Trying to chose between one of these skis

[XlubsX]

Hi,
I have already introduced my self in the intro forum but I have a specific question and want to first give some more stats for me. I'm 5'6", 145 lbs. I just finished my second season. I would describe my ability as approaching intermediate. I ski mostly in the NY/NJ/PA area with (hopefully) occasional trips to europe and out west. I am not aggressive but lattely have been more comfortable with some minor speed.
I have already purchased new boots this season and now I would like to get skis for next season. After some research I have produced the following candidates (there could be many more but I am already overwhelmed with the choices)

What I am considering are:
Volkl Attiva luna (cant decide between 149 and 156)
K2 true luv 153
K2 one luv 153
Can someone comment on these skis and the lengths. I am especially confused on the difference between the true luv and the one luv.

Also, I know of a very good deal on a set of attiva lunas in the 156 length but I'm worried about them being to long. So far I have skied on a set of season rentals in the 150 length.
Sorry for the long post and I appreciate all the advice. Thanks,
Luba

 

[persee]

Luba,

I'll try to clarify on a couple of the skis with which I am familiar. First things first 153 in K2 is exactly the same length as 156 in Volkl - I have a pair of 153 K2 True Luvs and a pair of 156 Volkl Attiva AC3s and I put them up base to base and they are exactly the same length. This is due to the fact that these two manufacturers use different methods to come up with their length measurements - K2 only measures the running length - ie the length of the portion of the ski that is in contact with the snow when running flat. Volkl on the other hand measures full tip to tail length.

So now you know I'm quite familiar with the True Luv - mine are from 2005-06 season, the year before they made them wider under foot (mine have a 69mm waist), but from what I've heard the skis haven't changed much otherwise. I got these skis in my second season of skiing - I was maybe a level 5 skier when I got these and I found they were really great for getting me to the next level. They were never intimidating and they helped me both in confidence and performance. I think these skis might be great for you , but the Lunas, etc might be good too. I think that where you are at you might find the One Luv slightly too demanding. I think you could grow into them, but the True Luv would let you grow w/o pushing you too hard too soon. I'm sure that NVG will give you some great feedback on the One Luv as she absolutely luvs those skis. I only stopped skiing my True's (and I will probably pull them out again this spring) when I found that I was finally to the point of wanting to go faster than they wanted me to go. But it took a number of leaps in my skiing ability/confidence for me to get to that point. I don't think I would have progressed quite as fast had I bought a more demanding ski at the time I bought these.

About me - 5'3.5 130ish lbs (wish it was less but alas!) athletic and muscular lower body. I'm currently in my fourth season of skiing and consider myself moderately aggressive - more agressive as my skills and confidence grow. This year I started skiing blacks intentionally and have begun exploring the trees. I'd say I'm a level 7.9 skier at this point - my own assessment, so interpret that as you will. The skis I'm skiing most often now are Volkl Attiva AC3s (the same as the Tierra).

 

[XlubsX]

Thank you for your quick response! Yeah, Im pretty much a level 5 right now. So, you think that a 156 would be fine for my height and weight?
Also, any thoughts on the difference between the Attiva Lunas and the True Luvs?
Thanks again,
Luba
(love that cat in the avatar!)

 

[persee]

I wish I could speak directly about the Lunas (they are what used to be the Attiva AC2) but unfortunately I've never had the chance to ski either the Lunas or the AC2 - I can tell you I was very tempted to get the Attiva AC2 when I got my True Luvs but I just too good of a deal to turn down the True Luvs. I never have had the chance to demo - maybe next year!

I think either ski might be good for you - both are a bit wider under foot ( I believe they're both 72mm now). I think the Luna might be slightly more stiff but nothing you couldn't manage. That's about all I can say not having skiied one of them.

And the kitty is my Teddy Bear.

 

[volklgirl]

I demoed the AC2 (Luna) last year and thought it was the perfect "improving" ski at 163cm. It was lively and forgiving, had a death grip on ice, and was comfortable at most all speeds. Any short comings I found I think were just due to this length being too short for me. My review is HERE.

The 156 would be my recommendation.

 

[Kano]

Persee, your post sounds so familiar! I'm skiing the True Luvs in a 153 also, and I love them for groomers! And mine are also the 05-06 model! I can confidently second everything you've said about them.

I haven't replaced -- or maybe augmented is better -- them with something else yet, but I am shopping. They doing everything I want from a ski when I'm on groomed runs -- including the black runs -- but when I venture into the trees and powder, and heavier deep snow, they're just not as much fun as I'd like to have when we venture off trail.

I'm 5'4, and am down at about 160 right now. Past seasons, I've skiied these same skis anywhere between 220-240. They've been fun at both sizes, but I freely admit, I am a whole lot more maneuverable at this new size!

Kano

 

[Native Vail Gal]

I'm a HUGE believer in the ONE Luv. I'm a 7-8 level skier.

It is a ski that you can grow into, yet still enjoy as you're learning to challenge yourself.

I'll write more on this tomorrow evening. I gotta go to bed! Meeting NannyMin SUPER early!