Having difficulty choosing my next pair of skis - Gotamas, Katanas, S7's, JJ's or the Rocker2?

Those are all good skis.  I'd add Blizzard Cochise to the list as well, particularly for your on-piste / hard pack concerns.  I've also heard good things about the 4FRNT Turbo.  Solly's Rocker2 is supposed to be amazing in powder but horrible on-piste.

I'm almost exactly the same height and size as you, and I ski a 186 Gotama. They're awesome. I'd recommend taking a day to demo though, and if you want something stiffer, the Katana is probably the ticket. I'm fairly sure that the Katanas are gonna be my next fat ski purchase.

DPS Wailer 112RPs would also be a great ski for what you want. I will probably the more versatile ski out of the ones you listed.

A week?

How many days per season do you ski?  If it's only a few days, you might be better off with demo skis. 

Depends.   I ski the S7 188 (am 5'11 193lbs) and these skis come out when the powder gets around 8 inches or I go Cat or Heli Skiing.  These skis absolutlely rock in the trees, where the powder is usuallty the best. Are ok on groomers and are very versatile in all types of Powder.  Under about 8 inches I prefer my Blizzard Bonafides (4 days of them), they are quick and good on the groomers and in the powder.

I am 230 and ski 2011 Gotama, love them, they are  PERFECT off piste, in the fresh snow and in powder and trees, and fresh groomed snow (soft groom). When it comes to harder conditions and ice, gotama is lacking the grip and you have to work each turn you make. 

My friend gust got Blizzard Cochise, I am impressed and may be considering those over Gotama. 

Also consider on3p skis. Those guys are out of Portland OR and handcraft their skis. They know their business and the Quality of skis and materials is outstanding. I know several people that ski their skis and hear nothing but good about them. Prices are very competitive with Blizzard and Volkl, but you get locally made for you skis. Look at their website

http://www.on3pskis.com/

DPS Wailer 112RP sounds perfect for what you are looking for.  I own 'em and love 'em. 

When skiing Gotama on piste, in hard icy condition you will have to work hard. On good snow it skis just fine. Last two days there was pretty good regular groomed snow up here at Mission Ridge and I had no problem, but I also got used to "work" the ski during the each turn - keep them on the  edge. My friend skis Blizzard Cochise, it is as wide as Gotama and rockered as well. He does not report any issues on groomed snow and loves them in powder. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny88 

Going back to the skis quickly, what's the Gotama like on piste? Bit worried that full rocker is going to make life on piste difficult and hard work.

 

Thoughts?

Atomic Bentchettler 183

As mentioned the Buzzard Cochise another nice ripper in all conditions from very hard packed no snow in a week ski, to deep powder if you dont ski switch is the Armada TST. Like the JJ in the tip for powder but more traditional camber and narrower like the Cochise under foot for railing groomers. Im sking the Cochise on sunday and loved the TST. Ill say the Cochise will have some shoes to fill the TST is such a great all round ski. Bents are all right also but i liked the TST way better. 

  I ski Nordica Jetfuels for hard pack now and Line EP pros for DEEEEP days. Im looking for a more 70-80% of days ski also like the ones all mentioned above. This year theres some really nice offerings that will rail and float. LOTS of them!! Its a good year to be looking into a ski that accually can do most days very well except to deepest and iciest of day. Most days are all inbetween most of the winter out west. Im looking forward to trying the Cochise thats for sure. Blizzard may have nailed it with the camber rocker balance like Armada has. The TST has tails that rebound nice and you can accually shoot out of a turn air born with snap at the end of a turn on groomers in a powder ski tip profile. Very nice. The Blizzards Feel as they will also. We will see. Im just not so sure the tip profile will be enough on them in 2ft of powder like the TST has? Goats and Obsethed are good straight liners or Powder profile but way to much rocker and to little camper to carve properly for me. They will sota but nothing like a real carved turn in the technical aspct of what a real carved turn is supost to be. If That makes sence.  

You absolutely right, with time one can learn how to  be great on them. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by cereal83 

I have the Gotama and on hard piste, it's hard ski that you do have to put effort into but it does good in soft snow from the 4 times I have skied it. I am not the best skier but I think with time, one can learn to be great on them. Very stiff skis to they throw you around on hard snow.

I find stiffer skis are much smoother in chop not throw you around Cereal83. Softer skis conform to everything more and maybe even spring you off jumk. Stiffer skis skied a little faster cut threw the mank to some degree I find. Im sure there are always exceptions to the rule. But in general this has been my obsevation. Im also 225 so stiff ski to a lighter skier at 170 might throw ya more than it would me as an example. The right ski would be the right flex based on wieght and ability. Ability could be messured in speed and control over a given terrain. These factors and more is what make it hard to choose a ski based on one persons view or review. You have to really try before you buy because of all the variables of what makes a great ski for one a rotten ski for another. Find demo days that have your short list and take a few laps. You might be surprised on what you accually end up likeing from what you thought was going to be the ski. 

To add to that, I can ski my gotamas in chopped resort powder in the afternoon with no problems, while my buddies are being thrown around and burn their muscles trying to balance themselves. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipper 

I find stiffer skis are much smoother in chop not throw you around Cereal83. Softer skis conform to everything more and maybe even spring you off jumk. Stiffer skis skied a little faster cut threw the mank to some degree I find. Im sure there are always exceptions to the rule. But in general this has been my obsevation. Im also 225 so stiff ski to a lighter skier at 170 might throw ya more than it would me as an example. The right ski would be the right flex based on wieght and ability. Ability could be messured in speed and control over a given terrain. These factors and more is what make it hard to choose a ski based on one persons view or review. You have to really try before you buy because of all the variables of what makes a great ski for one a rotten ski for another. Find demo days that have your short list and take a few laps. You might be surprised on what you accually end up likeing from what you thought was going to be the ski. 

look into the TST, it is a great ski on groomers and I think it will rip in the pow. I am just waiting for snow here but have 10 days or so on hardpack with TST and they are great. The goats are a fun ski but mostly for the soft stuff and not very fun on hardpack. Also a Rossi S3 is a fun ski all around, and an Atomic Coax rips. For me anything over 105 waists are more powder oriented and just not really fun to have on hardpack, but if I was stuck with one of the bigger skis for the hardpack the S7 will work and still be funner than not skiing.