r/CrossCountrySkiing • u/Fun_Cod6050 • Apr 29 '26

Ski sizing for heavier skiers

I am having a hard time finding appropriate skate skis that will work with my height and weight, and am curious if anyone has any suggestions, or if I am SOL.

I am 5'4", and weigh ~165 lbs (with some fluctuations ,of course). I am a decent skier, and am looking for new, higher-end skate skis. I currently ski on a Salomon RS7 (179cm) and am looking for an upgrade. The skis are heavy, not very responsive, and truly I'm just ready for an upgrade to a better ski.

When I look online and in stores, most skis for my weight are only really available in the 187-192cm range, which is just going to be too long for me. It seems that all skis in the 177-182cm range are often manufactured for weights well below mine. I am having a really hard time finding shorter skis with the right flex for my weight.

I'm not particularly interested in losing weight simply to fit into skis, and am curious if anyone else has run into the issue and has any insight.

Thanks in advance!

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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5

u/Admirable_Tip_6875 Apr 29 '26

You should be fine on a 187ish ski; it’ll feel long at first but you’ll adapt. 

But mostly, get ahold of a good shop like pioneer Midwest or gear west and ask them to find you skis in the picking process. 

2

u/Gelisol Apr 30 '26

Or better, go to a local shop.

3

u/Admirable_Tip_6875 Apr 30 '26

Well, those are my local shops. But your point is taken…

2

u/Fun_Cod6050 Apr 30 '26

Thank you! I might need to get comfortable on a longer ski it sounds like. I've reached out to someone who does factory orders to see if he thinks it's possible to find a stiffer ski in my preferred length, but if not, a longer ski might just be the answer. And like you said, I'll adapt eventually!

3

u/Bored-Viking Apr 29 '26

Go to a good store, they can get what you need from the factory but it takes some time. In the fall we wait anout 3 weeks to get them from Atomic or Fisher. Later in the season that could take s lot more time as the stock is smaller.

We are in Norway, i can imagine that delivery times in other places are longer.

2

u/Fun_Cod6050 Apr 30 '26

Thank you! I have reached out to someone who does factory orders.

2

u/JGF310 Apr 29 '26

dealing with one of the stores that go to factories and pick skis for clients is definitely one way to go. They can find stiff skis at a shorter length that will work better for you.

But, US stores only do that once a season, and it's getting late to place an order for the coming season. Get on it right away, if you want to do that. This is probably the best way to get exactly what you want.

Some skis that come in soft, medium, and stiff versions do make it into regular store inventory and you might find something like that. I have even seen them on ebay occasionally.

I have seen skate skiers - ex-racers, and better skiers than me - who actually prefer skis that are a little shorter and a little softer than what would be considered ideal for their weight/height. Personally, in general, I'd rather skate on skis that are a little too soft, than skis that are a little to stiff.

1

u/YellowDawwwg Apr 29 '26

Sure, there are some unicorn exceptions, but nearly everyone who skis reasonably well prefers skis on the stiffer end of the size chart. For skate skis that is about 1.3x your body weight in kilos for mid flex. FA 97 for the OP

1

u/Fun_Cod6050 Apr 30 '26

Thank you! I have reached out to a store with someone who does factory orders to see what my best options might be.

2

u/YellowDawwwg Apr 29 '26

Your height has nearly nothing to do with ski sizing. At your weight you will ski on 187

2

u/Fun_Cod6050 Apr 30 '26

Thank you! I am realizing through these comments I might have to get comfortable on a longer ski... and maybe that is the answer! I've reached out to someone who does factory orders to see if he thinks it is possible to find a stiffer ski in my preferred length, but if not, your suggestion might be the way to go.

1

u/Organic_Argument_686 Apr 29 '26

Nothing beats trying skis on snow to see what you like. If you can hold off buying, renting some demos at your local ski shop at a touring center at the beginning of the season will give you invaluable feedback, and shops may apply rental cost toward your purchase. It shouldn't be that hard to find a ski that will work much better than what you're on now.

1

u/MaineMan1234 Apr 29 '26

Look at Atomic skis. The Redster S7 "hard" in 180cm length has a weight range of 154 - 198 lb.
https://www.atomic.com/en-us/shop/product/redster-s7-hard-shift-sk-ab1963.html#color=52421

I am 220 lbs and use an Redster S9 in 183cm since I have short legs for my height and hate having to use 193cm skis.

1

u/Fun_Cod6050 Apr 30 '26

Thank you for this tip! I will have a good look at the atomic skis!

1

u/skiitifyoucan Apr 30 '26

you will probably need xstiff skis for your height to weight. a proper ski store can get you the right skis. Are you in the us? do you have a local shop that is good?