Line Prophet 100 Sizing

[eysikal]

OK, I'm probably going to get blasted for not searching (I have searched), but I feel like the recommendations made for others may not necessarily apply to me.

So:

5'11''
160 lbs.
ski Snowbird

I've only been skiing for about two years, but I've picked it up pretty quickly. That said, I'm no expert. I love powder, and hike for it--but I still wouldn't say I can rip the whole mountain with ease. If you want a better idea of how I ski you can look at a couple of my videos:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VzTSRJWQ6oI
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JKaQqb38rSU&feature=related

I need to know if the 179 or 186. I'm hesitant to go for the 186 because it is so much bigger than what I am on right now ('06 Scratch BC Sprayer 176cm). The guy at the demo center at the Goldminer's Daughter at Alta was trying to tell me to go for the 179 over the 186 size. The prophet 179 seemed significantly longer than my 176 Rossi Sprayers (I think they measure differently).

I mostly want new skis that will be a little stiffer on the groomed and better at busting through crud. I don't care about being a bad ass by going longer with my skis. I just want to know what would work best for me.

[alive]

Baby steps. Stick with the 179. If you ever start to out ski them, buy new ones. Or just buy both, try them out and sell me the 186 for half. Oh, and dynafits please on the 186's

[i killed judas.]

for snowbird i feel like itd be more beneficial to go for a volkl katana, pm gear 179 fat bro or the like. slightly wider than the line p100. shit gets epic there A LOT.

but then again, the last time i was there was 11 years ago; I was 9 years old, and on skis that were about 55mm in the waist. my little brother and i were powder hounds even at that ripe, young age, and we went a little off the trail and landed in a powder field that was up to our chests. and that was when i experienced my first ever face shot.

</reminiscing>

id personally go to about 110-115mm for a one ski snowbird quiver. but like i said, its been a while.

[AKbruin]

My $.02: Unless you're doing a lot of park, I'd go for the 186's. They're great skis, but, trust me, they ski short. It shouldn't be too much for you to handle and the extra length will add stability in the crud. That said, I don't think you'd be particularly displeased with the 179s.

[SkiOrDie]

Hey I am WAY smaller than you - 5'7" and 145 lbs - and I found the 186 Line Profits exactly the right size. I'm also 56 year fucking old. So, don't wimp out. Get the BIG sticks. They will take you for a ride for a while but you'll learn how to handle them and then you'll be golden.

Besides if you don't like 'em you can sell 'em to Alive.

B-))

[eysikal]

Damnit. You guys don't make this easy. I don't know why I'm so scared to go longer. Did you guys look at my videos...does that tell you much?

[i killed judas.]

Damnit. You guys don't make this easy. I don't know why I'm so scared to go longer. Did you guys look at my videos...does that tell you much?

since i wasnt much help in my first post:

186.

youll learn to ski it. it may be difficult at first, but youll get accustomed. whereas if you bought the 179, your growing experience may outgrow the ski.


if that makes sense whatsoever...

[dre66]

if you push yourself, want to improve, and dont mind getting your ass kicked the first few times out get the 186. 179 would be fun and dont get longer sticks just cause its the manly thing to do, but 'm your size 5lb heavier and probably moving from 190 gots to 186 prophet 100s as my everyday ski next season. i'd say buy longer so you can grow into them.

[eysikal]

Ok. I'll probably end up with the 186. I just hope I can still maneuver the trees like I love to.

Now, are the main reasons to go longer to improve flotation and stability at speed? Or am I leaving something out?

[dre66]

longer = more edge = more control when on edge.
more surface area = more stability when not on edge, and a bigger platform to stomp shit. also longer = more tip in front of you = less tip dive and therefore better flotation, though at 160lb if you are skiing fast enough you won't have to worry.

[SkiOrDie]

Look, longer skis mean that you've got a bigger package - simple as that!

Actually, there are a number of reasons for longer boards.

1) more float for when you're in Pow
2) more edge for when you're on Ice
3) more stability for when you're about to go over the handlebars or tails
4) more punch for when you're trying to get though the mank and rubble that is laying around after the hill has been skied out.

