Help! Need skis for BIG husband...

[tree-na]

Hi All, I 'lurk' here quite a bit, but now I need your help. I want to get my guy new skis (not necessarily this years model) for Christmas.

Here are his stats: age: 48; Height: 6'5" weight: approx 250. He's a good skier. We live in the east and ski here mostly at Jay and Stowe. We spend as much time as possible in the trees and off piste, but of course need to remain safe on the eastern groomed /ice as well. We do venture out west at least once a season. Last year it was to BC (Kicking Horse, Revelstoke, Red). This year, who knows? In any case his current skis (Volkl pro 724s 184 length w/ Rossi bindings) are pretty beat up. Time for something new. Any ideas????

Thanks!

[JoeStrummer]

If 184 is his favored length, I vote Movement Goliath Sluffs. Bigger than the Volkls but manageable in the trees, good in the wide open stuff, skis ice when necessary. Best all-around ski I've ever skied.

You are going to get lots of different answers on this one.

[shirk]

If 184 is his favored length, I vote Movement Goliath Sluffs. Bigger than the Volkls but manageable in the trees, good in the wide open stuff, skis ice when necessary. Best all-around ski I've ever skied.

You are going to get lots of different answers on this one.

x2.

At his size you certainly want to look for a ski that is stiff with-in it's category and one known to have a long life span. He will put a lot more force into each turn than someone 180lbs. A ski core with a low crush strength will not last long under him.

EMS sells Movement back east now. They have the 184 Sluff.

[MarnMan]

Blizzard 8.7 Magnum, Or the AC 50 from Volkl. Both ski very well on groom, and kick ass off for a one ski does everythang. Just my .02

[TheArchitect]

the ac 50 is also going to be similar to the 724 just a lot fatter as the ac series is what the 724's evolved into.

[UTpowder]

The biggest problem with the AC 50 is the shitty Marker bindings they come with. Go with the Mantra and put on some better clamps.

[shasti]

the sluff is a perfect recommendation. it is a bit wider than his volkl but it would be a great ski I think . i ski the regular goliath and it is my alltime favorite ski. they are of amazing quality, very durable and versatile skis.

[Bluebird]

186 Dynastar Legend Pro.

[riggs]

x2 on the Mantras. If you told me that I could only use one pair in my quiver for the rest of the season it'd be the Mantras.
For a guy 250 the standard non-all metal Marker bindings are highly suspect, even if he doesn't ski like he's 22 anymore.

I'd think 183 Bro Model Stiffs would work pretty good too, but I've only had about 4 runs on those total, so others would need to confirm.

[tree-na]

Thanks for the help so far. My concern is that the wider skis will be tough in the TIGHT eastern trees. Am I wrong about this? On the other hand his size 14 boots are pretty damned wide as it is. Perhaps a wider platform to stand on would be a good thing. It is hard to shop for a giant! (but leaving his boots outside the door always makes me feel pretty safe :))

[reganized]

I am the same size as your husband and ski on the EC.

I haven't been able to commit to a one ski quiver. I rely on a 173 Rossi SL ski for those icy groomer days and have 192 PM Gear Bros for the woods and trips out west.

I am interested in the 184 Icelantic Shaman's but I have not skied them
http://www.icelanticboards.com/#/skis/detail/shaman

[splat]

195 Super Bros for that dude.
What's an EC guy his size doing on short boards?????????????

[GoAskAlice]

Same size here as well.
184s seem awfully short to me but to each their own.
Something stiff in a mid-fat ie. volkl mantra or the the LP 187.


Thanks for the help so far. My concern is that the wider skis will be tough in the TIGHT eastern trees. Am I wrong about this?

Typically the wider an object is the tighter the squeeze will be. With skis, a longer length will make the trees seem tighter. Unless his hips are narrower than his skis put together, the width will affect nothing.

[Tye 1on]

Maybe check out Natty's 188 Bro Stiffs here (http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137718). No problem holding an edge, wide enough for pow/junk, predictably fast.

[tree-na]

OK...thanks for all the input so far. I am leaning toward the Mantra 191s. Though am still open to more options. Now, onto bindings. He needs good ones. I don't really trust Marker for his weight and height. I have always liked the look/rossi bindings, but don't really know what is compatable for the Mantras. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Also, is there any difference between the 07/08 Mantras and the 08/09s? All I can see is that the graphics have changed. I can get a better deal on the 07s.

[PowTron]

^^^^ Marker Jester is nothing like other markers...would be a great binding for a Mantra and a guy that size. Any binding company is compatible, really...except for Geze :)

[reganized]

I would get something with a din of 14 or higher. Make sure the brakes fit the skis you buy. Checkout backcountry.com or the gear swap here.

I have a pair of Tyrolia Mojo 15s with 6 days of use on them. They have wide brakes. I paid $250 for them with the 115 widebrake. Let me know if you are interested.

[Flexon Phil]

Check your PM.

[critical-motion]

Here's a quick list of bindings that would do the trick for a bigger guy. All have a high DIN rating and most have significant amounts of metal in their construction.

Look PX18
Look P18
Salomon STH16
Salomon S916
Fischer X17
Head Mojo 15
Marker Jester

[bio-smear]

Buy my VCTs (http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111911) for him.

[tree-na]

Ok, it's done. I have purchased the Mantra 191s for him and also a set of Rossignol Axial2 140 Ti Pro Wide Brake bindings. Hope it works for him. Figure he can keep the beat up Volkl pro's for the rocky/ sketchy/ icy days we easterners are subjected to and 'play' on the mantras on the good days, and out west. Thanks everyone for your help!

[MTT]

Ok, it's done. I have purchased the Mantra 191s for him and also a set of Rossignol Axial2 140 Ti Pro Wide Brake bindings. Hope it works for him. Figure he can keep the beat up Volkl pro's for the rocky/ sketchy/ icy days we easterners are subjected to and 'play' on the mantras on the good days, and out west. Thanks everyone for your help!

Mantra is not my favorite ski, but you are now getting into variations of how GREAT.

Solid choice! Your Hubby will be very happy on a setup that is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the V-Pros