Quick question from a lapsed skier

I'm coming back to skiing after a decade's break and am looking to buy a pair of Volkl RTM 73 skis for groomed pistes:

Sidecut: 1120_73_105, with rocker tip
Length (Radius): 153 [12.0], 159 [12.9], 166 [14.3], 173 [15.8]

Should I go for 166cm or 173cm?

Cheers!

My specs: 5ft 11" (181cm), 75kg, used to be a solid intermediate skier but a very a long time ago

Doesn't answer your question but I would suggest you go wider underfoot, around 80mm. Technology has moved on and wider is the way to go.

Interesting, thanks for that, I've got an option on an unused pair of 2011 Fischer MOTIVE 80 POWERRAIL skis in 168cm length

Radius 17 m (175 cm sample length)
Sidecut 122 – 80 – 110 mm

I ruled them out as they are rated "advanced" and I'm not?

Why not try some out in resort? See how you get on with a few and then decide from there....

As Dobby says, would make sense to try some out first. The motive 80 is a good ski. For your level the 168 would be fine. More room for progression than the 73's.

After 10 years out, suggest you discount buying at this stage.

Skis change, year on year, but that is only part of the consideration.

After 10 years, you will have changed. Reading between the lines, you are experienced, but do not consider yourself expert. You have aged by 10 years. Are you as fit, strong, mobile as before?

The benefit of renting is that you can start the holiday on a softer ski, then as you regain your previous capabilities, move on to a faster ski.

You can trial skis that you might potentially buy.

I own about 11 pairs of skis, (I had a clear out a few years back), but I still take an occasional hire. It is a good way to keep up to date.

Thanks guys, I'll take the advice and defer any decision until I've put myself to the test.

I think you will enjoy the process of testing a few skis. Every new set of skis I have bought in the last 10 years has been a quantum leap in performance and skiability vs the previous model. If you do buy try to get something that is only few years old i.e. only top sheet graphics have changed but has latest engineering incorporated into it.