Tips/advice on buying downhill ski's

[MacDaddy77]

Hey!

You misquoted me!!

I was suggesting he try out skis in the 182cm range.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Hey!

You misquoted me!!

I was suggesting he try out skis in the 182cm range.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to discount your opinion. I still think 182 is pretty long for a 6 foot tall intermediate when talking about shaped skis. IMO he should go 175 max, but that's just me. I stick with what I said about Demo days, because it's the only way to get out on the snow and really find out what works for you personally. Some people like skis a little longer than normal, and others prefer them shorter. All the suggestions in this thread should only be taken as a starting point.

[MacDaddy77]

Originally Posted by Redliner

Sorry, I wasn't trying to discount your opinion. I still think 182 is pretty long for a 6 foot tall intermediate when talking about shaped skis. IMO he should go 175 max, but that's just me. I stick with what I said about Demo days, because it's the only way to get out on the snow and really find out what works for you personally. Some people like skis a little longer than normal, and others prefer them shorter. All the suggestions in this thread should only be taken as a starting point.

ha, No worries!!

I actually meant to say 162cm.

[Flames2007FIRE IT UP]

Thanks for all the advice, extremely helpful. I will definately put my money on great boots. Any advice on brands, would be appreciated.

[twotoner]

Originally Posted by Flames2007FIRE IT UP

Thanks for all the advice, extremely helpful. I will definately put my money on great boots. Any advice on brands, would be appreciated.

Advice on brands is difficult. One thing you might find if you try several decent shops, is that you are constantly steered towards one or two brands because of certain characteristics of your feet. (really wide, narrow, you have really fat calves etc).

I've never had any luck with anything but Lange. I liked my last pair so much, I purchased a backup pair for when the current ones wear out. I have also had both my achiles tendons severed, the heels chiseled and re-shaped and then the tendon bolted back on so that I fit my Lange boots better.

Another thing, pole length is one thing I find people constantly get wrong. Most people's poles are too long. It causes people to get later and later on each turn. With your skis on, stand up tall, turn the pole upside down with the grip just touching the snow beside your boot. The basket should be right where your hip ends and your midsection starts.

[twotoner]

Originally Posted by Redliner

I'm 6' 2", 210 lbs, and an expert skier with ten years of patrol experience, and I ski on 191s - and they're probably 10 cm too long for me.

I'm a pretty hard-charging skier, and my 191's are a real handful in bumps & tight trees.

It sounds like you need some lessons. My rate is a hundred a day plus a nice lunch. PM if interested...

[MacDaddy77]

Don't go into it with a brand in mind.

Be open to getting the most comfortable boots for YOUR feet.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by twotoner

I have also had both my achiles tendons severed, the heels chiseled and re-shaped and then the tendon bolted back on so that I fit my Lange boots better.

Sorry, but WHAT? You had surgery on your achilles tendons in order to fit your ski boots better? That is freaking COMMITMENT man.

[twotoner]

Originally Posted by driveway

Sorry, but WHAT? You had surgery on your achilles tendons in order to fit your ski boots better? That is freaking COMMITMENT man.

Yeah you can see the faint scars from where they went in on either side. It wasn't tendon surgery except that they had to cut them to get them out of the way for what came next: taking a chisel to the bone to smooth it out and get rid of the large bone spurs from years of skiing. This is also an example of what can happen when you don't take the advice to get properly fitting boots. Most of the issues with my heels were the result of one season on crappy fitting boots.