Definitively 185. They ski a lot shorter than you'd expect. While they aren't the best thing to use in the park, they're really not that difficult to throw around. Dropping to 175 won't help too much as they're just big sticks overall.

185 for sure!! At 205 lbs its a no brainer. You will regret the 175 on any day with new snow.

165 is way to short! 175 will be ok except for the deeper days which you will feel like the tips are diving on you. So if you want a great do it all, fun, quick, great in moguls and a really tight turn radius go for the 175. But if you live where there is an abundance of pow then don't be afraid of the 185 if you are a strong skier. They ski and feel shorter than you would ever expect.

Way too short. I just picked up the 175cm VJJ's and am 5'2".

I'm guessing you've never skied rocked skis before, otherwise you would never have asked this question. Either that, or you really are not a very strong skier at all. 175's at the shortest, if you charge hard and all, you should be able to manage the 185's.

185, 185, 185! The JJ's rocker makes it much, much shorter than you'd expect.

185 all the way!!!!

175 if you feel like being lazy. 185 if you want to man up. 185 is by no means too large for a person of your stature, considering they ski more like a 175 with the rocker. my feeling would be after a few days on the 175, you would be wishing you went bigger.

185 JJ will be perfect for you. I'm 6'1" 182lbs, 40 year old expert and love my 185 JJ's everyday except for when its really deep. I'm going to buy Bent Chetlers in 192cm next year for deeper days. So the JJ's would be perfect size for you. They are a blast all over the mountain.

i would go for the skis you want right away. no use buying something that you expect to grow out of immediately unless you get them super cheap or something. I came from the same place you did: hockey> board > skis and dove in with some decent dynastar legends and havent been disappointed with them at all. but just like boards there will always be something new or better out there in a short time and there can be deals to be had late in the season. In all honesty i would say that now is a solid time to buy- it looks like rockered 95+ mm underfoot skis are going to be the norm from here on in. i would say go for a softer pair of 185's or larger- your gonna bulk up in a couple years i assure you. Buy decent boots, and consider AT or tech bindings before you throw a grand or more into it. that's my 2 cents anyway

I think the 185cm's would have no trouble keeping up with you

If you're in big open terrain and with your background, I'd say you'd be fine with the 185s, but if you're goal is to huck cliffs most likely they are in the trees. I'm 5'7 145, have skiied for 20 years advanced terrain. My favorite skis are all around high 170s or low 180s. I don't go looking for big open bowl skis and GS turns, but I think anything bigger becomes cumbersome for someone my size and especially in the trees.

JJ's would work for you for sure, if you want something more powder specific and still all around, if you want something more all around, less powder, maybe a Volkl Mantra?

I mostly ski in Balkan area, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Serbia, etc. I'm an intermediate to advanced skier and the countries that I ski have most of the time variable snow and not so much powder. I admit that don't enjoy skiing groomers but I won't stay at home if it hasn't snowed lately. I intent to have only one pair of skis..

Variable snow? I love my JJ when its deep, I love them when its groomed or even icy, variable soft crud is fine, don't like them in heavier crud cuz they get kicked around to much and can be a rough ride. Really depends on your ability level and what youre exactly looking for. Will this be your only pair of skis and what part of country do you live in? I'm 6'1" 180lbs and ski the 185, expert level skier and on deep days I could say they could be longer but for most days the 185 is just plain fun.

thats such a personal preference. For me, I have gone 2.5cm back from true center for the last 4 years. This year I may go 3 cm back.

thanks guys. Just the answers I need to make the choice. 185. cheers

no dog, 185cm all damn day! perfect for you

I'm a 40 year old expert level skier 6' 1" 180lbs and I own the 185cm JJ. They do ski very short and are fairly light. On deeper powder days I would say that I wish mine were about a 190cm. But for all the other days the 185cm is perfect. My wife is 5'6" 130lbs and a very strong skier and I think she could handle the 175cm VJJ just fine. How old are you and will you be growing or gaining weight in time?

tough call, your right in the middle. If you ski aggressively than you could handle the 175cm, they are very easy to manage.

depend on your skiing ability, you should also look at Armada VJJ which is a women specific ski with softer flex and a little bit lighter than these.. but if you're a strong skier and don't think women's skis are stiff enough for you, 165 is a good choice for your size

I would think you'd be fine, but you might want to look into the VJJ as it might be a little more up your alley being 110.

If you are going to stick to the resorts and tree skiing personally I would go with the 185s however you (and myself) are in that "in between" size where personal preference is really the only way to choose. So I guess I cant help any except by saying I am 6'1" 162lbs and I ski on 185's

JJ's are made in Austria

Sir Francis Bacons are made in CHINA

No comparison... JJ = way more fun everywhere...

