Hellbent / Powder skis question re: length/faceshot

[JapPowHound]

Hey guys,

I got linked from another forum pointing to the Hellbent Mounting thread

I am an advanced skier, not an expert - my current all mountain skis are VOlkl Mantra 08's, 184cm. They are pretty sweet, but super stiff and not poppy and fun, which everyone seems to say about the hellbents, I am a bit of a gear whore and everything i've read about the hellbents sounds amazing, a poppy fun pow ski is exactly what i'm looking for. Trouble is I have never ridden a fat rockered pow ski, so I am a but unsure about it all. I am aiming to do more drops, jumps and BC booters, as well as riding switch. Based on what I have read the hellbents sound like they suit what i want to do best.

I am thinking of getting 2010 189cm HellBents with Griffon SchizoFrantic bindings. I am 6"3 and 190pounds, I was actually leaning towards the 179's as they would be more nimble through the trees, and slightly easier to rotate.. but now i'm thinking 189's might be a bit better for landings airs, and for a bit more stability on trails. I am also into tree skiing and the 189's (which measure 194cm!) might be a bit too long for tight trees... Can anybody share some insight for ski length here?

I am thinking about purchasing the ones in the ebay listing I linked above. Does anybody know anything about Griffon Schizo bindings? It seems they are adjustable, so I would probably mount them at +6 which would allow true center for the not so deep days/ and could take it back to 3 - I probably wouldn't tho.

One last thing - everyone says that having mad float in powder is a good thing, I found on super deep days that I would sink a bit and the powder would be up to my theighs, this was a pretty amazing feeling, would I get this feeling with fat pow skis? Does it still feel as good? I also think that I haven't learnt to ski pow propperly, I think I lean back a bit too much, but I guess it will be learning again which would be fun.

I live in Australia and am looking to purchase before I head over to Japan, I don't really have the option to demo skis before I buy. I have to buy before I get there so it's a bit annoying.

[naedward81]

#1 search. it helps.

there is a sticky on the top of TechTalk that has, oh I don't know, over a hundred or so different ski reviews. Try there.

#2
189cm. That big, and dropping shit on a rockered ski will cause some back seat issues and wheelies. More stable at the longer length.

#3
SEARCH JONG!!!
whoops, mentioned that already

[marshalolson]

the 189 measures almost 199 in actual life, the 179 measures about 186.

they are super soft and easy to ski.

just FWIW.

[bfree]

^^happy 10k!