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An in depth study of my wide ski decision, please help.

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steezerampage
Posts: 2171 - Karma: 214

This may be a bit long, but I have always helped others with gear questions I can answer and would really like any help I can get with this.

My info:

I am about 5' 11'' and about 155 pounds, build pretty lean but trying to gain a little for ski season but I doubt I will be weighing over 160. 

I have always been an inbounds skier but am looking to get probably about five to ten backcountry days in this year. 

I spent last season at big sky MT and ski Jackson and summit county as well and hope to make it to utah this winter. 

I have never owned a fat ski until last year and had some 04-05 Line Mo ships 182 (97 waist).  They took a couple days of getting used to them but then I loved them on pow and choppy snow.

I can ski anything inbounds with speed, have a very small bag of tricks in the park, and have hit drops up to about 20 to 25 feet.  As with any season i want to get better this year and ski better than the year before.

I want a ski that will be good for pow and a little backcountry jibbin.  Looking at 105 waist skis and up and thinking in the lower 180 length range 

Thoughts on some skis

Obsethed: Might be a little thin and heavy

Hellbents: Seems like overkill and also heavy, I hear you wheelie out of landings a lot

S7s: So Expensive, and 188 might be a bit long

JJs, Might be a bit thin and I've heard bindings tend to rip out

Moment night trains: just looked at them for the first time today

Please any help would be sick!

Nov 29 2009 7:13PM
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Legion
Posts: 1374 - Karma: 29

ive got hellbents, center them and they ski everywhere and dont wheelie.  jj's would be a great choice too, they ski the deep & choppy well but still hold an edge on groomers.

Nov 29 2009 7:18PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
i'd say JJ or Bibby. they both possess the versatility of a midfat (115) yet float beautifully in pow while also having a jibby feel. hellbents are floppy and lame and if you're in the bc they'll suck. i skinned a bunch on jj's and it was totally fine, they're pretty light too. i absolutely loved jj's, they kill it everywhere and imo you can't go wrong with them
Nov 29 2009 7:23PM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 576
I'm in a pretty similar boat, I'm after a pure pow and have been looking at the Moment Donner Party, pretty sure I'm gunna go for it.
Nov 29 2009 7:52PM
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CraigAK
Posts: 1871 - Karma: 320
ON3P caylors?
Nov 29 2009 7:54PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
this.

but theyre out a few weeks still.

moment nighttrain is sweet

new gotama is also sweet
Nov 29 2009 8:18PM
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yeahitsdave
Posts: 1315 - Karma: 10
on3p caylors would be dope, moment bibbys, surface one lifes, volkl gotama (the extended low profile rocker kills it), jj, anddddd i dunno what else.

105-120ish underfoot, stiffer flexing, rocker tip and tail, any of those skis would be killer.
Nov 29 2009 8:34PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
I have LL2 (one lifes) and have yet to ski them. They look super sick. Pretty much any ski he listed will be awesome

Get the nighttrains just for the graphic. That's how I choose all of my skis
Nov 29 2009 11:46PM
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DR.SHRED
Posts: 2134 - Karma: 503
night trains= light poppy durable pretty fat iv skied them on a pow day and there  great
Nov 29 2009 11:51PM
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fouldsys
Posts: 7404 - Karma: 39
Don't. (shakes head with disapproval)
Nov 30 2009 10:22AM
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zack_h123
Posts: 314 - Karma: 109
this years gotamas look sick, bommer construction, got tip and tail rocker this year (unlike last year) so better float, still have real good all mtn performance tho. the JJs look sick aswell never skiied them but everyone raves about them here on ns. i also really like the salomon czars, 111 under foot tip rocker skiied them in cham for 3 days last season and loved them.
Nov 30 2009 11:35AM
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Ian_Bray
Posts: 69 - Karma: 21
I was in a similar situation to you. i am ever so slightly taller and slightly heavier than you 6" 160-5, similar skill level as well.

I went for the NT 186. Was not to sure on height but decided to go for the 186 due to the rocker and the fact that it is my POW ski so weight for the larger surface area. The guy selling them to me also recommended going larger as he was a similar height and skied the 186 and said they where amazing and was surprised how well they skied on piste as well.

I have not skiied them yet (will be in 2 weeks time for the whole 20 week season).

First of all they are so light. compared with the other skis I was looking at, JJ, obsethed, SFB and Elizebeths. The larger waist seems scary but im pretty sure due to the other dimentions that they will be fine.

Good luck with your choice. To be honest i dont think you can go wrong with any of the skis you mentioned anyway so also look into the cheapest option and then which ones you like the look of as a final point.

