My need is to ski up and down curvy rough uneven hills and valleys here on the coast of Maine. I am a 5'5" female intermediate downhill skier. Started crosscountry two years ago. Have unwaxed 180cm skies for trekking back and forth to work over rough up and downs, find myself wondering if shorter wider would be better.

Well being a coastal Mainer myself I can tell you these work great for rolling hills and our variable snow conditions. These get more use than all the rest of my snow gear because I can go over to a local park and charge up a small hill, then tele down it (for workout/fun). They seem optimized for logging max vertical and max fun. On the flats, the width and the weight of the full-length edges is going to make you work harder - fine for a workout, commuting? maybe not so much. If your commute includes lengthy flats, and you can currently handle the downhills on your 180s, I don't think these will become your new everyday commuting ski (though if we get many more 14" dumps you will appreciate the width in the fresh!) All that being said ... you WILL use these skis if you get them, and never regret it ... the most fun, versatile skis you can buy. Look for some Garmont stiff leather boots, and classic sturdy 3 pin bindings ought to do it - Beans can mount them for you.