K2 One Luv vs. Burnin' Luv?

[darnie]

Hi,

I'm an advanced intermediate skiier who is thinking about making her first ski purchase...just in time for my first visit to Jackson Hole. I ski mostly blues, double blues and blacks (love a good steep!) and like to do moguls. Not terribly aggressive, but certainly not cautious (I challenge myself, but am not screaming down the hill). And I'm hitting mostly groomers.

I'm a good skiier who is looking to be more consistent--I'll be taking a lesson at Jackson for sure! Oh, and I'm 5'7" and about 145 pounds.

At any rate, I am torn between the K2 One Luv and the Burnin' Luvs. It seems as if the One Luvs would be a good fit for my skills right this minute. However, I wonder if I should buy the next level up--as I continue to improve with every trip (2-3 times a year out west, total of about 10 days a year).

Any advice for me? Between the two skis, also with length. I am right on the cusp between the 153 and the 160...

BTW, as far as I can tell, none of the ski shops in Jackson demo either of these skis. Shops offer the True (too basic) and then the Lotta (too much). I've demo'd a couple brands (Salomon and Volkl) but really like the K2s.

And I do own my boots.

Thanks for your help!
Danielle

 

[haylmom]

Hi Danielle, if you must go with a k2, I'd probably stick with the Burnin Luv, as the One Luv may be a bit squirrely for your height/weight. I have not tried either (so you may think, why are you postin a reply), but AtlanticQueen tried the One Luv's this weekend and we've definately come to the conclusion that they are a lighter ski for a really light female. you are my height and I do better with a 160cm ski. I just really think the One luv may not be a good fit for you. If anyone has some Burnin' experience, that may help.

Good luck!

 

[abc]

If you like moguls, the Burning might be a bit too stiff for your taste. At least that's what I found.

There's fast, then there's FAST! Both the Burning and the One have speed limits, the One more so than the Burning. But for me, I haven't hit either of them.

I think it's more of a style than "level" thing. If you're a finess skier snaking your ways around the trees, you would PREFER a softer ski (I do). But if screaming down the groomer is what turns you on, the stiffer Burning Luv with higher speed limit will bring more smile to your face.

I've demo'd a couple brands (Salomon and Volkl) but really like the K2s.

So of the K2's (and other brands) you've tried, what's your like and dislike?

 

[abc]

If you like moguls, the Burning might be a bit too stiff for your taste. At least that's what I found.

There's fast, then there's FAST! Both the Burning and the One have speed limits, the One more so than the Burning. But for me, I haven't hit either of them.

I think it's more of a style than "level" thing. If you're a finess skier snaking your ways around the trees, you would most likely PREFER a softer ski (I do). But if screaming down the groomer is what turns you on, the stiffer Burning Luv with higher speed limit will bring more smile to your face.

I've demo'd a couple brands (Salomon and Volkl) but really like the K2s.

So of the K2's (and other brands) you've tried, what's your like and dislike?

 

[darnie]

Wow! Thanks for the quick responses, ladies! I just find k2s to feel a little lighter (not literally). They feel really easy on turns...effortless, even.

The Volkl and Salomon skis I tried just felt cumbersome; like I really had to work to make every turn. Does that make sense? It's so subjective.

OK, so I'm leaning towards the Burnin'. But am thinking I'd go with the 153 (since it's a more aggressive ski). Is that logic totally flawed?

Again, I do enjoy the workout of a good mogul run, but it's not my focus. I'm no speed demon and am mostly on groomers (tree trails are a rarity for me). I'm a confident, capable skier who is working on technique and consistency.

BTW, I just joined this site and want to say how helpful it is in general. I love the positive energy, too. Thanks!

 

[persee]

Darnie,

I honestly think you might like the LottaLuv on demo if you tried it. I doubt that it is too much ski for you. At your height I think I'd go for the 160, but it's a personal preference. I'm 5'3.5 and I ski on 153 (in K2s or 156 (in Volkls) which are actually the same length.

Which Volkls did you try and not like?

 

[atlantiqueen]

I demo'd the One Luv yesterday in a 153. I am 5'2" and 150-155lbs. I like cruising with some speed and found that I hit their top speed pretty quickly.

They did respond well and held an edge nicely but I'd agree with most of the other comments and if I had to choose between the two (not having taken the Burning Luv's for a spin yet) I'd choose the BL over the One Luv.

For reference, I currently ski a Rossi Saphir Snow II in 150cm and have just purchased Fischer Vision 76 in 158 (I'll review those puppied after I ski them later this week!)

