Yep, Bibby Pros are the stiffest out of the bunch.

Would have to say that the Bibby pro's are the stiffest out of those three. The Bibby's are more of a stiff, big mountain charging ski. While the JJ and Bentchetler are softer, and more focused towards playing around in deep pow.

After about two months of shredding on the 190 Bibby Pro's in Whistler, I'd have to honestly say that they are very similar to a stiffish park ski that is alot wider, and agile in deep snow. It charges in deep pow, stomps any size of cliff you huck, and holds a great edge while tracking the groomers.

A great all mountain fatty

I have the 190s and about your weight and height, but I just got them and haven't used them yet (still rock skiing here).

Remember the 190 and 196 are totally different skis. Id say the 190 is an all-rounder, and good for jibbing with. Meanwhile the 196 has no camber and a much wider shovel. The 196 is also more pintailed, and the tail itself doesn't have as much rise as the 190. I suspect the 196 will feel more directional (ie: better with tips always pointed downhill).

I would choose the 196 if life was all big AK lines. But that's not how I always get to ski. So: 190 bibby pro for me. (Unless, of course, you can afford a big quiver)

alright thanks for your opinion

If you're more into big lines and not concerned about weight, then I'd get the 196. If you're more of a tree or tight line skiier or concerned about weight, then I'd hit up the 190. Personally, if I were your size, I'd go with the 190.

You seem like a big guy...go with the 196. Also it depends on your style of skiing.

Go with the 184 bibby it will get the job done.

I'm 215 and the 190s work great. They're a lot of ski so should probably be good. Rick is right that Moment makes different flex patterns in different lengths. I don't know what the 196 is like but make sure you check it out.

DO NOT get the 196 is is a completely different ski than the 190 or 184. The 196 has a pintail design and will act aIot different than the smaller sizes. To answer your question go with the 190 it should be plenty stiff for you, and the length should work out fine for you. I am 6'2" 220 and picked up the Bibby this year and love it so far. I have only had it on groomers but it performs pretty damn well on them . For bindings the Look pivot 18 cannot be beat its a bear trap.

I'd say neither, and go for the 196. That'll be plenty big for you. 184 will be way too small, and a 190 probably will be, too.
Also, @dvt: what?

IMO, a person your size would do better to stick with major manufacturers.

This "special" ski is going to be the Governor. More of a big mountain ski and it will be directional.

The ski is significantly different. Stiffer, with no tail rocker, a more set back stance, and significant taper from tip to tail. It is Bibby's personal heliski/big mountain/charging ski in 186 and 196 Find more info here: http://momentskis.com/shop/product/bibby-pro/
http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/first-impressions-moment-bibby-special-armada-ak-jj

Hey Michael,
I work for Moment and haven't skied the YLE, but I can tell you about the Bibby. As far as a Western ski that can do it all, the Bibby is ideal. If you're looking to chase powder, it is so fun. Super fun for skiing powder, drops, trees, bowls, etc. It still handles a groomer pretty well, because there is a long portion of traditional sidecut and camber in the ski. Not really our spinnyest powder ski, more like a great do everything all mountain ski with a bit of freestyle influence. Hope this helps!

you'll buy those and still prefer your Shoguns, IMO. Get something more like the Shogun if you like them, based on feel of the ski, but in the 115mm width you need. you on a 184 would be a total disaster. I'm a man, but small, so relate to how a ski feels for a smaller or lighter (finesse technique) person.

The 184 will be plenty good in tight spots. I skied the 190 for a few seasons and never had any trouble in the trees. At your size/aggressiveness, I would go for the 184 instead of the 174.

For what it's worth, I'm 5'10", 170# and like to go fast.

I am a lady skier as well. 5'9 and 140lbs. Judging by what I am comfortable skiing on, personally I'd go for the 174s. But I also have the same questions as far as length and handling when it comes to the rocker.

I have 190 Bibbys and love them but would not get them as a one ski quiver. I don't think the radius is tight enough for ripping around the front side. I ski a lot of trees and sidecountry but also like going fast on the front side. I don't want anything but the Bibby in the pow but would go a different direction for the other spots. If I were you it'd be something like the Line Influence 105 or 115 for a one ski quiver. Or maybe the Atomic Blog or Access.

