I ride all mountain and backcoutnry but want to start dedicating time to the park to dial in big 180s and 3s... Same as flat tricks

 

Last but not least, anyone has tried the OG Signal, FLAT and Reverse ?  which one is better for the park and powder ?  FLAT right ? much difference on the groomers ?

 

thanks for your advice...please recomend other boards too

The real question you need to ask yourself to answer your question is what youre willing to trade off. Shorter = less float and less stability. Longer = more swingweight. In truth since there isnt much of a difference in the sizes and since you can fit them both easy enough its not THAT big a deal, but if you want to FOCUS towards buttering and spinning, you probably want to go shorter. If instead you just want to do it all, stick around the 156 area. As i say, its fine tuning and the effects wont be HUGE, particularly since theyre both alright sizes. So really its more a case of looking at what the boards bring to your game. 

What sizes have your rented/been on before?   If you were on something shorter than 156, I'd go with the Salomon in 156 as a 159 might be a relatively big jump in size.  Otherwise, I'd suggest the 159. 

Its really now down to you to fine tune it with your own preferences, so heres the very basic:

1. The 159 versus 155. 

- 159 has longer effective edge which means more stability at speed or in more complex terrain (as you say, you like downhill). It will also be more weight appropriate which means more pop and energy throughout the board giving you a more lively and fun ride. It also means more float in deeper snow. 

- 155 is easier to spin around, it will be more dead which isnt a bad thing, it means its pliable and has faster maneuverability. Its going to be easier to butter and spin around. This is why people tend to size down. They want that swing weight cut down for faster spins and sizing down means youre at a weight slightly at the high end of the manufacturers suggested idea of its "flex". Obviously, the more weight you can put on your deck the easier itll be to bend it/load it. But the harder itll be to pop it. And pop gives the board a lot of its energy. 

Le trade off. 

Ideally, your weight kinda sticks you from 156-160 and you can push it from 153-163 id say if you really wanted (though in truth theres no real upper limit - you can just pick up a huge board if all youre doing is pointing it down a massive open chute all day and just want massive turns - if you can control it, no reason you cant get on a 180 if you like).

Truth is sizing isnt an exact science. Its a messy business involving previous experience, rider preference, type of riding, type of terrain you ride (if you ride pow all the live long day why size down?), and just all round ability. These are just ballpark considerations. But now you should be in at least a position to decide for yourself what youre maybe looking to pick up. All of those sizes will work for you, but maybe one sounds more like what youre after than the other.