quick question on Karma sizing

[dfinn]

So I've been looking to get some Volkl Karmas for a while now. I found a really good deal on '07 177s and pulled the trigger. I found a shop that has '06 185's and they are willing to do a straight up trade. My question is should I consider keeping the 177s or do I need to step up to the 185s.

My info:

5'11", 225lbs
- I'm fairly new to skiing but feel that I'm picking it up quick. I like to ski fast and make big GS turns.
- East coast skiing. I also have a set of 188 bros for when it does snow. So these will be for firm days and in the trees.
- Finished off the last half of last season skiing (used to snowboard) in tahoe on 180 exploders. Loved how fast and stable those things felt.

I also heard a rumor that Volkl changed the core from '06 -> '07 and that the '06 is slightly stiffer. Any truth to that?

Thanks,
Dan

[Dromond]

As I mentioned in your other thread I've skied for 3 years on 180 V-pros. I'm 5'11" 175lb. I would say unless you're much more concerned with spinning in the air over skiing on snow then definitely go for the 185s. The twin is sizable, and makes them ski much shorter. i.e. My 180 exploders ski noticably longer than my 180 V-pros, thus why I went for the 185 Karmas.

But perhaps someone with more experience with the Karmas can tell you what's up.

[dfinn]

is the v-pro essentially the old karma?

[Dromond]

is the v-pro essentially the old karma?

It's the closest thing to it, yes.

[Dside11-11]

If you have 188 BROs, keep with the 177 for everyday EC skiing. The 185 would be the better choice in the west, but the 177 will be better for tight EC tree skiing. I know a ton of dudes your size who ski the trees on 165 World Cup slalom skis, even in pow. They loves them because they can ski faster and more fluid in the trees than if they had to swing a 185 around.

[Chainsaw_Willie]

I'm considerably smaller than you, so my experience on the '06 Karmas may not directly apply.

That said I skied both the 177 and 185 back to back last year. The 177 was a much quicker turning ski. The 185 was more work to bring around the fall line on steep terrain. Both felt stable at the speeds I was comfortable skiing them on that day (not full-tilt as it was icy boilerplate with cookies & chickenheads). They held an edge very well in those conditions.

Probably at your size and for making big GS turns, the 185s would be fine. If I'd gone with them, Id've gone with the 177s, but I'm only 5'8", 165 lbs.

[s.p.c]

Hmmm... i have a 185 as my everday ski, and i am pretty stoked, although, i am shorter and lighter than you. My only complaint is that i wish it were faster, but... it is responsive enough in the trees, decent in bumps, and ok in e.c. fresh.

for GS turns both would rip, and depending on how often you get into deeper snow, go into the park, etc. should determine the length.

if nothing is helping and you are still debating, go on aesthetics.

[Mountain Junkie]

If you're on a pair of 188 Bros, I would consider getting the 185 karmas. The karmas are pretty short-they are the shortest ski in my quiver. Then you subtract the twinned tail and they become kiddie ski short. As in ass-puckering-through-crud short. Plus, they have a med flex with a ton of sidecut, so these skis like to turn.

Fun ski, but I would like to add another 8cm of running length to them.

[Dromond]

Sounds like I made the right choice? We'll see.

[DFL]

I agree - the Karma skis very shot. 185 feels like 177. And the twin causes the tail to release too easily, in my view, for steep skiing. Too bad. If Volkl flattened the tail and built a real 188, the Karma would fill the gap nicely in their line up that was left by the G4. As is, its really a park ski. Try the Head iM88 for something similar without the tail.