I have returned to skiing after a 25 year hiatus. I'm 72 years, 5'-10", 145 lbs. After skiing about 12 days this year, I consider myself an advanced/expert skier, having been able to take on the steep mogul runs for short distances before I get "pooped". What length of Volkl AC30 skis do you experts recommend.

If you get "pooped" easily, I wouldn't recommend the AC30, especially after not skiing for 25 years. They are STIFF. Stiff skis tire you out faster and are also harder on the knees. I would recommend a K2 ski such as the Interceptor, 2010 Recon(2011 Rictor) or 2010 Crossfire(2011 Charger). They are softer and still have amazing performance. K2s have a nice smooth feel and their softness doe not sacrifice performance. I would go with any one of those skis in 163cm. For the 2010-2011 season, K2's whole line of all mountain skis will have slightly rockered tips, which they say "makes turning easier at low speeds." I didn't really notice anything different about them when I skied them at Stratton, but I did notice that I loved them. If you do really want the AC30, I would only recommend them if you have demoed them or if you skied a very stiff ski this past season. For the AC30, you are kind of on the borderline of 156cm to 163 by weight, but height and weight combined put you at 163. When taking your age into account, I would say the 156 would be better but probably be a little short, especially since the skis you skied 25 years ago were so much longer. I love the AC30. I am 130lbs and ski the 156cm. It is a stiff ski that will tire you out if you get tired easily.

Robert, I ski the AC30s and am at a similar level of skiing, including getting pooped after short distances on the moguls. Also similar in age and height though I am a little heavier (185#). My shop recommended going with the 170s and I loved them the first season. Went with the shorter 163s the next season as I took bump lessons in CO and felt the shorter ski would be more responsive (shorter turn radius). Love the ski ... they handle Midwest skiing on hardpack and groomed well; were excellent this year in CO with 4 days of powder in the a.m. and powder crud in the p.m. and a 5th day of great sunny groomed skiing.