Short Vs Long Skis - The REAL Difference

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In this video we're breaking down the REAL differences between short and long skis. A lot of people think longer skis are automatically better, but that's not necessarily true.

[summitskiing]

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[thomasmedeiros]

I have worked in the ski industry for 40 years. The analogy I have used is comparing ski length to automobiles. Cars with shorter wheel bases tend to be easier to maneuver especially a lower speed or in tight turns. However cars with longer wheel bases give a more stable ride on the highway at grater speeds. You best consider which driving conditions or skiing conditions you encounter most often. For people who spend time on the water they understand that the longer the boat the better they float in variable water and waves. The point about skier weight is important. You can’t put 10 people in a 10 foot boat if you want it to float. It’s the same with skis. A ski that is eye level on a 140 lb skier isn’t going to perform as well as the same length on a 240 lb skier. Most ski models come in 4-5 lengths. Think of it like ski clothing that comes in XS, S, M, L and XL that fits your body dimensions.Several manufacturers like Blizzard and Volkl have developed ski construction that provides softer or firmer flex as ski length increases. Definitely go into a ski shop and talk with a professional who understands the design characteristics of the various ski models when making your selection.

[Bamsebrakar]

I have 50 years skiing experience, for allround skiing I’ve always preferred the stability of GS skis. I’m 181 cm tall and my GS skis used to be 195 or 200 cm long, but these days with carving skis they are 185 cm. Longer skis require more technique and strength to turn, but you will ski faster with more control.

[garymeinen]

I've been skiing for 40 years and the technology continues to change so much. When I started 40 years ago, you wanted the longest ski you could handle, they were just more stable, back then I was 6-1 220lbs and using 200cm skis. Now at 65, I'm 6-1 240 and using 186cm skis. The difference is the technology is so much better and the shape is easier to use.

[Lucas-eyxe]

I find slightly shorter skis are much easier to ski on and avoid getting tanggled up or even in lift queues, easier to manover . Better for beginners. I am advanced inter but still use shorter lengths.

[petercreagh]

Once I reached advanced intermediate level I ended up buying the longest length ski you could buy in any model I was interested in as I was keen to buy a new skiing challenge rather than buy the latest model in the same length I had before. I would say I don't regret buying the longest as I find at speed and on ice they just feel safer but I can see myself dropping down in length as I get older as I am now 65 especially on crowed slopes. I do have skis in different lengths but just have to keep in mind not to go too fast on the shorter ones. One odd thing about skiing the longest lengths you can buy in any model of ski is I have never wished they made them any longer which must mean they would have been tested by people of my fitness, height and weight before deciding what lengths to manufacture them in to avoid the testers saying I wish they would make this ski in an even longer length.

[os-qthc]

When I was borrowing ski gear I was told the ski length should be between your chest and chin, not your chin and top of your head. It definitely works for me. I'm a beginner, I went skiing in Savoy Alps and managed to ski on green and blue pistes. My skis were below my chin. In 6 days of skiing I didn't fall once. There were a couple of occasions where I almost fell, and I think I would have, if the skis were any longer.

[jvine]

99cm short skis work well here on the hard packed runs in Ontario. Superb control. 5’9” 180lbs. Con: less stability with variable snow conditions and less speed.

[giorgiobarchiesi]

When I was young, the method for determining optimal ski length was to raise one’s arm, and the ski had to reach the height of your wrist. This is about 30 cm (one foot) above your own height! I was convinced this was wrong, but no ski shop would let you buy a pair of shorter skis. The answer to you protests and reasoning was inflexible: “they are more stable”. Crazy times!

[GraceBennett-rz]

When I was borrowing ski gear I was told the ski length should be between your chest and chin, not your chin and top of your head. It definitely works for me. I'm a beginner, I went skiing in Savoy Alps and managed to ski on green and blue pistes. My skis were below my chin. In 6 days of skiing I didn't fall once. There were a couple of occasions where I almost fell, and I think I would have, if the skis were any longer.

[andriyvasilchenko]

The best video I have seen for novice skiers.

[eitanpaster]

It is even more complicated than this, so I wanted to add some details in this comment.
How long the ski feels isn't just the number stated, it's something called the effective edge. If you look at a ski lying flat on the ground, the middle of the ski is raised, called a camber, and then the tips and sometimes the tail is flared, called a rocker. When you step on the ski, the part that contacts the snow is called the effective edge. Two skis that are both 170 cm might have different effective edges based on the amount of camber/rocker, making them feel different. For example, a groomer ski without much rocker (the curve at the tip or the tail), you might want to size it closer to your nose, whereas a ski with a lot of rocker for off piste conditions, you might want to size up even a few inches above your head. To make this even more complicated, on some skis such as the Nordica Enforcer, the effective edge gets longer the harder you push your skis, meaning the faster you carve the longer the effective edge gets.
If you prefer to ski making smaller turns and doing skinny chutes and doing jump turns, go for a shorter ski. If you like more straightening and carving and bombing chutes, go for a longer ski.

[KlintonSilvey]

Skiboards were awesome to learn on when you only had 4 days/year to ski. Then we all moved up to full length but had the basics and confidence down.

[MarcoGalliani-tfqh]

The best video I have seen for novice skiers.

[vidpromjm]

My first skis were Head monster 78 178cm. Im 6' but found these really held me back in less than ideal conditions. I progressed much faster when I swallowed my ego and went to a 173cm ski. I now ski a 180cm 93mm wide most of the time but have a 173cm 98mm for tight trees on good days as a senior skier they are easier to manage.

[neofloggin]

I use 175'ish to 190'ish. I will go as low as 165cm and I am 250lbs.

I know, people will say this as BS, but at the end of the day, it is all about your style and comfort

[richardpare]

At 70 yo now, and only getting to ski a few times a year, my legs are decidedly not what they were 50 years ago when I was racing on 207 CM Dynamic VR17's for slalom. I currently use a short pair ( 158 cm) of the Head full-race FIA slalom skis from 2 years ago ( Head e-SL-RD). At 5' 10"and 175 pounds, I find them to be as perfect a ski as I could dream of - phenomenal grip, easy to carve both short and long turns, responsive to any inputs I give them, including emergency super-tight turns, and even at that sorta length, stability at speed is not problem since they are racing skis.The only thing I wouldn't use them for is powder since they are only 68mm underfoot! For powder or the glades, I go back to my Rossi Experience 88s that float nicely in those conditions. More than likely, a length more suitable to my height and weight if I were young and racing - probably 170-175 cm or so - would be too powerful a ski for my current status of old-fartedness.

[cbthomas]

As a former Vail Ski Instructor, its not so much the length as it is the Shape! A narrow waist is an acute slalom ski while a wide waist tips turned up at both ends work great freestyle and in Powder. Just an example. Nowadays, one needs to have a quiver of skis for different conditions and terrain.

[stieldaddy]

I am 6"0 and 205lbs. I have 6 skis from 177 to 190. I love them all. But for fast ripping runs. My 184 and 190's are KING.

[meadowlark]

You forgot to mention that the rocker technology might interfere with that general rule of thumb with ski length…