The Profit 100s have really soft tips and tails - IMHO - so they'll ski alot like a 17x, from someone else. For example, a 176 Dyno Legend Pro is a much "bigger" ski than the 186 Profit 100. I skied 'em both within an hour of each other on the same hill. So, if you're looking at something in the 17x size range from someone like PM Gear or the Dyno LP, the Profit in a 186 will actually ski like it's the same or shorter. Stiffness, especially in the tips and tails will make a big difference here.

[eysikal]

The Profit 100s have really soft tips and tails - IMHO - so they'll ski alot like a 17x, from someone else. For example, a 176 Dyno Legend Pro is a much "bigger" ski than the 186 Profit 100. I skied 'em both within an hour of each other on the same hill. So, if you're looking at something in the 17x size range from someone like PM Gear or the Dyno LP, the Profit in a 186 will actually ski like it's the same or shorter. Stiffness, especially in the tips and tails will make a big difference here.

Do you know if Rossi Scratches ski short? I have those Rossi BC Sprayers which are super flexy and are supposedly 176 but are noticeably shorter than my roommate's 174 K2 Recons.

[bio-smear]

Prophet = Divine seer of future events and/or a mortal channel to a deity.

Profit = roughly synonymous to "revenue"

[Smails]

I am 6'1'' and ski the 186 and wish it was bigger, something a lot of people my size on this board have said. 190 would be pimp.

The 100 is a light, playful ski with a tight turning radius so it isn't exactly a hard ski to control. At 5'11" skiing the wide open spaces and deep snow of the Bird I would go 186. The ski definitely skis short. My 186's feel a lot shorter than my 184 Mantras. My buddy who is around 5'10" skied them both and thought the 179 was WAY to short. My buddy who is 5'7" purchased and likes the 179 100.

Go to the demo shop at the GMD and try them both. They have both sizes there. Although the 186 has a nice core shot courtesy of a little straightline from yours truly

[Wasatch_Expat]

Profit = roughly synonymous to "revenue"

Actually, it's revenue minus cost. But when you keep your costs low, you can use almost all of your revenue to ski and therefore afford to be a ski bum. That's where I went wrong. Stupid MBA.

Anyway, before making a recommendation, I would ask how you like your rossis right now. Do the offer as much float as you'd like? Are they stable enough at speed? If they are, you may want to go with the 179, as I'm guessing the rossis are softer still than the Lines. Having looked at your vids, it looks like you can ski where you want to, but your technique is still a little rough. You may have trouble getting the 186 around in tight spots.

But if you're replacing the rossis because you have just outgrown the ski and you really need something more, then I would get the 186. Either way, we're talking about 7cm, which is <3 inches. So the 186 will not be that much more ski to get around, and you'll figure it out soon enough.

As for the recommendations to look at a Katana or a fat Bro, take these with a grain of salt if you'll only have one ski. At 160 pounds, the prophet 100 will offer plenty of float, especially since the dry, light Utah powder is so easy to ski IN that you don't need to be ON it. I think 100ish underfoot is going to be more versatile on the non-powder days and in the afternoon when the powder is tracked out. But if you don't have a season pass and are only going up on powder days, a slightly wider ski may be for you.

[eysikal]

Anyway, before making a recommendation, I would ask how you like your rossis right now. Do the offer as much float as you'd like? Are they stable enough at speed?

The answer to both questions is no.
Floatation:

When it gets deeper, I'm feel like I constantly have to lean back to avoid tip dive. This does a number on my quads and probably isn't good form (Does it look like I'm leaning too far back in my videos?). My skis are mounted at the recommended line (which still has quite a bit of tail).
Stablity:

The Sprayers are pretty flexy skis--softer than my friend's Scratches. When the snow gets harder/faster, the skis sometimes won't edge well and chatter at speed. Maybe this could also be a length issue?

your technique is still a little rough. You may have trouble getting the 186 around in tight spots.

This is one of my big concerns. I'd love to have the benefits of a longer ski--but I hope I'd still be able to turn it quick and avoid hitting a tree or something.

