Volkl Attiva AC2

[SnowGlider]

Since it's the end of the season and there are some great sales going on, I'm wondering if I should try a new ski.

Age 54
5'5" 175 lbs
High intermediate
70% blue 30% black
100% groomed (Eastern hardpack)
Not an aggressive skier; not interested in high speed; do want to improve

Current ski: Head i.M. Lightning w. heavier Tyrolia binding, 2005.

I find my Heads a little heavy and hard to maneuver at low speed on steep slopes. Would the AC2 offer any advantage over the Head? Am I too heavy for the AC2?

The AC2 won best overall ski in ??? magazine this year (anyone know the name of that magazine?). The review was very impressive.

I found it for $362.

 

[ski diva]

That's a great ski at a great price. And from the way you describe your skiing, I think it'd be perfect for you. Try to demo them if you can, though. That's the best way to tell.

I have the same ski as you do (but a year older), so I know what you mean about the weight. I'm looking for something lighter, too.

Keep us posted!

 

[SnowGlider]

Head Lightning

Oh cool, please tell me more about your Head Lightnings. How do they ski for you?

Mine are in perfect condition and I always thought they were a top ski (at my level), but a salesperson pointed out yesterday that both the ski and the binding are heavy, and that skis have become lighter and more maneuverable in the last couple of years.

I know that's exactly how manufacturers want me to feel---that I'm missing out on new technology if I don't change my ski every 2 years. Well they've succeeded!

I'm gettin' older and have lost overall conditioning due to a shoulder injury that kept me out of the gym for two years. So I'm just wondering if a lighter ski would serve me better now.

Have you skied the AC2?

I'm wondering if I'm too heavy for the AC2.

 

[ski diva]

I agree with your salesperson. They are heavy (then again, I weigh 110 lbs), though I have enjoyed skiing them. I demoed a number of skis before I bought them, and for me, they were the best.

I demoed the Volkl S5's, which I really liked. I found them stable and able to set on edge really well. I want to try the AC3's, too.

Here's my gear review:
https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1016

 

[Lilgeorg]

I don't usually respond to gear reports since there are so many other people who know so much more about skis than I do. That said, I love my AC2s. I am shorter ,older and lighter than you are but I find these skis to be an all around mountain ski. I ski in the East and this week I was at Steamboat. I found they are good on ice, snow, powder, and even death cookies. I take them where you ski but also in soft bumps and some kiddy glades. They work well for me.

My daughter who has them too prefers the Exclusive Ledgends for powder but the Ac2s for all around mountain skiing. I don't think you would be disappointed with them but trying before you buy is the best thing to do if you can.

 

[volklgirl]

Am I too heavy for the AC2?

Depends on the size. At 190ish, I found the 163c to be a little short for the type of high speed skiing I do - you can find my review here:
https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=554

The AC2 won best overall ski in ??? magazine this year (anyone know the name of that magazine?). The review was very impressive.

I found it for $362.

I believe that review was in SkiPress....you'll find a discussion of that very review somewhere in one of the gear threads. The AC2 is a really great ski based on my demo (but I may be a little brand biased???;) ) Although, for 100% groomed, you may want to look at the S4 or S5 instead.

 

[lv2ski]

Hi, I ski the 06 volkl attiva 5 stars (S5 this year) and they turn on a dime, which I love for steeper terrain or getting around crowds. They are best in hard pack groomed, but do ok in moguls /trees and not too deep powder....I have the 154 length's as I am only 5'4, 115 lbs.

 

[abc]

I for one don't particularly care about ski weight one way or the other. So, I'm at a loss of all the hoopla about "lighter" women skis.

Sure, heavy skis felt heavy when I pick them up off the rack. But other than that, I don't really notice their weight. And this is coming from a girl who occationally jumps her turn when it's steep or mogully. I guess a snappy/springy ski makes up for that weight by helping the jump. After all, 99% of the time the skis are sliding on the snow... right? What am I missing?

The one time I notice the weight was when I forgot to buckle my boots! Fortunately, I was just skating along a cat track...:(

 

[Lori_K]

After all, 99% of the time the skis are sliding on the snow... right? What am I missing?
(

If a women's ski can still be stable and stiff when needed then I'm all for the lighter weight. Not so much during the actual "skiing" part, but for 1) schlepping the skis back and forth to the car, and 2) hiking the 15-20 minutes for non-lift-accessed terrain. :o