Ski equipment question

Question
Hi Glenn,
I purchased my first pair of skis - 160cm K2 Comanche Pro skis.  I regret not reading up beforehead and just trusting the sales associate who said to get a pair up to chin level.  I'm male, 5'11'', weighing 150 lbs.  I've gone skiing about 7 times and from what I gather from reading online, I may have bought skis that are too short.  I can't return them as the bindings have already been mounted.  I was wondering if these skis are too short, how it would affect my skiing, and if I should reconsider buying a longer pair.  Thank you!
-Ben

Answer
Hi Ben,

The answer is maybe, maybe not. The only Comanche I can find info on that seems like the model you refer to is for the Comanche 5Com from last year which was for an athletic skier with all-mountain needs. As far as selecting the right ski for anyone its not so much the height of the person that dictates this as it is the weight that determines the starting point and this length will also vary depending upon the ski selected. What also has to be considered is the skier's expectations, their technique, the terrain that they ski on and also the speed and turn shape type and length (radius) that they are trying to reproduce. In general however all lengths of 165 and under are more suited for frontside (groomer) slope skiing where the emphasis is on achieving an arc (a carved turn. In softer or deeper snow it is preferable to go a little longer in order to have more ski out front and better float or weight distribution in the softer snow. Can you let me know the answers to these conditions and also what the turn radius and 3 measurements that are on your ski specifically? Then I can give you some more info if you like.

If you are new to the sport and skiing on groomed runs primarily this may not be a bad ski for you at all. For example I am your height and weight, usually ski with a racer's technique as I am a coach and use a 155 cm race slalom ski for my short turn ski. Just got back from the mountains and spent 7 out of 8 days on this ski. The other day I was on 178 cm. The runs were hard snow or only about an inch of loose on top most of the time. Length will certainly affect your skiing as a shorter pair is much quicker to engage the edge at the front and helps pull your ski into the turn and as well can encourage you to tip them up on adge more. Is this bad? Depends on what you want to do. Its certainly a more athletic way to ski but requires that you let the feet get behind the head at some point in the turn. Think of it as the difference between walking and running down a hill. Most epople keep their feet underneath them almost all the time and so don't really let themselves get into a situation where the skis catch up to the body mass.