Andrew Duke Grewe

I'd go with a 170 Kendo, It's easy to ski, very quick edge to edge and extremely versatile. The mantra is good, but it requires your A-game all the time and takes more effort to turn.

The mantra holds an edge way better,It is a stiffer and more torsionaly rigid ski. The BBR however has a much more drastic sidecut that makes it turn incredibly easy. So bottom line, if edge hold is the most important thing, go with the mantra, If ease of turning is the most important go with the BBR.

Tyson from canada-
The Fujas is a good all mountain choice, It is great in pow for it's size, Its got a medium flex that makes it pretty easy to navigate through trees. Its not a good bump ski (nothing over 100mm under foot is). But it would probably be a great fit for you. For heavy crud I prefer something with metal in it like the prophet 90 or 98. But I don't think you'll dislike this ski.

If you are jibbing at all. I'd avoid fritschi all together. they are great for touring but not solid enough for switch landings and you sit too high off the ski. I'd take a look at the marker baron/duke if you are going to need a touring and jibbing ability.

The XXL was stiffer than this ski. It performed better in really choppy stuff. The 115 is still good, but a little more forgiving. As for groomer performance, there is a trade off after about the 100mm. You can still arc awesome turns they just wont be short slalom turns. For me, that is no big deal.

It's possible that it is packed out a little, but my best guess is that you haven't got the fit system right where you need it. Take it into your shop and have them show you how to use the fit system.

keep the vents open and air flowing through them you shouldn't have a problem. If you are one of those unlucky souls who seems to have a foggy goggles all the time, throw down the cash for a turbo fan google.

Is it better? no. Is it worse? probably not. These two helmets are both safe and provide good venting and warmth. There is not a major difference in weight either. Your decision should come down to which one fits you noggin the best. For me, that is the smith. Other factors should be your personal style choice and which one you can get a good deal on. Good luck!

you don't find colored ptex. you buy black or clear at any major ski tuning shop.

For Pennsylvania you maybe better off with AC 30. It just as strong of a ski with a narrower waist and lighter price. As far as length I'd suggest the 170. You could probably manage a longer length but your not going to lose stability by going shorter with this ski.

I ended up with the 186 because I found in certain situations I liked the extra stability, there were times that the 179 wasn't enough in the crud. It did fine in the trees, this ski is very predictable and doesn't throw any surprises your way.

This is not a spherical lens, for that you will have to take a look at the phenom, I/O or the prophecy. As far as fit goes it has to to more with face shape than size. I'd head down to a Smith dealer and try them on to make sure.

based on your weight there is no reason you would need a 16 din jester, I'd save the money and get the griffons.

It's a matter of personal preference but for me, the #10 is too stiff for mogul skiing. If I was buying a boot for just bump skiing I would look at the #4 or 6 tongue.

I go with the 179, This ski mesures more like a 194 than a 189. I found that I didn't give up much stability on the 179. I could definitely could ski the 189 but found in tighter situations (trees and chutes) it felt like I was fighting the length. I am about an in taller and 10 pounds heavier than you FYI.

With rocker this ski will ski short, and it is light and not particularly difficult to ski. If you are skiing aggressively, I'd go with the 173.

The 100 will work fine.

This is a good park ski, if you are looking for a ski for all mountain use I'd look at the prophet series or the blend. If you a cheap ski to beat up on rails and jumps this is the ticket.

yes.

This ski would work great in Tahoe, so long as you are usually skiing soft snow and powder. Where it is typically heavier snow in California, the rocker is really going to help you plow though it.

Sort of. For most of full tilts boots all of the parts are interchangeable and available to buy separately. What sets them apart is the quality of the liners and the stiffness of the tongue(shin piece). However, this year they introduced a few wider models like the Booter and the high five that are not interchangeable.

The shogun is easy to ski and pretty light as a result of the bamboo core. I'd go with the 182, you won regret it. I think you could easily overpower the 173 as you continue to progress as a skier.

