 Poster: A snowHead
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I recently purchased a winter home in Utah. It is in the valley that houses Snowbasin (the site of the SLC Olympic Downhill and other speed events) and Powder Mountain, which as its name implies, is a mecca for deep powder skiing.
I have always been an eastern US skier, so my skis were always quick side to side with razor sharp edges. I've gone to a softer all-mountain ski for the fluffy Utah snow. I've muddled through the deep power on them, but will now probably pick up a pair of fat skis for the exclusive powder days.
The advice I need is; what kind of length should I look for. I'm 5' 10" & 175lbs. I ski my all-mountain skis @ 170cm.
All thoughts and suggestions are welcome.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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altajoe, wow, winter home in Utah. Enjoy!
I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions shortly, but I predict that nearly everyone is going to recommend that you GO LONG 
Width is surely a big issue (no sniggering at the back) - what sort of width were you thinking of? What width have your recent skis been?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Can we come to stay?
If I was you if I was looking for an exclusive powder ski I wouldn't compromise and would go for something 185-190 ish with at least substantial tip rocker and maybe tail rocker too depending on your tastes when you demo. Rocker means effective edge on hard pack is much reduced so you can have the edge length of a short slalom ski in a long length. As Snowbasin has a few commuter cat tracks I'd go for slight regular or flat camber under foot rather than full reverse camber.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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what he says ^^^^^ 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Again, what fatbob said.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Alan -
I have no idea what width to look for. I am currently on 98/70/107. I figured that I'd try to demo based on length and then see what width works best.
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110 minimum but go as fat as you can bear when you try them - its Utah don't sell yourself short by what works in Europe, in Sierra cement or on the East coast.
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Fatbob,
I'd stay on my all-mountain skis for Snowbasin, precisely for the reason you mentioned. I'd imagine that I'd only use the faties at PowMow on dump days (and of course the days following a dump where I'll still find miles of untracked) 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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altajoe, No no no - you'd definitely be missing out by not using a fat ski at snowbasin too.
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Again, with the snow they/you (are supposed) to get over there, a dedicated pow ski should get plenty of use, even in only a few inches they'll still be more fun. Probs at least 110, personally I'd probably go for more than that for a dedicated pow ski even here in Yurp.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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altajoe, it's not just width but also shape and as the guys said above you really want to demo some reverse camber skis. I'm about the same size as you and skied on Dynastar XXL's (110mm? Wide traditional shape) in Alta a couple of years ago. Nice skis as they are traditional shape can't compete with reverse camber in powder. I'm now on full reverse 185 Volkl Kuros (132mm wide) and they are superb. Plenty of choices out there (search fat skis on here for more ideas) but don't be afraid of width. And don't be surprised when your off piste ability jumps a couple of notches ahead and you find you aren't interested in getting back on your all mountains whatever the conditions!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Thanks for all the input. I can't wait to get out there this winter.
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