Urgent-Help pick for me!!

[Sky]

Hi,
I am new to this forum but have been lurking and think it is great.

I have demo'ed K2 One Luvs and Dynastar Exclusive Carves and have the chance to buy either at a great price at local sales. I'd hoped to demo them side by side tomorrow but learned that they are down to the last pair of each and this is the end of the season blow-out sale.

I am 5' 7'' 160 lbs, strong and an intermediate to advanced skiier who skis in the northeast. I haven't had the chance to test either ski on ice yet but read that the One Luv might be less grippy on ice.

I have recently made a big jump in my progress just from demo-ing new equipment. So I am, at the age of 47, having a growth spurt.

I should add that I just bought Nordica Beast 12 boots.

PLEASE weigh in on this intense decsion for me. I thank you very much!

 

[Sheena]

I have skied on the Dynastar Exclusive Carves for the past 3 seasons.
I was skiing on old straight skis prior to that, and ated skiing on ice. I was really pleased how well the Dynastars handled the ice. The only complaint I have is that they are not as stable in cruddy conditions, or in the glades. Also the turning radius (10) on the 152 length makes it harder for me in those types of conditions.

Overall, I have really loved skiing on them, and really helped me progress in my skiing.

 

[Sky]

Hi Sheena,
Thanks for the reply. We do get a lot of crud in the NE so that would be a concern for me. Have you ever tried K2's? Looks like at my length the turning radius is the same (12).

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Lots of people on here know I love my K2 One Luvs! They are perfect for me. I am 5'6" and 128 pounds. I've skiied on ice (in Taos) and they did ok for me but were a little less grippy!

Here in Colorado, they are perfect for me. I think if you ski on more icy conditions most of the time, you may want to consider the Dynastars.

Also, if you have a lot of experience with straight, not shaped, skis, you may do very well with the K2's. I do find that I use more of my old school techniques with them in powder (but maybe that is how I ski all the time). On groomed slopes, I absolutely LOVE how the K2 takes over for me! Pretty good on ice, but I have to be a little more careful and control my ski, rather than letting the ski do the work for me.

Good Luck!

 

[Sky]

Pressure's off-- Volkl Attivas vs K2 One Luvs

Hi Again,

Gail, I am curious, what length ski are you on?

I was going to go for the 160 but the ski guy told me go for the 153 (I am 5' 7" and 160 lbs).

Anyway the Exclusive Carve actually turned out to be the older model which is different from the current, so I feel less pressure.

Meanwhile the Attiva S4 and S5 look good too! I think the length was 156-- on paper they sound great for east coast but I worry that they might be too stiff for me?? Anyone out there who can contrast S4 vs. S5 vs. K2 One Luv for an upper intermediate? Maybe I should start a thread on that. I am so confused!!

Sky

 

[Little Lightning]

Here's a website that discusses the different women's skis and references the model that each ski compares to.

https://www.footloosesports.com/reviews/article.php?prid=172

Hope this helps.

Kathi

 

[ski diva]

Another alternative:

Go to https://www.sierrasnowboard.com, click to enter the ski shop, and then click on the skis you're interested in. They have reviews, too.

 

[SnowHot]

For me, I'd get the Attiva S5.
It's advanced enough to take you to the next level of skiing, and yet, it is forgiving enough to allow you to make mistakes. Add to that the edge technology that gives you that hold you need on ice and hard pack.
You have yourself a winner of a ski!

 

[Sky]

Hi Kathi,
Thanks for the link-- interesting reading. I didn't find the ski I am considering on their review list, though. I wish I had... the review are really infromative.

Sky

 

[Sky]

Hi Snowhot,
Thanks for the feedback.
Do you know how the S4 and S5 compare? They have similar dimensions and different construction. I have read the Volkl's are relatively stiff, and that has intimidated me. Also Ski Magazine says Volkl supersport line (the S in S4 and S5) are not good in bumps-- I don't do moguls yet, but that comment made me think they are hard to maneuver compared to other skis. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Little Lightning]

Sky,

I have the Volkl Supersport Gamma, early version of the S5. I love them on groomed and I love how quickly they carve a turn. I weigh 105 lbs and find them lively and fun especially for cruising.

However, I do not like them in bumps. Soft, small bumps are ok. Maybe I'm to slow and not aggressive in the bumps for them. Since I spend more time off piste than on I just bought the K2 Lotta Luvs. My friend has the Burnin Luvs and likes them although she skis mostly groomed. I demoed the Burnin Luv last year and liked them in the bumps but did not like them on the groomed, they chattered when I skied them fast.

