Skiers, help!

[CumminsPower98]

I just bought some left over from '02 Rossignol Cut 10. 6 170 skis and have not had a chance to try them yet (too poor). This will be my first time on shaped skis and I am concerned they are too long for my size and experience level (I am about 147 lbs fully clothed and 67-3/4" tall). I am probably a low intermediate skier and have been using some really old Fischer Swinglite 170 straight skis since I started but have not even been on them in probably three years! Anyway I would love to hear what you all think. There has to be some skiers on this board. I know this is not something that can really be answered but I would still like some input. Did I make a big mistake buying a ski that is on the long side especially for a shaped ski? Will I grow into them ok maybe and all will be well? I sure hope they work out ok!



Thanks,

Mark

 

[Rumpere]

170?? ?? ?? AHHH YEAH they are long & stiff too I think - stiffer is faster & less forgiving of blunders

I'm riding 185's @ 6'7" 240#



go to some local ski shops & talk to them about them

to get a real feel for what you need for you skill level & size



honestly I like my red sleds better than my shapes though

G/L

 

[JConley]

You should be fine with 170's I have 177 Volkel Motions, and i love them.



The best thing to do is take the ski's out and try them out. If you dont like the way they perform, you can have them tuned at a ski shop to correct whatever problems you have. I tried a set of the Rossignal before I bought the Volkels, and the only problem with the Rossi's were the tips " hunting " or going back and forth looking for an edge. This is easily fixed, and it only did this going straight down the hill at high speed. Rossi makes good skis, and you can tune them to whatever skiing style you have.



I go skiing in 4 weeks!!!!!! WOWEEE

John

 

[fest3er]

For low intermediate, 170's are probably OK. The first skis I bought were Atomic 180s. They were fine until I started going real fast; then they were flopping all around. I bought a pair of 205cm PREs, and found them to be quite satisfactory.

But my preferred skiing is (1) aim downhill, (2) go fast. If you are into moguls, you likely want to stick with 170-180 cm skis; longer skis just don't fit.

N

 

[skobylenski]

Parabolic skis are designed so that you can get away with a much shorted ski. The physics is simple - as you lean into the turn, the ski actually bends and curves into the hill. This makes you turn easier and faster than with conventional skis. I'm 5'11" and 135 soaking wet, and I have a pair of early shaped Rossi's that are 177's. These are slightly shaped, not like the one's you can get today that are 6 inches wide at tip and tail. I'd say that you'd be fine with 170's, as 170cm straight skis for you were probable too short - my dad is a little bigger than you, and he has a set of 210's that are straight (talk about a LOT of ski! )



Good luck with those, and have fun!

Scott

 

[TPCDrafting]

I've never tried shaped skis, but I'm only 5'-10" and around 200. I have a set of 210's and a set of 170's. For non-moguled hills the 210's work very well and are very fast, but they are like strapping on wet logs as far as weight. The 170's carve the bumps much better. Try your's out on some easier runs to get a good feel before you tackle anything that'll break body parts. My brother took an old pair of skis and cut them down to about 3 feet long. The skis were so thin at the front, he had to through-bolt on the bindings. They are a kick in the pants to ski on.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I am feeling a bit better now. I can't wait to get out there and see what these things will do. I probably would have gotten 160s or something if I had had a choice but I was on a budget and looking through left overs from last year.

 

[BarryG]

I am 5 11 weigh about 180 and run 195's. I love the size and I think as soon as you ski them a few times you will be glad you have the 170's. You will definitely grow into them if you use them. In fact if you end up skiing alot you may end up wanting longer. Where do you go in Moab closest hills I can think of are east of Grand Junction cant remember the name there or down by Durango and Telluride.

 

[CumminsPower98]

BarryG, I mostly ski at Powderhorn east of Grand Junction. It's small but it's not too far away and it's cheap if I go during the week. The other choices are over by Durango at Durango Mountain Resort previously called Pergatory or Woft Creek over East of Pagosa Springs. I wish I had closer options. Of course there is also Northern Utah areas, which I have never done. Yes I agree that even if the skis are too long right now I should be able to grow into them over time.

 

[VGiacalone]

Your 170's sound about right. The new shaped skis are going much shorter than the straight ones. I live in Northern Utah where we LIVE to ski (started two weeks ago!).



If you have skied on straight skis before, these will be different. I've taught skiing at Snowbird for years now, and even the other instructors here don't try to keep their feet perfectly together anymore (BIG no-no before).



I'm a 5'4" woman and still ski my 192's, but my 5'10" son just got new 170's and loves them! My new ones will be next year!



Hope you get to ski soon!



Valarie

 

[dflack]

170's - Fine

I am same height and weight. Last year I was on 168's, no problemo. I am shopping right now and looked at the Cut10's - radius is nice, but I'm headed for some 170 Volkls. I've skied anything from 162 to175 shaped skis, more dependant on surface area of ski and conditions to tell differences, not to mention skiing style. Try'em out!

 

[dflack]

185's

Oh, and one more thing that wouldn't get noticed in the classifieds -- my wife's nearly new (3 ski trips) Olin Radius V with Marker 9. 1 Bindings. Perfect shape except for lift line scratches. Ready to go for a hundred bucks and I'll split the shipping with you. that's so cheap you can afford to go skiing!!! Nice forgiving, controllable, easy shaped ski. 2000/2001 model bought new in 2001. Thanks!

 

[jrandol]

Sounds like you picked the right size for your body and skiing ability to me. Im 180 and 6' and ski on Volkyl P40 Platinums, 185's. They are perfect for me, and I came from skiing on 205's on straight skis. These Volkyls are scary on how much speed they will take. Those Rossi's you got are a fun little ski. You'll like parabolics alot once you learn to ski on them. They can really launch you if you lay into them. I have no problem laying mine into big GS turns where my knuckles drag at 50 mph. That I wouldnt dream of on straight skis



Go ski em!!



Jeff

 

[Oil Burner]

you'll be fine on 170's. I run 205's but I like speed and I don't like moguls (they don't like me either, always knock me down ) The only experience I had with shaped skis was chatter at high speeds (when turning). I believe that resulted in an unpleasant meeting between hardpacked snow and my face. Almost as bad as falling on your keys!

-Jason