The 185cm XCD Guide is better suited to a full skiing weight of 185lbs (pack and all), but that doesn't mean the 175cm is out of the question. It all depends on the kind of skiing you plan to do, and what you're looking for in the ski. Going with a shorter XCD Guide will provide more maneuverability and quickness in turning in tighter spaces, and better grip from the waxless base (since the weight will press the camber and pattern more). Going longer will provide more stability and flotation in open snow, and greater glide. Thanks,Graham at Karhu

Bindings depend on the use, but I usually ski my Guides with a Voile 3-pin cable. It's light and easy for kicking around in the woods, and I can keep the cables in my pack going up and toss them on for longer stretches of turns. I know a lot of other people who are matching theirs with TwentyTwo Designs' LiteDogz 3-pin binding. Thanks,Graham at Karhu

You can still use skins with the XCD Guide's Omnitrak NoWax base. When it gets too steep, I'll use my old (first pair) of Ascensions, which are pretty skinny. If I need a little extra grip though, a lot of times I've found a removable ski crampon to work just as well. It's a positive molded base, meaning that it's molded separately and then pressed with the ski and set so the peaks of the scales are slightly higher than the edge. That provides better grip than a negative base (one cut into a finished ski) on firmer snow, but snow conditions are the biggest factor for grip with the waxless base. In light, dry powder the grip won't be quite as good on steeper terrain, but the XCD Guide gets the best grip in spring conditions like wet, heavier powder and corn snow, where it can set a really good pattern. Thanks,Graham at Karhu.

There are no other skis out there like the XCD Guide (men's or women's skis that fat and waxless), but a smaller XCD Guide would definitely suffice. For our women's telemark and AT skis, we use the Greenlight Core with our Die-Cut Titanal for a solid ski that's a little lighter and quicker edge-to-edge. All of our XCD skis already use the Greenlight Core to keep the weight down, so you would really look to the sizing (down to 165cm for the Guide) and the mounting position (we have three suggested mounting points to accomodate differently-sized feet) for an optimal fit for your wife. Thanks,Graham at Karhu

This really depends on your personal preference. If you like your skis to be a little longer, you'll have increased speed and stability along with more ease to float over the fresh powder. The shorter length will be easier to control and manuever. You would be fine with either size really.

We are making a 195cm length for 2008. The 195cm length would be appropriate for your weight, but it depends on your ski preference and use. Going shorter with the 185cm length would provide better grip with the waxless base, and more manueverability in tight spots. The 195cm XCD Guide would provide slightly better glide, and more stability from the longer length. Hope that helps. Graham at Karhu

Nice and light at 5.5 lbs per pair for the 185cm length. The XCD Guide has a tall tip height at 74mm, almost 2cm taller than our Telemark/AT skis, so it floats well and cruises over deadfall. Definitely my ski of choice for bushwhacking in tight woods after pow. Thanks,Graham at Karhu