K2 Sidestash, choosing the right length

**evbart** · 10-15-2010, 03:39 PM

Anyone have any ideas about the lengths on the K2 Sidestash? I've read that they run both long and short :-)

I'm 6'1', 185lbs, and I currently own 177 Nordica Enforcers (way too short, I keep going over the top in pow), 190 Katanas (tough to turn in anything but the deep stuff)

If the 188s run true to size or smaller, then thats the way I was gonna go, if they run super long and feel like 192+s, then I would reconsider.

**hop** · 10-15-2010, 03:51 PM

188.

23456789

**evbart** · 10-15-2010, 03:53 PM

thanks, got any specifics on why?

**hop** · 10-15-2010, 04:03 PM

I'm mostly just guessing because, aside from your height and weight, I don't know you nor where you ski nor if you're a good skier nor the intended use for the skis nor any other info that might be important to recommend a ski length.

**Christopher3000** · 10-15-2010, 04:43 PM

I'm 6'2" 155 and I skied 188's nearly every day at Alta last season. They are excellent skis for good snow, though I prefer a bigger ski for deep snow and a narrower ski for hardpack. My 188's are longer than 190 katanas and have a full tail, as opposed to Katanas which are basically reverse camber at this point. If you're looking at for something thats better in pow than your 177's, I think going to the 181 will leave you lacking. But, if you're not into a long ski, the 188's might seem a little much.

I think it's time to sack up and face the fall line with some longer skis.

**JayBruce** · 10-15-2010, 05:46 PM

the tip rocker will make them ski a little shorter than their true length.

just an fyi tho: past years k2's, including last year sidestash will run several cm's longer than listed cuz k2 measured length oddly. This year k2 decided they could actually measure skis like everyone else so it'll run closer to the listed length.

**Beder** · 10-15-2010, 06:12 PM

Here's the 181 standing next to a 190 Gotama. 5 cm's difference. I'm about your size, a bit heavier. I don't know why I would want to go any longer.

**whyturn** · 10-15-2010, 08:13 PM

181 on groomers will seem a little short but fine in pow. 188 will rail groomers and pow but a little slow in trees. So like hop says what's important is what's important. I love trees and searching for pow. I skiied many 181s from k2 and I'm same size. But lately with that much rocker on a not so fat ski I'd say 188. If it was too s I loved 179. Darkside probably 181. But grip it and rip it on the 188

**evbart** · 10-16-2010, 11:56 AM

Thanks for all the great feedback, this has definitely been the most useful info of anywhere.

More about me. I'll be skiing in Telluride and the surrounding areas this year (just moved to NYC from SF, so no more Tahoe). I'm mostly skiing in the resort, but I'll take a few backcountry trips this season.

I'm an aggressive skier that will go anywhere for fresh snow and love skiing the trees. Last season I did 4 weeks of skiing in Verbier, Val Thorens, Les Arcs etc mostly on the 177 Enforcers (I broke the 190 Katanas right before going), which were fun, but didn't cut it in the deeper snow. Any time I lost my balance and leaned too far forward I'd just go straight over the tips.

I know the 181s would be easy to handle, but for the powder I was leaning toward the 188s. My biggest concern was that I read a few places that these would be super long and the 188s would size more like a 192, which is probably a bit too much for me. The 190 Katanas where so burley that they werent fun, so I don't want to go down that route again.

But from what I'm reading here, this years Sidestash was measured true to size, and with the bit of rocker they might even ski a bit shorter than that (like a 185)?

5B , thanks for the pic. This seems to confirm that the 09/10 model measured a little long with 181 Sidestash nearing the 190 Gotama.

If this is all true, then it seems like the 188s make the most sense?

**stuckathuntermtn** · 10-16-2010, 12:21 PM

K2's always run long, but then again, they also have some tip rocker.
I guarantee you that 190 Gotama is like 185, the 181 Sidestash is like 184, and your 177 Enforcers are like 174. So Katanas probably run short too.
What might also help, is going to a store (Would Paragon have those?) and standing on them at the midsole mark. and lean forward. See what looks like the right amount of ski in front of you.
I'm 6' about 185, ski trees, and lately smaller terrain, since I moved to Missoula. I have 185 Enforcers, which measure about 182. I typically ski with a centered stance, and don't like stiff boots anymore. So 181 looks right for someone like me.
If you're more athletic than me (which just about everyone is), lean forward more, and are skiing bigger terrain, go for the 188. If you cross your tips once, it'll probably be the last time. You might be a little tired at the end of the day, idk. Detune the tails with a gummy stone if you're worried. That might help you skid and slarve around trees and ungroomed, tracked out snow.

