Am I to fat for a 66?

[Jacke]

I have always ride 66" skis. Is it to small? I am 5.8, weigth 164 and skiing a couple at 32, 36 mp/h. Today I am on a 2005 Monza. The next ski is either A1 och Prophecy.

[Horton]

Sounds right to me.

[eleeski]

I am about your weight and I prefer skis in the 64 to 66 range. Demo the ski first in different sizes - the published length does not always reflect how the ski feels. I am currently on a 64 - but it is such a funky design that the length is not relevant.

Eric

[Horton]

Jacke,

Eric makes his own skis. God love him but...... 66 sounds right.

[RichardDoane]

I wonder what Eric's average would be if he skied on something from one of the major ski manufacturers ?  He might pick up a full pass !

 

[Horton]

He would have to someone listen first (anyone).

Go on Eric, tell the guys how you think it is a mistake for me to try to be wide and early.

[eleeski]

I regularly try factory skis. I've even bought a few. My scores are not as good on a factory ski. If they were, I would either switch or clone the ski.

Excessive width takes lots more effort to achieve. The turn back in from way out wide is also technically more difficult, prone to slack and the geometry of the hookup does not lend itself to optimal angle. Timing is critical also - you don't want to be too early or too late. While some of "Coordinates" was BS, the fundamental idea that your ski should be on the right path at the right time is valid.

When have I ever listened to anybody?

If I really wanted to get good, I wouldn't have to change skis or focus on a different path for the ski, I would have to dedicate more serious practice time. How much better can an aging arthritic old guy really get? But I can have a lot of fun designing and testing skis. I have a really crazy idea I want to try - maybe in a 62".

Eric

[Jacke]

I read that the extra width on the A1 makes the skis behave as a bigger ski so a 65 would act like a 66. Any comments to that?

 

[Horton]

Sort of. Size is not really clear from ski to ski. I do not think the A1 67 rides very big. It is more biggish then smallish but not like a whole size up. All skis in a line up do not ride the same. I think I understand that the 66 is the jewel in the A1 line

[LeonL]

I agree with Horton (don't we all sometimes) in what I think he just said.  A 66" or 67" or whatever in a given make/model may not perform the same.  I guess what I'm saying is length may change the characteristics more than just the inch or so length difference. Sometimes a lot of the r&d is done on a given length and then they just make them longer or shorter.