[guywmustang]

So, I'm looking to purchase gear for the upcoming season, as it'll work out to almost equal as far as rental costs go...

Background... I've gone out for 5 days, so I'm at the point that I've been carving a bit and feel fairly comfortable. I've been to Snowbowl in Flagstaff, AZ, and to Solitude & Powder Mountain in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I was looking at purchasing either a K2 Select 158 / K2 Podium 159 / K2 Anagram 158 (2008 models cause I'm cheap ). I will probably be doing mostly general mountain cruisin with some tricks (eventually). I was unsure as to how this setup sounded for me.

This is the setup I was looking into:
K2 Podium 159
Flow Flite 3 bindings (large).

And for my vitals I'm 25, 6' tall, 165 lbs, and brown hair green eyes

Please help me know if this is a good setup to invest in, and not have to buy anything again for a long time.

[BurtonAvenger]

Thats a great board if you know how to ride well otherwise I wouldn't look at it and those Flows suck balls look at the NXT series instead.

[guywmustang]

Would either the K2 Select or Illusion be a better board? I'm nearly at an intermediate level now I think.... :-/

[Snowolf]

I learned to ride at Snowbowl when I lived in the Phoenix area back in 05. With the usual conditions at Snowbowl and Sunrise, I personally would shy away from the Illusion and the Select and stick with the Podium even though it is a bit more advanced and will challenge you a bit more. The Podium has a 1 degree bevel whereas the other two have 3 degree bevels. Those high bevels are great for beginners and jib rats, but edge hold in the icy conditions found a lot there will be somewhat compromised. No board is "too advanced" to progress on. it just may require a little more effort. Additionaly, both of the other boards have Extruded bases which are slower than the sintered base of the Podium. K2 is a good company and if you want to stick with them, I would advise that you gp ahead and go for the Podium as it truly is a board you won`t outgrow ability wise. I might think about going with the 156 though at your weight; the 159 is a bit long which is great for pow and backcountry, but the 156 will turn a little quicker, is a bit lighter and will be more maneuverable in the trees.

[guywmustang]

I was looking at buying that K2 podium 156 (has a waist width of 24.7 cm), but I didn't know if I should get a wide board or not. I have size 11 or so feet (could possibly do a 10.5 too), and I ride in a duck stance with angles of probably like +15/-10.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[BurtonAvenger]

A 3 degree bevel is going to grip better on ice because you're further over on edge thus removing more surface area from slipping.

Size 10.5 don't worry about waist widths on boards. I still say the Podium is way too much for you.