**evbart** · 10-16-2010, 12:26 PM

Unfortunately the NYC ski selection isn't so great :-) so I havn't been able to see these in person

**JayBruce** · 10-16-2010, 12:44 PM

Its really your choice, at your height/weight my first thought would be 188 but it really depends on how you ski. If you really didn't like the 190 katana, then a 188 sidestash might not be the ticket for u either, but who knows. If thats the case then you might just wanna grab a pair of last years 181's that actually measure 184 and have at it.

**hop** · 10-16-2010, 02:47 PM

FYI, the only difference between this and last years SideStash is graphics. The mold didn't change, so whatever the actual length was last year (long/short/whatever) is how long they will be this year.

**stuckathuntermtn** · 10-16-2010, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by evbart

Unfortunately the NYC ski selection isn't so great :-) so I havn't been able to see these in person

Paragon seems like the type of place that would have these, but maybe not. You check Pedigree or Hickory and Tweed up in Westchester?

You might have to make a trip up to VT once the snow starts flying.

**lemmycaution** · 10-16-2010, 04:22 PM

^^try EMS in soho, they typically have quite a few k2's

**mntlion** · 10-16-2010, 05:59 PM

spam: if you need skins for a sidestash, follow this thread.
[ame="http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3017966"]SAC for mntlion - Teton Gravity Research Forums[/ame]

end spam, resume talking skis

**DerekPersson** · 10-16-2010, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Christopher3000

I think it's time to sack up and face the fall line with some longer skis.

Amen, brah.

**whyturn** · 10-16-2010, 08:42 PM

181 sidestash will be about 185. 190 volkl is lime 185. Volkl is race stock and 188 sidestash will be long lime 192 or so. 181 will definatly float you. If you want a board to have fun and slash around get 181. If you want to ski open bowl in three turn down 1000 vert get 188. 188 is alot of ski. As you go fattEr you can go shorter. Get 181 and if you need more ski vet a fatter ski not a longer ski

**sfotex** · 10-17-2010, 08:47 AM

Been thinking about a pair of these for a tight trees/chutes ski. I'm 5'11" and 155lbs, trying to decide between the 174 and the 181. The 174 is a hair shorter then most of the 180 skis in the shop. They have a pretty good rocker on them though. I'd typically go 181, but if I can get away with the 174 I think I would have a pretty maneuverable setup..

**stuckathuntermtn** · 10-17-2010, 11:18 AM

what's all this about limes?

**JayBruce** · 10-17-2010, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by hop

FYI, the only difference between this and last years SideStash is graphics. The mold didn't change, so whatever the actual length was last year (long/short/whatever) is how long they will be this year.

orly? i didn't realize this. Several people had told me that k2 changed the way they measure skis this year to run closer to actual. I guess I had just taken it as fact as I haven't actually gone out and measured any.

**whyturn** · 10-17-2010, 11:39 AM

Stupid iPhone or maybe my fat thumbs....

**hop** · 10-17-2010, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by JayBruce

orly? i didn't realize this. Several people had told me that k2 changed the way they measure skis this year to run closer to actual. I guess I had just taken it as fact as I haven't actually gone out and measured any.

I haven't heard that, but changing the way they measure skis is not the same as changing the actual skis.

All I can tell you is that my 188 SS from last year are the exact same ski as the 188 SS from this year, except for the new graphics that make them so much better, cure all diseases, and promote world peace.

**Scottish_Skier** · 10-17-2010, 03:24 PM

6"1 ? Aggressive Skier ? No question go 188cm...
Though K2 do run 'long'.
I blame Glen Plake.

except for the new graphics that make them so much better, cure all diseases, and promote world peace.

And I am expected to pay £300 extra for all that ? Screw that...
Bad karma is due - just went for last years, didnt know better...
The lime green is slowly growing on me.