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Need Some Assistance for Deciding on a Pow Ski

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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
So, ill be the first to say it. I dont know shit when it comes to deciding on a pow ski. I know i really want a pair of them for (rare) days i get fresh around my home mountain, but they are more primary going to be used for trips outside of my state (PA) like going out to CO or VT.

So here it goes:
Weight: 125
Height: 5 foot 7/8
Skiing ability: Advanced

Skis considering (in order of interest as of now):
183 Atomic Bent Chetlers
175 Armada JJ
Atomic Blog

I want to have a ski that i can take in to some tight trees, hit a couple bowls with, rip a few groomers and hit some park jumps every now and then when i get bored, and of course, be able to ski them in any sort of fresh snow condition. I dont want it to feel like i have two telephone poles strapped to my feet when im skiing in tight trees, etc...which is my main worry.

I think my main reason for this thread is more helping to get me on the right size of pow ski, because im scarred the 183 bent chetlers may be a little too much for me to handle when i really have to lay down some quick turns.

My other ski is the 171 blue steele (just for reference)

thanks a ton, and karma for answers
Sep 18 2010 11:30PM
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K_FRANK
Posts: 513 - Karma: 277
surface! they make a 174 new life that would be pretty good for throwin around in the trees and new lifes pretty much kill the rest of the mountain to!
Sep 18 2010 11:32PM
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*Bird
Posts: 1895 - Karma: 316
ya i also 5'7" and 120ish and the new lifes are what im getting
Sep 19 2010 12:06AM
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aaron@summit
Posts: 1453 - Karma: 18
i think that blogs are pretty dope and out of that list thats a good option
Sep 19 2010 12:09AM
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Bonobo
Posts: 437 - Karma: 11
haven't skiid any of those, but i've heard some great things about jjs
Sep 19 2010 12:42AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
the jjs are to directional for what you want and so are the blogs. I dont think the benchetler will be to hard for you. They have a super short turning radius so i think you will be all good. Also 181 caylors, 172 Sfb's, Hellbents, New life, One life.
Sep 19 2010 3:19AM
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Chaka
Posts: 424 - Karma: 79
Honestly? you dont really need a pow ski. It will be to much for where you live. You need a ski for the occasional trip to VT and our west? Than get something that you can ride on at your home mountain when there is 1" of fresh or something that you can ride in CO when there is 12" of fresh. Such as Line Blends, K2 Kung Fujas, ON3P Jeronimos. It is a waste of $$$ for you to buy a 600$+ powder ski when you only ski powder what? twice a year? Get something you will have fun with and be able to ride... not a powder specific ski. It doesn't seem like you need it. 183 Bentchetlers will be very big for you especially since I am guessing you have not skied anything over 180 and frankly if you have to ask and you are scared than it is probably to much.
Sep 19 2010 6:09AM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
Well ive worked all summer to fund them, and im getting a pair. I know i want a park specific and a pow specific. Also, i look as it for of a long term investment for whenever i can ski pow, i got a ski for it
Sep 19 2010 10:29AM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
bump
Sep 19 2010 12:59PM
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bigsoxfan
Posts: 734 - Karma: 10
would definitely recommend the hellbents if you want a pow specific ski. 183 benchets would be too much ski if your only 125 pounds
Sep 19 2010 1:44PM
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uni-corn
Posts: 13846 - Karma: 651
179 Bents measure out to a 184
Sep 19 2010 1:50PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
Yep. Plus i dont want bents

Also, doesnt atomic measure out to be a little short?
Sep 19 2010 1:52PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
Still growing. Im thinking a 175 jj may even be too short.

So right now, its either 183 bentchetler or 175 jj
Sep 19 2010 3:20PM
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gr4
Posts: 1499 - Karma: 945
179 one life. kill it everywhere. fun on groomers and in park too.
Sep 19 2010 3:42PM
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belden...
Posts: 2914 - Karma: 1,274
They wont be a long term investment if you are still growing. just becayse you have the money for them doesnt mean you should get them
Sep 19 2010 4:13PM
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Rockhound
Posts: 3432 - Karma: 851
THREADJACK!!!

i'm about the same height as this guy, but substantially heavier(like by 45 pounds)

i'm a advanced skiier in the PNW,
same suggjestions as piggy.

currently the highest ski on my list are the blogs, but i'm open for suggestions
Sep 19 2010 4:16PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
ya not really... you cant really compare the flex characteristics of caylors to BSs, take it from a guy who has skied both back to back

but yes, 181 caylors ftw
Sep 19 2010 4:18PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
Okay, let me rephrase myself.

These ARE going to be a long term investment for me. I will be keeping them for a while. Im still growing, but will not get to 6 feet, i can tell you that right now. So these skis should still fit if i happen to sprout up 3 inches in the next 6 months. The main thing i need to know is if the 183 bent chetler will be too long at my height and weight at the moment.

