fitting

Question
I am 167cm tall and weigh 70/73kg ,would ski length for me be between 145 to 167cm. I am looking at buying a second hand set of ski's on ebay and need to make sure that the length is right. Is there any thing else I should be aware of or look for when making a purchase.

Answer
Hey Wayne,

The general rule of thumb nowdays for ski measurement relies on a couple of things. Your height, ability level, and the sidecut of the skis. If you are intermediate to advanced and going for a larger side cut (like race or slalom skis), then you would probably go a bit shorter. If you are going for all mountain skis with a smaller sidecut, you would go on the longer range.

For the shorter skis, go with about shoulder to chin height. Measure that range to determine ski length. If going with all mountain, measure from your nose to top of your head. If you are a more advanced skier, you could go as much as 6" above your head and still handle the skis.

As for buying used, be sure to check the pics closely. If you see scratches or repairs, ask the seller to send close ups to determine if there will be a problem in the future. Large gouges near the edges can cause problems later on if the repairs are not done by a professional. Also asked when the last time the bindings were inspected and serviced by a professional shop. If they haven't, be sure to take them to your local shop before you ski on them. They and also adjust them to your boots and ensure the release settings are correct.

Hope this helps and best of luck with your shopping.
Keep on skiing,
Windlover