Need help on Outlaws vs Mantras

My first post after reading many threads.

I am looking to add some new skiis to my arsenal. I am looking at K2 Outlaws 181cm vs Volkl Mantras 184cm which have both been recommended to me by friends and my local shop.  I should note that the Outlaws available to me are the older 88mm waist model and are HEAVILY discounted versus the 96mm waist Mantras.

Age: 28
Sex: Male
Size: 6'0" 185lb
Ski style: Aggressive
Terrain: On & Off Piste, Sierras.
Current ski: K2 Apache Recons 174cm 78mm waist
Boots: Salomon Impact 10s

Background:
I grew up skiing in the upper midwest with long straight skiis. I got bored in the midwest and I spent the last decade snowboarding not skiing (sorry). I returned to skiing last year when I moved to Northern California and have really enjoyed my Recons in Tahoe. They were nice on groomers and in crud. I'm the limitation on moguls, not the skiis. On fresher snow days I headed for the trees and bowls where they worked but I eventually started to wish I had more float.  So I am interested in adding something wider to get the most out of fresh snow days this season as I will be moving back to the midwest next year. I also am planning some trips to Colorado and am hoping that my new skiis would be a better one-quiver ski for mid winter in Vail. Thoughts on the right ski for me?

Thanks!

Both are good skis for someone. The Outlaw skis like a wide Recon (smooth, damp, stable) so if you like the general feel of the Recons, then You'll like the OL. The shortcoming of the OL is that it is challenged by really hard snow and has little energy or personality. The Mantra is pretty stiff for a ski this wide. I've owned two pr. over the last 3-4 years and honestly don't care for them much in softer or mixed salad snow. OTH the Mantra does grip fairly well for a ski of this width and has decent energy if you can bend it so the Mantra has some positives (just not enough to get me to ever buy another pr.).

Despite the narrower waist width, the OL is better in the soft and broken snow than the Mantra and it is more forgiving.

SJ

If you plan to consider the Mantras, be sure to demo a pair in different sizes before buying. I bought the Red Mantras in a 184 as everyone said that was the proper size for me (6', athletic,  195-210lbs, 70-100 days per yr on snow, east and west). Then I demoed and bought a pair of the White Mantras (sounds like a Karate Flick!) in a 177. The White Mantras are stiffer than the earlier Red version. I'm selling my Red 184's and may even give them away to a buddy as they now gather dust in a corner. Maybe I'll make them into a chair or something ...........

Sounds short but they Rock. If you shorten the length on the Mantras you get much more versatility w/o sacrificing speed and much float. My buddies noticed a big difference in my skiing, east on ice, moguls and hardpack, and especially tight woods at Stowe and Burke, and west in boot to waist deep pow chutes and bowls, etc....

I went back to the Red 184's for a month just to "check myself", including a trip out west in pow, and totally missed my 177's to the point where during the last couple of days of the trip I rented a set of White 177's and left the Red 184's in the condo for a return to Nirvana.  

Thanks for the replies. I would demo if I could to help me decide on ski and length... but the Mantra is such a popular ski around here that many shops don't bother demoing it.  They have been selling out early in the season the last few years so I am considering just grabbing a pair while I can for $600.  The last season Outlaws are a great deal at $450 including bindings.  But I'm leaning toward a longer Mantra to give me something different than the Recons. IE Recons for days when family is doing groomers or days without any fresh snow.  Mantras when hunting fresh snow in trees, bowls, and through gates.  Perhaps even gotama might be appropriate for that?

I think if you are happy with the Recons and just want a bit more float you'll be happy with the Outlaws.  I am.  I also have both.  I don't think the hard snow issue will come up if you're looking for float after all.  I think the Outlaws come close to "one quiver" as long as it isn't spring freeze/thaw as they would be terrible in the AM freeze part of the day.

The Gotama 08 or 09 is softer than the Mantra. Turns easier in the trees etc, more floaty, pretty lively. more appropriate for the niche you're filling, decent Colorado one ski quiver, IMO. The '10 Gotama is a more specialized powder ski, rockered. (You may want to check the ski in person as the running edge length may or may not be the demension reflected in the size.)

Thanks for the advice. I ended up finding a deal on 2009 184cm Mantra's for $450. Got Rossi Axial2 120's for $150 as well. I'll let you know what I think!

Edit: I typo'd 284 instead of 184cm.

Edited by michiganave - 10/15/09 at 12:42pm

Wow! 284 Mantra -- now that's a man-sized ski.

Yeah on the 284, I thought the same thing.

Sounds like a great set up on what is probably 184 Mantras.  enjoy!