I agree with Jack

I think the JJ is a better ski, for sure. It's a tad stiffer, and I think they're bullet proof. You're right along with me on size, maybe a bit heavier, and I debated to go for the 195 AKJJ, but I'm really happy with the 185. I've been using it for patrol work and have put it through the ringer. It transitions seamlessly from wind-buff, to powder, to groomer, to machine-made, packed ice, and kills it. Ditto what Ian Provo says: They truly are the best skis ever made.

Josh,
I am 5'6 186 lbs, ski the 185 JJ's and if you can handle double black dimonds, they will work fine, if not, go shorter.. do not come under 175

165 probably wouldn't work get the 175 or 185.

do you mean the 175cm? If so, those would be a good fit for you. If you are a really aggressive skier you may prefer the 185cm.

Im pretty sure there is no difference. The dimensions are the same.

these skis sound perfect for you 185 for the length.

185cm is a good size for your scenario I think.

If you are going to be eastern tree skiing much of the time, 185 is actually a good choice. They may feel short at times out west, but stability won't be a factor.

I completely disagree with Will Guru, I actually switched from the Bibby's to JJ's and let me tell you that the JJ's handle better in variable snow then the Bibby's while also providing better float in the deep stuff then the Bibby's. I'm 5'8" 125, ski very aggressively and have the 175 JJ's now, and they are best ski's I've ever owned. I do a lot of traveling so I ski about 50% East Coast 50% West and these do it all, even groomers with just a little getting used to. Also these are not poor quality skis as he suggested nor are they made how he describes them, they're actually sidewall underneath the foot, then capped in the tip and tail. This isn't done to be cheap, this is done to decrease the skis weight, since sidewall is heavier. Buy these over the Bibby's and trust me you won't be disappointed

Another thing I personally would be afraid of breaking a ski if i bought the jj just because of the way i ski. The sidewall constructions usually makes the ski more bomber (cap construction seems a little cheaper and fragile)

Basically the jj's are more nimble and the bibby's are more stable. The JJ's are lighter weight but I find the bibby's better in variable snow. The jj leans more toward a lightweight ski and the bibby towards a freeride ski. I think the bibby might suit you needs better. The bibby and jj are both fun skis but keep in mind if you want to ski fast and agressively there are skis that handle higher speeds better.

You can ride these very aggressively. It will take a bit of adjustment coming from traditional camber, but after the short learning curve you will be seeing the benefits of charging on skis like the JJ. You have an unbelievable amount of control in a variety of conditions. Skinning is not a problem for the most part. There's not a skinner in the wasatch I haven't been able to climb, but again, a slight adjustment in technique is required. There is just enough camber to give you purchase 98% of the time.

Scott,
I am 5'10 150 and love the 185. With the tail shape and rocker they are butter in the trees. I also love the look pivot and you could probably get away with the 14. Good luck

Go with the 185 if you are aggressive. The extra length will be more stable when your ripping down the hill, and the larger size will be better for you weight. Like Jamie said go with the Look Pivot 18 they cannot be beat!

Big lines, or tight trees and softer bumps? The use will determine the size, but at your height, the 175 will be more versatile. For this ski, and aggressive ski style, the Marker Jester or Jester Pro or the Look PX 12 XL, or Look Pivot 18 XXL. Depends on how high you want your DIN to go. But the Jester Pro has a cool snow cleaning bar on the toe.

Don't hesitate... you will love them!

Terrific choice, both for ski and binding. Might consider the Katana from Volkl or the Blizzard Cochise if you want a little less girth and perhaps a bit more all around versatility.

the 195cm jj's would be a better choice.

The JJ would be like skiing on a noodle for you, way too soft. If you want the JJ get the AK JJ its been reinforced with carbon fiber to make it stiffer. I also imagine something in the 190 range would be much more enjoyable for you. There are a lot of other great skis on the level of the JJ that will be better suited for your size. Check out the Moment Bibby Pro. What type of skier are you?

You can do it. Fat skis aren't great for skiing bumps and depending on the size can be very scary. The jj's are probably one of the better fat skis for skiing bumps. You will get thrown around a bit or bounce around a lot but it will work.

These will work fairly well in soft bumps, depending on your size, obviously the shorter the more maneuverable. But, they are not a bump ski, and I would not take them to Mad River! But, they will do fine on a run like Mach Schell at Snowbird during, or a few days after a storm.

I have seen the JJ mounted with Dynafit and I just bought a pair to mount dynafit. These skis are magic there is zero reason a dynafit binding would cause any issue other than leading you to pow turns.

