Fat boards are definitely easier in pow. However, if you ride the board flat and remember you're not carving , nearly any board works well. I learned on a 167 prime, and I love my Coiler FC 178s in tight trees and pow. Think about learning to ski or ride in pow. I still have nightmares about those days. 2 ft of freshies in Targhee and my skiing friends and wife having way too much fun at my pathetic riding and impressive crashes. Trying to turn too soon and riding my edges... I definitely got the last laugh.... but it wasn't that day!! Speed is your friend...