Nov 30 2009 11:36AM
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Newschool_Pope
Posts: 2473 - Karma: 267
surface new life?
legit company, light but fat symetrical ski.
awesome physique- the rocker shape (3stage)
Nov 30 2009 11:45AM
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MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
hellbents arent heavey. they're big. im sure if they were chopped down to a park ski size they would weigh the same amount. as for springing on landings. thats reverse chamber+fat ski. its actually a good feeling. you land and your scooped up by your skis. its like landing on a trampoline, probably one of my favourite feelings in the world
Nov 30 2009 12:37PM
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dice552
Posts: 304 - Karma: 42

bluehouse mavens if you want to sent it huge, but if the size scares you go with the chopsticks perhaps or the new lifes from surface

Nov 30 2009 1:31PM
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luc
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 607
ur looking for 105 and think JJs are too thin? they are 112 i think...i'd go with JJ's cause riding over the grooms to the next powder slope is fun too with em...GO WITH JJ's
Nov 30 2009 1:43PM
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steezerampage
Posts: 2171 - Karma: 214
Just to be clear, 105 is the thinnest im considering, and thanks for all the info so far
Nov 30 2009 3:45PM
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steezerampage
Posts: 2171 - Karma: 214
bump
Nov 30 2009 8:34PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
But all I care about is looking cool! Who gives a crap about how the ski performs? Skiing is all about the looks

But really, I was going to get nighttrains but decided to get LL2's instead. I've heard nothing but good things about either ski and the deciding factor for me was the price. I was able to pick up some ll2's for a quarter of the price on nighttrains. Either of those two skis will be gold for you
Nov 30 2009 8:43PM
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baseballski03
Posts: 429 - Karma: 13
i would recommend jj's. the waist is 115 contrary to what has been said in the thread previously.  they are great all around and kill it in the powder. super light, very versitile. i've never heard of bindings ripping out of the jj's. but when bindings rip out, in my expirience, it is more due to a faulty mounting job by a shitty ski shop than actually the fault of the ski. anyway, there are a lot of good skis out there so i'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you pick, but in my opinion the jj's are the best choice.
Nov 30 2009 10:17PM
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*-*
Posts: 258 - Karma: 82
moment bibby or NT
Nov 30 2009 11:07PM
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holyDINOSAURS
Posts: 7038 - Karma: 639
BENTCHETLERS!
Dec 1 2009 1:07AM
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baseballski03
Posts: 429 - Karma: 13

= misproportioned jj's.

i'm sure they're fine skis, but look at them. they are just the jj design but with slightly off proportions, because they couldn't copy it exactly. jj's are the real deal.

Dec 1 2009 1:12AM
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Newschool_Pope
Posts: 2473 - Karma: 267

you know that the jjs are produced in an atomic factory???

so i wouldnt say the bentchetler is a copy of the jj, but its more like a project they did together.

both skis are sick and very similar. chill dude and dont hate on either company

Dec 1 2009 4:30AM
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Abc567def
Posts: 8756 - Karma: 801
I would recommend the JJ's, i ride the bents but you might be a little small for them. Im riding the 189's and im 6'3 195
Dec 1 2009 7:04AM
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baseballski03
Posts: 429 - Karma: 13
yes i do know that armada produces it's skis in the atomic factory, which is probably why they can both come out with a very similar ski. but as i recall the jj came out first. i'm guessing since jp and benchetler are friends they did colaborate on some ideas. so i think that benchetler probably took that jj design and customized it a little more for himself, as the other one is obviously geared toward jp and julien. not meaning to hate on either company, like i said i'm sure the bentchetlers are good skis, and atomic clearly produces good stuff. although i guess it did kind of come off that way. i like the jj's better and that's just my opinion. and as somebody said above ^ the jj's could be a little better suited for the thread creator's size.
Dec 1 2009 1:17PM
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freeballer
Posts: 726 - Karma: 960
Liberty Double Helix. Not super rockered, but is 121 underfoot so you will get a retarded amount of float. However, unlike the Hellbent, or something that has a lot of rocker, you can carve like a motherfucker on hardpack and groomers. In fact, it is one of my favorite skis for groomers, which is very bizarre, but it is true. So light and poppy, but pretty stiff underfoot for lots of stability when you are going really fast. Bamboo is the shit.
Dec 1 2009 1:32PM
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Newschool_Pope
Posts: 2473 - Karma: 267
didnt mean to bash you or so :D. ive skid both and they both seemed like really solid skis.
either one will do the job very well for the thread creator.

Dec 1 2009 3:27PM
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baseballski03
Posts: 429 - Karma: 13
yeah it seems like with all the choices on here it'd be tough to go wrong
Dec 1 2009 3:34PM
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dbstar
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 20
the skis in that category are so sick, like the JJ, Bentchetlers, the One Life, and the Night Train mostly, and I think if you got any of these you would be happy for sure, with that being said, I would get the Night Trains, I have heard they ski amazing, and the graphics are probably the besst ive ever seen
Dec 1 2009 3:39PM
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StReEtPIRATES
Posts: 1378 - Karma: 138
I'm about the same size as you and rode my 179 bents mounted 3 cm back with jesters for the first time and they shred.  Early morning was icy groomers and a bit scary but once i got used to them they were fine.  Mid day the top of alyeska opened for the first time and there was about 1-2 ft of semi heavy, typical maritime snow, and i was amazed at how they performed.  They killed it in the pow regular and switch, sending big airs was easy on em and they just killed it all around. so my recomendation would be hellbents.
Dec 1 2009 5:08PM
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v0mdragon
Posts: 83 - Karma: 11
ride a pair of EP Pros if you get a chance, they may seem a bit overkill but they're super fun.

