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ON3P 181 or 186?

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MiredFlunks
Posts: 25 - Karma: 30
Whatsup NS, just a little info about me. I'm 6'2 200lbs and a really aggressive skier who likes to go fast and go into the trees for some tight carving and fresh snow. I'll take the occasional park lap but for the most part I'm looking for a stable all mountain west coast ski that can shred groomers or a foot of fresh!

I decided on the Kartel 108, I just can't decide what length to go with 181 or 186. Obviously longer is more stable at high speed but what about skiing tight tree lines and park use?

Will the 186 be pretty much the same as the 181 at high speeds? Because I'll go 181 if I can get away with it. I guess I'm just hesitant to go longer because I've skied a 179 my whole life (but I was also 170lbs not 200) maybe I'm missing out on the longer skis.

Any remarks would be appreciated
Apr 19 2017 9:21AM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
6'2", 200 lbs, really aggressive. Sounds like 191 or 186.
Apr 19 2017 9:37AM
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MiredFlunks
Posts: 25 - Karma: 30
LazerHawk6'2", 200 lbs, really aggressive. Sounds like 191 or 186.


I guess my concern is getting a longer ski just for the sake of stability at high speeds. Jibbing around the mountain and tree skiing are the main reasons I was at 179 in the first place. Will the extra length really be a better overall look for a guy my size or is it just a matter of stability and weight dispersion for skiing deeper snow?
Apr 19 2017 11:48AM
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-wakes-
Posts: 358 - Karma: 201
I ride a 181 106 and 116. I'm just about 6 feet tall and 155 pounds with my boots on. If you are indeed skiing as you described above, I'd say the 186 would be the better choice. It might feel big in the tight stuff, but the 181 might start to fold on you at high speeds.
Apr 19 2017 11:54AM
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MiredFlunks
Posts: 25 - Karma: 30
-wakes-I ride a 181 106 and 116. I'm just about 6 feet tall and 155 pounds with my boots on. If you are indeed skiing as you described above, I'd say the 186 would be the better choice. It might feel big in the tight stuff, but the 181 might start to fold on you at high speeds.


Yeah I also think that a more forward mount position will help with it feeling not as long and a 186 directional ski.

Can you or anybody explain what happens by having too short a ski. What do you mean by folding on me? Thanks
Apr 19 2017 12:18PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 11,497
MiredFlunksYeah I also think that a more forward mount position will help with it feeling not as long and a 186 directional ski.

Can you or anybody explain what happens by having too short a ski. What do you mean by folding on me? Thanks


The other thing we need to know is where you ski. Makes a big difference on recommendations.

Having too short a ski can do a few things:

1. Chatter at high speeds sooner than a longer ski.
2. Fold on you. This happens when you put too much pressure on a ski and you over flex it and it no longer supports you. The smaller the ski, the more likely it is to happen.
3. Wash out. Similar to folding, but it happens more with the tails (and stiffness) rather than the entire ski.

Hopefully that helps.
Apr 19 2017 4:02PM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
At 6'2" 200lbs with an aggressive style I wouldn't even consider a 181. Yes the 186 will be a little harder to maneuver in tight trees but you will really feel the benefits at higher speeds and in variable conditions. It's also a heavily rockered ski so it will feel shorter than it is. If I was your size I'd be leaning more towards the 191. Don't be afraid of longer skis.
Apr 19 2017 5:28PM
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MiredFlunks
Posts: 25 - Karma: 30
Saho3914At 6'2" 200lbs with an aggressive style I wouldn't even consider a 181. Yes the 186 will be a little harder to maneuver in tight trees but you will really feel the benefits at higher speeds and in variable conditions. It's also a heavily rockered ski so it will feel shorter than it is. If I was your size I'd be leaning more towards the 191. Don't be afraid of longer skis.


I appreciate the advice, do you think the 191 will be as playful? Or stiffer
Apr 19 2017 6:57PM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
The 191 will be less playful due to the longer length adding more swing weight but much more stable. I'm pretty sure on3p makes the longest models of their skis a little stiffer than than others as well. The 186 is right around your height so it would be a good compromise.
Apr 19 2017 7:27PM
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Funperson
Posts: 14 - Karma: 53
I am 6'3 and about 190 lbs. My park skis are 192s and my big mountain skis are 194s. I ski trees and all of that on my 194s, just go fast and long skis work everywhere. Also the Kartels have rocker in the tip and tail so your effective edge isn't very long, meaning quick turns in the trees and the park will be easy. Definitely 191, I promise they will do you better.
Apr 20 2017 12:30PM
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PowTron
Posts: 226 - Karma: 404
186 is the size you want. I have no doubts.

Thanks for checking out our stuff either way!
Apr 20 2017 4:26PM
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Casey
Posts: 7849 - Karma: 24,311
Once you spend a bit of time on the longer ones it will be hard to get back into your squirrelly little short skis. Initially it's more work but it forces you to have good body position and use your larger muscles to leverage your skis effectively.
Apr 22 2017 5:35PM
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SKRockies
Posts: 606 - Karma: 1,689
How do you ever do tight trees or moguls with a 191 ski, im 6'2 and i ski a 184 in the trees and sometimes that gets tight in steep shit where im jump turning or in really deep moguls. Seems like a 191 would be more his open bowl/ chargin/ big mountian ski than something for tight trees. That being said i had a pair of 177's for a while and i had to turn them into my summer skis cause i just couldnt get anything done on them.
Oct 3 2017 8:36PM
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DirtyDirtNasty
Posts: 28 - Karma: 33
What did you end up going with. I have same build but 180 and am leaning towards 181 for trees.
Jun 21 2018 11:08PM
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Colingarnes
Posts: 610 - Karma: 2,646
Yeah I'm pretty torn as well. Leaning towards a softened up k108 in 181 for myself .. I'm 5'10 and 150lbs.
Jun 22 2018 10:11AM
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old.man.tibbles
Posts: 223 - Karma: 1,061
go big with these
Jun 22 2018 6:29PM
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Slunky
Posts: 689 - Karma: 2,319
ColingarnesYeah I'm pretty torn as well. Leaning towards a softened up k108 in 181 for myself .. I'm 5'10 and 150lbs.

You’d be fine with the 181
Jun 22 2018 9:01PM
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