K2 Hellbent Sizing

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QuoteUnquote

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Hey NS,

I'm thinking about getting some 2011 or 2012 Hellbents for only pow days. I ski in the PNW (mostly Crystal Mountain or Alpental) and like to ski fast and aggressively, anything from tight tree lines to open terrain with some cliff drops. I'm 5'11, almost 6', and weigh about 155 pounds. I'm thinking 179 because of my weight, but what do you guys think?

Thanks!
 
I'm almost exactly the same size as you (I'm 5'10" 140lbs), and I have 08/09 179 hellbents, which run 5cm longer than advertised, and I ski crystal as well. I would reccommend going for the 189s, because the new k2s run true to size, and I sometimes feel like my 'bents are a bit small. Although if you really want to bring out the tree skiing performance, by all means go for the 179. However, I would reccommend looking at some other skis besides the hellbent. Their softness makes them super fun in pure powder, but as soon as it gets tracked out, you can expect to take a bit of a beating. I would look into skis like the on3p caylor, moment night train, atomic bent chetler, klint krypto, salomon rocker 2, etc if you want a bidirectional pow ski. These will all be a bit stiffer so that they can cut through the chop much better than the hellbent, while still being super fun in powder. The new k2 pettitor looks super fun too, if you can hold out until next season. If you'd be fine with a more directional ski, I'd take a look at the on3p billy goat/wrenegade, moment bibby/jaguar shark, atomic atlas (or hold out for the 12/13 automatic), or some of k2's adventure series like the darkside/sidestash, etc. There's really no need for a twin tip if you're only going to be skiing forward, and they can be easier to deal with in the backcountry with skins and such. But yeah I would definitely look into a slightly stiffer (at least stiffer than the hellbent) pow ski for skiing in the northwest. You also don't need to go quite as wide as the new hellbent. Anything around 120 in the waist with a decent rocker is going to float just fine, and will be a lot easier to manage in choppy stuff and on hardpack getting back to the lift. Cheers.
sparknotes: if you're going hellbents, size up, but look for something slightly narrower and stiffer. Also check out flat tails, although if you're considering the hellbent, your probably going to want to ski switch...
-Isak
 
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@Isak +K, thanks for all the info! I'm still leaning toward the Hellbents, because as of right now I am in need of a pure powder ski, and I generally like wider skis, as well as K2's rocker shape for my skiing style. I'm also taking a look at the Billy Goats, which I never really have considered, but they seem very versatile and have a great sidecut shape, and in the same category, the Atomic Bent Chetlers.
 
i love my bentchetlers. I've demo'd a good chunk of pow skis, and i felt that the benny had the best blend of playfulness and stiffness... being stable when opening up on the steepest grades squaw and mammoth can throw at you.... with the hell bents, i was definitely holding back a bit more, as they are sooo fucking soft and i thought they felt a bit clunky and damp..where as the bentchetlers were lively.

my choice really came between the moment night trains, and the bentchetlers and i would have been extremely happy with either... i just had an atomic proform... which was the ultimate decider. I would love to get on a pair of caylor's or billy goats to see how they perform... but on3p demo's are hard to come by.
 
Sounds like 179 is the right size for you. I have the 189s but im bigger than you. Overall I think they do ski short because of the rocker. Especially when you are floating you can carve small lowspeed turns its a blast.
 
I'm 6 feet tall and also weigh 155 pounds. The 2011 189 K2 Hellbent is my pure pow ski and I'm in love with it. It is straight up badass with graphics and such. I mounted then core center, which is at 7.5+, and I have to say I'm not that happy with it, because sometime when I get to higher speeds and need to do quick sharp turns or if i have to break quickly, it can be quite a hassle. Also When drop pen cliffs I have experienced that I went "over the handlebars" a couple of times concluding in eating a lot of snow. If i wear to remount, I think I would go like 1.5-3 cm back from core center. I would really recommend the 189 though as it is your pure deep pow ski. Hope that helped
 
I ride the ON3P caylors and they are awesome, no problem jibbing pow but the medium stiff flex + the rocker profile allows me to charge my line and cut through the crud. Stable at speed yet making turns in tight trees is no trouble at all.

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(the art of suggestion)
 
I've owned a couple of pairs of Hellbents, old and new, both 179.

The thing I like most about them is you grin every time you look down. They are big and stupid and probably not the best skis ever but every single time you go out on them you will have fun. Even if it's terrified fun flying sideways down bulletproof because you can't get an edge in.

I'd get the 179s unless you don't spin/dish much. They'll be a lot more playful than the 89's.

The 189s are what you want for straightlining big faces in waist deep pow, knowing that if you hit a bush, lump or smaller Honda under the snow you will go straight over it like it's not there.
 
I rock my 189 Bents at +5.5 and that is the spot for me. No punch fronts off drops and they still work switch just fine.
 
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