If not, I like the JJs for all but perfect pow conditions
Dec 1 2009 5:12PM
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steezerampage
Posts: 2171 - Karma: 214
TTT
Dec 2 2009 12:17AM
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Mike.Steezze
Posts: 407 - Karma: 17
All I have to say to you is WOW and GET A LIFE, any true skier would care about how a ski performs before the looks, once you nail it down to a few choices is when you go for how a ski looks. And NEVER cheap out on skis unless you are only using  them for an urban setting where they will get thrashed. But JJ's are an awesome ski, I love the ones i picked up this year, they perform all over the mountain.
Dec 2 2009 12:35AM
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Newschool_Pope
Posts: 2473 - Karma: 267
he was making a joke...
irony is a commonly used device here on NS.

chill brah and dont hate on fellow members.
Dec 2 2009 10:14AM
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Mike.Steezze
Posts: 407 - Karma: 17
Ok, but how am I supposed to know that? sorry I'm new to this kinda thing, and have avoided things like this and facebook for as long as I could.
Dec 2 2009 12:52PM
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Newschool_Pope
Posts: 2473 - Karma: 267
no biggie. just some advice from me.
cheers
Dec 2 2009 3:52PM
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Justo8484
Posts: 3905 - Karma: 205
the obsethed is 105 in the waist, so that fits your description perfectly. the 179 measures out a little bit longer, in the low 180s. slight tip and tail rocker will keep you floating in soft snow, but they're still cambered under foot and rip on groomers a lot better than some of the others you've mentioned. i really don't find them to be all too heavy, but maybe i'm just used to riding k2 stuff. also, everything k2 makes is absolutely bombproof. i've been riding their stuff for about 4 years now and have not broken a pair of skis since.
Dec 2 2009 4:59PM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
if ur looking to tour, ur gonna need a ski that can handle it all. go with the JJ, by far the most versitale 110+ waisted ski on the market. And the jj waist is 115 for those guys who were arguing about it above.
Dec 2 2009 6:03PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
I only cheaped out on skis because I already spent quite a bit on moment planks. Next year I may pick up a pair of night trains. They'll fit perfect in my quiver

Oh and for the record, I was being sarcastic. It is a bit hard to tell over written words

Sorry for the triple post
Dec 2 2009 10:37PM
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ReetsAdeets
Posts: 1531 - Karma: 611
JJs rock. They dont wheelie at all, and they float eveywhere. You might also check out the the 4FRNT EHPs and CRJs. Hellbents are awesome, I have some and love them, but they are very soft, and not what you want if your going too be dropping lots of cliffs. You might also check out 181 Icelantic Nomads. They are super stable at speeds, and feel very comfortable dropping cliffs and stuff. They dont have rocker, but they still float well, and they are stiff enough to plough through whatever, even some avy debris. They are also great in non-powder situations, and are overall a great ski. I love mine.
Dec 2 2009 10:56PM
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StReEtPIRATES
Posts: 1378 - Karma: 138
a friend of mine rides for them and says they're coming out with a rockered pilgrim( ithink thats the model) early spring
Dec 3 2009 12:06AM
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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
I didnt read the whole thread, but read the OP. 

Im 5'9" about 150 pounds and a pretty decent skier.

I had 179 hellbents last year used primarily for inbounds powder riding in Summit County.  I skied a few days at East Vail Chutes.

For the price, you could probably pick up a pair of used Hellebents pretty cheap.

I loved those skis, they suck a bit at the end of pow days (read: cutting chop), but they are absolutely sick in powder and rediculously easy to turn in the trees.  I couldnt believe how nimble they were.

If I were you, id get 189 hellbents.  My 179s seemed short at times with the rocker, and i would get 189s if i did it all over again...more stable of a ski and still easy to turn in the trees. 
Dec 3 2009 1:09AM
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MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -7
Seconded on the bibby. 
Dec 3 2009 1:19AM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

Obsetheds are pretty damn versatile...

And for the people who say the Hellbents have wheelie issues? Get the FUCK out of the back seat you lazy-ass dickheads.

Dec 3 2009 2:31AM
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MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -7
Its called you cant load up the tails.
Dec 3 2009 7:55AM
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Justo8484
Posts: 3905 - Karma: 205
yeah, trying to ollie is a whole different ballgame on a ski with that much rocker. it's almost like i'm back on rollerblades, where its all about straight hopping to get onto rails and such.
Dec 3 2009 9:25AM
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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
theyre hellbents.... not park skis...  retard.  They were built for specific powder use.
Dec 3 2009 3:16PM
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Mike.Steezze
Posts: 407 - Karma: 17
Yeah my bad. No worries about the triple post. I'll eventually figure out my way about the threads and what ppl say. Night Trains are some pretty sick skis dude.
Dec 3 2009 5:41PM
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turtles
Posts: 410 - Karma: 30
check out the kung fujas
Dec 3 2009 6:15PM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
if he thinks jj's are a little thin ur probably not in his ballpark
Dec 5 2009 4:39AM
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