Nordica vs Volkl

[tbird]

I'm an ex-college racer and coach who mostly skis in the east. We take a few big mountian trips out west each year and I'm looking for a "one quiver" ski to do it all...crud, pow without losing the ability to lay them over and carve on the hard pack. These would not be my race skis.

I've narrowed it down to:

Nordica Olympia - Firefox, Victory or possibly Conquer
Volkl Attiva - Tiera or Fuego

I'm concerned that the Conquer may be too heavy and too slow from edge to edge w/84 under foot. I believe that the Volkls are a bit lighter but have heard great things about these Nordicas.

Any insights? Other suggestions?

Thanks

t

 

[volklgirl]

So, I'm a little biased maybe ,

On my demo day last year, the only ski I would have given up my Volkls for (if I had no choice) was the Nordica Olympia Speed. If the rest of their line skis like those did, I'd be happy on any of them. However, they had a totally different feel from the Volkls. A softer tip and much stiffer tail rolled them into the turn quickly but made them powerhouses coming out. I much prefer the even flex of the Volkls....even and predictable going into and out of the turn but still with plenty of "pop".

What are you racing on and/or what skis are you replacing?

 

[tbird]

I'm replacing Volkl Gamma Supersports. Had a blast free skiing on them but their time has come and gone. No decision on the race skis yet. Any suggestions? I was on Rossignol but now have little time for an organized race program. Plan to just ski Nastar with the kids. I'm new to this group and this is great stuff. Thanks.

 

[Jilly]

Victory - or the Rossi Z5's. Great one quiver skis.

 

[pinto]

I know you said you've already narrowed it down, but have you looked into Heads? I bought some Monster iM77s (new skis, but a couple of seasons old) during the summer, and used them last week for the first time. I was VERY impressed with the way they railed on the groomed stuff.

Unfortunately, there was no soft snow or crud to try, but they are supposed to be excellent all-mountain skis. I skied some Heads in Europe a few years ago, and they were great in a foot of fresh even at 68 underfoot.

THis year's version is the iM78, and on the women's side, there is the Wild Thang, which is 81 underfoot. I'd give them a try. (I am coming off women's Volkls myself, but have been very impressed with the Heads I've skied lately.)

 

[SnowHot]

The nordica line up is kicking butt this year more than ever!!
I'm impressed with the Firefox in a huge way. I'm selling my VolklRaceTiger RC.

Make no mistake the Race tiger is awesome and I had a ton of fun on it, but the Firefox is just that good!

BTW, wanna buy my Race Tiger? I'll cut you a deal.
I'm also selling an Elan Speed Magic. PM if you're interested!

 

[volklgirl]

The nordica line up is kicking butt this year more than ever!!
I'm impressed with the Firefox in a huge way. I'm selling my VolklRaceTiger RC.

Make no mistake the Race tiger is awesome and I had a ton of fun on it, but the Firefox is just that good!

BTW, wanna buy my Race Tiger? I'll cut you a deal.
I'm also selling an Elan Speed Magic. PM if you're interested!

So, there's your Nastar ski, tbird.

 

[ab07]

Fuego

I haven't tried the Nordica's, but the Volkl Fuego rocks. Way tougher than the tierra, you can really push it and justs eats everything up. Wicked fun.

 

[perma-grin]

Hi Tbird,
I skied the Nordica Victory all last season, (It was my personal ski) was lucky enough to get to Demo the firefox at the MRA demo at Boyne last Febuary. I Loved and Lusted after the Firefox! It was very quick edge to edge with a lot of snap and power out of the turn!! Way fun if you like a hard charging ski!! However the tails of both Nordica skiis (Firefox and Victory) are about as forgiving as a wife that just caught her husband in bed with her best friend! The Victory is slightly damper and not quite as quick from edge to edge ( slightly wider under foot at 74mm) as the firefox. I skied the Victory for a full seaon, (about 85 days last year 3 weeks out west) and it never disapointed in crud, bumps or even the hard pack so I got a pretty good feel for it. I guess I took a long time to say that if you favor a race ski feel ( fast and high energy) go with the Firefox, but if you want more of an all mountain Jill -of- all trade ski do the Victory.

 

[Quiver Queen]

Hey, tbird, you've got the same problem I do---gotta decide between the Fuego and the FireFox. Since you've done some demanding skiing, I doubt you'd be satisfied with either the Victory or the Tierra. I skied the Conquerer a couple of days ago & it really busted crud and was surprisingly nimble for its girth. I've skied both the FF and Fuego, and it's really a coin flip--two terrific skis with great dynamics and reviews. You can't go wrong with either. I'll probably end up with the Fuego simply because I can get it for less $$, but would enjoy the FF just as much. The Conquerer probably won't be as good as these at high speeds or on New England's bullet-proof surfaces, but the FF and Fuego won't be as good in the deep stuff. I'd recommend you go for something you'd use most days, then on the occasional odd days (eg. 18" of fluff) rent a more specific ski. As much as we'd like it, one ski can't do everything well.

 

[w.ski]

I just demoed the Firefox and the Fuego today and am having a hard time deciding which I liked best. Part of the problem is that the shop only had the Firefox in a 154 and it just didn't seem quite as stable at speed as the Fuego in a 161. The guy at the shop said the Firefox would be better in bumps and in crud than the Fuego. He also said that the Fuego in 161 would be right for me, but, since the Firefox is stiffer than the Fuego, the 154 in the Firefox would be right. I'm wishing I could have tried the FF in a 162. I'm 5'5" and 155 lbs, advanced skier. What do you Divas think?

 

[SnowHot]

w.ski,
I got the firefox in a 162. Love it!!
My stats: 5'6" 120 lbs.

 

[Quiver Queen]

w. ski,
I'd say demo the proper length, then choose. But sometimes you can just make a good decision based on what you see, hear, & read--in this case, it's that they're both great skis. Personally, I'd get the proper length because it's the proper length, not change around the size of the ski based on somebody's recommendation regarding stiffness. If a ski is stiffer and you don't want that characteristic, don't go shorter, get a different ski.

If you're in New England, Nordica is having some more public demo's at Okemo over the next few weeks. I think they said the next day is this Wednesday, but have the shop guy check with their rep to make sure.

Good luck, and let us know what happens!

 

[perma-grin]

Demo the longer ski. Based off your weight and height, assuming that you are a type III skier (7-9) I think that you will like it better. And I disagree with your sales person, unless you flail miserably in the bumps that little extra length won't stiffen up that ski. ( if anything skis get stiffer as you go down in length) as for the crud snow that's where you"ll benifit from the little extra length. Crud snow can and will throw you around. That little extra length can come in handy when your fore/aft balance is being effected by the snow. I spend a lot of time demo skis I have been a shop buyer for close to 30 yrs now. ( wow does that make me sound old!)Lol! Remember reguardless of what the guy's tell you, size does matter! And it will definitly effect the way a ski performs.

 

[SnowHot]

Demo the longer ski. Based off your weight and height, assuming that you are a type III skier (7-9) I think that you will like it better. And I disagree with your sales person, unless you flail miserably in the bumps that little extra length won't stiffen up that ski. ( if anything skis get stiffer as you go down in length) as for the crud snow that's where you"ll benifit from the little extra length. Crud snow can and will throw you around. That little extra length can come in handy when your fore/aft balance is being effected by the snow. I spend a lot of time demo skis I have been a shop buyer for close to 30 yrs now. ( wow does that make me sound old!)Lol! Remember reguardless of what the guy's tell you, size does matter! And it will definitly effect the way a ski performs.

X2

 

[w.ski]

Thanks for the advice - it's great to get info from other WOMEN skiers!