volkl aura's vs. queen attivas

[megtab]

I've never skiied volkl's but I am looking into buying skis after a 10 year hiatus snowboarding. I used to be an aggressive skiier back in the day and now I live out west in BC so I'd be looking for something a little fatter, but also great for all-mountain purposes. I'm definitely less confident than I used to be. Hopefully a few days out will change that! Anyways, I am a 5'4 (163 cm), 145 lb, 24 yr old, athletic female.

I was originally leaning towards the dynastar exclusive legend powders (made a post earlier about these) but after reading all the threads, it seems like the volkl aura's are quite popular!! Any suggestions? And length suggestions would be helpful too!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Welcome Megtab! :D

I'm a K2 Lover, but I KNOW you will get the great advice you seek here! Good luck!

 

[SnowHot]

The SkiDiva skis on QA's, but a few others have the Aura.

Just for kicks, I'd demo both if I were you. If a demo time is not available, then go the extra mile and get the aura. By all accounts on the demo time others have had on that ski, you'll find the grip and flex to offer a versatile feel for a mid fat at the high end of the mid fat spectrum.

 

[ski diva]

True, I have the Queen Attivas. It's really a fun ski -- handles the powder well, yet can hold a good edge on the ice, too. It's light and from what I hear, softer than the Aura, which suits me fine; makes it good in the bumps, and I actually prefer a ski that isn't too stiff. Still, it does lack the kind of power I've experienced on skis like the Nordica Conquer. But it is a lot of fun. Depends what you're looking for, I guess.

 

[lil mountain girl]

hey megtab!

i'd definatly recomend demoing if you can . . .

i've demoed the Dynastar Legend Exclusive Pro (basically the same as the powder, but a bit heavier and stiffer) and the Volkl Aura and they are two VERY DIFFERENT skis!!!

to me they were as different as night and day!
by the way i'm 5'7" and 150 lbs.

personally, i'd lean towards the Dynastar because to me they were more stable . . . even if you went with the Exclusive Powder, which is slightly softer and lighter . . . you're still getting a fairly solid ski . . . but then again i prefer stiffer skis.

the Auras, however were super light and super fun in the powder.
i found them to be a perfect powder ski . . . HOWEVER . . . i thought they were horrible (and scarry) in the crud -- VERY unstable.
taking into consideration that i tried them too short, i'd still pick the Dynastars over the Auras.

BUT . . .
it all depends on YOU!!!

what's your ski style?
do you like stiffer skis? or softer skis?
do you prefer smaller turns to charging, or both?

they're both great skis, but it ultimatly depends on what you'll be happiest on and the only way to know for sure is to demo if you can!

ps where in bc are you?
i'm in the kootenays !
hope you're enjoying the snow we've been getting!

 

[megtab]

Hi lil mountain girl! I'm actually in North Vancouver - so skiing mostly Whistler and the little locals. I hear the kootenays are amazing though! I'd like to get out there at some point...this city is too big and the mountains are too busy!!!
I actually have no idea what my ski style is - as I have been snowboarding for the past 10 years and can't really remember if I had any style at all at the ripe old age of 13?!!! I am definitely an aggressive snowboarder, and last season when I put on skis, everyone said that I skiied the same way I snowboarded..but I couldn't see that (as I am wayyyyy more timid on skis than on a board). Hoping to change that this season though! Since I don't know too much about my ski style/what I like, I guess I was leaning towards an all-mountain fatter ski that will also perform on the piste. You almost have me convinced on the exclusive legend powders!!!

 

[lil mountain girl]

north van, eh?
nice!

i have a few friends currently in that neck of the woods . . . and it's crazy busy . . . ah, city life!

it's funny, actually because i'm (hopefully) going to be doing some skiing on the coast sometime this winter . . . so i may be in the thick of it soon enough!

as for the skis, i can definately sympythize . . .

i'm an ex-snowboarder (rode for 10 yrs) and now i mostly ski (this is officially my 4th season on the sticks!) . . . and i'm looking for new skis this season too, which is why i'm also really interested in the Legends and the Auras . . .

you might want to consider what you like in boards to what you might like in skis . . . ie: if you favour a stiffer board, you might favour a stiffer ski, etc.

now this is kind of a MAJOR stretch here 'cause i've found there is a much more dramatic differance in types of skis in comparison to types of boards.

not to mention the fact that you're going to feel MUCH more confidant on your snowboard (i know i still do )!

is there any way you can try any of these skis out first?
are there any local shops (try checking shops in whistler or squamish) that offer try outs/demos?

also, because you're dealing with a coastal snowpack you probably don't want to go too short in length . . . you may want to try the Auras in a 170 and the Legends at 165 or 172 -- you can probably get away with a longer Aura than Legend . . .

i know there are some local shops here that offer demos at the local ski hill . . . and other shops who offer demos for the day for $30-40 which in turn goes towards your purchase if you so chose to shop there . . .

hope this helps some!
good luck on your search!

 

[SnowHot]

I guess I was leaning towards an all-mountain fatter ski that will also perform on the piste. You almost have me convinced on the exclusive legend powders!!!

If this is the direction you're going, then I can't say enough about the Blizzard Titan Eos.
I have a review nearly ready to put up about it, but wanted to get it tweeked first.

The Eos is 88 in the waist similar to the QA, but it is a tad stiffer, which may be better with your body frame.
The Blizzard Titan Eos has an integrated binding system with the Blizzard IQ which can be exchanged for the Marker Duke option so you can take it AT if you end up going that rout.

I have the Eos and seized an opportunity to get Nannymin on a demo of the Eos at Stowe last weekend. We were all Grins. I think you'd really like it if you have a chance to demo it.