Volkl AC2 vs. K2 Burning Luv and One Luv

[sloflin]

Hi Ladies,

I've been skate skiing for a while and am just now getting into alpine which is way different!

I'm trying to select a ski that I can feel confident on well through intermediate level but still give me enough confidence to learn without feeling that I have too aggressive a ski.

BTW, I'm 5"3' and 120lbs.

I live in Co. and so far I've been skiing mostly Winter Park and El Dora. Winter Park is well groomed. Eldora has some some bumpy sort of snow not like fresh groomed cord and is prone to icy patches.

So far I've tried the Volkl AC2 (156) and K2 Burning Luv (153). Both skis were the same legnth. The AC2 turned on a dime but I felt I was in the back seat a lot of the time, this ski was so fast to me. At times I felt like the ski was flying out from underneath me. I love going fast but I also want to be in control.

The Burning Luv was a little harder to turn but very stable at high speed. However, when I would initiate a turn into the softer powder, my inside ski would drag a little in the powder and I felt like I had to try and lift it to turn it to be parallel with my outside ski. The Luv ski was a lot heavier ski as well. Not sure if this was a factor or not with being able to turn my inside leg.

I'm too new at skiing to tell which one is the better ski yet.I don't think the Burnin Luv does well in softer snow. The AC2 was very fast.

I was thinking about trying out the One Luv next. Let me know if there are other skis I should be thinking about. I don't want something I'll outgrow this season (I'll be skiing every weekend until April), but I don't want something I won't feel confident on either that will impede my ability to learn and advance.

Any thoughts on the AC2, Burnin Luv, or One Luv and where I will be skiing, ability, and weight?

Thanks!

 

[SnowHot]

I think the Burnin luv lends to stability, but the Attiva line of Volkl will be less likely to wash out when initiating a turn.

If I were you, I'd try the Lotta luv and the Attiva AC3 as an alternative. Between those two I think the Lotta luv will become your ski of choice in the powder.

 

[Lilgeorg]

I agree with Tricia. I am now skiing the Activa 2 but I do not ski powder( Eastern Mts). So I find the Activa2 great for all around conditions that include ice and death cookies. It turns well and is stable on hard surfaces.

I did demo the One Luvs. They didn't give me as much confidence on the hard pack. BUT, my granddaughter who an x ski instructor and bump skier loves the One Luv.

I think either ski would be a good choice for long tern use.

 

[SnowHot]

Lil, now that you've skied some on your AC2's, do you feel like you're getting everything out of them that you want. Also, you bought skis at the swap in the fall. Have you had a chance to ski on them yet? If so, how do you feel on them?

 

[Lilgeorg]

So far so good with the Activa2. The conditions have been so poor so far that I really can't say for sure that they have met all my expectations. As for the Ledgends, sorry to say I have yet to try them. Hopefully this week I'll have a chance to do that.

 

[smpayne]

I think the Burnin luv lends to stability, but the Attiva line of Volkl will be less likely to wash out when initiating a turn.

If I were you, I'd try the Lotta luv and the Attiva AC3 as an alternative. Between those two I think the Lotta luv will become your ski of choice in the powder.

I agree. I tried the AC3 earlier this year and they are great in the PNW. They were great through the powder (my powder skiing has a lot to be desired, I'm just learning) and it was just fun on the groomed runs. It would be a great ski for CO, if the snow is anything like Utah, I would definitely go with the AC3 or Lotta Luv.

 

[Margaritamarcia]

Burnin Luvs

I LOVE my Hunka Hunka Burnin' Luvs. Blast thru crud with no hesitation and like to travel. I find them very stable.

 

[Elangirl]

Two things---one is if you are not clearing the inside ski on your turn then your weight is not firmly on the outside ski. Also, sometimes there is a tendency to put the inside ski on the inside edge. Try turning your knee slightly into the hill and put that ski flat on the snow. If it is flat, it will ski right in next to the outside ski.

Having said that, perhaps the Burnin Luv is too stiff a ski for you right now. Also, it is not a good Western ski because it is too narrow at the waist and you will need a wider ski for this year with all the powder. I would try a Lotta Luv or a Fire Magic from Elan or a Sian 10 from Solomon. I have skied all of those skis and they give a nice, damp feel in the powder---also they are skis that you will flex properly. The AC 2 also has a 76 mm waist--which is what you want for all mountain skiing in the west---but is just a tad stiffer than the other three.

Try one of those skis next weekend--and it would not hurt to take a level 4/5 lesson so that you conquer the problem with the inside ski.Good luck---I always love teaching a skater--the lessons move fast!!

 

[sloflin]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies and suggestions, this forum rocks! I'm headed back to Winter Park tomorrow and Thursday. Tomorrow I'm skiing the Head Wild Thang and Thursday the Lotta Luv. I'll be taking another lesson as well- Perfecting Parallel, which should help with my inside leg turning problem.

 

[sskier]

Deff: Head Wild Thang a great powder ski.

 

[SnowHot]

I LOVE my Hunka Hunka Burnin' Luvs. Blast thru crud with no hesitation and like to travel. I find them very stable.

This is what I found also.
I have had no trouble getting through the mashed potato snow we've been cursed with this winter.
The only time I really don't like them is when I'm keeping up with the boys. Saddly, they do have a speed limit. Those of you who've skied with me know that I tend to be a bit of a flyer:D
For 97% of my skiing the Burnin luv is perfect.

Marcia, you rock! I had so much fun skiing with you guys on The Monday! Make the GD Turn!

