i have the 179 pistols from last season, and they ran shit in some deep snow last year in colorado as well as tahoe. i definitely found myself wishing for 10 more centimeters in more than a couple situations. i am 5'11" and i weigh about 165-170 pounds. also, mount them a couple of centimeters up from the mounting point so 1.) they seem a bit shorter and 2.) riding switch is easier.