Steve-
They are built to be similar skis. I think that the sultan is easier and smoother to ski while the sc97 has a little bit more aggressive feel to it. The rossi is a better crud ski/charge, but the dynastar is fantastically smooth and fun.

None of those skis, or these bindings for that matter are great for long touring, either would make a pretty heavy set up. As far as the skis go, I chose the S7, I feel like it is the most versatile of the bunch,it carve's better than you would think and is one of the best skis I've ever skied the the crud. The others a good, but don't have the WOW factor of the s7 . The best thing to do is DEMO.

Three bindings that would work great would be the Salomon 914 , marker jester or the Rossignol FKS 140

You probably saw the prophet 90 or the flite. both of them have a similar lighter graphic. the 100's are all as seen above.

That is kind of like asking how a Hummer drives in the city. You can certainly get from point a to point b on hardpack on the obsethed's but the goal of the design was to create a ski that was very very good in powder or soft crud. It's not going to hold an edge like a race ski and it doesn't want to make slalom turns. But what you loose in hard snow performance you get back tenfold in anything soft.

Yes, they do make them in a 26, which would be a size 8. It looks like bc.com is sold out of that size right now although they have the 25.5 or 7.5 available.

According to the stat sheet the full tilt is 1mm wider than the il moro. As you pointed out , the boots are pretty similar, the reason I would go with full tilt is that they are lighter and the fact that you can customize the boot with different tongue/ flexes. Make sure you try them on first as seth pointed out, you have to have the foot for them. Join the cult.

It's not unheard of for skis to lose there camber after 100 or so days of use. Also the mantra has a significant amount of metal in it so it's possible for that ski to bend. I would be surprised if your bungee caused the problem although it might be a good Idea to store your skis in way that allows them to have there natural camber. Maybe it's time to start looking for a new pair.

Try demoing the Free luv, it is there as a stepping stone between something like the first luv and the lotta luv.

The kendo is way better as far as edge grip goes. The prophets are lighter, slightly wider and a little more lively. I'd buy the kendo if I was skiing mostly hard pack.

This isn't going to work with smartrak. Usually smartrak bindings are not sold separately , you may need to contact Salomon directly if you need just the binding.

The binding will work fine, get the 90mm brake and the shop that mounts it should have no problem bending it to get the extra 5mm.

The Coomback in a torsion box ski and is slightly skinier, that translates into a lighter, more forgiving ski. The metal laminate construction of the Sidestash has a damper- chargier feel. Personally, I really like the sidestash, for an everyday ski out west where the snow is mostly pow or crud, it has a perfect amount of rocker and that easy turning k2 shape.
Demo them if you get the chance, but if you aren't touring and concerned about weight I'd say go for the sidestash.

The flexon comps that I used to ride are pretty similar to the #6 full tilt tongue. The nice thing is, no matter which boot you buy can easily get a new tongue if the flex isn't what you want. FYI the morrison pro is the stiffest #10 tongue.

You may be able to bend them. Unfortunately Naxo is now defunct and baring a situation where you find a shop that has some old spare brakes, you wont be able to find them.

16.6 meters

Obviously the dimensions make these skis significantly different, The backlash is much much lighter and the sidestash has a stiffer flex. Probably not as 'easy' for teleing although still doable and probably better if you are going to spend most of your time in soft snow.

The model year for skis usually starts in september. Sounds like you ended up wit the 2009-10 version and they added rocker for the 10-11 model.

I haven't had a ton of experience on the charger, but the Rictor is an absolute blast on-piste. its very high energy and extremely easy edge to edge. I don't think you'd regret it and it will be more versatile for days where you venturing into variable terrain.

I've always had good success mounting volkls on the recommended line. This obviously isn't going to be a park ski or a powder specific ski, so there isn't really any reason to go forward or back of the line.

The Large will fit 305- 365, the small 265-325. You are one of the lucky ones in the overlap. Its really up to you, there will be no performance difference. According to marker you will save 30grams of weight with the small.

The real factor is how often you will be skiing this ski switch. If you ride it switch alot go with progressive, but if you really are using them as an all mountain ski I would probably split the difference and mount in between the two.

