best new england 'all-mountain' ski

**Greg** · Feb 24, 2006, 12:47 PM

I just went from 182 cm K2 Axis X Pros ('02?) to 170 cm Volkl Unlimited AC3s. I'm 6' and 165 lbs. Be sure the Dynastar Legend 4800/8000 and the Volkl Unlimited AC3/AC4 are all on your demo list. I'm very happy with the AC3s by the way.

SkiDoc · Feb 28, 2006, 5:15 PM

Hi everybody, first post here but lurking for a while. I am looking for a similar type of ski here. I prefer to get off the groomed, but being a primarily VT skier, it can be challenging sometimes. I also love to play in bumps, and spend some time on the blue/easier black groomers with the girlfriend. I demoed the Dynastar 8000s in a 178 (BTW I am 6'1 195lbs) in january and thought they were competent and versitile, but I wasn't really in love with them, I think I'd like something a little quicker turning, so the AC-4 seems very intriguing to me. Is the 82mm width too much for on piste quick turns and bumps? Also, for those who have tried both, how does the AC-4 differ from the AC-3?

I think other skis that could be good in this category include the Nordica Nitrous, Elan Magfire 10, 12 or m666, and K2 Apache Recon. I haven't tried any of these yet, but thats my not in any order demo list.

**ALLSKIING** · Feb 28, 2006, 6:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiDoc

Hi everybody, first post here but lurking for a while. I am looking for a similar type of ski here. I prefer to get off the groomed, but being a primarily VT skier, it can be challenging sometimes. I also love to play in bumps, and spend some time on the blue/easier black groomers with the girlfriend. I demoed the Dynastar 8000s in a 178 (BTW I am 6'1 195lbs) in january and thought they were competent and versitile, but I wasn't really in love with them, I think I'd like something a little quicker turning, so the AC-4 seems very intriguing to me. Is the 82mm width too much for on piste quick turns and bumps? Also, for those who have tried both, how does the AC-4 differ from the AC-3?

I think other skis that could be good in this category include the Nordica Nitrous, Elan Magfire 10, 12 or m666, and K2 Apache Recon. I haven't tried any of these yet, but thats my not in any order demo list.

I just skied the AC3 and the AC4 and thought they both preformed great. I also skied the K2 Apache recon and bought them after the demo.

SkiDoc · Feb 28, 2006, 9:47 PM

Just curious, why the Recon over the AC3 or AC4? I am going to have a look at all of these.

**ALLSKIING** · Feb 28, 2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiDoc

Just curious, why the Recon over the AC3 or AC4? I am going to have a look at all of these.

I felt that they were all equal on the groomed trails but to me the recons were the best in the powder and crud...the piston binding could have alot to do with that.

riverc0il · Mar 1, 2006, 5:34 AM

personally, i found the legend 8000 to be the quickest turning and most nimble in it's class, far quicker than the volkl 724 pro (although they did make changes in the unlimited series, but i doubt enough to make it that much quicker). the volkls are a lot heavier in either case. m666 is fairly comparable to the legend 8000, imo. i liked the legend better but you might have a different experience. unless you ski powder a lot, you might want to consider getting a slalom or GS race ski (depending on your preference of radius) or a recreationalist equivelent. as someone that skied non-groomed a lot but no powder, i used to ski a volkl p50 motion which was the recreationalist equivelent of their GS ski and the thing did everything except powder, totally ripped tight and quick turns with lots of pop.

NYDrew · Mar 1, 2006, 6:28 AM

The Rossi Z9, the first ski that got it totally right and can do totally everything.

SkiDoc · Mar 1, 2006, 12:55 PM

I am currently on a 2003 Bandit X (last year before the B1 softer version took over). I really have no desire for a groomer rocker, I would always rather jump into the cruddiest snow in the trees or ungroomed slopes, so while my powder opportunities are occasionally limited by geography, I would like to get the widest ski that still is usable for bumps and can make good short radius turns when on the groomers. I was under the impression that the AC3 and AC4 were much quicker turning than the prior 724 series of volkls, which have been described as stable but somewhat truck-like. I do agree, the Dynastar 8000 skis much quicker than its sidecut suggests. It was a great ski, it just didn't particularly thrill me. No real reason why, just personal preference.

awf170 · Mar 1, 2006, 8:03 PM

I have never skied it, but from I heard the new public enemy with the 85mm seems like the perfect ice coast ski. Yes I know many people think that is too fat for an everyday ski but IMO thats the perfect size. I would really like to try this ski but I don't need a new ski so I don't even want to try it and like it.

