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May, 2025

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Powder skis for an overweight guy.

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ANDR01D
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 3,319
I just got into CU Boulder for grad school (Fuck yes!) and will be moving out that way in the summer(currently in Buffalo, NY). As a present to myself for getting in, I wanted to buy some twin-tip powder skis that will let me ski trees, but will also allow me to rip at the resorts. I've got a pair of skis for the park, so that's not really a concern.

LOCATION: A-basin/Breck
HEIGHT/AGE/WEIGHT: 5'10/25/240
ABILITY LEVEL: Type 3
BUDGET: Up to $900 w/ bindings.
WHAT KIND OF SKI DO YOU WANT: Powder skis that ccan ski trees and still rip at the resorts.

Can you guys give me suggestions? I liked the Pettitor, but I think it's too short. And I liked the Super 7s but I'm worried 117 isn't wide enough for a big guy like me. I'm committed to trimming down to 180 lbs over the next year, but I'd rather buy for where I am now.
11 years ago
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
Both of those skis will probably be a little too sift for you, I would look at Atomic Bentchetlers
11 years ago
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amoney
Posts: 331 - Karma: 151
^yea also new life's if you want something symmetrical
11 years ago
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derivative666
Posts: 45 - Karma: 102
I highly recommend Volkl Shiro's
11 years ago
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
New Bentchetlers.
11 years ago
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ABalls
Posts: 2091 - Karma: 3,754
Buffalo is not prime, good for you on getting out homie. Have fun skiing and not ice skating.
11 years ago
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MontanaMuggin
Posts: 444 - Karma: 1,642
Bent chetlers. And good luck trimming down man!
11 years ago
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591
Look into the faction Royale,

big, stiff, and fully rockered
11 years ago
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ANDR01D
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 3,319
Thanks for the input guys. Makes my choice that much easier. Now for the more specific questions. 2014 or 2015 Bent Chetler (2014 is $230 cheaper). What length should I get, the 183/185 or 192?
11 years ago
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
i would go on3p cease and desist/billygoat/caylor.

they are all pretty stiff but still playful, can charge hard and will be good at your size. for reference, im 5'10, 165 and have been riding a 181 caylor for a few years, and have ridden chetlers on multiple occasions in different conditions (deep and heavy pnw snow and light, albeit somewhat skied out, colorado pow) and found them too soft for my personal preference in both occasions. i felt like i was getting kicked around a lot and the ski wasnt that supportive, and i can only imagine it would be worse at your size
11 years ago
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
I would say there are far better options than the benchetler. I would be inclined to look at the blizzard gunsmoke in a 193. They will handle your weight, chop and varied conditions, as well as groomed way better than the benchetler.
11 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,545
As a big guy the Bentchetler will feel like a bitch ski. It will be fun in real fresh, light snow. But in heavier, cut up conditions it will fold on you like a bitch.


Grab an ON3P Caylor/Jeffery 122 or a Billygoat if your more of a directional skier. Trust me, you won't sink the Billygoat.


11 years ago
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Substitute
Posts: 1378 - Karma: 2,275
Bindings should be marker dukes. AT is the shit man! Any of the suggested skis are solid
11 years ago
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ANDR01D
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 3,319
Sounds good to me. I'm glad you and Blake P. chimed in, I was ready to go for the bent chetlers, I'll do some more research on the ON3Ps.
11 years ago
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Substitute
Posts: 1378 - Karma: 2,275
Also ramp kapows.
11 years ago
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yangumane
Posts: 1816 - Karma: 3,349
great idea! for a big guy, ON3Ps are great because they're stiffer and very durable
11 years ago
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Karl_Hungus
Posts: 510 - Karma: 3,664
i will say that i own some new lifes and if your heavier they would definitely let you charge because they are super manly and stiff
11 years ago
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
OP, I still think the 2015 Chetler's are a great ski. However, if you are worried about them being too soft for your weight then a stiffer ski would be the safer route to go. I personally am a lighter guy who prefers softer more playful pow skis for the type of snow we get in Colorado. I know Blake, he is a legit guy who knows what's up for sure, and Sessions is one of the guys who helped me pick out my Jeronimos for last season. So they're definitely two guys whose ski advice I would trust. Good luck.
11 years ago
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
I'm just going to chime in again for ON3P, I really like my Caylors, if you're looking for something that's twinned and playful but still plenty supportive, then they may well be ideal.

