I would lean towards the 177 for you (though you could do either). Here are my thoughts behind the 177 choice:

Since you're an aggressive skier, you should able to ski the ski instead of things being the other way around. The Mantra skis stiff, so just be sure to stay in the driver's seat and charge. The 177 will be give you a bit more stability on the steep lines, and a little more float in the deep. Lastly, if you're a young gun and still growing, the 177 will serve you better in the future.

For more, you can read my review below: "The Best Quiver Of One Ski"

Hey S, the Mantra truly is a great ski. And while your son sounds like a great skier, I have a feeling at 120lbs he would have a very tough time flexing this ski enough to make it useful. I'd look for something a bit softer! Good luck!

Depending on how he skis, this is a really good choice for all-mountain stuff, but like the description says, pretty much expert all-mountain. Another ski, that I find way more versatile personally, is the K2 Kung Fujas, which is about the same waist dimensions, and has the ability to kill park, pow, groomers, and glades. If he is aggressive/expert skier, then for sure the Mantra would work out for him.

I'm a another 'guy with advice' so I may not have the info you're looking for, but I can tell you that you'd love a ski like this for all-mountain, east coast to west skiing. The Mantra has a great snappiness and edge hold for a wider ski, turns quick and easy, and thanks to the metal layer won't wuss out when you're going fast on hard or crappy snow. I've spent years working in demo shops and these skis were on the mountain every day, and every day people came back with smiles. There is a sharp looking ladies version, the Aura (VKL0070) which is another great ski. Pick up a pair, I can guarantee that you'll love them and, of course, you can always send them back to us if you don't!

I would say test them out maybe if you can, because I don't find Mantra's to be too stiff, but I like a fairly stiff ski. If you ski aggressively, maybe a stiffer ski would be a good choice, because the performance you can get out of something less forgiving really can help you progress. The Shogun might be a better fit as in you would be more used to them out of the box, but Volkl makes a decent product, and I think you would get used to them quickly and dig it.

I'm personally impartial to marker bindings...specifally the griffons and the jesters. I have both and just love them. The griffons and jesters both can be bought with wider brakes...which you need with the 96mm under food. The only difference signifcant differance between the bindings are that the jesters have a DIN of 16 and the the griffons have a 12. Enjoy your Mantras...they are sick skis

I have tried the gotamas, mantras and katanas. For me the Katanas is where it’s at. I felt they were the best for all conditions. What sealed the deal for me was when I demoed the Katans on a day when there had been no new snow for weeks. The Katans performed way better on the hard pack and ice then I had ever thought. I have no input on the coombas because I have never tried them.

Like Sam said the best thing to do is demo the ski (in multiple conditions if you can) to see what works best for you.

I agree that they are very different skis, but you said powder skis.

Please go for the Gotama -- I know you CAN ride switch and jump with them, I rarely do, and use them for traditional powder skiing, and they don't disappoint. You won't regret getting them.

I had the Mantra last year and replaced it with the Line Prophet 100 because I already had race skis and wanted more powder and less groomer performance.

So if you aren't looking at anything else besides those three, the Coomba or the Katana is the choice you need to make. If your a point 'em charger, then go for the Coomba, but if you want the deep snow, then dot he Katana.

But please consider the Gotama.

Twin tips and fattie skis aren't just for the park and pipe anymore. (see history of LINE skis and taking the fun back from snowboarders in '92-present).

Twin tip skis can give you a really fun skiing experience, even if you never go a--first. The geometry of a twin tip and most modern powder skis gives you a lot of not just maneuverability, but recoverability, meaning you can extend further forward or aft of the sweet spot and recover quicker, a trait that is very useful in powder and moguls. These skis also often have a damper tail section, making them quicker to scrub speed, and less squirrely to ride from the back seat (or in the deep). Consider those attributes bizarre by-products of making skis easier to land jumps poorly.

As to Coomba v. Mantra v. Katana? Those are all very different skis: demo. Buy by feel, not by numbers.

184's - I am your exact size and the 177's won't be long enough in the deep.

I'm and advanced skier and was out 39 times last season. I bought some Mantras last spring (to compliment my Volkl AC4's also in 170) in the 170. I'm 5' 10" and 195 and ski mostly at Mt. Baker Washington. These skis are great for all of the mountain. I carry a GPS so I know they are great at 45+mph on groomers, great in 12/18" of powder (probably not as light as Colorado powder) and fast and quick thru the trees. I put Marker Griffons on them and am really pleased with the setup.

177 without a doubt.