I demoed the Lotta Luvs during my weekly lesson and they were silky smooth through the bumps and easier to turn in the trees than my Volkl's. The Volkls do not like hard, icy bumps, but they handle well on hardpack.

What type of terrain do you ski the most and how fast do you ski? The S5's like to go fast although I can slow them down and do nice short turns. If you are mostly on groomed, especially hardpack, go with the Volkl's. If you dabble in bumps and trees consider the Burnin Luv, True Luv, or Volkls AC line.

If you go with the Luv series try to buy them flat, without bindings, that way you can chose the binding appropriate for you. Volkls come with a very good integrated system.

There's lots of skis out there, hope this helps you find one that meets your needs.

Kathi

 

[Sky]

Hi Kathi,
I ski upstate NY and NE, all groomers. I would like to learn how to ski moguls but I stick with the groomed greens, blues and blacks. I am just learning to carve my way smoothly without skids down the blacks. I think the S4's are a little more forgiving than the S5's --do you know anything about that and how it would impact my skiing? When you say "off-piste" are you referring to western fresh powder, or northeast through the trees next to the groomers? I figure if I ski out West I will rent powder ski. The K2's I am thinking of are the One Luv ski-- same shape as Burnin Luv but without the metal. I have been warned that they might not hold ice as well as some others and we do get ice out here. So here's my new choice list:
Fisher Vision 70
Dynastar Exclusive Carve
K2 One Luv
Volkl S4 (would consider S5)

 

[Sky]

Hi Again Sheena,
I learned today that the Exclusive Carve ski that I am considering is updated and has different dimensions than the one you skied on-- that's why the turn radius is a bit wider than yours.

 

[ski diva]

So here's my new choice list:
Fisher Vision 70
Dynastar Exclusive Carve
K2 One Luv
Volkl S4 (would consider S5)

These are all excellent skis. Hope you'll report back and let us know how your demos go. We'd love to hear.

 

[Sky]

Thanks- the Volkls are not available to test drive and the others are in motley sizes at the demo hut, so it'll be a tough comparison. But I will try. Great site! Thanks for the link to the ski reviews-- they are the ones that keep propping up randomly when I Google a particular ski. Now I know where they came from. Wonderful resource.

By the way, I see from your profile that you ski in conditions similar to mine (I live in Rochester). Are you familiar with the skis on my list for upstate NY?

Thanks again.

 

[Little Lightning]

Sky,

Based on my impression of the Burnin Luvs, I would chose the Volkls over the One Luvs. I wonder if the S4 is the same as my Gamma Supersport? Mine doesn't have titanium in in like this years model does and the description of the S4 in Skiing mag sounds a lot like mine.

I'm a native Cincinnatian and have skied a lot in the east so I know the conditions you are talking about.

Off-piste in anything not groomed, trees, crud, bumps, powder.

Kathi

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Wow! You're getting a LOT of opinions! :D

Confused?

It appears that I may be the only living Diva that loves the K2 One Luvs....but I SWEAR they are brilliant and have some nice and give (especially in the bumps) and no chatter! NONE! :D I really do love them, but these ladies all have great advice. You're doing nice research.

I have no idea how you figure it out!

I will say that male sales people tend to put ladies on a shorter and less aggressive ski, so be careful of that! I like a longer ski (167), and I am 5'6", so to me, a 153 is too short for my liking.

There is so much to consider. I'm sorry I can't help with the other skis, but I really do love my OneLuvs! :D

 

[Sky]

Kathi,
Hi-- I really appreciate your input since you have the Volkls and you know my condtions. Thank you!

 

[Sky]

Kelly,
Thanks for your enthusiasm and input! The One Luvs do sound great for me and I don't think you are alone in your joy with them. I think that skiing in the East where ice and hard snow can be a major part of the experience (though thankfully not this winter!), the grip in these conditions may be of more concern than where you ski. That may be why they are not getting the endorsement that you would give them. I do know that a lot of people around here swear by K2's though. I personally have a special preference for security on ice-- I get scared of a wipe out and I clench up.
Your size input is helpful too -- I am leaning toward 158ish to 160.
Sky

 

[treebunny]

try the nordicas. the victory is an excellent all around ski and is tenacious on ice. it floats pretty decent in powder too so you can transition on and off groomed. don't go too intermediate in your ski pick. it will hold you back. and get a ski rated for all speed limits which i think realskiers.com reviews do a nice job of rating. if its an intermediate ski, you won't feel good when you pick up speed. i also liked the conquest but its more of a powder ski, still carves really well on hard stuff, but probably not as quick turning as the victory. and someone in this forum likes the speed but i haven't seen it myself.