Hi everyone! I was SO happy to have found your website! LOVE you guys! I'm a Utah skiier...have been skiing since I was young back in Michigan, but moved out West years ago. I'd say I'm an intermediate skiier. I used to be advanced, but had a knee injury that set me back. Last season I skiied blues and easy black diamonds. I'm trying to gain my confidence back. I'd like to find a ski that comes around quickly. The skis I own now are older Elan Reactors (which I love) that are 168's and Salomon Xscreams that are 169's that I don't like because they feel like they have lead weights in them and seem sluggish to me. I'm 5'5 about 125 pounds. I mostly like carving fast on the groomed runs -- both quick short turns and sweeping turns...I sometimes ski powder too and easy moguls. I want a ski like my Elans that responds when you get in a rhythm cruising down a groomed run. I've never owned a K2 or Volkl and am having a hard time trying to figure out which would suit me better without being able to demo them. I've read through a lot of the older posts trying to find the differences between K2 and Volkl, but I'm still up in the air. My local ski shop in Utah is having a big sale on the 07/08 Volkl Attiva Luna and 07/08 K2 True Luv... The sale is only 3 days so I won't have a chance to demo either ski. I've always wanted to try a K2 ski as some of my friends absolutely love their K2 skis so I set out thinking I'd buy the K2. However, the sales people told me the Volkl would hold a better edge and was more of an aggressive ski that would take me further. There isn't much ice out here, but it's nice to have a good edge grip on the hard pack. I read glowing reviews of the Volkl Luna on Skipressworld.com They said the Volkl was a much stiffer ski and that you have to work harder and ski aggressively. They said the K2 however was soft and forgiving and more "fun" and would come around quicker. One sales person raved about the Volkl and pushed me that way, and the other loved the K2 and thought that was the best ski. I've read that K2's are "damper" and that Volkl's are more responsive and lively. Can you explain this in different terms for me? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a more lively, responsive ski?? Will it throw you on your face if you make a wrong move? Why are K2's considered "fun"? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a responsive vs. damp ski? My boyfriend is pushing me toward the Volkls as he seems to think a stiffer ski is the sign of a stronger more racing type of ski and more of a badge of honor. I'd be so grateful for advice too from anyone who owns the Volkl Luna or the K2 True Luv and how much they like them and what they feel their limits are. Will the True Luv still hold up on easy blacks and in some powder or is it a limited ski? Thank you so much...I need to make a decision quickly between these two before my size is gone. I'd like to find a ski that will help me improve and bring me back towards becoming advanced. If there is another type of ski you guys would recommend apart from these two I would be open to that as well. Thank you! 
). Getting "too much" ski at this point could hinder your growth by instilling defensive, rather than offensive movements into your technique. However, it doesn't sound like either of these skis would be too much for you at your current level. Without the chance to demo, just pick 1 of the 2 based on your own preference for dampness/liveliness (you'll find lovers of both here). Besides, you're not married to them! If you get 1 and it doesn't put a HUGE smile on your face, sell it and do some demoing then get something else!
You had a lot of great points and insight about choosing a ski at the right level too. I have one last question... The Volkl's are much stiffer and the K2's are softer. What are the advantages/disadvantages of a stiff ski vs. a soft ski? Some people seem to love a soft ski, some stiffer, but how do both traits affect the skis performance? It seems that even really advanced skiiers sometimes prefer a softer ski. I really wish I'd tried to demo some skis last season and it goes to show how valuable demoing is, even if you're not in the market at the time to buy, just to keep finding out as much as you can about yourself and what you really like in a ski's characteristics. 
I think I'll go with the stiff skis since I'm a Nastar Downhill Racer. :D Just kidding. I used to do the Nastar races when I was a kid at Cannonsburg and Bittersweet. One time at Cannonsburg the whole course was a ice sheet. Ahh...those were the days. I do the courses out here in Utah sometimes for fun. They have cool classes out here and they've got a swimming pool at the end of a ski ramp in case you want to try to fly off that ramp and try out some aerials. The pool's all ready for a cushiony painless landing unless you belly flop or overshoot the pool. 
Anyhoo, thanks again for all the advice! It's really helped a lot and I feel so much better now deciding! Luckily since there are only two skis on sale I don't have more choices or it might be impossible to choose. They make it a lot harder on you in the shop as though you have to decide instantly right then and there whether you are now officially K2 or Volkl for life and the countdown has begun...5-4-3-2-1----what's it gonna be already??!
