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July, 2025

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All mountain rocker for a smaller dude

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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
Hey guys,

Just moved out to salt lake for a job at backcountry.com I will be hitting up snowbird this winter and am looking to get my first pair of all mountain rocker skis. I am pretty set on getting the Line Bacons, but was also thinking about the armada TST. I want a playful all mountain rocker.

The big question I have is what size. I have been told both the 184cm and the 178cm. I am 5'8" 130lbs, not a big guy. My current skis are 171 traditional camber twin tip and they feel the right size.

I hear the Bacons tend to ski pretty short. I am an expert skier spending no time in the park, on natural features and bigger drops.

Any help or input will receive karma, good vibes and positive thoughts for major dumpage in your area.
12 years ago
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rylee.the.jedi
Posts: 410 - Karma: 368
I'm about your size and I went with the 178 in the bacons. I'm mostly going just use them for days with a couple if inches but seeing that your going use them everyday I'd go 184 for the extra float in the deep.
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
Thanks for the input man!

I was also recommended the blizzard Peacemaker, and the 4FRNT Cody.

Any input on these? Again, looking for a ski that a 130lb skier can make playful. I have a pair of bluehouse mr 171s right now and I come out of my boots befor I get a decent butter...and those are considered soft ive been told.
12 years ago
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bigskier1010
Posts: 126 - Karma: 187
I would stay with the 178 bacons . Handle your size easy , even in the deep . You'll have plenty at the bird , all mountain every day on the bscons ! Enjoy
12 years ago
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
The Bacons do ski a lot shorter. IMO they need very specific conditions (fresh powder, not packed) because of how soft they are. I have the JJ's as well and think they handle charging and drops better. If you decide on the Bacons, I'm leaning towards the 184 because your height, skier type. The 178's were too short for me, I'm 5'10.
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
Thanks for the input guys. Im choosing this ski as sort of my powder hunting ski. Finding the fresh and skiing everything in between.

I want a soft ski. That might be my main goal. All i have skied are skis that are stiff as a board.

That being said I think I am going to go with the 184's. Most people seem to agree with that size. I will also be mounting them with an FKS 180's.

Im not in a hurry though I hear pre-season conditions at the bird can be pretty rocky.

Who is going to be up there opening weekend?
12 years ago
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 926
If you're looking for a soft ski bacons sound like the best bet out of the skis you listed. TSTs and Codys aren't 2x4s but they definitely don't qualify as soft.
12 years ago
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,587
how are the MRs? im either getting them camber version or the rockered version and havent found any input on them
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
My MR's are about 4 or 5 years old so im not sure if it applies, but i really like them. Bluehouse is a great company too.

The skis are nice and poppy, pretty light weight, they do everything I need them to do. You cant go wrong with bluehouse skis. Great price, great customer service, and everyone I know who has a pair had nothing but good things to say.
12 years ago
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
If you are going to buy bluehouse buy this years models. All of bluehouse is now made in Salt Lake instead of china.
12 years ago
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MartianMan
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 2,094
Just curious, if you are an expert skier seeking powder and big drops, why are you looking for a softer ski?
12 years ago
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greene
Posts: 184 - Karma: 66
Check out the nordica soul rider for a soft all mtn ski, it might be a bit narrower than what you want but it is worth checking out
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
Mostly because I am 130 lbs and I just want a ski that is a little more playful. I have been told that my current ski is supposed to be soft, but doesnt seem that way to me, So want to make sure I get one that is softer.
12 years ago
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thesoloist
Posts: 71 - Karma: 145
130lb and FKS 18......I mean, since you work for backcountry I'm assuming you get good discount on these? otherwise why not FKS 14 and save the $?
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
18's because all metal, and discount...
12 years ago
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a_burger
Posts: 5258 - Karma: 21,146
At 130 I don't think your going to be breaking fks 140's

High din bindings are usually metal so the binding doesn't fall apart before you even get close to your release setting.
12 years ago
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21113 - Karma: 8,648
How is 5'8" a "smaller dude"?

I'm 5'2" and ski on 171cm. You need at least a 178.
12 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7296 - Karma: 18,735
Wait and demo some skis. The bacons were very disappointing when I skied them thi year. Try out a few things and see what you like. And as others have said you really don't need the fks 180. Go for a peak 13 or sth 14/13 if you want bombproof binders that will work for your size.
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
hey man. Interesting response. Most people ive talked to liked them alot. What did you not like about them??
12 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7296 - Karma: 18,735
They are really heavy and just felt dead. But u was skiing them alongside lots of other skis at a buyers test. The thing with tests like that is when a ski is not as good as others you really notice. If I just skied the bacons and no others I would prob like them but when I compared to others they just were not up to par. But this is why I suggest demoing. Quite often skis I think I'm really going to like turn out to be pretty disappointing and it's skis you may not consider which end up being just what your after.
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
Which demo did you enjoy the most, just out of curiosity?
12 years ago
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zahava
Posts: 7794 - Karma: 12,058
I'd check out ON3P Jeronimos and Jeffreys in a 176 or Moment PB&Js and Deathwish is a similar size. I've owned skis from both companies and they kill all mountain and any condition!
12 years ago
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21113 - Karma: 8,648
This is what I'm on and love them. I'm 5'2" 110 pounds and ride the 172s, so you'd probably want the 182.
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
FRACK!

Thanks for making my decision even more indecisive.

Now im rethinking the bacons all together lol....ballz
12 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7296 - Karma: 18,735
My fav all mnt skis were in order the armada al dente, the white dot preacher and the Rossi soul 7. I thought I would like the al dente but the other two were real surprises. This is what I mean about testing as much as you can. You often get caught up in a couple of skis and ignore all the other great options.
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
Looked at the pbnj. Cool ski but i think I want a little more underfoot. Soul 7 looks interesting.
12 years ago
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
Come visit us at 4frnt in Salt Lake, 2900 S West temple. I would recommend the Devastator, or maybe the cody. Demo em both!
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
I was actually recommended the Cody from our ski buyer, he said he enjoyed the heck out of it. How much to demo for a day?
12 years ago
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
and while you are there saga is right next door. I would take their offer of demo by supporting a local company.
12 years ago
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
25 for a day, 40 for 2, 50 for 3. And all money that you spend on demos you can apply to any purchase from the store. So its like free money. kind of.
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
Ide love to support small business, but I probably wont be buying local :/ company discount.

If I buy local it will be from kitten factory
12 years ago
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Bo_bot9
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 275
I have been riding the Kitten Factory All mtns this past week at snowbird and couldnt be more stoked! they have handled the crud really well but were still playful enough to butter and jib around on. super fun, i highly recommend trying a pair
12 years ago
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
You realize you get a hookup with just about any ski company there is working for backcountry right?
12 years ago
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KittenFactory
Posts: 189 - Karma: 2,288
Appreciate that!

Can't blame you for wanting to buy something from bc though with your employee discount. We'll be doing a bunch of demo days at the bird in December, so swing by our tent and try a pair out!
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
Im new at BC, not really sure how stuff works. I just buy from the site until i figure things out.
12 years ago
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EasySteezy45
Posts: 232 - Karma: 51
Definitely wanting to try out a pair. Im friends with a few guys who went to school with the kitten factory peoples, all seem like cool guys.
12 years ago
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rylee.the.jedi
Posts: 410 - Karma: 368
Whoever said the bacons are heavy and dead feeling, I strongly disagree!
12 years ago
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