Soft vs stiff

[japanair]

Is it ok to assume that the lighter you are the softer ski you need, all things being equal? I am 5'6" 145 pounds and i bought the 165 arv. I"m worried that they may be too soft for me, cuz i currently ride PE 169. any thoughts? what are some bad characgteristics of a ski thats too soft?

 

[intro]

soft skis tend to bounce around on hardpack, and are not as able to bomb it down a steep icy slope or through crud.

too stiff? well ive never had a ski thats too stiff so i dunno, i guess if you're into park then you cant butter on a stiff ski

 

[EClay46]

it is all preference, since arv is somewhat wide i dont think the softness will be an issue, alot of people on this sight ride that ski that weigh more than u anyways, the ski being to soft or stiff is based on what u ski

 

[DHogg]

it really depends. you can have soft skis which rip big mtn. If they are tortionally stiff they are still solid and dont flop around as much. skis like made'ns, jp vs julien, ARV rip big mtn and pow yet there all pretty soft.

 

[hollygrove]

My friend jusy bought those skis. He hasn't used them yet, but he's concerned on how flexy they'll be.