Take a look at a little review I wrote of them here -https://www.newschoolers.com/reviews/2394/Caylor-
(Just make sure to scroll down to see my comment)

Sorry about the lack of a clicky, the pop-up isn't working for me today.
11 years ago
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hot.pocket
Posts: 4239 - Karma: 10,756
Moment Deathwish or Bibby
11 years ago
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SoToasty
Posts: 68 - Karma: 31
Go for the 2015 Bent Chetlers, they are amazing!
11 years ago
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,358
Icelantic Gypsy
11 years ago
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bieberhole69.
Posts: 654 - Karma: 1,387
Did you try out the 179 or 189 length?
11 years ago
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
id look at a praxis gpo or rx, in the big size.

my soft snow go-too daily driver is a 189 RX, at 5 10 190 lbs it skies great. if you wanted something more directional look at some of the blizzard stuff, i have a 193 cochise for a groomer ski and it has no speed limit at all, 196 bodacious would be real fun for a guy your size.
11 years ago
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Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
CO is awesome, you'll love the skiing here. IMO from what you said the k2 pontoons would be perfect. I ride the 189s On pow days here, I'm 5'9 185. At 132 waist and 160 in the tips they should be able to float you. They are so much fun in the pow, will let you float over anything. Even though they are soft, if you are a strong skier they charge surprisingly well. The pintail design makes them amazing in the trees for such a big ski, which sets them apart from a lot of other big mountain pow skis (and stuff chargers in general). You do weigh more than I do, so you may want to look at getting the blue version of the pontoon, which is stiffer than the original reds I have. Or even go with the new pon2oon, which is stiffer yet and a little bit more well rounded ski. Downside is you lose some quickness in the trees, but with your weight you should be able to flex them well.

Check out eBay, you see both the olds and news pop up from time to time for $250-$350 with bindings. Or you can buy the pon2oons new for $350 if you look around at some shops.

My .02, best skiing purchase I've ever made. Past month here in co has been amazing at breck, vail, copper and steamboat. And if you ever get some car skiing in you'll definitely thank me.
11 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,545
Not for bigger guys IMO.

Source: I'm 220. and have owned them.
11 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,545
Too soft for larger dudes.
11 years ago
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9244 - Karma: 5,694
since you're going to be in CO, there's lots of demos and whatnot. There's usually some at loveland which is near A Basin so maybe try some stuff out first.
11 years ago
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ANDR01D
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 3,319
Picked up the ON3P Caylors in a 191. Huge thanks to Session and Blake P. for pointing me in the right direction!

Also, if anyone else is interested you can get EVO to drop its price by $62 if you use the price match and reference the price on ON3P's website. Got mine for $597.55, tax and shipping included!
11 years ago
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MOGULS...
Posts: 505 - Karma: 194
New lifes are rad. also volkl Kuros could be a good option. I have a pair I'd let go cheap... pm me if you are interested
11 years ago
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.Brink.
Posts: 1622 - Karma: 189
surface new life in a 194 they will take anything you can dish out
11 years ago
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jakejolo_9
Posts: 96 - Karma: 23
2015 bentchetlers and maybe the moment bibby pro?
11 years ago
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
Big dude here (6'4" 280ish). I'm riding 194 New Life's and I absolutely love them. They are nice and stiff cruise over crud and less than ideal conditions like it's nothing. They have huge rocker, but are super stable and hold an edge very well. At 151/122/151 and lots of rocker, deep snow isn't an issues.

They are a really, really big ski, so if you are doing tons of tight tree skiing or generally like a smaller ski, at your size, I don't think I would hesitate to get the 184 (my brother has them and he's about 6', 180 and he love's them).
11 years ago
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ANDR01D
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 3,319
Just for all of you that missed my previous post. I have chosen, thank you for the input.
11 years ago
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