I've had 3 generations of gotamas going back to the Buddha. Thanks to Volkl's great warranty program they keep giving me new ones. I've skied them in every possible terrain and the last two pairs have been used solely as my backcountry setup with fritschis. They're a fun ski, but if you're really going to push a ski in big terrain and you are more than 160 pounds then choose something else. Now that's not everyone- I know this. You'll probably think they're the best ski ever. Glad everyone thinks that because it's helped the resale. Sold my last beat up pair for $600 :)

Busted out the new backcountry setup w/ fritschis two weeks ago in Cooke City. They were the real deal. My light touring setup friends couldn't believe how weightless they were with all the extra length and girth (191's). Dropped in on perfect above the knee deep snow and was instantly grinning on finding a tool that fits my aggressive and free-flowing style. Can't wait till the pack is deeper and see how well they stick some big hucks at mack turkey

I tried the prototypes after coaxing them out of the hands of the reps after many beers in Bozeman. At that point there were only 3 pairs in the states, but they wanted to see how they tested out in the Headwaters terrain at Moonnizzle Bizzle. The conditions were far from pow. I ski the older big daddies mostly and this didn't feel much bigger. Straightlining out was effortless and they were quick in the pinches. Was impressed that they could lay down an edge and scrub speed when I needed to in a steep tight chute approaching terminal velocity. Will probably buy a pair one of these days

These things definately rip hard. Great at flying and quick and stable, but sudden changes underfoot are felt all the way to the fillings in your teeth. These things are mean stiff in all aspects of the word. Charging through hard crud and variable was abusive. Haven't had shin pain in awhile and these ended that streak.

I tested these as prototypes last year and was surprised how nimble and tolerable they were in big lines. I was skiing 1,500 ft restricted chutes at high speed with 6 inches of fresh and they didn't feel much different then my other 2005/6 Big Daddies. I did notice the girth when I had to throw down a McConkey Chute slide and scrub some speed- i.e. knee strain to put power down on an edge so far from my boot. But- these things are bomber. Still should have kept last years Big Daddy in production- best ski ever made for bombing big terminal lines. Wisco-X Crew- Ski fast and take chances