Skis 4 progression -- winner: Gotama!

Good luck at Whistler Hank. I would suggest the 167 Coomba which has some reversed camber (extra raised tips) or the 176 Gotama. The running surface is the same for both--Gotamas have twin tip raised tail. Most K2's ski longer than their length. For struggling skier short much easier to handle. Longer ski when can handle these well maybe. Also makes a difference how long his levers, i.e. legs, are. Either have plenty of surface to float your friend. Coombas a bit better in powder and Gotamas eat chopped crud with ease. Gotamas would be better when you hit the groomers.  Coombas better if he is a backseat driver
I have the Shuksans and deep pow requires lots of two foot balance, significant rise out motions,  and speed to keep afloat. The newer ones have better floating tip (more rounded--older one pointy). I have the newer model--good all around though. My 195 lb frame requires fatter and am about to take the plunge on some sale Gotamas for lift service stuff.
An additional vote for Elling's book as well.

I love my gotamas, but for someone coming off of an old pair of Shuksans, they might seem a bit too stiff and fat to be all that fun except when in soft snow.   The Mantra might be a better all-arounder if theres not a ton of new snow at Whistler...my girlfriend has tried the Aura (womens version of the Mantra) and loved them skiing everything from pow to groomers.    

At least with me, it took some time to get used to Volkls though after years of skiing K2's....first few times out, i didn't like the Gotamas...they didn't feel lively till I was right around the top of my speed-limit, but after two seasons now I really like that they force me to keep on top of 'em and not get lazy.

Have fun with the demo'ing!

re: sizing, I'm 175lbs and ski the 183cm gotama....since its a twin tip, it skis a fair bit shorter than the size would suggest.

Don't go old school, but keep it kind of narrow, say 135 in the waist:

I knew you guys would say technique is the issue, and it certianly is an extent it is.  But JibberD definitely confirmed that skis can make a difference (and heli outfits, who don't have time to a lot of teach technique, put intermediates on fatties for a reason).

SO I promise to buy him a book about how to ski.  In the mean time the Volkls -- any other votes?

ahh -- new replies while I was typing -- I'll pass along the info!

thank so much

Don't go old school, but keep it kind of narrow, say 135 in the waist:

My narrower snowboard is only 252mm. Maybe I could just find another and lend him the pair?