longer skis

R

Rick_Husted

Member
what is the advantage of a longer ski? i have heard that you are faster on a longer ski because there is more snow to ski contact, but that really doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me, seeing as how that would create more friction with the snow. It doesnt seem like people just buy longer skis so they can brag about having long skis like they have some kind of complex or something. I can see how it would be easier to land on a longer ski perhaps, and they probably float better in pow, but arent they harder to turn, AND harder to spin, plus obviously more length = more weight.

 
it is harder to turn or regular crud with a longer ski, but you definately have the benefit of easier landings and a smoother ride in pow.

-Sara

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SRMC

skihood.com
 
I feel more stable on a longer ski when I'm skiing. Especially when going fast. Its way too easy to overski one of those short little things on expert hills, and then they just dont hold edges well and jitter and stuff.

'180 net grab = NOT a new trick!'

Have you ever seen a little kid slide back down the inrun of a kicker without going over? This is why parents shouldn't dump their kids off anywhere near the park...
 
To me its a matter of preference and what you ski, living in Utah you want to ski the steeps on powder days and the longer (185) rip for that. BUt when there isn't new snow they ride great in the park as well, especially center mounted. short skis just seem one dimensional to me.

 
the whole more friction thing is wrong. say you weigh 150 lbs. and you are on 160's, with the smaller surface area ther is more pressure per square inch, making more friction, with the longer ski the weight is spead out mor making less friction. this is why longer skis are faster.

'If she floats than she is not

A witch like we had thought'

'Like most babies smell like butter

his smell smelled like no other'

'She'll come back as fire, to burn all the liars,

And leave a blanket of ash on the ground.' - Kurt Cobain
 
whoever e-pollard is, thanks for explaning that one. now i actually understand why longer skis are faster. but, riddle me this, if longer skis are faster, why dont racers use longer skis?

 
oh man, i swore they had shorter skis, not REAL short, but like 160s-170s. I guess there has to be some point of diminishing returns where a longer ski does not mean faster.

 
jokewhy would we care of gay racer...joke anyway im gonna center mount some old dynastar race ski(210cm i think) and do some urban shit with them...

'Moi c'que j'propose c qu'on envoye chier l'monde, on leur paye une criss de traite'
 
depends on the type of skiing your doing, i'm 5'9, i use 165-170 for park, i use 175 to 182 for powder, even longer sometimes

GO FLAMES!!
 
No no, you guys are wrong.

The longer the ski the faster you go due to the total amount of waxed surface touching the snow.

The skis come into contact with the snow surface, and creates friction, which melts a miniscule portion of the top layer of snow, and creates a super slick waterlike surface for the ski to run on. However, if it is too watery, it will slow you down, like in slush.

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It's the batontwirlertwistshakebakecakeholehumperdinkkink rail.
 
slalom skiers use 160-170 range skis to make super quick turns, but downhillers are still on 200+ or close.

i assume you are asking this question because you're doubting if your 170s are long enough. i say you hold on to them for the season (they will suite you just fine, there's just the possibility that they aren't ideal), and if you find yourself a) sinking too much in pow, b) washing out on landings, or c) feeling that the ski is not stable enough in general, then you might want to start saving to get longer ones. but if you ski them for a season and they don't let you down, then you're set.

-Strode

Only in my sweetest dreams do my streams lack troubled waters, shallow pools full of shallow fools...
 
im 5'5. I like skiign on a longer ski. I have 168 scratch fs's that i used for park. Then i got 182 scratch bc's for last year taht i thought i would use for only big mountain. BUt i ski park on them and never use my fs's.

__________

gun controll means using 2 hands
 
yea ive heard that you get more speed with a longer ski...

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When your not sure about something, just HUCK IT!
 
im about 6 feet 130 pounds and i used to ski on 165's when i was shorter but i realized that its harder to get air because i weigh a bit more and im alot taller now... so im gettin some 176'

is it true that its harder to spin when you have longer skis?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When your not sure about something, just HUCK IT!
 
i was thinking of going 179, but that might be harder tho throw spins and corks, and spin onto rails, i'm 5'8' so i think i'm goijng 169

I AM A SKIER.
 
im goin from a 165 to a 176 so that might be a pretty huge difference

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When your not sure about something, just HUCK IT!
 
the PSI idea is right. but its not a big differnece between a 160 170 ect. really, a longer ski is faster because they generally have a longer radius sidecut, therfore making them more stable. there a lot more factors that go toward making a ski fast. also, the more sidecut a ski has (ie the shorter it is), the more the trailing edge drags. a straight skis is alot faster than something with sidecut, at least in a straight line. so basicly, you shouldnt just assume that a longer ski will automaticly be faster.

I.L.I.A.G.A CREW!

I drink pepto bismal like its water.. -PJO
 
i don't know i'm 5'7' and ski a 175, which is just about the same heaight as me. it's weird how much of a difference a few centimeters can make. i was on a 171, and the 175 does longer, but it feels right. i guess it's about the way someone ski.s

.CCR.

impact
 
im 6' 200 lbs and i ski a 170.. if i get new skis should i get like a 175 or something in the 180's

i heart 4frnt

 
^it's not about what other people think you should get, it's about what you feel comfortable with. if 170s have worked for you, then stick with them.....if you feel yourself overpowering your skis or if they 'give out' on you, then you might want to consider longer ones.....and whoever mentioned sidecut, that's just as important as length

-Strode

Only in my sweetest dreams do my streams lack troubled waters, shallow pools full of shallow fools...
 
i think it mostly has to to with how good u are. the better u are the longer ski u can use becues u have the skis to rock that shit. for people who suck say they like smaller skis cuz it makes them geel like a big man

Member Since 2003-01-15

Member Number 13501

dont get it twisted
 
the thing is i need a longer ski because mine are rediculously short... im 6 feet and i ski a 165 right now where i should be skiing on like a 176...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When your not sure about something, just HUCK IT!
 
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