i usualy base it on the company...if i know they build a good ski id go for it
butt if i walked into a shop and all they had was like dynastars and like fractions ... id def take the dynastars cause i know its a solid ski....
In some cases the skier isnt capapble of handleing a 175+ ski ...but if your capable as a skier to hit a 40+ foot table then im sure you can go for the longer ski
I like longer skis
im 5'7 ish and i ski 175 trouble makers for pipe and 176 ar5's for everything else ...besides bumps...i got 175 assults for that haha