What should be the length of the skis? The length of cross-country skiing. Length of downhill skiing

With the arrival of winter, winter sports goods disappear from the shelves. Ski equipment is very popular. Below it will be considered what should be the length of skis for different types of riding.

Rules for selecting inventory for the classic move

The first point is the correct length of cross-country skiing. There are two ways to find out which skis fit the size. The oldest and most common way is to extend your hand up. The tip of the ski should reach to the palm of your hand.

You can add to your own height of 30 cm. This is another way how to choose the length of skis for the classic move.

Beginners should stop on models with notches in the middle part. They hold the ski and do not let it slip back. It will be much easier to master a ski track. If there is some experience of riding, then the presence of incisions can interfere, since they also do not give much acceleration, they brake.

Rules for the selection of skates for ridge running

If you use a different type of riding, the inventory selection rules change. The length of the skating ridge is slightly less. This is due to the fact that the heels can overlap or cling to one another, thus preventing movement.

The length of skates for a ridge run is determined according to the following rule: your height is + 10-15 cm. Beginners can purchase shorter models. The maximum size of skate skis is 200 cm. They differ from classical and externally: a more blunt sock and no incisions on the sliding side.

Combi or pleasure skis

There is some intermediate option for those who have not yet decided how to ride: classics or skates. Skis "combi" combine the signs of inventory for both types of movement. They have a reduced length (maximum 195 cm), but there may be incisions, they are also softer. In this case, the length of the skis is also determined by the height. To find the size of this type of ski, you need to add to your growth of 15-20 cm.

By the way, in many sports shops usually hang special tables, where the length of skis and sticks for a classic or skate has already been calculated.

Rules for the selection of sticks

The necessary part of the equipment is ski sticks. Their length will depend on the type of riding chosen. For the classical move, shorter sticks are used. Their value is calculated by the formula: height minus 25-30 cm. As a result, they are obtained at the level of the armpit or shoulder. The sticks used for the ridge move are usually longer by 10 cm. Their maximum height is up to the ears.

How to choose the length of skis for children

In general, all these rules for selecting the length of the inventory are applicable to the child. However, it should be borne in mind that children's skis are softer, since the repulsive force and weight of a baby are significantly inferior to those of adults.

Do not buy equipment "for growth", the stock should not exceed 5 cm, because the child will be hard and uncomfortable to ride in too long skis, and excessively high sticks will prevent repulsion. In addition, the risk of injury is significantly increased. As a result, the child will not get pleasure, but his interest may be lost.

How to choose a ski in the store

Before the hike for the equipment you need to decide what skis are needed: skate or classic. If there are still no preferences, then you can choose walking, on them, even with difficulty, you can master the skate. If you buy suitable for the last move, then they can not master the classics, because they are by their rigidity will not give a push on the track. So, the main points in the selection of skis:

1. Determine what should be the length of the skis, based on the rules listed above. If for both types of riding, then you need to take shorter skis. It is desirable to immediately look for a few pairs, because it is not excluded that the next test they will not pass.
2. Check the geometry of the skis. Look at the sliding surface: it should not be bent in the longitudinal direction, it should not have a "screw", i.e. the transverse lines of the toe and the heels should be parallel. It is necessary to examine from the side: a good ski has a smooth bend, without sharp changes, holes or bumps.
3. Determine the centers of gravity. The allowable discrepancy is not more than 2 cm.
4. Inspect the sliding surface: it should be flat, an even groove runs along the center. If the back side is concave or curved, it will make the preparation of skis a laborious occupation. Also, the plastic should not exfoliate or boil.
5. Identify a pair with an appropriate level of rigidity. To do this, put the skis on a flat surface and stand on them. A suitable pair for the classic move will look like this: there is a gap of about 20 cm from the toe of the boot and 5 cm from the heel. It is checked by a sheet of paper. If the entire weight is transferred to one ski, it will fully press against the floor. The sheet will not be pulled out.
   The pair for the ridge will have a longer gap: up to 30 cm from the toe and up to 10 cm - from the heel. When transferring the weight to one ski, a sheet of paper in the area of the boot will move, i.e., it will not bend completely.
   If the gaps remain too large, the skis are too tight.
6. Not all stores will allow putting equipment on the floor. In this case, it is necessary to fold the skis with sliding surfaces to each other and try to squeeze one hand 3 cm below the center of gravity. In this case, the gap should not exceed 1-2 mm.

How to choose mountain skiing

For some reason, in the selection of mountain skis are guided by the growth of the skating, both for cross-country skiing. Some even use the same calculation formulas. However, this approach is incorrect, since the downhill and the walk in the forest are completely different things. And when selecting inventory, you need to take this into account.

First of all, you need to remember that downhill skiing provides a quick descent, so good control is needed. As a rule, their length reaches the nose or is equal to the growth of the skating, and maybe even less. The growth rate is not the main one here. First of all, it is worth paying attention to the type of skiing and the track.

Professional athletes engaged in slalom use skis 165 cm in length (the minimum allowable size). This is due to the fact that on the track a lot of steep turns, to enter them - it's quite a difficult thing. For successful performance of the figures, good maneuverability is required, which provides a small turning radius. And it is determined by the length of the mountain ski: the shorter they are, the smaller the radius, the more maneuverable the skis. If the rules were allowed to use a shorter inventory, the athletes would use it. The turning radius is indicated on each pair (it is indicated by the Latin letter "R"). The smaller it is, the shorter and steeper the turns.

On the other hand, on short skis at constant sharp turns it is strongly not dispersed. Consequently, for high-speed descents along a straight line or with wide turns the track will need a longer pair.

For fans of "popetlyat", as well as for beginners shorter skis will approach, because they are easier to control, and they are less dispersed. Experienced riders will be approached by longer models: they quickly develop high speed, make wider and more smooth turns. They are also good for the wide snow-covered slopes. On narrow or icy, you have to maneuver, so short ones will come in handy.

Also, mountain skiing is divided into men's, women's and children's. And the difference is not only in the colors. The category affects the rigidity and the ability to carry a certain weight.

How to choose a ski for a child

To properly equip a child, first of all you need to take into account his weight and age. This will affect the length of the skis. Also an important factor - the experience of skiing on both mountain and cross-country skiing. If there is one, you need to consider the preferred method of descent. All this will affect the length.

Skiing children are selected, relying on the following tables of compliance:

• With a weight of up to 20 kg, the length of the skis is up to 80 cm;
• Up to 30 kg - up to 90 cm;
• Up to 40 kg - up to 100 cm;
• From 40 kg - the ski is not longer than from the floor to the nose or even the chin, if there is no riding experience.

In other respects, the same rules are followed as for the selection of equipment for adult riders.

Touring skis

They are not intended for Sunday walks, but for winter hikes in places untouched by civilization. They can go on virgin soil, deep snow, where there are no specially equipped tracks. They are rather rigid and wide (more than 6 cm), often have a strengthened base.

To determine the length of the ski, it is necessary to know the weight of the tourist with the backpack: up to 80 kg - 160 cm, up to 100 kg - 190 cm, 120 kg and more - 200 cm. If the trip is light, then the skis should be equal to the height or Even be 5 cm shorter. They also have longer socks and longer socks than cross-country socks. This is necessary so that the skies do not burrow into the snow. Another difference is that in many of them the notch is applied almost to the full length in order to provide the most reliable grip with snow.