But if you don't have a season pass and are only going up on powder days, a slightly wider ski may be for you.

I have a Snowbird season pass, so this would be a two-times-a-week ski for me.

[encore]

Asking a ski length question on this board is ridiculous. 90% of the maggots are going to tell you go longer.

[Smails]

Asking a ski length question on this board is ridiculous. 90% of the maggots are going to tell you go longer.

And sometimes it actually makes sense. Like when someone has a Snowbird pass, is 5'11", wants a powder ski, is looking at a ski with a twin that skis shorter than listed length, and that is only a 186 at its longest.

[other1]

ME = 5'-8" 150lbs with the 186 Prophet. Skied the Prophet for 7 days straight in Crested Butte about a month ago when we had close to 48 inches in a week. No issues in tight trees, great float, super stable, railed on groomers, even skied it through the rail park a few times. Good Stuff. Came off the 180 4FRNT MSP. So glad I went with the 186 Prophet.

[sw1tch]

Profit = roughly synonymous to "revenue"

Grab Karhu Team 100s. Exact same ski but different, less $100. Shhhhh...

[AzureAbyss]

If you can find the Karhu 186's, snag 'em. I searched high and low and finally found a pair from an online store in Durango. Definitely a sick ski. I ski the 177 gun's and not only are the 186's stiffer (titanal inserts) it doesn't seem to "ski" that much longer...go long!

[PowTron]

First off, you seem to be WAY in the backseat as you mentioned, but it may be due to the ski you are on, and it's rather center mounted position...a longer ski with more support for you is going to help eliminate that eventually, but yes, it may be a tough first 10 runs or so getting used to it. Worth it, as it will make you a better skier.


I have owned the 179, and the 186...

the 186 is my all around, all mountain ski. In fact, it is the best All around ski I have ever owned, hands down. I have over 100 days on them, and they still keep going (granted, they are beat to SHIT and I am going to need another set next year )

In any event, you could go with either size, but the 186 does ski shorter, and I have mine mounted 1 cm back, and they are fine in the trees.

I am 5'10", a little shorter then you, but a lot heavier (200lbs)...

I started with the 179 the first year they came out (puke green ones), and they were a blast in the trees, but everywhere else, when I got up to speed, they were SCARY...the 186 has improved every aspect of the 179, and I think for you, with your height and the mountains you will be skiing on, you would love the 186...

186, 186, 186...anything less would be un-civilized

Now, if Line would make these in a 190 or so, I would just sell you my beat up ones really cheap :

[dethklok878]

I'm three inches taller and about 12-15 pounds heavier and I ski 193 Big Daddies essentially every day that there's any soft snow, otherwise 184 Mantras, and before the Big Daddies there were several times I wished for the 191 Mantra. I started skiing them when I had an inch and about 5 pounds on you (random 20 year growth), and was very happy with the 184 for my skill level. I can't tell a huge difference in length in the trees, other than the power of the edge on the Atomics is very confidence inspiring in the trees. Knowing that you can find the brakes very quickly and in less space is a very good feeling, and the Atomics annihilate crud. I haven't got experience with the Prophet 100s, but I skied the 130s, and wouldn't have wanted them shorter than the 186.

I think the 186 would be the ticket, but demo them for a day or two first. The Lifthouse has had the 186 for demo this year, not positive they still do, but check it out.

[eysikal]

Thanks for the extra input guys. I do feel that I have to ride my tails in deep snow on these skis in order to avoid tip dive. (Probably due to the mounting)

That said, I tried my friends Scratch 188cm BC's that are mounted on the farther up (freeride) line, and while I like the extra rigidity and torsional stiffness of this ski, I couldn't help but feel like I wasn't able to turn them as sharply as my current setup (176cm Scratch BC Sprayer).

I also have noticed that Rossi seems to measure their skis long. Do you think the 188cm is comparable to the 186 Prophet?

[seldon]

I was coming from 186 LPs, but I (5'10'', 160 lbs) thought that the 186s were too short. They're a very turny, super manageable ski. You'll be able to turn them... too much.