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jump ski sizing


spartanskier10
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There is considerable difference of opinion on jump ski sizing for beginning and intermediate jumpers. I'm not a jumper myself, so my opinions are based on my kids progression, watching other kids progress and advice from some high end jump coaches.

 

FWIW, both my kids went over 100' on 76" skis at 28mph with a 3/4 cut . Being able to control the skis is a critical factor. On the flip side, I've seen kids in the sub 70-80' range on 80+ skis that could not control them and ended up with too many crashes and are no longer jumping. My daughter had a big crash shortly after moving from the 76" to 80" (and 28 to 31.7mph) and has never regained the "fire" for jumping she previously had. She's been plateaued at around 110' for several years and is now on 84". My son went from 76" to 84" at the 115' mark and had a PB of 158 on the 84" before getting 88", but you have to factor in teenage testosterone:) He is also a very "safe" and controlled jumper and has never had a bad crash.

 

To pick an example and anecdotally compare 76" to 84" skis for an 80' jumper:

 

Pro: The skier "might" gain a handful of feet in distance. Some jumpers claim the landings are easier with larger skis, but I'm not sure I buy that.

 

Con: The jumper has a much higher probability of the skis "getting away from them" as the skis get larger, either on the ramp or in the air and ending up with a big crash. The big skis are like sails and if they catch air in the wrong position, you are screwed.

 

So IMO going to bigger skis at your GF's level has a very small benefit and rather high risk. I would go with 80", max of 82" only if she is aggressive and really loves to jump. If she gets the technique and speed to hit 110', then that would be the time to go 84". If you are worried about buying skis and getting stuck with them, don't be. 80" jumpers will sell in about 10 minutes on Ski-it-Again.

 

Spend lots of time riding skis, crane drills and maybe high speed single cuts. Those things are much more important than ski size. Oh, and call Wiley's and get the right size bindings. Snug bindings are much more important than the skis.

If it was easy, they would call it Wakeboarding

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The 78” are more than adequate and probably will be till over 100’ as long as they are in good condition. Why would you want to move up for a 5’4” skier? Bigger skis do not increase distance and you run some big risks. Our son was on 82” and going over 150’ before he moved up. Safety first! If you absolutely must buy new skis due to their condition stick to the smaller end.
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Agree completely with @nikandsteve, don't go too big too soon, we have coached many jumpers well into the mid 100's on 78"-82" and have seen just as many that will never get there because they are on skis that are too big before they can handle them
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What ski size range for a growing 130 pound soon to be B4 beginning jumper? There is set of 75" connellys on ski it again. I can order new but would prefer not to if he is just going to grow out of them in a year. If I could get a couple years out of new that would sting less.
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