Adult Vs. Junior skis for a short, beginner, adult female

Hi!

I just went to buy a ski package for my wife, a beginner adult, 4'11" or so.  The smallest adult packages were a little to big for her (in height of ski), and roughly 2X's the price.

Since she's a beginner (and very timid overall...I don't ever see her skiing bumps or fast at all!.....)

Would it be OK to buy Junior ski's for her?  The ski length and boot sizes were more appropriate for her.  The ski-tech at the store said the Jr. skis had styrofoam cores that aren't suitable for adults.  The adult skis had wood cores that demanded the 2X price.


My 7 yr old daughter ski's 4X's as hard as the wife does (and ever will!) on size-appropriate Junior ski's with no problems.

The difference being, of course, the daughter is 1/3 the weight of the wife.



What do you think?

Go with tall Junior ski's, or the shortest possible adult women's ski's possible for a woman in her 30's who won't ever break 15 MPH unless its on the back of a snowmobile?

Welcome to the forum.

I feel safer on wood but I'm 6', 15 stone/95kgs and have belted the life out of foam core skis without any problems for at least 6 seasons. I'd prefer wood, but common sense tells foam will be ok for her.  The experts here might disagree and I'll defer to them.

Then again, what price are they after. Our season just ended and I just bought for my daughter new 160cm Rossignol World Cups for $200 (no bindings) and 160cm Elan Free Spice with bindings for $280 from Altitude in Melbourne Australia. K2 Sweet Luvs are $300. Shop around.

The debate about what materials are best for ski cores has ranged since foam was first used and will continue forever.  Styrofoam is not used in skis, but other much more durable foams are.  There are very very good skis made with foam cores, actually some of the best I sell have foam cores.  Don;t get caught up in the debate, it doesn't matter.

What does matter however, is that Jr. skis are thinner and simply not as strong period.  Screw penetration is reduced and bindings are not as strongly retained.  They tend to not be as stiff torsionally so don't hold as well.  There are adult skis that will work for you wife.  Many companies make women's models down into the 140's or at least 150 cm.

That said it sounds as if all you are hoping for is that she will get out and slide.  For that kid's skis will work.  For her to improve however, it may take adult skis.

Lou

How much does she weigh?

 Ski size doesn't matter as much about height as it does the weight of the skier and ability to flex the ski.
In most women's line(s) of skis there are options that are short enough and soft enough to suit her well, while I'm not sure that she'll be happy with a Jr ski long term.

From a woman's point of view, I believe she'll save money long term if she gets the right ski for her now rather than try a jr ski only to need something more significant later.

Thanks for everyone's input...

to answer one question posed....she weighs about 145 lbs.


We went to a second ski shop today shopping around.  After speaking with the saleswoman for a few minutes, she actually flat out said that she suggested we consider season long rentals.  She walked us out of the store and down the hallway to the rental shop.  The ski season here in Northeastern United States won't start for 2 months or so. 

The ski tech there said that he had been working in ski shops for 12 years, and talked us into a season rental for boots for my 7 year old (the big seller there was the boot brand/model was nearly identical to the boot we were about to buy at the last shop), and a season rental for my wife.

The big seller for the season rental for my wife was that they would adjust the ski as her skills improved.  She only went skiing 3X's last year, so she is a total newbie.  They suggested that she start out with a slightly short for her height/weight ski, and then once she becomes comfortable, come back and they would exchange it for a longer ski/adjust the tension on her bindings upwards if need be.

Also, they have 3 brands/styles of boots to choose from, and would also let us switch around.  We rented skis by the day all 3 times last year, from different resorts or slopeside rental shops.  2 of the boots really bothered her, and one of them didn't.  She's greatly concerned about the boot bothering her and she likes the idea of being able to bring them back and trying a different pair if they're uncomfortable (so am I!).

So....
We picked up a new helmet for my 7 year old, and also got her a season rental on her boots too (instead of buying a whole new package like we were planning).  We held off on new skis for her.  The "correct" size ski for her right now that they had in stock was a 107 or 110.  She has 100's from last year, and we're going to give using them again a shot.

 

For my wife, we still haven't decided yet on renting Vs. buying, but I think we're leaning towards renting now.  It'd give us a much lower point of entry dollar wise, and give her a year to figure out what she likes and doesn't like.  Hopefully, then, at the end of this season, we just go and buy a quality pair of skis for her that she likes!

145 lbs = adult skis.
Renting skis seems like a good option.
Boots should fit a little better than rentals imho.

If you make a purchase for your wife, buy the boots first, since rental boots aren't really that great.  A great-fitting boot will make a bigger difference to her than the ski, IMHO.

Renting skis now is a good option.  She will undoubtedly improve, and go up in length as she does.  So, returning to the rental shop for a longer pair at some point this season is a good option to have.  When she gains some skills to know a little more about what she wants, there are A LOT of women's skis available for someone like her (height/weight/skill level).  Don't get junior skis!  And, you can make the ski purchase in the off-season, when there are great deals around on the previous season's stuff.

Bought a helmet for  your 7 year old, great. I assume you only bought one for her because you and your wife already have one. If not, time for another trip to the shop. Lead by example, Dad.