Should I buy some Volkl Attiva AC3s...

[persee]

Ok. I posted this over on Epic, but I was hoping I could get some quick additional feedback here from some gals. I'm just going to copy my post from there to save time effort (since I am *supposed* to be working right now, despite the fact that I can only think about skiing). Here it is:

Ok. I've stumbled upon a deal which may be too good for me to refuse. It's not a situation where I can demo to affirm or whatever my decision, unfortunately.

As the title of the thread makes clear I've found a pair of Attiva AC3's that may have my name on them. What I want is some opinions regarding their suitability for me to help me make my decision. For reference my previous ski purchases I have made without demoing and have not been upset with my decisions - maybe lucky, maybe I'm just good at interpretting the information I can get.

About me: 5'3, 125lbs, no injuries that impact my skiing - I have bad ankles but I've got good boots so these don't bother me. I ski primarily in the east. I like groomed runs, no trees (at this point and probably ever), some light powder is fine (6" or less for my preference although I have managed with more but it wasn't my thing). I'm willing to try most anything but bumps don't appeal - my knees are good now lets not change that! :P I also like to play with some small jumps and stuff to get a little air, but I'm never going to be a park kiddie! I do like some speed although my current skis - K2 True Luvs - can only get so much. I'm in my third year skiing and by most charts I can find I'm a level 6-7 skier and I obviously want to advance in terms of technique, but my priority is on enjoying my time on the mountain and I don't foresee adventuring offpiste in my future. Lastly I'll note that my background as a dancer has left me with a fairly athletic build but I'm still "light" in weight. I don't mind having to work my skis some, but I don't want something I have to fight all the way down the mountain to get good/comfortable performance.

A last note is that I did demo some K2 Lotta Luvs (which seem to fit into a comparable skiier level and class) and had a ball on them. They let me fly down the slopes, carving, and really didn't make me work hard - I didn't feel any more tired after similar runs to my normal, etc. This was in Tahoe in april, so spring conditions, some groomed some mashed potatoes. I've been craving a pair of Lotta Luv but wondered if perhaps my next ski might be something a little more specialized to eastern skiing although still an all mountain.

So now that I'm done blathering what I want to know is does it seem like I'm looking at a pair of skis I will enjoy, not outgrow, and suit my style? If I've left out anything that might help please ask as I'll be checking in frequently. It being a new ski this year I've not found quite enough info to decide - almost but more info can't hurt!

Thanks in advance!

 

[skigirl]

What length and radius is the ski you are looking to buy? Do you prefer a slalom ski or a GS ski?

 

[persee]

I'm looking at the 156cm - my current True Luvs are 153 and I don't want to step down to the 149cm. As for turns I like to make a variety of turns but I don't play in the trees so making superquick/short turns is not a priority. As for Slalom vs GS I'mnot sure I can quantify that other than my statemetn above.

 

[smpayne]

If you liked the Lotta Luv you should really like the AC3. Supposedly, they are better on the ice than the Lotta Luvs. I've tried them both, and I think I prefer the AC3.

 

[SnowHot]

Go for it! The AC3 Attiva seems to be a formidable ski, and the worse thing that could happen is you ski it a few times and sell it.
Gotta love getting new skis!:D

 

[ski now work later]

I bought the AC3s at the beginning of this season to bring out West for my recent trip to Big Sky. I was skiing on the Attiva 5Stars from last season (this is my 3rd season) and I wanted something beefier to handle variable conditions.

I tried them out in Vermont a few times before the Big Sky trip and loved the stability. However, they are a bit stiff and are a little tough for short radius turns. I doubt they are an ideal tree ski for that reason, but given your preferences, I think they would do well for you. I struggled in Big Sky in the bumps with them (I'm a beginner and took a mogul class) and also had a bit of a rough time in the deep powder, but since both conditions were so new for me, it's hard to say that it was the skis.... I'm just under 5'7" 142 lbs. and the 163s are a tiny bit long for me, but thought they would last longer and that the 156s seemed short (my first ski 2 seasons ago was a 156 Attiva 724 ski which was a good starter ski for me, who was a beginner with some downhill experience in the 1960s and some in the 1980s....

Anyway, the AC3 is a great ski for the aspiring intermediate or advance skiier who isn't so athletic and/or heavy that they crave a unisex ski. They hold a great edge, are super for long-radius turns, and cut through crud with power and speed.

What I am learning is that the conditions vary so much that someone of my skill level (aspiring intermediate who is more at home on Eastern groomed runs) can use a quiver of skis that are available at a moment's notice! Unfortunately the airlines weigh your ski bag and boot bag together, so if I took a second pair with me, it would cost dearly. I'd planned to demo the Solomon Scarlet skis or possibly the Auras, but found that Big Sky demos are pretty limited, alas....

Have fun shopping! Al's Ski Barn (untracked.com) might have some left and they offer pretty good deals with free shipping and good customer service.