DEVO · Mar 2, 2006, 1:28 PM

Dynastar Legend 8000 for sure! I have mine mounted with solly s810 with the riser plates (AXE+) so they are quicker edge to edge than if they were mounted flat. These puppies are wide enough for all New England conditions and have enough sidecut that they still rip groomers. I can't say enough about how much I love these skis. I even like them in the bumps.

Feb 24, 2006, 12:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
Greg Nassahegan, CT: 8/14 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Thomaston, CT Posts: 20,137	I just went from 182 cm K2 Axis X Pros ('02?) to 170 cm Volkl Unlimited AC3s. I'm 6' and 165 lbs. Be sure the Dynastar Legend 4800/8000 and the Volkl Unlimited AC3/AC4 are all on your demo list. I'm very happy with the AC3s by the way. __________________ Greg 2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05 Life's too short for warm up runs.

Mar 1, 2006, 5:34 AM	#16 (permalink)
riverc0il Ari Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ashland, NH Posts: 6,683	personally, i found the legend 8000 to be the quickest turning and most nimble in it's class, far quicker than the volkl 724 pro (although they did make changes in the unlimited series, but i doubt enough to make it that much quicker). the volkls are a lot heavier in either case. m666 is fairly comparable to the legend 8000, imo. i liked the legend better but you might have a different experience. unless you ski powder a lot, you might want to consider getting a slalom or GS race ski (depending on your preference of radius) or a recreationalist equivelent. as someone that skied non-groomed a lot but no powder, i used to ski a volkl p50 motion which was the recreationalist equivelent of their GS ski and the thing did everything except powder, totally ripped tight and quick turns with lots of pop. __________________ -Steve TheSnowWay.com featuring Big Jay Coverage "Skiing is not a sport, it is a way of life." - Otto Schniebs 52

Mar 1, 2006, 6:28 AM	#17 (permalink)
NYDrew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Temporary Exile On Long Island :( Posts: 733	The Rossi Z9, the first ski that got it totally right and can do totally everything. __________________ RIP Dynastar 63\'s. 11/O5-2/14/06

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Big Squaw Mountain (Maine) update for enquiring minds who want to know	Skifastsailfast	Northeast Skiing and Snowboarding Forum	15	Jan 16, 2006 5:21 PM

Feb 28, 2006, 5:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
SkiDoc Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4	Hi everybody, first post here but lurking for a while. I am looking for a similar type of ski here. I prefer to get off the groomed, but being a primarily VT skier, it can be challenging sometimes. I also love to play in bumps, and spend some time on the blue/easier black groomers with the girlfriend. I demoed the Dynastar 8000s in a 178 (BTW I am 6'1 195lbs) in january and thought they were competent and versitile, but I wasn't really in love with them, I think I'd like something a little quicker turning, so the AC-4 seems very intriguing to me. Is the 82mm width too much for on piste quick turns and bumps? Also, for those who have tried both, how does the AC-4 differ from the AC-3? I think other skis that could be good in this category include the Nordica Nitrous, Elan Magfire 10, 12 or m666, and K2 Apache Recon. I haven't tried any of these yet, but thats my not in any order demo list.

Feb 28, 2006, 9:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
SkiDoc Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4	Just curious, why the Recon over the AC3 or AC4? I am going to have a look at all of these.

Mar 1, 2006, 12:55 PM	#18 (permalink)
SkiDoc Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4	I am currently on a 2003 Bandit X (last year before the B1 softer version took over). I really have no desire for a groomer rocker, I would always rather jump into the cruddiest snow in the trees or ungroomed slopes, so while my powder opportunities are occasionally limited by geography, I would like to get the widest ski that still is usable for bumps and can make good short radius turns when on the groomers. I was under the impression that the AC3 and AC4 were much quicker turning than the prior 724 series of volkls, which have been described as stable but somewhat truck-like. I do agree, the Dynastar 8000 skis much quicker than its sidecut suggests. It was a great ski, it just didn't particularly thrill me. No real reason why, just personal preference.

Mar 2, 2006, 1:28 PM	#20 (permalink)
DEVO Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beverly, MA Posts: 231	Dynastar Legend 8000 for sure! I have mine mounted with solly s810 with the riser plates (AXE+) so they are quicker edge to edge than if they were mounted flat. These puppies are wide enough for all New England conditions and have enough sidecut that they still rip groomers. I can't say enough about how much I love these skis. I even like them in the bumps.