 

[smpayne]

This thread got me researching the skis that have been mentioned and now I have more questions. I noticed that the AC2 & AC3 unisex version comes in the smaller sizes (156 & 163) are these quite a bit stiffer than the women's version or pretty close?

I have skiied the AC3 Attiva 163 and liked them, but thought that they were a bit chattery at speed on the crud (I'm a bit heavy), is that normal for a ski that wide, 118-76-104? Would going up a size help?

I'm trying not to compare them too much to my current skis, becasue they are so different in style and purpose.

 

[SnowHot]

This thread got me researching the skis that have been mentioned and now I have more questions. I noticed that the AC2 & AC3 unisex version comes in the smaller sizes (156 & 163) are these quite a bit stiffer than the women's version or pretty close?

I have skiied the AC3 Attiva 163 and liked them, but thought that they were a bit chattery at speed on the crud (I'm a bit heavy), is that normal for a ski that wide, 118-76-104? Would going up a size help?

I'm trying not to compare them too much to my current skis, becasue they are so different in style and purpose.

I have not been on the curren year model of the Unlimited series but was on last years. I know they've changed a bit but if last years feel is any indicator, you will notice asignificant difference in the flex between the unisex line and the attiva line. If I bought, I'd get the unisex skis. I know the attiva line has kicked it up a notch but I find myself "muscling" through enough that I tend to overpower a ski too easily.

 

[volklgirl]

The Attiva versions of ALL Volkls are 20% softer and 20% lighter than the unisex version. If you found the Attiva AC3 163 chattery, I'd suggest you either go to the unisex version or go up a size. A ski with those dimensions should blast through the crud confidently at the right length. I found the Attiva AC2 in a 162 to be too short for steeps and really high speeds (I need to demo the 170ish length), but otherwise I really liked it. Of course, I'm VERY heavy! :D

 

[smpayne]

The Attiva versions of ALL Volkls are 20% softer and 20% lighter than the unisex version. If you found the Attiva AC3 163 chattery, I'd suggest you either go to the unisex version or go up a size. A ski with those dimensions should blast through the crud confidently at the right length. I found the Attiva AC2 in a 162 to be too short for steeps and really high speeds (I need to demo the 170ish length), but otherwise I really liked it. Of course, I'm VERY heavy! :D

I think we are around the same height & weight. OK, I might be heavier but less agressive. Need to work on those thigh muscles, so I don't have to rest as much.

I have been feeling that 160 was too long and too stiff, but with my new boots I am beginning to re-think some of that. I think I want a ski with a shorter turning radius. My current skis are actually quite stiff GS skis (02/03) that just like to fly straight down.

I loved the shape of the AC3 and they were FUN to ski inspite of the chatter. I didn't know if this was just due to the fact that they were lighter than my K2s or they just didn't like the ice chunks.

It will be interesting to Demo them again with my new boots and see if it makes a difference. I'll try the unisex and the next size up as soon as I get a chance, maybe during my trip to UTAH in Feb.

Any snow for you guys yet?

 

[Grace]

I finally got to give my new Attiva AC2s (163) a good run over the last two weeks -- and I love them. I found them fast, responsive and pretty versatile: compared to my old (old) skis they really inspired confidence on the steeps and bumps.

Grace.

 

[sloflin]

Hi ladies,

Here's the outcome of my original post in this thread. It was a tough decision between the Head Wild Thangs and the K2 Lotta Luvs (this one was not listed in my original demo list but I decided to try it). It makes it tougher when testing the skis on different conditions and different days. I tried the Wild Thangs on soft groomers and the Lotta Luvs on on a fresh powder day and a hard-pack icy day.

I ended up chossing the Lotta Luvs for my first ski purchase. I still like the Wild Thang a lot but took the advice of the owner at Outdoor Divas (in Boulder where I live) and went with the K2s. She said they will be a faster ski in the long run and that I'd hit the speed limit on the WT.

Does anyone know what the real differences are between the two skis? Maybe when the Wild Thangs are cleared out for the spring I'll pick up a pair. Or since I already have a mid-fat with the LL's I should look for something different.

Thanks for everyone's advice and helpful feedback!

 

[smpayne]

You should love the Lotta Luvs. I skied these this weekend and fell in love, I was so sad on Sunday when I had to give them back to the store.

My biggest trouble with them was letting the ski do what it wanted instead of trying to muscle it. As soon as I did that, I flew. I especially loved how they transitioned from icy hard pack to powder and back agian.

 

[mquinn]

Hi, I am new to the site but have a very similar problem.

I am trying to get rid of my old salomon srambler 8s

Have been looking at the burning luv and one luv, mainly do piste skiing and not much powder but do want to start trying.

Demo day- burning luvs- very fast and lots of fun
one luvs- very stable but a little predictable.

I have thought about trying lotta luvs but was not sure if they would hold on the hard pack... My scramblers are not great at steep ice and chatter a lot at speed.

Any Advice?

 

[Kano]

mquinn,

I'm looking at the Lotta Luvs, and planning to test ride some similar skis too. I've been venturing off the groomers this year, and I mentioned it to DH again the other day -- the Lottas I tried a few weekends ago rode through the heavy powder/crud that we were skiing a whole lot better than my True Luvs do. Lotta has a 78 waist, my True Luvs have a 69 waist. I want to ride the Lottas again one of these days, when the snow is more "normal" for around here -- get it out on some harder snow, see how it handles groomed old stuff and "skier packed/tracked" old stuff, y'know?

DH has decided nothing really handles REAL ice well -- but the definition of ice varies, I think!

Rental shop dude on the hill DID say that Burnin Luvs would bust crud better than my True Luvs -- something about the different construction and they're a bit heavier.

Kano