Ski Advice Please!

[CanuckDiva]

Stumbled onto these boards and would love to get advice from those who have tried the following skis:

Nordica Olympia Victory (or Speed)
Dynastar Exclusive Legend
K2 Burnin Luv
Volkl Attiva 5*

My level is about 8-9 (fairly aggressive style), 5"7 & 125 pounds, ski Tremblant so hard snow (rather ice) grip is important. But I also spend lots of time in the bumps and glades and if there is a sprinkling of soft snow (or rare powder day) I'm there. From what I'm read about so far the Volkl's & K2's are more carving and Nordica's & Dynastar's are more All-Mountain. I'm concerned the Attiva & Luv's won't be strong enough in soft snow/crud and that the Legends and Olympia might be too wide for the bumps or not enough grip.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[SnowHot]

Welcome to Ski Diva CanuckDiva

I would like to say that I've tried the skis you mentioned, but I've only experienced the Attiva 5*
Loved it. It is not as stiff as I like but still substantial enough to keep me smiling for an entire day on the slopes

The attributes of that particular ski:
Quick turning.
great Edge hold as well as edge to edge transfer.
pops you out of a turn with its energy and still has enough tip and tail width to give you float on those meager powder days.

I own the Burnin luv based on reviews, and can hardly wait to get on them this winter.
Thatsagirl should be poking her nose around the corner soon, and I think she has more experience on the burnin luv as well as one of the others on your list.

Hope this helps.....look for more help soon!;)

 

[Marigee]

Hi CanuckDiva! I have Dynastar Exclusive Legends and I really love them. I probably do most of my skiing in Colorado though. I specifically bought them because they were more of an all mountain ski. I live in the mid-atlantic and am looking to add another pair of skis with a narrower waist for the different snow we get here (often a lot man-made and icy.) One I am considering is the Volkl Attiva 5*. However I am only 5' 2" and 108 lbs - and I'm at best a level 7 (not real agressive either) so I am concerned it might be too much ski for me. I think it would be great for you. SnowHot really knows her gear - so I would listen to her recommendations!

 

[Jilly]

Bonjour CanukDiva. I'm Jilly the other canuck on the board. Ski Tremblant as well. From your list I've only tried the Nordica's. Love it, but I'm going to check my list at home wrt conditions. I tried them last Feb at the NSIA show and probably only skied 1 1/2 runs - Beauchemin upper and McCollough to the bottom. I'm presently on Z5 Rossi. Now demo days are the weekend before Christmas. The volkls might not be there. K2, Nordica and Dynastar should be. If not see Daniel Lachance or SkiMax. They should have demo's available.

 

[CanuckDiva]

Wow, thanks for the great and quick responses!

Snowhot: How were the Volkl's in the bumps?

Marigee: Do you ski Snowmass/Aspen? If so how do the Legend's perform there? I go about every 2-3 years there... Also, how are they in bumps?

Jilly: Did you ski both the Victory & Speed? Great to hear about the Tremblant demo day though I'm not sure if I'm patient enough to wait!

There are a few deals around for last year's models of the Dynastars & Volkl's and I think they're pretty much unchanged for this year. The Nordica's really have me intrigued but only Oberson's in Laval will have it. I usually go to Daniel Lachance and he has an ok price on last year's Burnin luv's but this year is not carrying K2. I generally ski the North Side and Edge parts of the mountain (haven't been down to the bottom of the South in years...)

 

[Marigee]

CanuckDiva,

I ski Steamboat and Summit County mostly. I have never been to Snowmass/Aspen, but would like to someday! I bought my legends in March after we had been to Steamboat. I went to Winter Park/Mary Jane in April. The first day we had 8" new snow and they were great. I also skied the bumps on Mary Jane - but only blue/black bumps not realy steep ones. I am not very good on bump runs so even though my legends seemed great to me - I don't know what an expert would say. I did several runs through the trees and had no problems with short, tight turns. We went to Copper one day and had some freeze/thaw conditions in the early morning and I felt they held an edge well on the frozen ground - and also cut through the crud well later in the day.
I hope this helps!

