Is my ski big enough for powder?

I am about your height and weight.  I would suggest longer skis with at least some tip rocker/early rise.  When skiing deep snow the two things you need to balance are the weight distribution between your skis, and the fore/aft dynamics.  The wider your skis, the easier two foot balancing becomes.  If your skis are wide enough for the snow density you can ski powder like hardpack with all your weight on one ski at time.

Fore/aft balance is very difficult on short skis in deep snow because too far back your skis start to rudder, and too far forward they dive and you slow to a stop or headplant.  A longer ski with some tip rise will give you a much bigger sweet spot for fore/aft balance with tip rocker making it almost impossible to bury the tips.  The more rocker you have the longer your skis can be because the rocker adds to the easy of turn, particularly in deep snow.  You sound like someone who should demo a few longer rockered skis to get the feel of the possibilities.

Welcome to Epic-

You are a big guy, so most on this forum would recommend a longer powder ski for you IF YOU ARE A STRONG SKIER- this is especially true if what you have is a twin tip (I'm not sure) as TT ski shorter.  Personally, I think 100 mm is wide enough for a good skier in most conditions, but others will say differently.  You are correct that more speed and good technique can lead to improved powder performance

Tell us a bit more about yourself as a skier for a more detailed response. 

Welcome to Epic!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylar Goodwin 

I am 6'6" and 255 lbs and i am currently riding a pair of line blend 178 cm skis. For those not familiar these skis are all mountain skis with a 100mm waist but no early rise in tip or tail. I rode powder on skis for my first time in Heavenly ski resort in california. The skis were manageable but it was very difficult. I was wondering if this is just me riding too slow and lack of form or if i need some wider or longer skis for my trip to whistler, bc this winter.

The answer to your question is YES!

Your first time in powder is going to be a new experience and will require adapting to the new medium, having great technique and "ideal" equipment helps but does not eliminate this adaptation.

Increasing your skills and ability to balance on your skis (both fore/aft and left right skis) will greatly improve your skiing in soft and deep snow.

You are a big guy. You want a big platform to support you. Getting a larger ski with some tip rocker will give you a more forgiving ski which makes it easier to to balance over your skis (both fore/aft and left/right).

So taking a lesson or two and getting some more specialized skis would be great strategies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylar Goodwin 

Thanks for all the input. I have only been skiing two years and only ride 4-8 days per year but i am young and pretty athletic so i catch on quickly. My form is less than perfect but i can manage most terrain. I am riding a twin tip ski. If anyone has suggestions for new skis that would be awesome. Im thinking the k2 obsethed, atomic bent chetler, or the line mr pollards opus. leaning towards the bent chetler i think though

The Obsethed is kind of soft, and Mr Pollards Opus only goes up to 185. Try the Bent Chetler in 192. Don't let the number fool you. This ski might actually be easier to ski than your Blend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecimmortal 

The Obsethed is kind of soft, and Mr Pollards Opus only goes up to 185. Try the Bent Chetler in 192. Don't let the number fool you. This ski might actually be easier to ski than your Blend.

Those or pon2oons.

For reference, I'm 5'9" and 140, and my skis are the same size as yours ... 

You guys are suggesting a 192 cm ski to a beginner? You really think the ski is the problem? Seriously?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB 

You guys are suggesting a 192 cm ski to a beginner? You really think the ski is the problem? Seriously?

 

 

The OP is a big dude. If you remove the traditionally cambered ski from your frame of reference, and substitute it with a proper powder ski then it makes sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylar Goodwin 

and to Tromano, this set of skis will be my only pair so i need some that can manage groomers decently as well. pontoons wouldnt do that 

 

Yes, on groomers, they are probably not for a guy who has only 20 days ever. Realistically any of the skis mentioned in this discussion would eat your lunch on hardpack assuming a typical softer lower level boot and typical poor boot fit. 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylar Goodwin 

Im not at beginner level anymore i can handle my skis with little trouble. i do think i am going to look for something in the 185 range though for less spin weight

If you want to improve technique getting a narrower ski (than anything in the conversation so far) would be very wise idea. narrow skis make it a lot easier to learn how to edge and pressure your skis.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB 

You guys are suggesting a 192 cm ski to a beginner? You really think the ski is the problem? Seriously?

 

 

Yes. 1) The BC is a pretty forgiving ski, with serious rocker. The 192 is a deceptive number. 2) He's the size of a NFL linebacker currently on a ski that I would ski longer, and I'm 6', 165. 3) It's got a traditional shape and camber that's not going to help him plane up in powder. At his size, and without the skill set to hit 40 mph in chop, he needs all the help with float he can get. 

BUT: Since he added that he wanted this ski for groomers also, something in the mid-90's to mid-100's, in a high 180's length, might work better. Keep in mind that at 6'6" he has plenty of leverage to get from edge to edge or pressure the tip. He doesn't need a 80 mm ski for groomers. Which will bottom feed in powder anyway. 

