Sorry if this has been asked allot. But to be sure I am posting here.

I am buying Dynastar High Mountain 107 skis. Planning on using them in Chamonix and Mammoth next year.

But also would like to use them for snow kiting. There are two lengths I am interested in 175cm or 184cm. Will the 184 be to long for snowkiting? Also any one have advise as to if 184 would be good for me for all mountain off trail stuff? I used to ski 200cms back in the day.

Thanks Rich

I am 5'9" 160 pounds,

I'm 5'7" 145#s and my all mountain ski these days is a 162cm Rossi Avenger (82mm under foot). There are times when I think they are a tad too short but most of the time I love how much power they can carry through turns and the fact they can be snapped around easily. given your size and weight I'd say the 175s would be great but if you are a very competent skier who likes a lot of speed you could go with the 184s too.

My straight skis are 180, 190 and 195s and those are what I use when I kite ski (mostly the 190s). I don't think you can go wrong with either but if you are not a very good skier then the shorter ski would be better all of the time.

For reference, I am considered to be a very good skier. Raced competitively through high school and started skiing moguls at age 13. I'm happy with the shorter 162s 95% of the time but these days I mostly ski with my kids so my trail selection has evolved though they have been in the steeps and bumps for the past 2 years and I am still happy with my 162s. If anything its the amount of sidecut (too much) with two wide a shovel as opposed to the length of the ski that I'd like to change.

There are many variables, snow depth, kite ski styles are you looking to do tricks or just go really fast, skiing skill, weight & height...

For the most part what ever length you are comfortable with on the slopes will work, the straighter the better to keep a straight line when going up wind so less of a shape ski. Longer for straight line speed, wider for powder, shorter for freestyle.

Feyd has answered many ski questions. I like this thread for a lot of answers.

I am 5'-10" and 190lb and used to ski on 210cm Head metal skis but chose 168cm Dynastar Big (89cm under foot) for my last ski so that I could fit in those crazy moguls that appear on ski hills these days.

I don't think you would notice much difference between the 175s and 184s while snowkiting. Backcountry.com says the 184s have a 22m turn radius but other sites say 20 or 21m. I agree with B-Roc's comments.

Have fun at Chamonix and Mammoth

At you weight and size 165/8 to 170/5 is going to be your most versatile size and more user friendly. 185cm + would work great on the kite, especially if you want to muscle a slightly OP'd kite but for general skiing will take a little more work. For jumping the 186 will have a bit more swing weight in freestyle moves but will stomp landings nicely. Anything in the 20m+ carve radius will work well on the kite even on a firm surface at low to moderate speeds. At high speeds even 21m will cause uncomfortable oscillation if you actually drive the edge.

If you aren't a strong skier, shorter will be more fun in general. That said, those terrablades of yours handle A LOT like a 40m DH ski and you can probably adapt to just about anything.

As far as multi-tasker alpine/snowkite skis go, the ski your looking at is an awesome choice. It will handle a variety of conditions, not strictly pow. Get a Guardian or Duke on it with some skins in your pack and you can tour w/o fear of wind dying. Neither of those bindings are great AT bindings but they are perfect for snowkite. Better torsionally that a Dynafit or Fritsche FR.

thanks for the advise. I went with the 175 107 Chams, can't wait to try them, what a beefy ski. BTW Evo has them for $335 around.

I am debating getting and alpine touring something just for snow kiting maybe something shorter? Also the Dynastar have pin tails , seems for kite skiing would want upturned tails??

I also rid a 194cm Monoski/monboard I wonder how that would be with a kite?

Pin tails will be fine. A little kick tail is fine and Twin tips are more fun for freestyle. A flat tail, or pin tail will produce much less drag in straight-line running. Not so much an issue on normal days but on light wind days in soft snow it could be enough to make things kinda suck.


Monoski, not sure how that would work. Haven't tried one since the 80's, body positioning is not unlike skis but the edging is a bit different. A harness with a swing hook or slider would make it probably pretty fun. If I had a mono here I would totally give it a shot, I bet it's a good time.

Or it could be really, really terrible.:D

I think the swing hook / slider is key for the monoski. In the right conditions, that set up would be a blast. Do they still make monoskis? Haven't seen one since the Glenn Plake / Scott Schmidt days.

Good Lord, Plake and the old Beebop! Wow, B thanks for the flash back.

Let's face it, Plake makes anything ski well. So there you have it, swing hook or slider or you have to be Glen Plake.