K2 Luv Advice Needed

[JenO-NY]

Hey Ladies,
I’m looking for some help on deciding between skis. I’ve read a ton of the posts on here and have been leaning towards the K2 Luv series, but I’ll take any recommendations.

My stats are as follows: 5’8”, 135-140 lbs, comfortably ski on blues with having only tried 1 or 2 blacks. I don’t go that fast but am getting decent at carving. I’ve only used rentals in the past and am looking for something that will last me for some time and that I can grow in skill with. I’ve typically used skis in the low to mid 150’s range. I’m looking to take advantage of end of season prices so I won’t be able to demo anything and am just looking for advice.

I was thinking that the K2 One Luv, 153 cm, were looking about right for me. But would I be overstepping myself if I get the K2 Lotta Luv (I like the graphics better)??? Or how about the Sweet Luv, would they give me enough room to grow?

On a side note, I might be getting a pair of 2009 K2 One Luv, 153’s, that I could sell for a reduced price (inventory mistake). Would anyone be interested in them?

Thanks for everything, this is a great site!
-Jen

 

[abc]

Your list of skis are fine. But I think 153 might be a bit short for you as you grow in skill and speed.

 

[Solincia]

Jen,

While I applaud your thinking on the K2 One Luv <I own them>, I am the same height as you and ski the 160. I think either length would be fine for you, but as you advance into the blacks you'll probably find that with more speed, you'd prefer more length.

Just a thought! BTW, the 09 graphics are sweet!

 

[abc]

BTW, I'm also another K2 One Luv owner.

I'm a good 4" shorter and 20 lb lighter. I ski the 153. And I'm not even a fast skier.

 

[skiso]

I discovered the skidiva.com site after I'd been obsessing about ski length all winter. The gear threads here offer the best collection I've found of opinions and advice about ski length matched with physique, ability and – importantly – ambition.

Even if you can't ski before you buy perhaps you can find the actual skis somewhere and physically compare them in the store.

And if you have rented non-K2 skis in the past you might want to check the K2 length in person, as they truly do vary from ski to ski. (A K2 153cm could be longer than a Rossignol 153cm – an interesting K2 detail I read about here first and later confirmed in a store.)

 

[CMCM]

Hey Ladies,
I’m looking for some help on deciding between skis. I’ve read a ton of the posts on here and have been leaning towards the K2 Luv series, but I’ll take any recommendations.

My stats are as follows: 5’8”, 135-140 lbs, comfortably ski on blues with having only tried 1 or 2 blacks. I don’t go that fast but am getting decent at carving. I’ve only used rentals in the past and am looking for something that will last me for some time and that I can grow in skill with. I’ve typically used skis in the low to mid 150’s range. I’m looking to take advantage of end of season prices so I won’t be able to demo anything and am just looking for advice.

I was thinking that the K2 One Luv, 153 cm, were looking about right for me. But would I be overstepping myself if I get the K2 Lotta Luv (I like the graphics better)??? Or how about the Sweet Luv, would they give me enough room to grow?

On a side note, I might be getting a pair of 2009 K2 One Luv, 153’s, that I could sell for a reduced price (inventory mistake). Would anyone be interested in them?

Thanks for everything, this is a great site!
-Jen

Hi Jen....I'm pretty much the same height/weight/skill level as you, more or less. I went from rental skis to a pair of 150 Nordicas a couple of years ago....at the time I thought the length was perfect, and certainly these skis helped me learn to carve quite well. However, I started to feel they were somewhat unstable at even a moderate bit of speed (they were also narrow waisted...68....so that probably contributed to my feeling of instability, especially when tracking straight. So a few months ago I demoed a ski which was so unlike what I'd been on....Salomon Origins....and since shorter ones were unavailable, I tried a 160. These skis also had more width...74 waist, 124 shovel. A different animal from my Nordicas, but I really liked them and I think part of what I liked was the extra length, which gave a lot of stability I hadn't experienced before.

So at your height/weight, I'd say start looking at something towards the 160 range. I'm also interested in the Luv series, and can't decide which one would suit me. NVG has the One Luvs, I think, and she seems to really like them. I'm kind of interested in the Burnin Luvs because I've read a lot of good things about those. The Lotta Luv seems too similar to my Origins, so I've kind of ruled those out for now. And then there's the One Luv....It's hard to know without demoing!

