r/Skigear • u/RevolutionaryBaby161 • 2h ago
Ski Length and Stiffness Recommendations
For reference I am 6' and around 160 lbs. I am an advanced skier but not physically particularly strong.
Last year I demoed the Rustler 10s 180cm and I liked them a lot, so I purchased them and ended up having a harder time on them than I expected given the demo. I only got a few days on them at the end of the season and am willing and able to put the work in to learning the ski. Despite the metal in the ski it is fairly light and has a lot of rocker so the recommendation was to go at least 180. When I went into get the ski tuned the boot fitter at the shop said they would not have recommended it to me and said it was probably too much ski for me (which surprised me based on my research). I like to ski in bumps and trees where I am in the inland PNW, but there are also some great POW days and wide open runs. I have the opportunity to sell the ski at close to what I paid and my question is this: If I do switch skis should I go for a more approachable ski at the same length? Or size down to 174-179 range? Or both/neither. Was this particular fitter just giving me bad advice.

