You could totally do it, seeing as K2 sizes are longer than they post. My 179's are like... 182 or 184 or something, thanks to the rocker. I'm 6'1" and 195, so you could go for either one you wanted, 169 or 179.

+2 is honestly where the ski is designed to be mounted.

Alright man. I rock my ObSetheds at a +2 stance, and I couldn't be happier. It seems to make the tips a lot easier to control in the afternoon chop, and in the deep trees. I get plenty of both in PK, ha ha, so it should be the same in Colorado. I can ride switch with +2, definitely easier than traditional, but if you really want it to be easier you should push it up even farther. I totally recommend the +2, just for the versatility alone.

No there is no difference that I can tell in remounting. Most shops will fill in the holes to protect the core before re-drilling.

Well they definitely get marred up, but every sandwich construction ski I have used does this, so it's not uncommon. Most of it is on the inside edges and tips, especially for me after transferring from a narrower ski, and is from banging together. And they don't "fall apart", thanks to the rivets and plates, not even after clipping trees when you are slashing glades.

Hey, I have a pair of 179s mounted at +2, and I find that they seem centered, but when I ski them, they really aren't. K2 actually recommends +3, and the man himself (Seth) skis it at +5. It's pretty much preference.

These skis can pretty much rip it all. Groomers are no problem, even with the rocker, and bumps are even possible (if that's your thing). I have even skied park in these, but it's like a tank on each foot, but offers a nice stable platform for landing. If you ski groomers and not much pow, then you could get away with either the 179 or the 189. The 189 will feel long until you are used to it though. As for mounting point, +2 rips it.

The obSETHed is a much more versatile option, in my opinion. It handles everything I can throw at it. The Bacon is a super good ski too, but might be a little hard to handle for someone trying to advance in skill level. Remember that if you choose the obSETHed, it runs a little longer than stated.

The K2 rides a bit long, the 179 is like a 184 or something, but that isn't something you really notice. The rocker is super fun for any condition, except maybe ice. I love the softer feel of it too. The obSETHed is prefect, in my opinion, for everything. But the stiffer VCT is probably a bit better in the crud and ice, thanks to the stiffer flex. I am 6'1 and 195, and the 179 K2 is a sweet versatile ski.

I definitely recommend to K2 out of this bunch. The rossi is pretty nice for pow, but if you throw the ice in the mix it's a little sketchy, and in my opinion the Volkl is too. The K2 holds its edge nice on the ice, and floats pow so nice.

Because...?

This ski could be used for touring, it wouldn't be horrible or anything. The flex has softened from years past, but it is still a fairly heavy ski. You can always try to demo it with some touring bindings first, but I have seen people pull it off.

I am 6'1" and 195, I mounted them at +2 if memory serves me correct. This is a great place to mount them, although I wish I had mounted them at +3. This would be a more controlled, playful set-up for powder and crud.

powder skied out!! thats when you start going deeper into the tree,s to find more or start hiking, they both handle it fairly well for softer skis, the bacons have the early taper to help them hookless as the k2's have slight rocker to help them bust it, the czar works the best in this situation because of the more pronounced rocker to them.

No, I personally feel that the bacon feels like a softer version of the s6 but with a smoother/ livelier feel to it, it has different geometry to the side cut then the prophet and what i like about is that you can really open up your turns like a gs ski or snap them quickly if you need to, and for some odd reason they seam to feel no fatter then a 100mm ski underfoot, but they are a fat ski and do have some weight to them,prob. about the same as the 179 obseth but i feel its quicker. You sould try and demo the czar, it is a fairly light ski and would make a great setup, its strange that it hasn't caught on yet, but wait till next year.

