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Ski Length Recommendation Volkl Gotamas

post #1 of 12
11/25/10 at 9:50am
Thread Starter 

Hey everybody, first time on the forum.  Been lurking for awhile figured this was the best place to get some advice.  

 

I was wondering what length of ski you would recommend for me. I am looking at buying a pair of Volkl Gotamas. I want an all mountain ski that is powder ready but also quite versatile and can handle itself on groomed and trees.  I am 5' 10 about 240pounds and was looking at getting the 178's.  Do you guys think I should go up to the 188's cause of my weight? or will I be fine at the 178's. Also if you have any binding recommendations that would be great, I was looking at the look pivot 14s. 

 

thanks

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post #2 of 12
11/25/10 at 10:16am

Depending upon a fair number of varibles, that may not be the best choice of ski model but regardless of that......you should be on approximately a 184-188 depending on the ski.

 

SJ

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post #3 of 12
11/25/10 at 10:21am

 

you should get 190cm Katanas, there is nothing the Gotama will do better for you and 178 is for sure WAY too short!

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post #4 of 12
11/25/10 at 10:41am

Too short, too soft.  Nordica Girish, Volkl Katana, Elan Olympus/1010 in 185 +/- will serve you much better.

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post #5 of 12
11/25/10 at 11:09am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the input guys.  What kind of variables should I be looking at.  This is my first time buying new skis in like 5 years so im a little out of touch on whats out there now.  I was riding soloman screams before now I need something bigger and beefier. 

 

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post #6 of 12
11/25/10 at 2:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Difabs View Post

Thanks for the input guys.  What kind of variables should I be looking at.  This is my first time buying new skis in like 5 years so im a little out of touch on whats out there now.  I was riding soloman screams before now I need something bigger and beefier. 

 



 

You and how you ski on whatever it is you might want to buy.  240# + gear dressed is alot of weight.   You will need a big ski.  178 is silly. Especially in a gotama, which skis shorter than it's length due to its tips.  You will also need to assess how you ski on that ski and  others when you demo them.  The "rocker" design is the major new thing in the last five years.  Unless you really know what is what, a true expert who could ski on any two pieces of wood no matter what, and/or have infinite money to throw around, (and there are lots of people who meet these criteria), you shouldn't be ordering blindly on-line or picking something out at flatland USA skishop, without demo-ing the skis.

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post #7 of 12
11/25/10 at 2:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevescho View Post



Quote:
Originally Posted by Difabs View Post

Thanks for the input guys.  What kind of variables should I be looking at.  This is my first time buying new skis in like 5 years so im a little out of touch on whats out there now.  I was riding soloman screams before now I need something bigger and beefier. 

 



 

You and how you ski on whatever it is you might want to buy.  240# + gear dressed is alot of weight.   You will need a big ski.  178 is silly. Especially in a gotama, which skis shorter than it's length due to its tips.  You will also need to assess how you ski on that ski and  others when you demo them.  The "rocker" design is the major new thing in the last five years.  Unless you really know what is what, a true expert who could ski on any two pieces of wood no matter what, and/or have infinite money to throw around, (and there are lots of people who meet these criteria), you shouldn't be ordering blindly on-line or picking something out at flatland USA skishop, without demo-ing the skis.

 

so if someone knows or didnt know if their skis were rockered would it affect how they are skiing at all?
 

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post #8 of 12
11/25/10 at 2:22pm

What part of the country do you ski in? is where I would start. These guys will be able to narrow your search for you based off of what your location/snow conditions are like.

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post #9 of 12
11/25/10 at 6:27pm

OK....................Variables.

 

What part of the world do you ski in?

Roughly how many days/season do you ski?

What is your honest no BS appraisal of your ability?

What type of resort? (ie: little midwestern hills, big western mega mountains, etc)

What type of snow conditions do you ski regularly? (ie: groomed/packed conditions, off trail mixed snow, deep snow....or???)

How would you prioritize these conditions?

Very important......is this the only ski you will have or will there be others?

If there are other skis, what are they and how will you utilize this quiver?

 

Example.................(me)

 

 

I'm 5'-10" 205# have lived in Tahoe ~~ 30yrs and ski the major N.Cali resorts ~~ 40 days/season. I'm a level 8 skier (former L-3 instructor) and I'll generally ski off the trails about 75% of the time. I give groomers/hard snow roughly 20% priority, mixed conditions 60%, deep snow 20%. I usually own 3 skis with each being a good choice for one of the three conditions that I prioritize. If I were to have only one, it would prioritize mixed snow.

 

SJ

 

 

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post #10 of 12
11/26/10 at 2:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SierraJim View Post

OK....................Variables.

 

What part of the world do you ski in?

Roughly how many days/season do you ski?

What is your honest no BS appraisal of your ability?

What type of resort? (ie: little midwestern hills, big western mega mountains, etc)

What type of snow conditions do you ski regularly? (ie: groomed/packed conditions, off trail mixed snow, deep snow....or???)

How would you prioritize these conditions?

Very important......is this the only ski you will have or will there be others?

If there are other skis, what are they and how will you utilize this quiver?

 

Example.................(me)

 

 

I'm 5'-10" 205# have lived in Tahoe ~~ 30yrs and ski the major N.Cali resorts ~~ 40 days/season. I'm a level 8 skier (former L-3 instructor) and I'll generally ski off the trails about 75% of the time. I give groomers/hard snow roughly 20% priority, mixed conditions 60%, deep snow 20%. I usually own 3 skis with each being a good choice for one of the three conditions that I prioritize. If I were to have only one, it would prioritize mixed snow.

 

SJ

 

 

I am in Alberta, Canada skiing the rocky mountains mostly.  Several big mountain resorts around where I am.  I usually ski about a dozen weekends a season so quite a bit.  I am probably about a level 6 skier, but just keep getting better each year.  This is the only set of skis that I'll have for now but will be adding in future years as I find needs for different skis.  i'd say 30% deep snow, 50% mixed conditions, and 20% groomed/hard snow. 

 


 

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post #11 of 12
11/26/10 at 9:54pm

OK.....now we gots somethin' to work with.

 

The ski I'd suggest is the Salomon Sentinel. It is stiff enough for a heavy skier and has a bit of tip rise to ease the way in semi deep powder and in crud. At 94mm, and given your priorities, this is a more practical choice for your only ski and is one that I might choose myself if I could only have one ski. Compared to the Gotama for example, the Sollie would be the better choice 70% of the time, the Gotama would be better 30% of the time. Other great choices are the Dynastar Sultan 94, or Blizzard Atlas. (remember, be looking in the mid-high 180's for length.

 

SJ

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post #12 of 12
11/27/10 at 4:30pm

Go longer than you think you should.  Gots ski short.  Wish I had demo'd before I bought, but got most of my $$$ back out of them.  They were not my favorite ski anyway, so no big loss.

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