I took the hellbents out for a day at copper and a day a vail, rode katanas last year and this season until i bought the hellbents.. the day at copper was cruddy and hard but i wanted to see how these skis handle conditions outside powder... loved em, they were fun, responsive and i barely changed my skiing style if i did at all.. i was nervous about how the ski would handle on crap but was shocked to find out that they are as fun on crud as they are in powder..on to vail, took em out on a day where 8 inches were reported overnight.. this ski is a pleasure in the powder..tight trees, cliffs, bumps and steeps are all a breeze... dont believe the hype that this ski is powder specific (although it is).. you can have a blast doing anything on it as long as you are used to fatter skis... SIZE UP im glad i did... i ride a 176 usually but went for the 189 hellbent and could not be happier...