The Bibby Pro is truly a one-ski quiver. The 190 length was my everyday ski for all of the '08, '09, and '10 seasons here in Colorado. Not only does it charge hard in firm conditions, but it's still plenty playful in the trees and tight spots. Since owning the Bibby, I've tried other skis more specialized to firm conditions, and in the end, I ended up ditching them because the Bibby does it all.

Here's a video I put together a couple years back showcasing how good this ski is:

http://vimeo.com/4056083

http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/review-moment-bibby-pro-184cm

Matt I was in a similar situation man took me a ton of research to decide. I am 220 and from what i have learned JJ is too soft for me going to be like a noodle. Chetler dominates pow but thats about it, and it can be unstable when maching... I went with the Bibby's cause they are stiffer, and I have talked to some bigger guys that swear by them. I have yet to ski on them, but they arrive tomorrow. But they are for sure good in the pow, they have camber, and are stiff enough to charge hard and handle variable snow. They are not going to be great in moguls but what wide wasted ski is?

Kyle, thanks for the info. In some serious interwebbing, I found the same. The ski will look the same but be called the Bibby Special. It will feature a bigger shovel at 150 and a narrower tail at 120, I think? Also, it will have less tail rocker in what MOMENT calls their mini-twin. It will also be sold in a 186, in addition to the 196 you mention. Blister Gear did a review of it and it's what you say; a huge AK line sort of ski and less versatile than the Bibby Pro.

I've seen that as well. I know there is a 196cm model, that has a wider front end, and somewhat "pin-tailed" rear. The 196 is designed for big line skiing on huge Alaskan style faces. The tail is slimmer, and flatter than the ordinary bibby pro, giving more ease of slicing through fresh snow. Similar to the K2 Pontoon.

Like I say, I've seen the 196 before, but never the 186. No idea if BC will be selling these.

If you are riding out west, get the 190.

I'm the exact same size and am going 190 for all around Utah riding

Disagree, flex profile differs at different lengths. That was last year at least. Maybe different this year.

No, the flex on all 3 lengths is exactly identical.

I think on the line is the best spot. It may seem a little forward at first, but it is very balanced. The tail rocker and tip rocker, start very deep into the ski. Keep in mind this is a backcountry jib ski, so it is meant to have a lot of tail to it. I had them mounted on the line, and absolutely loved them. They were really balanced in the air and when spinning, and when sending it, there was plenty of tail to support you when you land. I have a friend who them mounted 1.5cm back from the line is more of a traditional skier (only skis forward, no freestyle at all) and he like that mount point a lot. This was one of my favorite skis I've ever been on, and had ZERO issues with mounting them on the recommended line.

Bents more playful, turny, better on the groomers (tighter radius). 183 BC probably too short. Bibby 190s stiffer, bomber ski, super stable on drops and at speed. Bomber vs. Playful, up to you. If you're skiing trees in Colorado, bents. Big lines in Jackson, Bibbys.

Jamie - I have the Bents in 183, very light, quick, fun. Great pow ski and adequate for other conditions, but I presume you have another ski for the resort. Note, the Bent's ski very short. I'm 42, 6 foot, 190. Should have bought the 192's. Also, the mount point is critical, I mounted on center and feel that I can't push the shovels, drive the ski. I'd mount back.

Has their been a comparison between the Mr. Pollards Opus? Big guy skiing hard.

The Bentchets are an all mountain pow ski. However, I've talked to many people and they say that the Bentchetlers are poor on any snow that is not fresh. Its the kinda ski that is unbelievable in powder, and gets you to the lift for the next run. Its not really designed to do anything else. I would recomend a K2 "backside adventure" ski for your needs. Great directional fat skis. Excellent for powder, and designed for back country adventures with skins. They come in a variety of sizes.

If you're stuck between those two and aren't looking at other skis, I'd recommend the Bentchets. A more exciting ski. If you're considering other skis I'd look at Icelantic Keepers in a 189, or 178 if you like shorter skis. That ski is great for slack country and anything in between. It's been my go to ski for the past two years.