Camair,
As an owner of an EX 9 I can say that I am very confident in it’s ability to take some big hits, and I’m no small rider at 200 lbs. The EX line is really a trail bike so it falls between XC and All-mountain. I think the frame is very solid and I would not question taking a 3 foot drop on it. The uphill capability is definitely excellent and it bombs down technical descents. I considered the Remedy as well, but there just isn’t enough downhill where I live to need the stronger and heavier frame. To me it sounds like the EX would be able to handle the kind of riding you want to throw at it.