What keeps a ski tip from submarine-ing: length or mounting position?

**Terpski** · 05-04-2006, 07:50 PM

I didn't ski too much powder this year, because I live on the east coast; however, I spent a week in JH when they had pow ever morning. While I was there I noticed my tips going under any time I got into an aggressive stands. I'm not sure if it was due to the length or my ski or if it was because I have my bindings mounted 3 cm in front of the boot sole mark (for east coast conditions). I honestly doubt that my 177 ski (waist=87) is too short me (5'9", 170lb). If I were to move my bindings back, putting my body weight further back on the ski, would that bring my tips up, or is length a factor here as well?

I only want to know what others thought because next year I might be moving out west for the season, which would mean that I would most likely be skiing more pow and I am thinking about getting another pair skis meant for powder and I need to decide on the length. I'm thinking 183 would be too long.

**marshalolson** · 05-04-2006, 07:55 PM

177 karma is WAY too short for jackson. +3cm is way too far forward.

@ 170lbs you could easily ski a 190 gotama @ the rear center line at jackson no problem, everyday.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 05-04-2006, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by marshalolson

@ 170lbs you could easily ski a 190 gotama @ the rear center line at jackson no problem, everyday.

Marshal is right.

Signed, a 5'9", 170 pound guy who skis 190 gotamas mounted on the rear center line.

Squatch · 05-04-2006, 09:38 PM

both.

go long and go fat or go home. and don't mount it in front the line (in most cases).

**hucksquaw** · 05-04-2006, 11:31 PM

im 5'7" and 135 lbs and have been skiing a 176 Stomp at -1cm and even that is short for me. just bought a pair of Kingswoods (sooo stoked) in a 185 and will probably be mounting them neutral. i dont think ill have much of a problem.

sooooo, id say 177 mounted +3 is rediculous. especially if you come out west. i totally agree with these guys, go bigger, cosiderably bigger. and dont mount em so damn forward. you will see a HUGE difference. it will be smoooove.

**skimasterflex** · 05-04-2006, 11:46 PM

You officially need 185 Kingswood midfats in the standard flex. 104 waist, and they're really about 183cm tip to tail and the tail is turned up well so it skis a bit shorter still. Still a big stable ripper at your weight in the standard flex. Hit me up for more info/ ordering or to demo in Cali next season word.

**leroy jenkins** · 05-04-2006, 11:57 PM

What causes tips to dive:

Tip width relative to tail width
Mounting point
Skiing style (since you're used to skiing hardpack, you probably drive your tips forward)
Length of ski
Speed you're sking at
Pitch you're skiing
Weight/size of skier.
Stiffness of ski, especially the tip.

Basically, a bunch of shit. Go bigger if you want float, mount farther back. I don't even think racers mount at +3 for most things.

**upallnight** · 05-04-2006, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by marshalolson

@ 170lbs you could easily ski a 190 gotama @ the rear center line at jackson no problem, everyday.

Coming from someone who rode Gotamas about 60 of 130-140 days days this year at Jackson, Marshal is right on the money with this.

If in doubt, get the bigger ski (190 Got skis short) and mount +1 or +2... If you mount on the line, you might have some issues in the tightest of tree lines, but there is so much big open space here that you'll really appreciate ripping on the big sticks.