Volkl Tierra

[michpc]

I know you're all a wealth of information, and that we have some Volkl fans here that could help me out. When I bought new boots this weekend (), the guy who sold me my boots thought I would LOVE the Tierra based on my description of skiing style and my likes and dislikes. His words: "if you liked the Nordica Drive, you will LOVE the Tierra" and "if you don't like these it's because of a bad tune." So I'm ever so anxious to give these a demo. Only gad thing: they're $830, which is way more than I want to spend, and I haven't found many deals online. I did find a good deal on a pair of last year's model. I'm pretty sure these are exactly the same, save for the ever so slightly different graphics, but I wanted to confirm that before I did anything crazy!

I have a dentist appointment that's getting me home from work early Wednesday so I might just be able to make it to Wachusett for a demo that night :D. They have an awesome selection there, including the Luna and Fuego, and various other brands' skis.

Thanks in advance!

 

[oragejuice]

They are extremely stiff skis. That's the only reason I don't still own a pair. They were awesome skis, I liked the Fuego more (softer, more sidecut) but.... demo, if you can get out of the backseat on those, wooooo!!!!

 

[michpc]

They are extremely stiff skis. That's the only reason I don't still own a pair. They were awesome skis, I liked the Fuego more (softer, more sidecut) but.... demo, if you can get out of the backseat on those, wooooo!!!!

I will probably try both of these if they have the right size in both. I wish I knew more about the skis I current have and how they compare, but since they're old and a brand that no longer exists, it's hard! What I know so far is that I like the drives, and hated the Cloud 9s, though if I only ever wanted to ski beautifully groomed trails, I would have loved them!

 

[Swamp Dog]

what other brands does Wachusetts have to demo?

 

[michpc]

what other brands does Wachusetts have to demo?

I actually have a list at work . I called the last week to ask. Off the top of my head, I know they have various models from Nordica, Volkl, Atomic, K2 and Salomon for women's skis at least. Can't remember all the exact models, but they also mentioned that they get new ones mounted up all the time, so the inventory changes and/or expands periodically. They charge $39.99 for a full day, and $29.99 for a half (open - noon, noon - 4pm, 4pm-10pm) for skis only, and $10 for boots.

 

[ski now work later]

They are extremely stiff skis. That's the only reason I don't still own a pair. They were awesome skis, I liked the Fuego more (softer, more sidecut) but.... demo, if you can get out of the backseat on those, wooooo!!!!

I owned the Attiva AC3s, the predecessor to the Tierras, and found them to be too stiff, making it hard to carve, and awkward in bumps. I prefer the Fuegos. That said, some folks love the Tierras. Demo!

 

[persee]

Ok... so I'm generally too busy to post, but you posted about my beloved east skis :D So here's some quick feedback.

I ski in the east (mostly in NH) and my all mountain ski is the Attiva AC3 - same ski as the Tierra, just the first year they made em and a different top sheet. I absolutely love these skis. Sure they are stiff but they hold an edge on hard pack like nobody's bussiness. They area also wide enough to give you a bit of float in what we in the east call "powder". However they want you to SKI them. No lackadasical walk through the park on these skis. But if you push them they will reward you with a thrilling ride. If you are tentative on them you will be miserable. So whether you love em or hate em is really a personal thing. I have skied these in a variety of terrain and found them quite competent everywhere I've taken them - even in the trees. Only skied bumps once and the problem was me, not the skis, but I do suspect if bumps are your pleasure you'll want something softer (maybe a K2 Lotta Luv). I've never noticed a problem staying out of the back seat and honestly as I moved into these skis from my previous I actually found them more forgiving than my older skis, but once again this may be a factor of my skiing style. Oh and with these skis, I hit *my* speed limit before they hit theirs - heck I haven't FOUND their speed limit yet.

Stats on me : 5'3.5", 125lbs, advanced skier in my 5th season. Ski Northern NE primarily. I like to "drive" a ski and I like speed when I'm on skis that feel at home with it. I ski all over the mountain which is why I got these as opposed to a more carve-oriented ski such as the Fuego - the Fuego actually didn't come out till after I got my AC3s. I have demoed the Fuego and found them a ton of fun (zoom-zoom-zoom) and I might even pick up some for a carver, but the AC3s are better suited to take me all over the mountain in my opinion. Definitely demo both (and take out the K2 Lotta Luv if possible as well) and see which (if either) suits your fancy. And if you have other questions on the Tierra/AC3 don't hesitate to ask me.

 

[michpc]

OK, so I did a bad thing and decided to buy skis without demoing first! I know, I know! I couldn't pass up a deal I found from a ski shop in Texas for last year's Tierras in 156. Even after ground shipping, they were way cheaper than anything else I'd found online. And they only had one pair left, so I jumped on them. Hopefully I love them, but if not, I can always sell and probably get most, if not all, of my money back on the purchase. Fingers crossed!

 

[Robyn]

OK, so I did a bad thing and decided to buy skis without demoing first! I know, I know! I couldn't pass up a deal I found from a ski shop in Texas for last year's Tierras in 156. Even after ground shipping, they were way cheaper than anything else I'd found online. And they only had one pair left, so I jumped on them. Hopefully I love them, but if not, I can always sell and probably get most, if not all, of my money back on the purchase. Fingers crossed!

