also size...I'm 5'9" and 145, my wife is 5'3' 115...what length skis would be best?
2007-09-06 15:46:50 · 4 answers · asked by thetrouttamer 1 in Sports ➔ Winter Sports ➔ Snow Skiing
Fish scale--they will keep you from sliding downhill when you are going up. You would probably want smooth if you were doing only flats or if you are a very accomplished racing skier. I love the fish scale bottoms!
2007-09-07 06:28:05 · answer #1 · answered by Nelson_DeVon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Waxless skis (with the fish-scale bottoms) are good in variable snow conditions (like the Rockies or the Cascades) - you don't have to stop and wax all the time to account for the various conditions. They do tend to be noisier (but I don't think this is a big problem). You do need to but on glide wax on the tips and tails, though. You shouldn't put any wax on the fish-scale pattern though (but you can put on a liquid glide/deicer that will help snow from building up on the patterned bottom).
Waxable skis - they tend to be faster (because the pattern on the waxless skis slow one down slightly), quieter, and tend to be more work with waxing and whatnot. But if you want better performance, this would be the way to go.
My recommendation is to start out with waxless skis. They will be less work and you can get out and ski more. If you really get into the sport, you may want to consider getting a pair of waxable skis.
The "rule of thumb" for ski length is to hold one's arm up over your head - the ski length should be the distance from your the ground to your fingertips. HOWEVER, many ski companies are making wider skis that are shorter, but have the same amount of "float" in the snow as a longer ski. I'm 5'10" and I used to ski on 210 cm, but now ski on 190 cm skis. Check the websites for the various ski manufacturers(Rossignol, Salomon, Fischer, Karhu, etc.) for sizing charts. The ski pole should fit under your arm pit.
2007-09-07 12:49:51 · answer #2 · answered by Wayner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Smooth, waxable bottoms! Buy red, green and blue waxes. Find a hill. Wax with blue first. Try climbing the hill...do the same with green and then the red. Sizing skis. Stand erect and reach up, A good size will be where your fingertips reach. As important are pole lengths. Shoulder height is a starting point. Snow depth in another factor. Beware the short pole.
2007-09-10 08:29:42 · answer #3 · answered by g_steed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fish scale... They help you accelerate on flats and don't let you slide backwards as much. Especially if you've never skiied before, it will make it much easier
2007-09-08 05:59:00 · answer #4 · answered by MLBfreek35 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