Ski boards are slipping out from underneath me

[Johncaedo]

So I am getting back into ski boarding. I used to ski board every weekend from ages 12- 22, then from 22 to 25ish, I went several times a month during the season. From 25ish to now... (38) I've gone like 20 times total including the most recent last weekend. I was barely able to stand on the skis because they kept slipping out from underneath me. It was like something was wrong. I couldn't glide...it was like I was slipping!!. I never fell down, but it was just weird. I remember effortlessly gliding across the snow...and now I was having trouble because it felt like I was just slipping on ice trying to get from one area to another. It was exhausting. I am a bigger guy 6'1 285...and when I used to ski board I was about 215-240. But why would my skis just slip out from under me like that? It was the oddest thing and never has ever happened to me before...not even the first time I tried ski boarding!

[Greco]

Hi John, which skis were you on? These were news skis to you? If they have rocker and no/reverse camber it would be easy to see how you could struggle to maintain an edge as reverse camber skis are made for powder and not hard pack and will have very little edge making contact with the snow.

[jjue]

Hi John, Welcome to the forum ! I second what Greco said. Also even if the skiboard has camber the width makes a difference in how easy it is to get an edge on ice. If in the past you had been used to skiboarding on narrower waisted skiboards , wider skiboards can seem very slippery on icy snow until you get the hang of how to aggressively tilt them on edge.

[Steeps]

What is your current wax job like? A thick, new layer of wax in the right conditions could feel like that to some degree. If you're using an older/well used set of boards, taking them in for a full tune to get the edges good and sharp might also help.

[shortydude]

I know we've had discussions here before on edge tuning. Maybe someone can find a link to good one or we could start a new thread on tuning. It may not be obvious that the metal edges should be close to 90° and that some times the edges near the tips get detuned. and that if most of the running length of the edge is rounded off you're going to have a tough time controlling them.

[newbie2011]

It may not be obvious that the metal edges should be close to 90°

From previous discussions I remember most/many people were opting for 89°, while some preferred 88°

[Johncaedo]

I am also wondering if I need longer boards due to having more weights. I have 75 cm to 99cm boards. I weight 285 and I am 6'1. I was around 235-245 when I was an avid ski boarder. I was about 199 when I first started skiing at 12ish. Then I started bodybuilding and I spent most of my teens and early 20s in the 220-245 range. As an adult that muscle has gains a nice protective cover and now I'm about 285.

[mvhoffman]

I am also wondering if I need longer boards due to having more weights. I have 75 cm to 99cm boards. I weight 285 and I am 6'1. I was around 235-245 when I was an avid ski boarder. I was about 199 when I first started skiing at 12ish. Then I started bodybuilding and I spent most of my teens and early 20s in the 220-245 range. As an adult that muscle has gains a nice protective cover and now I'm about 285.

At 300 when skiboarding I used everything from 100 - 130. I was stuck on 110 for a good while but when trying the 130cm Sherpa everything clicked. I have currently moved to traditional skis at 166cm however they feel to me the same as the Sherpas just more stability. Being a bigger guy, I don't think that you will notice a difference in maneuverability or anything. The 130cm felt the same to me as a 105, 110, etc. I personally would recommend the Sherpas, but there are other good options out there such as the Summit Invertigos.

Going longer is not as daunting as it seems if you get the right profile. The Sherpas and Invertigos both have the rocker/camber/rocker profile which gives the stability of a full size board however maneuvers as a shorter one.

[ysb33r]

I suspect that you might do well on the Invertigos. They are very stiff and suits a heavier rider like you.

[shortydude]

I'm in the Clydesdale class myself and I love my Sherpa's. The edge hold on steep ice is fantastic. I credit them for saving my life getting down the mountain when an ice storm hit us at Sun Valley Idaho a few years ago. Their not as playful as other boards. But, they are a Cadillac type ride.