Versatile powder ski suggestions

I was lucky enough to be gifted the Chubbs from Rio/Jgiddyup a couple of years back and they did me well.  These are being passed on to SkiMangoJazz since he was in the running last time and he is here on the east coast.  Thanks again Rio and Jgiddyup.

I'm  now looking to buy a used set of skis for my annual trip to Utah.   Unfortunately I only get to ski ~ 10 days/year and am not that good and want something a bit more versatile.  I was fortunate to ski with BushwackerinPA a few years back and he lent me his Gotamas on a powder day.  I had a blast on them and after reading up a bit I see that they are good in a variety of conditions.  I have been scouring craigslist for a used set and was wondering what size would be best.  I am 5'9" 185 # and I consider myself and advanced intermediate.  I also have a pair of RX8s which are great for around these parts.

Any other recos or suggestions on where I might find a good set of demos is appreciated.

FWIW Al's Ski Barn www.untracked.com has '09 Gotmas flat for $469

Line Prophet 100s, K2 ObSethed, K2 Sidestash, Salomon Shogun, all of these skis are great big mountain powder skis that can still rip al over the mountain...also the Gotama is a very good choice im thinking about getting a pair myself

mantra.  i hear the jah love from nordica is pretty ridiculous on groomers for being such a good powder ski.  bonus graphics if you blaze.

Look for a Scott P4, you should be able to find one significantly cheaper than a similar condition Gotama, 4frnt VCT is another ski that competes with the 'goat. You'll probably want the 183cm Gotama (P4 in 181cm).

Not to be a downer, but this is the wrong time of the year to be looking for demo skis, most get sold at the end of the season, so key sizes of popular models get picked-over pretty good... but the internet is an amazing tool so if you look hard enough you can find anything.

It's tough to find Gots for cheap prices.  I check ebay a fair bit out of habit and they always go fairly high.  But the smaller companies like 4frnt, Scott, Armada, or even Stokli's often go cheap on ebay just because (I think) they aren't as well knows an the Volkl's, Rossi's, or Fischer's.  So anyway, the Scott P4 is supposed to be good, as is the 4frnt VCT, as previously mentioned, but I think armada makes something too, and so does Bluehouse.  There are some good reviews of the districts (bluehouse) for a forgiving powder ski.

Good luck.  Just don't get your heart set on a Gotama unless you have money to spend.

Thanks gang.  I've seen some Gots on craigslist that I just missed for reasonable prices with bindings.  Granted they are few and far between, but they are out there.  I looked on ebay to get an idea on some Scott P4s and there aren't many of them that are used with bindings.

 Theres a few demo goats at Hoback Sports in Jackson.  I forget the price, but thought they were reasonable.  I think there was a pair with some Dukes that looked fun.

 This years Goat is a sweet ski. 

I know of a pair of Chopsticks in a 185 for 300 shipped, there has been some interest on them from TGR but no $$ has arrived. 

Two salient fact have arisen so far for you.

(1) The older Gotama has been the gold standard for a few years now as the versatile powder ski. I owned two of 'em and am among the main drum beaters for this ski.

However......they are mostly gone and the ones that remain are not really cheap.

(2) Powder skis are all the rage right now but most folks really don't use them much so they (like you) want to buy them used. As a result, the demand holds prices up there for a decent pair. I doubt that you'd find a pair of beaters for less than $350-$400. I just sold my last pair (used) for north of $500 w/bindings.

So.........................

I can't tell you how much value to place on a pair of powder/big mountain skis but here are links to two options @ $479 including bindings. Read the reviews that I wrote last year and you'll see that these are two skis that I would choose in a heartbeat over my old favorite '08 Gotamas.

shop.starthaus.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp

shop.starthaus.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp

SJ

 Great reviews and super good deals on two skis that I would like to demo.

Can anyone talk about the Titan Zeus IQ Max powder ski? SJ do you know anyone with time on these?

There certainly are great reviews on these.  I'm kinda weighing the new/used/demo options.  It will cost me $80 just to bring these on the plane with me on my trip. 

On one hand it sure would be nice not to have to lug them around the airport and I could try different models and sizes to see what works best for me.  OTOH, it would be nice to have my own set that I can get used to. 

One thing that concerns me is that I am not close to the level of most of the reviewers here.  What works for them might not be so great for someone that skis a half dozen days/year.

the P4 are realy easy to use and a good all around ski if you aren't going too fast. --Tim

sorry greg I am horriable at getting back to PMs they tend to get buried..

find the old gotamas if you can, they are much better than the new ones. A 105 mm skis does not need rocker.

Other choices would be pre rocker 179 seth, 181 Scotts, 186 Big troubles elect.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175355 FYI you might to PM this guy on these gotamas or even the Big trouble both suit your needs well.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175239 or these Lukc also psot on here

FYI your are clearly lookin on the wrong site for used cheap gear ;)

The axioms are sort of classic pow skis and you probabbly won't find a decent pow ski cheaper than these. Look to be in good condition.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175214

I skied it but missed the conditions so I can't really comment fairly except to say that it felt, uhhhhh............BIG. Probably not my personal cuppa.

I did the the Answer IQ max and it was really good. In fact I skied it immediately following the 2010 Goat and thought that the Answer blew the Goat away.

SJ

I am on the East Coast and I ski the Prophet 100's (172cm). I am 5 10 and 150lbs. I bought the skis for my trips out West and they were perfect in very deep snow. At the 172cm length, they have enough sidecut to be lots of fun on groomers. I have found plenty of reasons to use them last year on the East coast as well. I have seen them on ebay the past few weeks. Some used ones have sold around $350. Also, LevelNineSports.com has some great prices on bindings.

Thanks for your input! :-)

How does the answer compare to the old Goats? Should I be kicking myself for picking up last years Goats rather than a set of Answers? Those Answers look like the "Real Deal".........a solid performer whose model line is going to last................. kinda like the old Goats...... I did have to cover my eyes when I paid for the 2009 Goats.........DAMN that is one UGLY black neon ski........I think this will be another use for Duct tape cover! They should come with a warning: "Only use in snow deep enough to cover our graphics."

Well all of the skis mentioned are great, but if you really want a powder ski that can do anything get the Icelantic Shamans.www.icelanticboards.com/