Need a versatile high-end intermediate ski

[regan472]

I live in the east, but am fortunate enough to have a mom who lives in SLC, so I ski out there at least one week per year. I prefer groomed slopes, not because I'm averse to ungroomed, but rather because I don't know how to ski on ungroomed yet. I'm completely comfortable on blue slopes, and can do some blacks depending on conditions, etc. I would say I'm an upper level intermediate skier. I'm 5'3" and about 125 lbs. I currently ski on really old (hand me down) 148cm K2s.

My local ski shop recommended the Volkl Attiva AC2 and/or the K2 Tru Luv. Thoughts?? Recommendations??

 

[volklgirl]

Haven't tried the K2 yet, but can absolutely recommend the Attiva AC2. I found it a stable, easy going, and versatile carver when I demo'd it.

Check out my review on it (and others) here:
https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=554

I'm sure others will chime in on the K2's.
Good luck on your purchase!

 

[eng_ch]

Received wisdom seems to be, if you're buying, don't bother with the Tru Luv, go straight to the One Luv. Equally "accessible" but will take you further on and therefore last you longer (if you want it to )

 

[smpayne]

At upper intermediate, I would not go with the True Luv. You would probably be much happier with the One Luv or AC2 and they will give you room to improve. I think both are good for eastern ice & Utah powder.

Ebay usually has some good prices on the '05 new & used versions of both. You should be able to find demos of both to rent in SLC. You might want to try a 153(k2)/156(Volkl). 148 may be getting a bit short as you improve.

My Opinion: Most (excluding most divas here) women tend to down play their ability while the men exagerate theirs. The "guys" selling the skiis assume that everyone, like the guys, exagerate their ability and therefore they try to put you into a lower level ski -- I think that guys consider themselves advanced skiier if they can go fast (regardless of technique), while the ladies focus on technique and stability (which lower end and poorly fitting equipment can hamper) and we have more common sense and scary does not equal fun(most of the time). Ok, that was my rant for the week.

 

[ski diva]

My Opinion: Most (excluding most divas here) women tend to down play their ability while the men exagerate theirs. The "guys" selling the skiis assume that everyone, like the guys, exagerate their ability and therefore they try to put you into a lower level ski -- I think that guys consider themselves advanced skiier if they can go fast (regardless of technique), while the ladies focus on technique and stability (which lower end and poorly fitting equipment can hamper) and we have more common sense and scary does not equal fun(most of the time). Ok, that was my rant for the week.

Not to hi-jack the thread, but anyone who wants to talk about this more (and it's a great topic), go here:
https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241

 

[volklgirl]

Regan472;

You'll hear it over and over and over here....Boots first, then demo, demo, demo!!!

If you haven't been professionally fitted for boots, do that first. Then try tons of skis before you buy. Each ski will perform and feel differently and no one can tell which of them will best fit you and your style, except you!

 

[Lori_K]

Yep, I have to also say "boots first!". Not as glamorous as new skis, but so much more important in the scheme of things.

That said, I can also recommend the Volkl Attiva line. I demo'd the AC3 recently, and it was a very nice all mountain ski with good edge grip. I assume the AC2 will be very similar. Try both, if you can. I've heard good things about the "Luv" series from K2, but haven't skied them. I did demo the K2 T-9 Spire a few years ago, and liked that one. Almost bought it, but then demo'd an Atomic ski that I preferred.

Demo skis in different lengths, and also demo skis one step ABOVE the level you think you are at. You might be surprised.

 

[smpayne]

DITTO on the boots!!!!!!!
Talk to the bootfitter ALOT. Ask lots of questions. The more questions you ask, the more seriously they will take you.
--I had my husband go see the bootfitter about a problem he was having. After about an hour, I showed up, the bootfitter immediately turn to me to explain the problem and what he was going to do (I had been in about 3-4 times previous trying on boots, asking questions and finally buying a new pair and getting footbeds tweaked, etc.) He knew I really cared about what was going on.--

 

[ArmyWife]

I can't speak for the Volkl Attiva AC2, but I have a pair of One Luvs and I love them. I haven't skied them on any ice yet, but I hear they handle that just fine. I too, am an Intermediate skier, and only get to ski once or twice a year for ski trips (we live in FL) so our level skiing sounds pretty close. If you are very aggressive you might even want to try the Burnin Luvs, although I've heard the One Luv handles the ice better then the Burnin Luv. But I'm thrilled with my new One luvs and recommend them highly.

 

[Lilgeorg]

I think you will be happy with either the AC2 or the One Luv. I skied both and was torn about which to buy. I got the AC2 because I like a stable ski that isn't afraid of an occasional death cookie. since I ski in the East, that is always a possibility. My granddaughter bought the One Luvs and pounds the bumps all day with them. She loves them.In my opinion both are great skis.

 

[SnowGlider]

I'm about your level and I have Head Intelligence iM's, a women's ski. I got them two years ago; don't know if they're still available. They seemed to have the right stiffness to take me from high intermediate to low expert.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

I LOVE my One Luvs!!!!! Highly Recommend (and they're good on ice!)

 

[Quiver Queen]

If you're going to SLC anytime soon, I can recommend Cole Sports in Park City (especially the shop @ Park City Mtn Resort base lodge) for demos--they have full length runs to demo in every single ski they carry, including K2's, Volkl, Head, Atomic, Elan, etc.--and you can swap out skis thru the day. I was there two days ago & was not only impressed with their array of demos, but the staff was well informed and seemed to truly listen. There is a woman working at the base lodge shop (don't know her name, but tall, thin, mid/late twenties, brunette) who is a fountain of knowledge and has skied all the skis, so could be a real help. In addition, they've had a poor snow year and their women's demos would likely have been used lightly, so could be a great buy toward the end of this season.

Just a word about the K2's--they set the pace a few years ago, but, while their skis are still great, maybe other companies (especially Head and Elan) have passed them by, particularly in woman-specific skis.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

I still love my K2 One Luvs! ;)