 

[persee]

Well after all that agonizing I finally decided I would pull the trigger (well I was 90% of the way and willing to drive the hour to the shop), so I called the shop to confirm the skis were still there and have them hold them for me. I get a quick response that they're sold out. I'm not sure if I believe it, the response was just so quick, no "I'll go check" or anything. So I guess I wasn't meant to have them. However I might call back again tomorrow just to double check...

Thanks for all the input gals, I'm sure you'll see a lot of me around here now that I've found it!

(oh and while the husband was trying to convince me that I would find another good deal he found the bargain of the century on some 2 year old Volkls :mad: Really... I'm happy for him... really.)

 

[Quiver Queen]

The AC-3's sound like they'd be a good choice for you.

 

[Lori_K]

Hey Persee, check with the guy named "ptex" over on Epic Ski. He is currently advertising Volkls on sale-- he may have some Attiva AC3's.

I don't know what price your local shop was going to give you, but I found this online, and the price is great! (includes bindings).

https://shop.sierrasnowboard.com/browse.cfm/4,1468.htm

Also, this is the time of year when demo shops start selling off their equipment. Check around and see if anyone nearby has a demo pair for sale.

 

[SnowHot]

if you're an EpicSki Supporter, Sierra Jim offers a tremendous discount. I got a great deal on my RaceTigers from him. The deal was good enough that I had him throw in some Atomic Snoop Daddy's

 

[persee]

The price I was offered was 50% off - truly a great deal which I have not been able to come close to anywhere else.

I've taken a look at the prices online from Sierra Ski, Al's Ski Barn, and a couple of others and the prices aren't anywhere close to as good. The price I was offered was at the very top end of the range which I would consider spending on skis I didn't absolutely need - and I didn't *need* them since I can definitely still ski the True Luvs.

So I think tonight I'll give one last call to confirm that they are gone and then perhaps I'll keep doing a gear dance for hopes that I can find something else on a good deal. I think my biggest frustration is that I only have 1 set of skis, so if we're on a trip and goddess-forbid they get trashed I'm probably screwed. I don't even have old rock skis as my only other set of skis was my first skis which were way too soft to even consider keeping around.

 

[SnowHot]

I've taken a look at the prices online from Sierra Ski, Al's Ski Barn, and a couple of others and the prices aren't anywhere close to as good.

50% off is about as good as it gets for such a hot ski. As far as Sierra Ski...contact Jim there, tell him that Philpug and I sent you and you will be able to forget the prices you see posted on the web, trust me, he WILL take care of you.

 

[persee]

guess what I just came home with... :D

I called the shop back last night and turns out they had a pair that were abandoned off layaway... so I have some shiney new blue skis!

I'm very excited. And even better we did our taxes last night so I don't even have to feel guilty.

 

[persee]

So looks like I'll be skiing at killington on Saturday. It will be my second day out of the season - long story involving my husband having knee surgery, etc - so what I'm debating is should I take out the new skis - Attiva AC3's - or stick with my trusty True Luvs for this day. I really would like to try the AC3s when it's not gonna be super crowded etc so I can get a feel for them w/o limitations. So what do you all think? I'll get out several more times (if I have any choice) before the end of the season, so it's not like this would be my only chance to try them. Another note is that this will be my first ( and likely only due to the impending demise of the A41 pass) visit to killington. We'll probably stick to blues.

 

[ski now work later]

You may recall that I am the Diva who took Attiva AC3s in a 163 length to Big Sky and had a very hard time with the length, stiffness, and turning radius in the soft, bumpy, powdery conditions. My local ski shop offered to switch them down to a 156 length for me, and I took them out last Sunday on loose granular conditions. They were great!

This weekend looks like it will be a bit warmer, so the snow should be pretty soft. I think you'll be fine with the AC3s and how could you not try them out before the season comes to a close. :D I'm planning to ski Stratton on Sunday with mine. I think the wider platform is good for variable conditions, which is what I expect you'll find there.

I don't recommend these skis in the bumps, however, as they're pretty stiff. Did you buy them in the 156 lenth? (that's what I remember)

 

[persee]

Indeed, I did get them in 156 length. I was just debating holding off on trying them until I went out in less crowded conditions. Hrm... perhaps I'll just have to tell my husband that I'll bring out my new longer skis (the True Luvs are 153s) if he takes out his new ones! Then I can make him decide! hah!

 

[ski now work later]

Yes, Killington can be a zoo. I only go there at the very start and end of the season (they're the only resort open) or mid-week with my free pass that I get from attending a Warren Miller flick.

If you're going to arrive early enough to park where you can walk your skis to the lodge without taking a shuttle, bring both pair and start with the AC3s. When I bring my twin tips to the mountain to fool around skiing switch or trying out park stuff, I often switch skis mid-day.