 

[SnowHot]

Snowhot: How were the Volkl's in the bumps?

They were okay in the bumps, but not ideal because of the grippiness.

I think Jilly has the right idea. If you can demo, do it!

Marigee had great input on the legends. I am really not familiar with those.

 

[tcarey]

I am a Dynastar rep so take my opinion for what it is worth. I skied the Dynastar exclusvie Legends last year.I am an avid bump skier and found the legend to be very forgiving in the bumps. I did not find it too wide. It also floated well in powder. For someone of your ski ability I think it would be a good choice. I think you should definately demo several pairs of skis to find the right one for you.It will be money well spent!

Terry

 

[CanuckDiva]

Thanks for such detailed feedback, this site rocks!!! I would be totally up for demoing if only we had some snow ;-)

I think I can eliminate the Volkl from the list for now, sounds great on hard snow/grooms but I'm too considered about performance in the bumps. Would still love to hear more thoughts on the Burnin Luv and Nordica's...

Dilemma about demoing is will I be able to get such a deal in December... Right now I can get last years Dynastar's for approx $450 CAD w. bindings which seems to be a really decent deal... Terry, how well does the Exclusive legend hold on hard snow & ice? Also, aside from the graphic are there any major changes from last years to this years model?

Cheers!

 

[tcarey]

The ski does well however it is not my ski of choice in these conditions.Personally I prefer my Dynastar slalom ski in the hardpack.But I was able to carve with this ski but again I like a stiffer ski under my feet for my type of skiing. The graphics have changed for this year. https://www.dynastar.com/popup/zoom.php?id_product=613

Hope I was able to help!!

 

[tcarey]

Whoops just re-read your post! aside from the graphics I do not think much has changed. I am going to a rep meeting on Friday so I will know more then!

 

[SnowHot]

Would still love to hear more thoughts on the Burnin Luv and Nordica's...

Thatsagirl, Are you paying attention?
Could really use your experience here!

Dilemma about demoing is will I be able to get such a deal in December... Right now I can get last years Dynastar's for approx $450 CAD w. bindings which seems to be a really decent deal... Terry, how well does the Exclusive legend hold on hard snow & ice? Also, aside from the graphic are there any major changes from last years to this years model?

Cheers!

If you decide to get the ski for that deal, and for some reason don't finde it to your liking, you may be able to sell it for what you have into it easy and get something different.
;)
Of course that is how I got a quiver of skis.:o

 

[Jilly]

CanuckDiva, sorry to take so long, but had a meeting with the Salomon rep tonight. I help out at a ski shop, I don't actually work there, but the stuff gets cheap or free.. I tried both the Speed and Victory.
Speed: 162cm great craver for advanced women (and I mean advanced) Likes speed. (gee why the name then?)
Victory: 162cm wider waist for all terrain. Carves well to. Might be answer for a Windigo andor a Duncan run.
Oh - check your PM's

 

[CanuckDiva]

Cool, thanks again all! I definitely ski more often the Windigo & Duncan and if the Victory can handle an icy day on the Duncan then that might be the ski for me! But you guys are convincing more and more to wait for the demo days. Sigh... it's just so nice thinking about hitting those slopes already!

 

[Captain]

CanuckDiva,

I went to Winter Park/Mary Jane in April. The first day we had 8" new snow and they were great. I also skied the bumps on Mary Jane - but only blue/black bumps not realy steep ones. I am not very good on bump runs so even though my legends seemed great to me - I don't know what an expert would say. I did several runs through the trees and had no problems with short, tight turns. We went to Copper one day and had some freeze/thaw conditions in the early morning and I felt they held an edge well on the frozen ground - and also cut through the crud well later in the day.
I hope this helps!

Hi!
I skied the Dynastar Exclusive Legend Powders and loved them! But there wasn't any powder. I did get to do some bumps. Can you give me more feedback on your skis? I am considering them along with the Karmas. One drawback on my demo experience - they only had them in 172cm which is a little long for me. I usually prefer 165cm. What other skis did you compare them to?
Thanks!