My impression is that the SFB is a fairly soft ski. If you're going to find something that can carve but also handle soft snow for a guy your size, I'd be looking more for something with like the Blizzard Cochise, Nordica Patron, whatever they're calling the Head Jerry this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB 

You guys are suggesting a 192 cm ski to a beginner? You really think the ski is the problem? Seriously?

 

 

lets put you in deep heavy snow on 150cm skis I bet you feel like a begineer as well..

Skylar, I see that you said your experience was at Heavenly, which brings a different dynamic to this question.

I do believe that your skis could be longer(maybe wider) but the other dynamic is the kind of snow your were skiing.

Heavenly can get fluffy snow like some of the others are used to skiing in Utah (Tromano) and Colorado, but the powder you skied may well have been Sierra Powder, which can be a teensy weensy bit heavier and much (MUCH) easier to ski with something that has rocker.

There is a lot to be said for honing your skills in powder, but the right tool for the right conditions goes a long way to helping you enjoy the experience.

Yes - 185 minimum, width is fine.

You might want to try something more like the K2 Sidestash or Hardside (Similar ski, sidestash is 108 under foot, hardside is 98). Soft 20 cm rockered tip but camber under foot and in the tail. Wood core with 2 sheets of metal and sidewall construction make them still able to lay trenches on groomers but ski deeper snow like a powder ski. They sell them in a 188 which is right around the size you were looking for. The only downside is they are a slightly more demanding ski than some of the other suggestions.

my 2 cents

i think a longer ski all for any type of conditions would be good for you. No wider, maybe even  narrower, say 85mm underfoot or thereabouts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

...but the powder you skied may well have been Sierra Powder, which can be a teensy weensy bit heavier...

 The stuff they're grading the street with down below me is is actually made from leftover Sierra Cement in good snow years. Without rocker they won't find you till June...

BPA: Lets put you in deep heavy snow on 150cm skis I bet you feel like a beginner as well..

Let's not, because you would lose. 

Would you feel like a beginner on 150 cm skis, just because you are faced with a bit of powder? I hope the answer is no !!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB 

You guys are suggesting a 192 cm ski to a beginner? You really think the ski is the problem? Seriously?

 

 

Well, yes it is true that a 192 is shorter than what those of us who are old and started as teenagers used as beginners, and it is true that the OP weighs about twice as much as we did when we were on 215s, and it is true that the OP wants to float in the deep, BUT a short ski, like the 192  should be ok nevertheless, because it is wider, and skis don't need to be long to be stable any more these days.

those people telling you to get even wider than your 100mm underfoot don't know what they're talking about. I would recommend a longer ski, and a width around 85mm or even up to 90mm. I ski 85mm underfoot, and it's all you need. I could easily got smaller, but 85mm is fine for all mountain, all conditions, from bumps, crud, hard piste and powder. If you get hugely wide powder only skis, it's not the best for your technique, and in the long run you won't benefit as much.

I'm sure my comments will irritate someone, maybe even someone with many years teaching under thier belt, but give my idea a try.

Skyler, your skis are too short. Go with anything with early rise, rocker, in the tip at least. 105 in the waist should float your boat and still give you all-around performance, just don't go too soft.

Hell, take a couple of mountain classes while you are there and demo some of the suggestions.

I ride on the last model obSETHed in a 189 and find it to be a very capable board, doesn't mean it is for you though, and I'm 6'2" and 195. The Chetlers may be too soft for your mass, but you may find you like them, so try 'em out. Skis ski shorter these days then when I was pushing 210 GS boards.

Let us know how it goes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiingaround 

those people telling you to get even wider than your 100mm underfoot don't know what they're talking about. I would recommend a longer ski, and a width around 85mm or even up to 90mm. I ski 85mm underfoot, and it's all you need. I could easily got smaller, but 85mm is fine for all mountain, all conditions, from bumps, crud, hard piste and powder. If you get hugely wide powder only skis, it's not the best for your technique, and in the long run you won't benefit as much.

I'm sure my comments will irritate someone, maybe even someone with many years teaching under thier belt, but give my idea a try.

100 mm isnt powder only. there are lots of 100 mm skis out there that can kill it on hardpack.

I do not think the OP is worried about technique as he is having fun in what he wants to ski.

I read this and thought, "where is this guy from?" and then saw you were in Europe and it all made sense.  I'm going to say that you don't know what you're talking about and some of those other people do.  85mm underfoot for a guy who is 6'6" and 255 pounds is all he needs?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiingaround 

those people telling you to get even wider than your 100mm underfoot don't know what they're talking about. I would recommend a longer ski, and a width around 85mm or even up to 90mm. I ski 85mm underfoot, and it's all you need. I could easily got smaller, but 85mm is fine for all mountain, all conditions, from bumps, crud, hard piste and powder. If you get hugely wide powder only skis, it's not the best for your technique, and in the long run you won't benefit as much.

I'm sure my comments will irritate someone, maybe even someone with many years teaching under thier belt, but give my idea a try.