It is rare to see any ski that these days that somebody does not mount up as a touring ski. I have seen a number of these skis mounted with Dukes, but it is primarily for slack country use - short skins, and then back in resort. The issue with the Dynafit is that for the cost of the light binding, you are popping it on a relatively heavy ski. It will work, and will ski okay, but I doubt you'd want to lug this ski around on a long tour. In the end, of course the Dynafit will work, but it's not the bast option here.

Definitely go for the AK JJ's instead. Or the Super 7.
JJ's might be slightly too soft, and these skis are only slightly above your head (with the amount of rocker you might even be taller).. surely you still have some growing to do? Anyway the AK is stiffer, like the Super 7, so better if you are really going to charge, and also it will have a more appropriate length.

Cheers guys 185's it is. Have a great season.

I am exactly your size and I have been using the '75 as a touring ski for a few years. I cannot recommend them at all to you. You have to go with at least the 185cm version. It makes a huge difference. More edge to ski on when the snow isn't soft, and more surface area to plane on when the La Nina storms roll in again. Do it, don't wait, get that '85 and you'll be fired up.

Go with the 185. These skis have a ton of rocker in the tip and tail and feel like snow blades unless you're in very deep snow. These skis have a small running surface, so you want as much ski as you can get. I'm about your size, just slightly heavier, and the 185 felt a little short for me. And a lot of people share that opinion, which is why they came out with a 195cm version this year. It's a very easy ski to ski with a turning radius the size of a slalom ski. I've never seen you ski, but based on your description "fast and love the pow" you will be disappointed with the 175 and will be kicking yourself wishing you got the bigger size. The 185 is more stable, has a longer running surface, and has an ever so slightly longer turn radius. You'll appreciate the 185 when you're charging the pow.

185 for sure...they ski mad short.

I have the same exact ski as kellner12113072 and I think the skis are a kick in the pants. I only dislike their busted up crud ability, they get very nervous, bouncy, like I need some shock absorbers in my knees. I ski them when its freshies and when its firmpack, I dont like them in between. Crazy I know. I have owned Obsethed's, Mantras, Prophet 98's, but the JJ just frustrates my in the crud. I'm 6' 1" 185lbs and ski the 186cm and they feel like the could be longer on powder days. Excellent carving ski, they rail! I'm trying an experience 98 this year so my JJ's could possibly be up for sale mid season. At least they're easy to sell.

Are your JJ 185's still for sale?

Based on your height, I would say go with the 185cm. If you are a really aggressive skier, than you may even consider the AKJJ 195cm. Im 6' 165lbs and I really like the 185cm skis.

I'm 5'8 & 162.. The 185s ROCK! DO NOT go any shorter! the 185s kill it not only in the deep, crud and yes mach'n groomers...but are easily piloted through the trees as well. You will absolutely want a longer ski with this design. I had the same concerns when I bought my pair, but am so glad I went with my gut. When you look at the actual contact length of the JJs, you will quickly realize that you can (and should) ski this in the large size. Don't fear what sounds like a huge ski...when they're on the snow it's a whole different story.

IMO the JJs did to skiing what Apple did to technology. GAME CHANGER!

Enjoy!

(no, I don't work for Armada)

im the same size and honestly i had no problem getting the 185's to turn on a dime. If you are a good skier then i would suggest the 185, i think youll be happy with the extra length too when you get out of the tight trees

agree with Mitch, 185 will be alot of ski for you to turn, even with the rocker

Go 175 you dont have enough weight to be throwing around to need a 185 it will just make you feel sluggish

You are a pretty good candidate for the AK/JJ 195cm. Like everyone says, they ski a lot shorter than they really are. I've skied the 185cm with marker dukes for the last 4 years, mounted about 2-3 cm's back from "core/true" center. If you want to ride switch than mount a bit forward of the recommended position.

These ski shorter than they measure due to the rocker. Personally, I think you could go to the JJ/AK at 195 Cm. At 165 Lbs, the 185 is perfect for me on tele gear. On Alpine gear, you'd generate more power than I can muster up, you're 4" taller and 25 pounds heavier to boot!

Also, if i plan on touring with this ski, but want to still ride it switch, should i just stick with the recommended(-5cm) point or move it forward a bit?

If you're hitting the groomers I'd go with the 165s, if you'll mainly be going in the backcountry get the 175s.

I bought skis that were too long when I was growing and it was a big mistake.

I'm 165 pounds, 5'9" tall and ski the 185 on tele gear. They feel very agile at that length. You could go longer on alpine. 175 would be too short for me. These skis ski short! They are rockered front and back. You could get away with 185's, especially on tele gear, but you may be a candidate for the JJAK. If you live out west, that's what I would get. at your ht/wt.

You would be fine in either size... If you really charge hard and like pow then go 185 if you are more mellow go 175