 

[darnie]

I do not know which model of Volkl I tested, sorry. And I took the plunge...I got the Burnin' Luvs in a 153. I'm psyched to break them in at Jackson Hole in--count 'em--9 days!

Thanks for your input!

 

[snowgem]

I have those exact BL's and absolutely love them for the Eastern conditions. Will be interested in your feedback for Jackson Hole. I also got the Lottas 160's for deeper and off piste skiing. Price was a big factor in my decisions. Some of the other skis which interested me - Nordica's and Atomics - were much more expensive so I "made do" with the K2's - and am enjoying them greatly!

 

[SwedeHill]

I luv the Burnin Luvs!

Hi, I have owned my BL's for two years now and I am sold on them. I live in Minnesota and go out west almost every year. I bought these skis to help save my knees. The Atomics that I had were a bit too heavy for me. My knees are thanking me now. These have just been fantastic all around skis from the bumps to racing. I would not be afraid of your ability. I am an intermediate who is constantly trying to improve and these skis have sure helped. The best bet is to see if your local ski area has the option to demo skis. That will be the true test.
I am 5' 8" and weigh 155 and have the 167's.

 

[Solincia]

Yep, I'm 5'8" and I have the One Luv's... they are 160's... I definately would not recommend anything shorter, I could have even gone longer.

I had skied on a much shorter skis the week previous, and I could barely move on them...

 

[Pequenita]

If you ski primarily out west, keep in mind the waist on this year's BL is 68mm, i.e. better for groomers and a little less enjoyable off piste for skiers still working on those skills; next year's BL is supposed to be wider at 74mm.

 

[Daria]

I bought a pair of BLs last month and really love them. In my quiver they are my hard pack/ice ski and bump ski. I have heard they are too stiff for bumps from the guys in the ski shop but I find that I can dance in the bumps - they just make me smile! The first time I went in the heavy crud ( I ski in No Calif), they launched me pretty badly. Then I tried again and did just fine. On the groomers they are wonderful. In my quiver, I have the BLs in a 153, Phat Luvs for pow - (last years' model they were a gift from the ski shop since my old skis got ruined in the tuning machine ) at 153 and the Rossi unisex B1s from 3 or 4 years ago at 150 nfor my early season rock skis. I am 5'5" and 135 lbs. I tend to favor shorter skis after an ACL rebuild four years ago and my love for the bumps. I find the BLs are stable in speed even in the shorter length and again just allow me to dance my way through the bumps.

I would really try to demo them before you invest as I don't think they are for everyone and the increased width underfoot in next year's model can make a big difference.

Skis are such wonderful treats! Can't have too many:D

 

[vanhoskier]

I demoed the Lotta Luv's at Loveland this year and only got a chance to ski groomers with them, even though it's more of an off piste ski. But they were great on groomers. Don't be afraid of their wider waist, that may give you more versatility.

Don't be afraid to go longer, either. You can easily ski up to a 160.

Sounds like the BL's will be awesome for groomers and bumps, but not so much in deeper stuff, unless you wait for next year's model.

Good luck! And I must say, you've been really patient waiting to buy skis when you're already a strong intermediate skier! Most of us are chomping at the bit!

 

[BKH319]

Burnin' Luvs

I used this forum to help decide between the Rossi Scarlet's and the Burnin Luvs. The comments were very helpful. I am an advanced skiier and ski mostly the east. I have the burnin luvs in 153 and am 5' 120 lbs. I probably could have gone with the 150's but they are great for groomers and bumps here in the east, i also ski the Phat Luv's in 153 on soft days. I must say i am happy with both my hunks of Luv. I skiied the phat luvs this past week on steep with about 3" light snow on top of blue ice (got to love New England) they were surpisingly OK but the burnin luvs would have been better, no chatter, easier on the knees.

I also skiied the Burnin Luvs on a day where we got about a foot of powder and by the time I got to the Mountain it was mostly crud. They cut through the crud, no problem and by the afternoon when everything had been skiied off and there were patches of hard pack and ice they were awesome.

I haven't skiied the One Luvs but i would recommend the Burnin luv's for anyone who skiis groomers the majority of the time.

 

[jac]

The Burnin Luvs are beautiful skis. They have a metal plate which makes them more rigid and they will pop out of powder if you have selected the right ski for you weight. They are less forgiving than the other luvs you have chosen and you will have to keep on top of them in any steep conditions. The Burnins want to go go go. Hope this helps

 

[Shellski]

I am still in love with my BL's (first generation), I've been demoing for the last few years, but haven't found anything else I'd rather ski on. They handle bumps fine, I've even skiied them in knee deep fresh, no problems. I'd have gone for the 160's though.