The stock brake on the baron is 110 mm. They do make an aftermarket brake that is 130 mm but it will cost close to $50.
There is a possibility that you could talk the shop that mounts them to bend them from 110 to 130. although that is about all the bend they will have in them.

Mark,
I would highly recommend taking your skis to a shop and have them adjusted, Its important that both the forward pressure and the DIN setting are right on to protect you from dangerous prereleases. Do not assume that just because you can get a boot in the binding that it is set correctly.

The 185 kuro is probably the most radica change you could make from the Crossmax. It's a huge ski that is relatively stiff compared to other skis this fat. I'd suggest you look at the Gotama if you want a ski from volkl. For a person your size you'll get all the float you need and tons more versatility in variable conditions. Also I'd look in the 175is range in any fat ski. There is no big benefit to the longer sizes. Other skis you might want to take a look at are the Line Sir Francis Bacon, The K2 obsethed or even the Rossignol s7. Bottom line: the kuro is designed exclusively for wide open bottomless pow. The others are better in a wider variety of conditions and terrain and will still float miles better than your current skis.

The 185 kuro is probably the most radica change you could make from the Crossmax. It's a huge ski that is relatively stiff compared to other skis this fat. I'd suggest you look at the Gotama if you want a ski from volkl. For a person your size you'll get all the float you need and tons more versatility in variable conditions. Also I'd look in the 175is range in any fat ski. There is no big benefit to the longer sizes. Other skis you might want to take a look at are the Line Sir Francis Bacon, The K2 obsethed or even the Rossignol s7. Bottom line: the kuro is designed exclusively for wide open bottomless pow. The others are better in a wider variety of conditions and terrain and will still float miles better than your current skis.

No. Not this version anyway. This will only accept the marker/k2 mx 12.0. They do make a flat version where the duke would work.

The binding itself is the same. The difference will be the lifter that comes with it. The "jib" version will sit lower on the ski. Across the board, Dynastar, Look and rossignol all have the same bidings.

Its not impossible, the brake will need to bent a little to fit, any shop that mounts should have no trouble getting the extra 2mm out of the brake.

With as much rocker as this ski has you shouldn't have any problem maneuvering the 179. It will not ski as long as a cambered ski of equal size. It will definitely handle much easier than the katana's due to the rocker and softer flex. It has the ability to "schmear" turns that make it a good tree ski. I feel like the 169 may leave you wanting on some of the bigger terrain in BC.

This is the most responsive ski I skied on during the on- snow demo this year. THat being said, I felt that this is a more hard snow oriented ski while it's big brother the Aftershock is more versatile as an all around ski. Either way I think you will be happy.

My suggestion is the 179. It is not a difficult ski to ski and as you advance in off-piste skiing you may be able to over power the 172. As for bindings, I have never had any complaint with the look/rossignol/dynastar Px 12 or Axial 2 120. Also take a look at the marker griffon.

The prophet flite is not a great skis for someone your size. Take a look at the prophet 100 in a 186 cm.

The one pictured above is the 9-10 edition

It's not stiff like the Volkl Mantra or line mothership. On the flip side it has better energy and easier to turn. DEMO.

I am exactly your same size. I owned the mantra in 184 it was all the ski I could handle. If I had to do it over again, I even consider the 177. IMO, the 191 is too much.

I liked the older XXX especially the white and black version, It was a stiff , damp and stable ski. The 97 is the best rossignol I have been on since that ski. It is stable and confident and smooth as heck. A worthy replacement in my mind. Size should be fairly comparable.

It is the same tip rocker as the hellbent and the same as the previous obsethed in the back.

I am pretty close to you in size, and I think the 177 is the way to go. It is strong and stable and better at high speed than the 170 was for me. That being said I usually prefer 185ish skis

The point of schizo is the abilty to adjust the mounting point. Mount at the recommended line and move as needed for the park or a more all mountain application

Go with the 173, and if you are going to tour on them mount 2cm back of recommended.

Dynastar, Rossignol and look are all exactly the same binding with different cosmetics.

