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Elan 888 length advice

#1
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9/21/09 at 11:03am
  • Joined: December 2007
  • Location: Frisco
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I'm 6' 3'' 190 lbs advanced CO all mountain skier and thinking about picking up some 888s but wasn't sure if I should go with the 177 or the 186. 

These would be the middle of a 3 (free ski) quiver that would also include 172 Contact 10s and 191 Scott P4s (and/or possibly 186 Misfits).  I was able to demo JMD's 177s for a hour or two at the end of last season at A-B and liked the edge hold for a mid-fat.  Unfortunately, I was only able to do a run or two off piste and didn't really push them too hard.  They felt good, but definitely not too long.

Has anyone who has skied both the 177 and 186 tell me what differences they noticed.   

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#2
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9/21/09 at 11:29am
  • Joined: August 2005
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I've skied both. I was 230 lbs at the time, I'm a level 8 skier and I competed in high school.

The 888 is a beefy ski with a GS ski feel. The ski is very stable with great edge-grip for a ski this wide.

It takes deliberate effort to get the 186cm size to turn, be prepared to pressure the tips and get the ski on edge before the ski even begins to come around. Most skiers will need higher speeds and solid technique to produce carved turns. It will skid in a predictable style, feathering a turn is always an option.

The 177 size is more versatile. It still will be happier coming down the fall line than making "C" shaped turns. This is a ski that would be able to cover a wide range of slopes and conditions. It's beefy enough for a highly skilled 200 lbs skier at higher speeds. It is one of the best crud busters made, even in a 177cm size. This would be a great ski for those days after the storm, when the powder is skied out, but everything from firm-snow to knee deep crud can be found on the same run.

I suggest the 177 size.

Michael

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#3
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9/21/09 at 12:22pm
  • Joined: October 2004
  • Location: Bellingham, WA
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I currently ski on the 186 888s and also 186 Atuas, which are the same skis as the Misfits.  I'm in your size ballpark.  The 888s don't turn quickly as easily as the Misfits but they can be made quick with some effort on the skier's part.  They hold very well on hard snow and love to go fast, but can be skied slowly, unlike the 666 which I also have.  They're a good heavy crud buster and do fine in powder as well. 

While I like the Fischers and use them as my first ski, I used the Elans about half the time last season because they are superior on crappy, hard snow which we had a bunch of last year.  If you have the Misfits, which turn on a dime but don't have the same superior hold on hard snow, I would go for the 186 888s.  They'll make a good compliment.

I slide.

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#4
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9/21/09 at 12:37pm
  • Joined: September 2000
  • Location: NTS, PA
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 I am 5'10 and ski the 888 in a 177, you should go the 186
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#5
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9/21/09 at 4:46pm
  • Joined: December 2007
  • Location: Frisco
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Thanks for the replies so far.

Michael- Let me know if you make it out to Summit this year...in part, your advice helped me select the 172 over the 178 in my Dynastars C-10s (aka C-11 & LTD) and am happy I went shorter as I like being able to mix up turn shapes and make some shorter turns when I am on piste.

Posaune- Your logic makes a lot of sense, but I am not sure if my Misfits will be part of this years quiver.  I really liked the Atuas when I got them in the Spring of '08 when I was getting frequent new snow skiing mostly off piste in France, but the warranty replacement Misfits felt much more vague on piste compared to JMD's 888.  I have some new Scott P4s for the bigger snow days, so the Misfits might have to become an AT rig or find a new home (unless I don't like the P4s)

Phil- I hope you make it back to Summit this year- hopefully we will be able to make a few more turns than last year.  Do you think weight or height is more important in picking lenght?  I think I recall reading in another post that you are not that much lighter than me...do you feel the 177s are about right for you, or do you wish you went longer?

Thanks,
Matt 

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#6
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9/21/09 at 5:10pm
  • Joined: August 2005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MEfree30 View Post

Thanks for the replies so far.

Michael- Let me know if you make it out to Summit this year...in part, your advice helped me select the 172 over the 178 in my Dynastars C-10s (aka C-11 & LTD) and am happy I went shorter as I like being able to mix up turn shapes and make some shorter turns when I am on piste.

Thanks,
Matt 

Hi Matt,

I hope to get out west this year, thanks.

I do tend to ski stiffer skis on the short side, especially if deep powder is not on the menu. If the ski is beefy and stable, why not use the shorter size? The shorter ski will be quicker and provide a wider range of turn shapes. If the ski is softer or meant for deeper snow, then I like the longer lengths.

Cheers,

Michael


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#7
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9/24/09 at 9:13am
  • Joined: February 2008
  • Location: Denver, CO
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I like the 177cm but I'm shorter - 5'11" and lighter - 165lb.  Based on that I'd think you'd like the longer length unless you plan on doing alot of tree skiing and tight turns with them.
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