I did the same thing last April with my Head Sweet Fat Thangs. I love them. Love them. I hope you have the same result.

 

[Swamp Dog]

I did the same thing with my Wave Magics. I bet you'll love them!

 

[michpc]

persee, thanks for your feedback!

These should ship out today or tomorrow (called in early, so hopefully today!), ground from Texas, so I have fingers crossed for delivery before the weekend. And as a bonus, I have a $50 gift cert to Ski Market that I can use for having the bindings mounted if they're not already, or adjusted if they are!

I'll report back once I get these on the slopes.

 

[ski now work later]

Of the 3 skis that I own, and love, I only had the opportunity to demo one of them. The other 2 I read about and did a lot of thinking and research and I'm really happy with them, so hopefully you'll have the same experience. All of my skis are Volkls, and all volkls are great skis. Enjoy!

 

[Gumbelina]

Michpc I think you will love the Tierra's. I am new on skis so they were just a little too much for me when I demo'd them, but I can see where they would be F-U-N for someone with a little bit of technique. Great ski for eastern hardpack, I bet you will be happy with your purchase. Do I see in your profile that you are a rugger? I played in college! What a fun sport, rough, but fun!

 

[PowDiva85]

we have a pair of 156 demo tierra's from last year in our sale room. if you like them and they are your size let me know and I will double check on price..i think 599?? not sure off the top of my head..oh and as far as demoing... i bought my K2 missbehaveds w/o demoing. I read the description and knew I would love them and I did! Even though I get to demo just about anything I bought sight, unskied and was really happy!

 

[michpc]

Gumbelina, I also played in college. I don't plat at the moment, though my BF still does. I have a hard time wanting to commit so many weekends...there aren't enough hours in the day!

PowDiva, thanks for the offer, but I actually found a pair of new ones (also last year's model) and they're on their way to me as we speak :-D

 

[oragejuice]

I am new on skis so they were just a little too much for me when I demo'd them, but I can see where they would be F-U-N for someone with a little bit of technique.

I guess we shall see.... I'm a pretty burly lady and I couldn't get forward on them.

Looking forward to a review!!!!

 

[michpc]

I guess we shall see.... I'm a pretty burly lady and I couldn't get forward on them.

Looking forward to a review!!!!

Here's hoping! I just couldn't pass up the deal...hadn't seen anything close, even for the '08s, and nothing on ebay.

If they got shipped out yesterday, I may have them by Friday, which would be awesome, but more likely next week. You can be sure my first stop back from the hill will be here with my impressions.

 

[michpc]

Excuse me while I take a cue from Robyn and cry into my glass of chianti for a minute:Cry:....ordered my Tierras last Tuesday and they'res STILL not here. It's pure torture! I just hope that I can get them and get the bindings adjusted by Friday morning so I can ski on my way home from Buffalo Monday!

 

[Nautique Girl]

Volkl Attiva Tierra - A Deal Madness!

OK, so I did a bad thing and decided to buy skis without demoing first! I know, I know! I couldn't pass up a deal I found from a ski shop in Texas for last year's Tierras in 156. Even after ground shipping, they were way cheaper than anything else I'd found online. And they only had one pair left, so I jumped on them. Hopefully I love them, but if not, I can always sell and probably get most, if not all, of my money back on the purchase. Fingers crossed!

I went and did the same thing today. I bought '08, Volkl Attiva Tierra's 156cm. Of course I didn't demo. I could have. They were such a killer deal! I just think, I hope, no, I MUST love them! I do know that I have always loved my past Volkls for their weight and stiffness. Although it has been awhile, I'm just getting back into skiing after several years away. (I am a level 7 skier) I am only 5'2, 115lbs but I love that security, the wonderful stability of a stiff ski under my feet when I'm flying down the mountain, not thrown by some piece of crud in my way like some of the light-weight springy skis. Besides, I do concentrate on my turns, it keeps my rhythm on game and improves my technique.

If the Tierra's end up too much for me, maybe one of the other divas would be willing to adopt these. Or at least an offer would take some of the stress off me regarding my compulsive behavior:0

 

[michpc]

I went and did the same thing today. I bought '08, Volkl Attiva Tierra's 156cm. Of course I didn't demo. I could have. They were such a killer deal! I just think, I hope, no, I MUST love them! I do know that I have always loved my past Volkls for their weight and stiffness. Although it has been awhile, I'm just getting back into skiing after several years away. (I am a level 7 skier) I am only 5'2, 115lbs but I love that security, the wonderful stability of a stiff ski under my feet when I'm flying down the mountain, not thrown by some piece of crud in my way like some of the light-weight springy skis. Besides, I do concentrate on my turns, it keeps my rhythm on game and improves my technique.

If the Tierra's end up too much for me, maybe one of the other divas would be willing to adopt these. Or at least an offer would take some of the stress off me regarding my compulsive behavior:0

I feel the exact same way about really lightweight skis! I demoed some that were light and they just wouldn't let me attack the messy snow the way I like to!

I hope we both love our Tierras :D. I'm picking mine up today and should be skiing tomorrow or Saturday! Good luck!