Yes and No. You can get your boot in the binding and ski on it just like normal. However the Vibram sole on most AT boots will change the way the boot releases out of the binding, which is not ideal. It would not be considered safe by a shop.

The best thing to do is try one on. That being said I where an 11 and where a 28.5 boot. They fit great after a heat molding.

Scott has come along way in durability in 3 years. the crusade is a good ski, although I prefer the mission. I think the crusade is a little more turny and slightly more squirrely than the mission.

I've skied that same set up and absolutley loved it. That binding will work great. do it!

I am about your same size. I am an experienced advanced skier. The watea 94 is a stiff ski that requires speed and aggressiveness to make it perform well. A day on the 186 wore me out. I would say that is too much ski for you and would recommend a shorter watea or a different ski.

yep. they will fit together perfectly. Enjoy!

Duke-
I am about 20 pounds lighter than you and ski the 184. It is a stiff burly ski that requires you to stay on top of it. That being said, for what you want them for I think you'd be well satisfied by the mantra.

They can float. They are a softer ski with plenty of pop, so you'll be okay on them. Or you can wait till fall 2010, when the new rockered blend comes out.

Daniela-
There a few key differences in these skis. The XXL is Fatter, Stiffer and has less side cut. That translates to better stability, Wider longer turns and Better float in deep snow. That being said the Pro is more user friendly, Easier to turn in tight trees and more versatile in snow that is not powder. Both are great great skis.

179 is the right length for you in this ski. Great choice for you.

I would definitely get the 182. You could easily overpower the 172.

P.s. 27 would be known as the Mondo point sizing.

27.0 is a size nine, however it is no 27 cm. In reality it is probably closer to 29 or 30 cm.

You are going to be fine at the recommended line. If you want a little more tip float you good go 1 or 2 cm behind the line, I wouldn't go any more than that. If it was me, I'd go on the line.

not right out of the box. The widest brake for these 115mm You can have the shop bend them. Or take a look at the marker jester. They have 130mm brakes available

The binding itself will work. However, you will need to buy a larger brake or find a shop that will bend these from 88mm to 105 mm

The binding itself will work. However, you will need to buy a larger brake or find a shop that will bend these from 88mm to 105 mm

Alpine Boot soles are standardized,so these will fit great.

I am the same height as you but about 50 pounds lighter. The 177 is spot on perfect for me in that ski. For your size I wouldn't hesitate putting you on the 184. The Ac30 really likes to go fast and if you choose the 184, you'll need to stay aggressive on the ski as I found that it really wasn't good until it is at speed. The 177 may offer a little more versatility and forgiveness.

The Fujas is not a difficult to ski. Its a great shape everyday use in the west. A person of your size will have no trouble with the 189.

Yes. This binding can adjust to different boot sizes. Typically bindings have 10-15 mm of adjustment both ways.

I've mounted these binding on several skis this year and have had not reports of the binding moving when it wasn't supposed to.

Great biding choice for that ski.

The actual binding will work just fine on the ski. There will need to be some bending done to the brake. Make sure the shop you get them mounted at will perform the needed brake modification. As far as I am aware 130 mm is about as large as any binding company makes brakes.

The Prodigy has a clip as well, it works great with helmets.

The bindings will be mounted to the ski according to the boot size. This binding will work great for your daughter.

Your recommended din will be under ten, so even if you crank it up a bit this binding should work great. I've never had an issue with Salomon's pre-releasing.

Yeah, Get the 100mm brake. The biding should work great for you.

They are for a medium face for males. For ladies these would be a wider fit than the heiress or the Anthem. For guys, the prodigy is the better option for bigger faces.

The 2009-2010 Blend is regular camber.

If your going to run your din at 11, I would recommend getting a binding with a din higher than 10. I would look at the Look PX14/rossi axial2 140, Solomon s914 or the Maker Jester. You will add A little weight with the higher din bindings but it will function better if you fall somewhere in the middle of the din capability.

I'd go with the 177. I am slightly bigger than you and owned the 184, It was a lot of ski and I could have gotten by on the 177.