I think the one thing I wanted to convey to you was that some extra length can REALLY make a difference. I certainly saw it going from 150 to 160!

 

[vanhoskier]

You DEFINITELY can go with something in the 160-ish range...with a few cm. on either end. With your stats, this is the length ski you'll need to grow on. One of the biggest mistakes new skiers make in purchasing their first ski is getting something too short, because that's what they were comfy with on rentals. New skis will have a much better tune, and the new K2's will handle so much better than your rentals and you'll feel a 160 is easy to ski.

I would go with the One Luv, or the Lotta Luv if you are going to be skiing a lot of powder and crud because of its wider waist. Even if a 160 in a K2 is a bit longer than a 160 on another brand of ski, it still will work well for you. Don't go shorter!

 

[Gina23]

I am 5'6" about 155 lbs. and run on a 160cm K2 ski just for comparision. I'm very comfortable on my babies... however, that's just an opinion.

 

[JenO-NY]

Well, I guess 160 it is then. Thanks for the responses.
To anyone who has the 07/08 One Luv's, is the main color black that fades to a yellow or is it a dark blue that fades to a cream? It's hard to tell in the online photos (maybe abc, Solincia, NVG can help).
Thanks again.

 

[Shellski]

One Luv 160 gets my vote too.

I have Burnin's and Lotta's. I think you are going to love these skis. They will be forgiving enough to give you a huge amount of confidence, but you are not going to 'grow out of them' quickly, a lot of advanced women skiers ski on One's.

 

[Shellski]

Well, I guess 160 it is then. Thanks for the responses.
To anyone who has the 07/08 One Luv's, is the main color black that fades to a yellow or is it a dark blue that fades to a cream? It's hard to tell in the online photos (maybe abc, Solincia, NVG can help).
Thanks again.

Dark blue fading to cream sounds like my Lotta's.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

The 07-08 One Luv's are black fade to gold.

I have the One Luvs in 167. I have the Lotta Luvs in 166. I am about 125-130 and 5'6". I LOVE a longer ski!

They are not making the K2's in longer versions for next year. I, personally, love my One Luv's for an all mountain ski! I have to still try my Lotta Luv. I really do think a longer ski will serve you better in the long run.....you won't outgrow the ski.

Good Luck!

 

[persee]

Ok. I'm late to the party! But here goes...

I'm 5'3.5 125-130 (depending / on average) lbs and I've gone from a never ever in December 2004 to a pretty decent skiier (I'd say I'm advanced. trying not to be too modest nor too bold). I've probably skiied 40-45 days total.

My first skis were K2 Mystery Luvs in 153cm and I did find I loved this length - not too long nor too short. After I out grew these - my second season - I got K2 True Luvs still in 153cm and these skis were great to advance my skiing. I have been forced to retire these skis this year as I just fell head over heels for my Attiva AC3s which don't have the same speed limit as the True Luvs. I've also skiied on the K2 Lotta Luvs also in 153cm - my last day of my second season and my first trip out west (a late april day in Tahoe with lots of mashed) and I did fall utterly in love with them. I got the AC3s (over the Lottas) when I was looking for my next ski as I found a price I could not pass up.

So my advice is do not even consider the Sweet Luvs as these are way too little ski for you - they are rated below the True Luvs. As for Lottas vs Ones I think either would make you happy. The question is do you want a ski that's more focussed on carving (One) or more allmountain/go anywhere even trees or a little powder (Lottas). They're both good skis. Also you should definitely get a 160 length - its true that K2s run "long" compared to other skis (my 153 True Luvs are the same length as my 156 Attiva AC3s) but you'll regret the shorter length as it will get squirrelly at speed as you advance and if you do ever want to play in powder (or even mashed) the longer length will give you more float and more ability to get through chop. Hope this helps you!

 

[JenO-NY]

So I went ahead and ordered the One Luvs in a 160 and will be getting them later this week! (only to stare at them until next winter :()

 

[vanhoskier]

So I went ahead and ordered the One Luvs in a 160 and will be getting them later this week! (only to stare at them until next winter :()

Don't worry; you're not the only one who has new skis and can do nothing but stare at them till next winter!

 

[skiso]

Mine are still in my kitchen!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

So I went ahead and ordered the One Luvs in a 160 and will be getting them later this week! (only to stare at them until next winter :()

Congrats on your new K2's!!!!