The 179cm ObSETHed will ski a whole lot different than your Mantra's because of the added width and the mini rocker (reverse camber). Also, on your sizing, K2 skis in general are measured different than the rest of the industry. A 179 ObSETHed is bigger than a different brand 179. So the 179 ObSETHed and the 182 Czar might be very similar in length. I would really recommend either the ObSETHed or the Czar because of the rockered profile. You will like the rocker in softer snow, and the Rossi S6 is just a regular cambered ski. So unless you want to give up the rocker, stick with the ObSETHed or Czar.As for your experience on the 189's, if you liked the way they skied, despite the length and the heavy feeling, the 179 should give you the same feel, but they will be more nimble, and they will feel lighter. Any ski that is too big (a 189 in your case) is going to feel heavy and it will take more energy out of you to get them to cooperate. In general, the same skis will feel very similar in each of their different sizes, but the ski in your size will feel easier to work with. So like I was saying before, the 179 is going to feel good. In my opinion, you should stick with ObSETHed's because they are so awesome. But I can't really compare against the Czar, because I've never skied it. Keep the questions rolling if you need any more help!Troy,I say go with the Czar for sure. Similar shape with the rocker just in the tip which is a great idea, but the foam core makes it a much lighter ski. I'm debating between the two right now myself. I loved the way the Obsetheds rip, but will by touring with them so leaning towards the Czars.I agree, if you are going for a rockered ski the czar is the better of the two, and if you truly want the obseth at least demo the line bacon first its less hookey in powder and floats better without the rocker plus it skis groomers way better, a very similar flex but much funneir ski.

189s are going to be long on you. K2s run big, and that's a lot of ski to be throwing around unless you are used to it. 179s would be better for you.

Don't worry about it henry, your coming off shorter skis so they will be fine, plus he has barons on them so he is using them for more backcountry use i would assume. write a review as soon as you ride them.-will do, hopefully that will be tomorrow. the pass that you have to drive through to get to the mountain i ski at has been flooded for the past like 5 days and now there are trees and crap all over the road

Try the new black diamond megawatt if you don't have a need for a twin tip. Super Duper fun powder ski with an early ride tip (front rocker). Very very very easy to throw around in the pow, read the reviews and check out the skis.http://www.backcountry.com/store/BLD1152/Black-Diamond-Megawatt-Ski-08-09-Model.html

I think the coombas and the obseth are pretty close in flex, the coomba might have a slightly stiffer tail, but both are WAY softer then the mantra.you prob got tip dive because the mantras tips don't float up because of their stiffness or they could be to short for you, The rocker in the obseth will give you great powder performance, but i think the gotama would be better on groomers, If you have no need for twins i would try and demo the coombas, they are the lightest of the group and seam like they would be a really fun ski. The reason i say this is because they will give you a more traditional feeling ski like your mantras vs the obseth and goat.I would go 179, k2's run long so they will be around 183 to 184, the 189 would be good if you were skiing big open mountain all the time.adding--- You sound like you need the new Black Diamond Megawatt. It matches your exact description for what you want in a ski, (except for bumps probably). But these skis are not twin tipped, and they only have a rocker on the tips. They are plenty wide for the soft stuff, and EVERYONE LOVES THEM!!! What more could you ask for in a ski. You should really take a look at these things! They even come in a 178 for you.http://www.backcountry.com/store/BLD1152/Black-Diamond-Megawatt-Ski-08-09-Model.html

Alright henry--- def go 179 they will be about 184, the 189 would be way to big for all around use, unless your charging big open mountain all the time. I belive off the top of my head they have 3 mounting spots on them, i would go with the middle one which i belive is about 5-6mm back from center that would give you the best for all over the mountain plus still be good for in the park, to far back will hinder on-piste performance, and to far forward you might get some slight dive in pow. write back and let me know how you like them.-will do

+2 is a really good conservative mount. K2 mounts their demo skis at +2. You'll like it, unless you're into spins, and riding switch, in that case, mount them at like +5 or even more forward. Seth himself rides his at +5 even though he usually just hits cliffs and shreds it up.

The Jester would be a good binding for these skis, they cover all around the toe, which provides great turning, and control over the ski, and I would mount it closer to the back (not sure of dimensions) rather than in the middle, for better control in the powpow!adding---Definitely go for one of the Markers (jester, griffin) based on your weight... or if you want to tour grab the duke or baron. Mounting at +2 is a good conservative mount that will give you minimal tip dive in pow.

I would go with the 169 for tighter turns, bumps, trees. 179 for more stability at speed and powder performance.

They should be fine for every condition you will se up there. You might experience a little tip deflection and chattering in the real bad crud but it should handle everything else with ease.---adding, Get em, this is your ski.

