Ski Choice

Question
Hi,
Im in New Zealand and Ski on Mt Ruapehu, I am 5'11 and 85 Kgs and am a beginner. I recently went up for the first time on a pair of skis that were 160 or 163 cm, I struggled to stop in them, even with a really wide wedge and was wondering if they may have been to big for me or if I just need to work at it more?

Also, Right now I am looking at buying either a pair of K2 Comanche 160 cm or Fischer Fire xtr 160  cm skis. I was wondering which you thought would be better? http://www.mtruapehu.com/winter/season-rental-skis/ is where they are.

Thank you very much for your time, Im quite lost as to which to go with or if I should get either.

Answer
hi & thanks for the question:
Overwhelming, confusing & frustrating are words often used to describe the process of buying ski equipment...and it never gets any easier im afraid. Buts lets have a look at your dilema:

Not stopping with the biggest wedge - technique or equipment?
* a wedge or snowplow will only work if the ski is tilted up off the base and the edges are engaged as these create friction/opposing force that brings you to a stop. Life your little toes to engage this.
* skis too short for your height/weight will also be problamatic as you wont have enough snow contact to cope with the forces created by you.

Skis should be about chin to nose height these days. Variations will occur when you get more advanced and you know what you do and dont like. But for now, stick to the chin/nose options to help you learn how to turn with better technique...spend the time to learn technique now, because learning later will be a long slow [costly] process.

If anything id say 160cm were too short - probably only shoulder/chin height?? hence your difficulty with stopping. To tell if skis are too short - they will shudder or shake under foot at faster speeds and under more force [like stopping].

Iv written a few times about choosing skis - see if you can find it on the AllExperts site before you go shopping. If you can't, let me know and i will summerise it for you.

Fisher make a good all round easy to ski, atomics can be firmer under foot, salamon lose their bounce after 100-150days [depending on how and where you ski] Looking at thst list of skis, there dont look to be the sizes you would need [??165-167cm].  Id suggest if you can, ski on each of the skis and feel which ones you like - buy after that. If its a high end rental, they will take the rental cost of the buy price - if not ask them to.

Although, can i ask - do you own your own boots?
Boots will make your skiing experience more enjoyable than any whiz-bang ski you decide on.
And dont buy second hand as they have already been "worn out" by the previous owner & you will get no benefit. Again i have written a bit on buying boots previously - see if you can access that for hints and tips to look for.

Well i hope that gives you a staarting point, ask again if you need more info

lisa