How Fat can an East Coast skier go?

[ctenidae]

I'd be quite surprised if the difference you felt between those skis had anything to do with that 3mm. You're talkin about less than one-tenth of an inch! JMHO

Sure, part of the diff was probably going from a less-than-high quality ski to a nice ski, plus the (seemingly) foot wide nose on the Heads, but it sure felt different. Among other sensations was a noticeable difference in the overall width.

Either way, the Heads are wider, and they skied better. Correlation may not equal causation, but I'm going with it.

 

[molecan]

Well,

I picked up a pair of 183 Volkl Gotama's over the summer, and they are 105mm waist, but with the severe upturn on the tail, look like they will actually ski much shorter.
I also was given a pair of (beater) 180 Explosiv's w/a 95mm waist.
The explosiv's were a friends _only_ ski for a season or two, mounted tele. They were used in all conditions, but when snow permitted, almost 100% off-piste.

I'm likely to try the explosiv as a day to day ski, and the Gotama I'd like be on as often as possible.

My day-to-day groomer ski was the Bandit X (70mm), which for my size is near useless in any deep snow, and after 30-40 days are feeling pretty dead.

I had a pair of 180 Atomic Beta Carv 9.11 (67mm?) I got a few years ago, which I will never ski again. Worst ski (IMO) I've ever owned.


I've never owned a ski w/more than 70mm waist before, so like the switch a few years back to a sub 200cm ski, w/sidecut, this will be an interesting test.

 

[Vano]

Well,

I picked up a pair of 183 Volkl Gotama's over the summer, and they are 105mm waist, but with the severe upturn on the tail, look like they will actually ski much shorter.
I also was given a pair of (beater) 180 Explosiv's w/a 95mm waist.

The Explosivs may be ok in the east, but definitely not ideal. I skied them once, and even though they were very 'carvy' for such a wide ski 95mm under foot is still 95mm under foot. I haven't tried the Gotamas but i have heard that they are very versatile for such a wide ski.