The obseth is about average weight for its class, i would not call it heavy or call it light for it's size, sure you can take it in the park, a lot of kids are riding the hellbent in the park and ripping them, but i def would not call them park skis. I would not say they rail groomers, no ski over 100mm in the waist is going to truly rail groomers, that being said if you are a good skier and can carve a ski on edge it will carve some nice rails for you, but i won't ride them in icey conditions. The vct will ride groomers/hardpack better because its stiffer and maybe be better in crud but that would be a toss-up, neither ski will be better on groomers then your old P.E's because neither is as stiff or as narrow, you are looking for the perfect ski that rails groomers/bumps yet floats well in powder and it does not exist, all skis are going to compromise somewhere, if you go with a fatter powder ski then you have to deal with it on groomers, if you go with a more narrow ski for groomers then you work harder in powder to get it to float, thats why people own quivers of skis, why don't you buy a fatter powder ski now, ride your P.E's on groomers and next year buy a ski to replace your P.E's. for groomers.

because of the rocker k2 does not spec. the same on it as other skis but ican tell you its way quicker then the vct, about the same as the prophet 100, hands down the obseth is better.

Hi henry--- The obseth is a nice ski, it has just a slight rocker in the tip so that it can rise-up in powder/crud yet is still flat under your foot and has a duel radius sidecut so it will still crave/do well on the groomers. as for flex they are the softest of the 3, i would say about the same as bacons or a tad stiffer, but a really nice feel to it, the ski you demoed was probably last years JJ if it was a 188, a backcoutry powder/jib with very little sidecut (around 40meters) thats why it felt sluggish on groomers and bumps, if you go k2 get the 179 they are about 184, also look at the o9 armada JJ a totally different ski then what you skied, A very versitale fat ski but good luck getting ahold of the 185, they have been sold-out for months. The obseth is a really fun ski, if i didn't love my bacons so much i would be riding those or momment bibby pros. good luck and i think there is another round of storms coming at the end of the week, were getting spoiled on just sking powder in my neck of the woods.

The obSETHed are not as stiff as the Prophets and have slight tip and tail rocker. obSETHeds are more of a pow ski while Prophets will serve you better all over the mountain and on cruddy days.

go 179, they run a little long so they will be about 183, they are about average in weight for a ski in this width. they have a great flex.

The goats as you already know are very popular every one and there mother skis them. personally i think there are way better skis for the money, the obseths are one of them, softer, better flex and slightly rockered for better powder performance, not to mention sick graphics. another choice is the line prophet 100, it blows the goat off the mountain and also has sick graphics. a much quicker/livlier ski. As for bindings the jesters would be awesome on any powder ski.

The obseths are more versitil you could ski them on groomers, yet float really well in pow due to the slight rocker. the hellbents are really soft and float amazing in pow but are not the best for busting crud. they are manigible on groomers but you have to keep them on edge not running flat, these two skis are really not comparible. the hellbent is more comparible to the e.p pro. and the obseths to the prophet 100, 4frnt vct, or gotama.

Not really comparible, the ARV is a mid-soft all mountain ski that can used anywhere including the park but is really not fat enough to be a true backcountry off-piste ski, The obseths are more of a powder/backcountry ski that can be skied on-piste and park but shines more in pow. look px12, best binding for the buck.

The seth is a great ski, but might be a little soft for how you ski, it is kind of like the armada arv for flexibility and not much stiffer then my bacons but such sweet graphics. I would take a look at the 4frnt vct, volkl gotamas, line prophet 100's, or motherships or momment rubys or bibby pros, they might be a better choice if you charge hard, but the seths are great skis but i don't know if they are the best choice for back east.

The Mantra and ObSethed are quite different. I think you should be benchmarking the Gotama to the ObSethed for a better comparison. I ski last years Seth at Crystal everyday and love it. It is a little on the softer side and I think the ObSethed will feel even softer due to increase rocker in the tip and tail. The Mantra is a freight train on the groomers so you'd be sacrificing there...but with the rocker and the width...the ObSethed will be loads better in soft snow. At the end of the day it really depends on how much you care about performance on hard pack...if it matters alot, I'd look at the Gotama or Mantra. If you want to dominate the pow...go with the ObSETHed.

If you ski a big mountain go with the 189, if you ski the East..the 179agreed! Keep in mind K2 does tend to run a little bigger in their sizing. K2 measures from contact point. Have a pair of 185 rossi's (ravens) and they are almost identical in size to the 179cm obsethed's. Great ski all around, love it.

last year's Seth (2008) had the 98mm waist. The 2009 ObSethed has a 105mm waist.