Originally Posted by upallnight
freshies: what stuff are you looking to ski?
what are you planning to hit around tahoe?
will you take these to bishop and hit some of the bigger peaks, too?
makes a difference. if you're used to jerry launcher, old denalis, and diamirs, then i suggest getting one of the lighter non-twin (or at least not a dramatic twin) ski. the gotamas are a fine ski and they're easy to ski...but that twin is definitely a waste in the backcountry.
the pocket rocket (or it's derivatives) is actually a pretty good BC ski for lightweight riders and the snow you'll find.
regardless of whether you get dynafit bindings, i highly recommend getting a dynafit-compatible boot (megaride is my preference; also look to the spirit3...the extra buckle on the spirit 4 is down low and a waste, in my opinion, for most of what you will encounter out there -- it's just a weight penalty). you're a light guy, right?
if you want to save some $$, mount your diamirs to whatever ski you wind up with...then you can later upgrade to dynafit bindings.
a short (~180), even flexing ski that is about 95-100 in the waist is a really good compromise. i've done alot on a 98mm, 179 ski in terms of handling long approaches & steep descents. i also have a pair of 179 bros on the way, which i think will just be lighter than my current setup (=go further, faster).
don't forget the cost of new skins!
you could even just get your new boots now + keep on using the existing ski + binding combo, and upgrade one at a time when money allows.