Volkl Beginner/Intermediate Skis?

[daniwrites]

Hi Everyone -- there is actual snow in NYC today! YAY


Anyway...I am trying to help my friend with her first ski purchase.
We will be going either this weekend or next week for a boot fitting and now I am trying to help her pick out a ski. She seems to lean towards Volkl and I think those are a good choice especially because she prefers a shorter ski.

Her stats: 5'1'' 120lbs -- She is a beginner but has finally attempted some blue trails last weekend and did well. She wedges a lot but is starting to get out of that and develop more into a stem christie type turn (Is this term still used??). She is afraid, at times, of picking up too much speed and gets a little timid-- but she also got a little adventurous last trip and tried doing some jumps in a terrain park. We ski mostly groomed trails, hard pack, and ice. VT, PA most frequently....and a trip to CO in the spring.

She'd prefer a 140-146 ski -- more on the lower range though (140,142)

I was looking at:

Volkl Attiva Luna

Volkl Attiva Oceana

Volkl Attiva Niebla

Volkl Attiva Aire


These stats can also apply to another friend of mine who is looking to buy. Same level, same height, etc.
As you can see, I have tried to get my friends as obsessed with skiing as I am

Thanks for your help!

 

[persee]

Personally I might suggest whichever one corresponds to the Attiva AC2 from last year. Those skis will last her for a while and should be good all over the mountain. Now unfortunately I'm not sure *which* model that is as I can't keep up with the new names! I have Attiva AC3s (now the Attiva Tierra) and found them great fun - I'll be out on them again on Monday so hopefully I will continue the enjoyment then. One note on Volkls is that they measure full tip-to-tail length so their "longer" measurements may actually be the same as another company's shorter. For example my AC3s in 156 are EXACTLY the same lenght as my K2 True Luvs in 153! So she may want to consider the 149 length r 147 length in Volkls.

 

[smpayne]

I think the Luna is equivelent to the AC2. Both the Luna and the Oceana are considered "all mountain" verses "carving" skis. I agree with Persee, go with the Luna or last years AC2. I think, the "all mountain" skis tend to alot more forgiving in changing conditions. Going from hardpack to a little powder can be more difficult with a carving, narrower waisted ski, especially for a beginner.

 

[daniwrites]

Thanks very much for the advice!

Does Volkl ride similiar to K2?

I finally got to try my One Luv's yesterday and I seriously fell
in love with them....I had always owned Rossignol's in the past and
K2 really does seem to have a more smooth/cruiser type ride.

Just wondering how Volkls are compared to that?

 

[Kimmyt]

Still trying to get rid of my 142cm Volkl Energy420 gamma skis... in pretty good shape. Unless she's partial to new, maybe this is a better option for her cost-wise? PM if interested.... they're all tuned up and everything!

They're a good ski, took me from beginner to high-int, low-adv in just a few seasons (or maybe I took them...)

K.

 

[lucine]

O2gear has these puppies:
They are all new with bindings
2008 Volkl Women\'s Attiva Luna
Our Price $429.99
MSRP: $695.00

2008 Volkl Women's Attiva Oceana
Our Price $299.00
MSRP: $600.00

2008 Volkl Women's Attiva Niebla
Our Price $269.99
MSRP: $550.00

2008 Volkl Women's Attiva Fuego
Our Price $549.00
MSRP: $1,015.00

 

[Melissa77]

I am the same height as your friend and 5 lbs heavier. I ski the Luna in a 149 and LOVE IT!!!! I was struggling on blues before I demoed my Lunas and within two days I was on a black run (after 4 seasons of skiing). They are the equivalent of the AC2 from last year and I can't say enough about them. I bought them mid-season and payed a lot more than $429 but regret nothing!!! They really helped me to become a better skier. I skied both powder and hard pack on them and they were great on both.

 

[daniwrites]

Thanks again everyone for your help -- I was looking at o2 gear before--great deals! Will keep you posted on which she decides to get =P

 

[volklgirl]

Does Volkl ride similiar to K2?

No. Not at all.

K2 really does seem to have a more smooth/cruiser type ride.

Just wondering how Volkls are compared to that?

Volkls tend to be stiffer, livlier, more responsive, and more demanding (in a good way). While K2s are usually happy to motor around calmly, Volkls like to be pushed harder, faster, and longer. The more input you give them the more they give back and the happier they are. They will motor around calmly, but it's kinda like harnessing a race horse and making it pull a wagon.

 

[persee]

Volkls tend to be stiffer, livlier, more responsive, and more demanding (in a good way). While K2s are usually happy to motor around calmly, Volkls like to be pushed harder, faster, and longer. The more input you give them the more they give back and the happier they are. They will motor around calmly, but it's kinda like harnessing a race horse and making it pull a wagon.

I can totally agree with that assessement from skiing my AC3s. They do not like tentative and you will know it - see some of my quotes in my review. :p When I remember to ski aggressive all feels really good.

 

[Still Learnin]

Volkl Attiva Luna

I won my new Volkl Attiva Lunas off of Ebay -- $360 which included shipping. I got them in a 149. Yesterday, I was able to try them at Willamette Pass, Oregon. Wow is all I can say! I will never get on those Rossignol Saphir 200 's again! The Lunas were great in the crud that was there. Very easy to carve down the intermediate runs.... I'm not up to the diamonds yet, but maybe one of these days! My husband was so impressed with them he's looking at the Volkl Unlimited series...

 

[mountainhome]

Volkl Attiva Viento

Hello everyone. I would recommend buying 2009 Volkl Attiva Viento right now they cost just $200 and have good performance for beginner skier