

 

[JaneB]

Do you ski the 151s, stable going fast on groomers, cuts through crude, fresh snow?

Yes, but you have to work the ski harder because of the metal. If I had to do it over again, I'd get the Ca version. I am not a speed demon but more of a technical skier.

 

[Tvan]

Paging @tinymoose …

 

[Aerlind]

Wow! now I'm wondering if my skis are too short? I'm 5'3", 135lbs, and someone at the rental shop suggested a pair of 139cm skis. I am very much a beginner and tried them and thought they are good. Should I exchange for something longer?

If you’re very much a beginner, shorter skis are MUCH easier to learn and maneuver. If you rented at the hill, see if you can swap after a couple of runs to see, maybe a 145ish to see how it feels.

In general, longer skis are more stable at speed, but if you’re a beginner you’re likely not skiing very fast. Shorter skis are easier to turn. Once you’re confident turning, adding length can help confidence at speed.

 

[zensmontana]

Yes, but you have to work the ski harder because of the metal. If I had to do it over again, I'd get the Ca version. I am not a speed demon but more of a technical skier.

Thank you so much for your input!

 

[Kissmark]

If you’re very much a beginner, shorter skis are MUCH easier to learn and maneuver. If you rented at the hill, see if you can swap after a couple of runs to see, maybe a 145ish to see how it feels.

In general, longer skis are more stable at speed, but if you’re a beginner you’re likely not skiing very fast. Shorter skis are easier to turn. Once you’re confident turning, adding length can help confidence at speed.

Thank you so much! sounds like I should stick to these 139cm as Im trying to found on the basics.

 

[marzNC]

Wow! now I'm wondering if my skis are too short? I'm 5'3", 135lbs, and someone at the rental shop suggested a pair of 139cm skis. I am very much a beginner and tried them and thought they are good. Should I exchange for something longer?

Welcome! What region are you skiing in?

For a never-ever beginner, rental shops typically give them skis that come up to their chin.

How did you decide the rental boots fit?

 

[tinymoose]

I'm a similar size, 5'1" and 100 lbs, but I've never tried the Rossi Experience 82 w TI so not sure how much help I'll be here. Also haven't demoed a lot in years now. I'm not sure I like skis as stiff as you, although I do prefer my skis damp.

Knowing you like stiffer skis I'd also maybe try the Black Pearl 88s. They're no slouch and wider so you may find them more versatile out west. Very damp and great edge grip.

I personally like the Faction Agent, but a stiffer version of that ski if you can find them to try is the Faction Dancer.

Volkl Blaze is also another good option, but you may find it softer than you care for. It's a wood only ski.

FWIW, I also used to LOVE stiff skis. Skied Volkl Kenjas for years and they were planks but I loved them b/c they absorbed every lump and bump for me. Then I took a racing clinic and while I wouldn't say I carve well, I learned how to work my skis/edges better, and I now prefer a softer ski (although I still like them to be damp) as I just physically can't bend really stiff skis at my size.

I'm currently on some Faction Agents 1Xs (154 length, 86 waist) and I've just replaced my old jr SL race skis with the Head Super Joy (148 length, 75 waist).

 

[Kissmark]

Welcome! What region are you skiing in?

For a never-ever beginner, rental shops typically give them skis that come up to their chin.

How did you decide the rental boots fit?

Oh yeah now I remembered them mentioning about the chin.
For the boots, I think the pair I got are too big. Im planning to go back and exchanag for half a size smaller. I was thinking whether to change to a longer skiis at the same time, but probably will just stick with what I have 139cm

 

[marzNC]

Oh yeah now I remembered them mentioning about the chin.
For the boots, I think the pair I got are too big. Im planning to go back and exchanag for half a size smaller. I was thinking whether to change to a longer skiis at the same time, but probably will just stick with what I have 139cm

FYI, even though boots are measured in metric sizes as 23.0, 23.5, 24.0, etc. the shells are the same size. Are you thinking about half-sizes for street shoe size? What size do you wear? With ski boots, width, length, and other factors come into play. Obviously with rental boots, you have limited choices.

I trust you have good ski socks that aren't too thick. Nothing goes in the boots except the socks. Long underwear and ski pants go over the tops of the boots.

As a data point, my street shoe size is 7.0-7.5 depending on the style and my boots are 23.5.

 

[Elena_Ski]

I own several Rossi Experience skis. For a stiffer ski, you might want to look into Rossi Arcade, which has replaced the Rossignol Experience series. From what I've heard, it's similar to Experience in its agility and playfullness while it is a stiffer ski. I have not tried Rossi Arcade personally. I own Rossi Experience 76 and 80 and they were the perfect beginner skis for me. They are light, super maneuverable, and have an excellent edge grip. I found Experience to be soft and confidence building for beginners and low intermediates. For a stiffer ski, Rossi Arcade or Black Pearl might be a better choice.

 

[zensmontana]

I had a chance this past week to demo some Rossi Arcade 84s in a 152 and liked them on the groomers, felt stable and responsive to the way I like to ski, more of the longer GS turns that I can ride out. I wasn't able to really try them off piste as the snow conditions that day
didn't really offer the opportunity. Thanks.

 

[SnowHot]

@tinymoose to the courtesy phone.