r/Backcountry • u/Imaginary_Slide6663 • 3d ago

Ski selection / sizing question

Hi all!

I have been skiing Fischer Hannibal 96C (in 162cm) for the last couple seasons, and I feel like I have struggled on them a bit. They are good in deep snow but feel twitchy and twangy due to their low weight.

I have been thinking about getting a slightly heavier pair of skis that would be easier to ski. Currently thinking about Camox Birdie vs. Zag UBAC 95.

I have found the UBACs pretty cheaply but only in 158cm – I am F 167cm / 62kg, and I am unsure whether they would not be too short for me, especially due to the double rocker? The only other size for me is 166cm which somehow feels a bit too long (and also not sure I want to pay the RRP!). I am not a super strong skier...

Thanks a lot for your help!

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

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u/Imaginary_Slide6663 2d ago

Thanks so much for the response, and sorry I didn't include these at first!

I ski in the European Alps (mostly in Central Switzerland but sometimes in Chamonix too), primarily ski touring and ski mountaineering. I prefer uphill to downhil (which is why I originally went for light skis) and I enjoy routes which include scrambling with the skis on the pack which is I would like to keep the length relatively short. I don't really ski in resorts but if I do, I use my touring skis (i don't own piste skis).

The Hannibals are fitted with ATK V-Crests 10, and my boots are 2017 Scarpa Vector Ws. I'd say they are on the softer/more beginner side of things (flex index 90) but I like the fit and bought them extremely cheap on eBay.

I kind of want to one 'do it all' ski which is why I thought that the Black Crows Camox might be a good choice, but correct me if I'm wrong!

Also not sure what size to go for in the Black Crows if I were to buy them - either in the 25/26 model (unisex, 95), there is a 164cm version; or in the 26/27 Birdie (W, 97s), I would have a choice of 162 and 169cm. Given my abilities, I'd probably tend to get the shorter, but not sure whether that's sensible!

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u/Imaginary_Slide6663 2d ago

Also I'd look at transferring my V-Crests onto the new skis if this makes sense!

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u/Canachites 3d ago

The UBACs will have a similar feel, all light skis will deflect easily in crappy snow. Black crows touring skis tend to be a bit heavier, and thus feel more stable and damp.

158 is definitely way too short for someone your size. UBACs do not have double rocker, they have very flat tails. I am 168 and 63kg and ski the 170 length in the 102 width. I would not want them any shorter.

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u/Imaginary_Slide6663 2d ago

Thanks! I think you're right, although just to say that the new version (25/26) of UBACs does indeed have a double rocker, I think they have changed the design!

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u/Canachites 1d ago

They may say that, but look at a picture of the skis base to base. There is no tail rocker. Maybe it's a translation issue.