Karhu Storm BC Telemark Ski - 2008 BCS

You can also get the plain old Storm's and they have a bit more beef to them if you are worried. The BC's have such a great even flex with their wood core, that they would be an easy ski to shred on at your stage. But at your size, you might find them too soft, especially for resort pounding. Go with the storms!

Hey man, if I were you I'd go with the G3 El Hombres (http://www.backcountry.com/store/GGG0079/G3-el-Hombre-Alpine-Ski.html). They are light enough to tour, but stiff enough for a guy of your size. They like to go fast, but at your stage of telemarking you probably want a ski that you can grow into, and will improve your skiing. I'm 6'2" and had a pair of the 185s, which were perfect for me. They make a 192, but that's a pretty big ski for tele, even at your size and weight. Another note, if you weigh 230, don't buy Black Diamond O1s. The O1s aren't made for you. Period. I ripped out TWO pairs of O1s last season. I'd definitely buy a pair of 22 Designs Hammerheads which have a 6 screw pattern, making it virtually impossible to rip out.

Hey man, I'd go fatter than 96mm... Especially if you'd like this to be a dedicated powder ski. These Karhus are made light for touring, but if you're going to be doing primarily resort skiing, you should get something fatter and heavier, it will help with downhill performance. Check out the K2 Anti Pistes, which I really dig, they have a little rocker in the tip, which really helps with tip dive... or if you are really looking for a pure powder vehicle, why not the BD Megawatts?

i own the pair myself, and it really depends on how you set the edge, what conditions the snow is, where you're skiing and what type of binding. the ski corners great in backocuntry conditions (which it's made for) especially the windblown powder. i have a BD 01 on the ski and is great for getting an edge in. Where it doesn't excel is on the resort, and bumpy high speed turning. (Great for going fast in bumpy crud) i hope that answers your question.

Sorry I'm not D Sterling but I see no reason why you wouldn't be very happy with the O1's on these skis.

Keith: Frankly both skis perform very well. I'd have to give the edge to the storm though. Reason being is that I found the storm to be more user friendly in a wider range of conditions than the Havoc. The storm does it all as far as the ski goes. When choosing either ski, pay close attention to which boot and binding combo to integrate into the ski or you'll be bummed...

Scott. Here's the right answer to your question. The differance between the Jak and Jak BC is this: The Jak has a metal insert in the topsheet of the cap. This gives the ski higher performance in hard snow yet very user friendly for both on and off piste. The BC version has a carbon fiber insert in the cap which makes it lighter and therefore better for touring and fresh snow yet more difficult to stay on top of in hard snow conditions. Same holds true with the storm. If you like to lift assist and backcountry, I'd go with the Storm.>> I am a former Karhu rep and intimate with construction and performance. If you like a high performance set up that can do it all ( Alpine/tele turns and touring) pair the Storm with the Rottefella NTN and NTN boot from Scarpa. You'll never ride anything else again!DS