Im almost set on the bent chetlers, if not those, then im getting the 175 jj's. I just need help with the length
Sep 19 2010 4:19PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
all the skis have the same core, just different thicknesses, remember running them through the plainer?
Sep 19 2010 6:12PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
yes, but comparing the pop of an 85 under foot cambered park ski to a 120+ wide, heavily rockered pow ski is like comparing apples to a pineapple, sure they might both have apple in the name, but they are pretty different
Sep 19 2010 6:18PM
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m.brus
Posts: 1597 - Karma: 103
I love my JJs. they are very versatile. Also the bentchetlers have similar characteristics so I'm sure it would be good
Sep 19 2010 6:31PM
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Rockhound
Posts: 3432 - Karma: 851
Threadjack fail...=(
Sep 19 2010 7:39PM
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gr4
Posts: 1499 - Karma: 945
i wouldnt mess around on anything too soft. i weigh 175 and i like a stiffer pow ski. its for stable for landings on cliffs and jumps. i might sound like a surface whore but the one lifes are nice and stiff and are very quick which is fun for the trees and stuff.
Sep 19 2010 8:48PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
bump
Sep 20 2010 10:09AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
You have had a lot of answers dude. Go either caylors or benchetlers.
Sep 20 2010 10:35AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
You have had a lot of answers dude. Go either caylors or benchetlers.
Sep 20 2010 10:35AM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
...Havent really had any help with the length which is what im looking for. Im positive that this thread is not hurting you, and isnt another, "saga suit" thread, so piss off
Sep 20 2010 10:42AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
I didnt mean it in a mean way. Also the 183 benchetler should be fine if you mount them close to center and if your a strong skier.
Sep 20 2010 10:44AM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
Oh okay, thanks a lot then. Sorry i took it the wrong way, my bad!
Sep 20 2010 10:46AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
.
Sep 20 2010 2:12PM
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caylorswift
Posts: 10695 - Karma: 312
181 Caylors then.WIth some of the thickest edges/bases on the market, if not the thickest, they are super beefy and durable. I knocked a few rock/trees this past season pretty well and came out without core shots or separated edges. Like Kellen was saying they are actually quite responsive and poppy for how big of a ski they are, and really do like straight lining day old pow.
Sep 20 2010 8:08PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
this, only core shot I have on my C&D(same base material) was caused by a sizable cliff drop and me landing directly on a rock
Sep 20 2010 8:15PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
Yeah, id be totally down for that..but i feel like an idiot not buying them during presale like i did with he Blue steeles and be in the hole 150 bucks.

Can they be skied easily on groomers? Are they really versatile?
Sep 20 2010 8:27PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
i would say go no shorter than 180, if you are an expert.
Sep 20 2010 8:28PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
Yeah, i read it, great review!

only thing that bothers me is the lack of any taper to help it ski easier without being in pow
Sep 20 2010 9:50PM
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A.P.
Posts: 667 - Karma: 136
yo cole i wouldn't really get anything to much over 120 at the waist especially with your weight when dropping cliffs or jumps into soft snow you slam into the snow more then sink if you know what im saying.  thats my only advice...
Sep 20 2010 9:57PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
I think you kinda lost me there austin haha

are you saying just cause of how light i am with a huge ski will make me slam harder? idk haha
Sep 20 2010 10:07PM
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cjgncjgn
Posts: 3023 - Karma: 21
go with the bent chetlers

they ski shorter than they are due to the rocker, im a light guy, 130 5'10 and ill be picking up a pair this fall.

the length will not be a problem for you at all

I know ns has a hardon for on3p and i'm sure they make great skis, however they do not have the years that atomic has into building skis, and providing quality warranty.

Atomic will exist in a decade, odds are on3p won't.


they are going to be my japan trip/ heli ski pow ski, i've spent the last 3 months picking a ski...
Sep 20 2010 10:16PM
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A.P.
Posts: 667 - Karma: 136
haha sorry. when you drop a cliff you don't go into the snow (like a bomb hole) you stay more on top making the landing will be harder and less forgiving. id say anything under 120 youll be fine i dont know what any of those skis are
Sep 20 2010 10:31PM
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Rockhound
Posts: 3432 - Karma: 851
inb4 epic hate
Sep 20 2010 10:39PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
Mehh, hes right. Atomics been in the game for a long time now. But on3p uses top of the line materials and makes sure everything that they make is perfection, hence the reason i bought a pair of blue steeles. If the caylors had some taper, id be all over them to be honest..also, i cant really get my self to buy them for 150 more bucks than the presale price

and austin, 123 is bentchetler, and they caylor is more. I never really took that into consideration
Sep 20 2010 10:57PM
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Rockhound
Posts: 3432 - Karma: 851
i was more talking about how the notion was brought up that on3p wont last 10 years. personally, i think that you would be better suited for a pow ski around 115mms like the jjs or blogs, rather than a fat pow ski, like the bentchetlers or hellbents.

just an idea
Sep 20 2010 11:05PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
Oh yeah, defiantly haha

Well the blogs at my length are 110 at the waist, which im not going to spend another 800 for that (skis + bindings). Im not really too worried about the width, but idk. Im pretty much set on the bentchetlers cause they seem more of a "jibby" pow ski that can still do it all
Sep 20 2010 11:11PM
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Rockhound
Posts: 3432 - Karma: 851
i dont know, the blogs seem alot more versitile, you dont weigh very much so it seems like overkill to get that fat of a ski, a 110mm rockered ski will give you plenty of float, and it wont be too fat to be used on days where there isn't a foot of fresh
Sep 20 2010 11:16PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
Yeah...well shit. Maybe i should look a little more in to jj's or blogs. (More-so jj's)
Sep 20 2010 11:23PM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
And me.
Sep 21 2010 1:58AM
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Rockhound
Posts: 3432 - Karma: 851
There's a fine line between persuasion and peer pressure guys
Sep 21 2010 2:02AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
The dude needs to be able to make his own desions too. Not just do what ns tells him. And if 120mm at the waist is too much. Get something like Sfb or lizzies.
Sep 21 2010 2:04AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
you still skiing the east?

ever skied a tapered pow ski back to back with a non tapered one? unless you are in 10+ inches, it doesnt matter, and yes, caylors do have some taper, just not as much as blogs/jjs/chetlers

150 moren presale? so it'll be like the same price as the other skis, ever think of that?
Sep 21 2010 2:05AM
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gr4
Posts: 1499 - Karma: 945
go all out and buy my donner partys. they will be fine on the ec.
Sep 21 2010 2:09AM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
if u were considering going with the chetler in a 183
Sep 21 2010 4:38AM
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