adminisTerTurbo

anyone have any experience with these?

i just don't know if i'll push them too hard. from the volkl website it looks like they are built for advanced intermediate or expert. but the reviews seem to indicate it's more of an intermediate ski that needs to stick to the groomers.

i live on the east coast but take trips all over. i train hard all year to ski and when i go i play hard no matter if it's crud, park, moguls, or woods.

they are $499 at a local shop here, that's why i'm so tempted.

i'm thinking i should just wait and pick up some '09 AC50's

thanks... merry xmas

Wrinkledpants

I grew up racing in MN, so my background is icy groomers. I bought these skis for my all-mountain on piste ski and it will do anything I ask of it. It's got tons of energy for making short snappy turns, and I really haven't found a speed limit for them yet. I think the main difference between the AC3 and 4 is the dimension under the foot. I'm not sure how well the AC3 does in the crud, but the 4 just plows through it all. The 4 is a pretty stiff ski, so I would imagine the 3 is as well. It's probably not the best ski for out west if that is what you are looking for. I'm sure it would rail the harder east coast hills with ease, but to ski off piste with it and it won't be too fun.

My 4s handle the ice stuff pretty good. I can't charge as hard as if I was on a GS or SL ski, but it handled well enough that I sold all my race skis to buy it.

If you are only going to get one ski, and you will be skiing out west or in any kind of deep snow, I would probably pony up to something at least 80 mm under foot. The AC3 a great ski for the groomers, but it's a tad to stiff to have a lot of fun in the moguls or in deep pow. A lot of people out (CO) here ski the Mantra as their one ski quiver since it skis the groomers fantastically well considering how big it is. That's a pretty good deal on that ski, but I think you could probably find a better matching ski used on CL or eBay that would be more worthy of the true "all mountain" title.

My AC4 and gotamas don't really overlap with their intended usage, but I would definitely be pimping a Mantra if I had to have just one ski.

Pat

...and you ski all conditions, shoot for something around 95 underfoot. My old Mantras were 94 and I won't go any skinnier than that for an all-around ski. In fact, I would be totally comfortable using 100 as an everyday ski.
From the little I know, the AC30 is not an expert ski, but a very good ski for its class.

03AR2rescu

They require a lot of attention, most importantly to keep your weight over your toes. But if you can roll with the big boys I would highly recommend these. Very fast, very stable, very accurate. Just remember you always have to be paying attention and skiing them, or they will hurt you.

de (-eeez_nutz)

...because I KILL YOU!
<img src="http://www.showyourmedia.com/files/1230446703.JPG">

adminisTerTurbo

yes, you did kill me! i've been training like a **** ever since...

how you be mang? shoot me an email, i lost yours. i need to plan a trip next year.

adminisTerTurbo

thanks for the advice all. it sounds like you're all telling me to go a little wider under foot.