2008 Volkl Skis

[madskier6]

Volkl has posted the details on their ski offerings for the new season.

http://www.volkl.com/ski/images/0708_volkl_skis.pdf

Looks like some good skis. Volkl is one of my favorite ski lines. I love the way they feel on the snow (at least the ones I've demoed).

 

[riverc0il]

The M Rock looks interesting. Light weight back country oriented version of the Mantra which I found a bit cumbersome and beefy.

The line up is standard fair for Volkl. Rock solid skis. The Bridge is not quite the width I am looking for but adds a valuable mid-point between the Park and Freeride skis. Too bad the graphics lean Park, those skis are butt ugly.

 

[awf170]

The M Rock looks interesting. Light weight back country oriented version of the Mantra which I found a bit cumbersome and beefy.

The line up is standard fair for Volkl. Rock solid skis. The Bridge is not quite the width I am looking for but adds a valuable mid-point between the Park and Freeride skis. Too bad the graphics lean Park, those skis are butt ugly.

My bet it is just re-badged version of the Aura (the woman version of the mantra).

 

[riverc0il]

Meh, some quick research indicates the limited consensus appears to be it isn't that much different than the Mantra. The search continues, lol.

 

[wa-loaf]

Volkl has posted the details on their ski offerings for the new season.

http://www.volkl.com/ski/images/0708_volkl_skis.pdf

Looks like some good skis. Volkl is one of my favorite ski lines. I love the way they feel on the snow (at least the ones I've demoed).

I demoed the Tigershark 10 foot switch at the end of the season and it was an awesome frontside ripper.

 

[madskier6]

The M Rock looks interesting. Light weight back country oriented version of the Mantra which I found a bit cumbersome and beefy.

The line up is standard fair for Volkl. Rock solid skis. The Bridge is not quite the width I am looking for but adds a valuable mid-point between the Park and Freeride skis. Too bad the graphics lean Park, those skis are butt ugly.

With all the backcountry & woods skiing that you do, Steve, you should really demo the Gotamas. They are so smooth in powder & the trees IMHO. While they are fat at 105mm, they certainly don't ski like they're that fat. I think you'd be surprised at how versatile they truly are. They will be my next ski purchase :smile:

I know before I demoed them, I thought they would be WAY TOO FAT for me but I was really impressed by their manuverability. Especially since you like the liveliness of the Dynastar Legend 8000. Gotamas have a similarly lively and smooth feel. They also stiffened them slightly this year so they are better on groomers than one would think (alhtough they obviously are not made for skiing groomers). It's at least worth a demo opportunity.

 

[riverc0il]

Mad, I considered the Gots but I figured they are typical Volkl, especially after having skied the Mantra which did absolutely nothing for me, I completely disliked the Mantra. Lively and maneuverable are what I am looking for in a powder/woods ski. I can't stand all the latest trends of powder skis that rail on the groomers. Meh. I don't need a groomer ski, I need a fat boy for 1+ feet deep! Interesting to hear the Gots have a similar lively feel to the 8000. Any idea how they compare to the 8800 which is definitely not even close to the lively feel of 8000 and a heck of a lot less wide than the Got. I have gotten really frustrated with my search for a nimble and lively fat powder tree ski to say the least.

 

[snoseek]

Mad, I considered the Gots but I figured they are typical Volkl, especially after having skied the Mantra which did absolutely nothing for me, I completely disliked the Mantra. Lively and maneuverable are what I am looking for in a powder/woods ski. I can't stand all the latest trends of powder skis that rail on the groomers. Meh. I don't need a groomer ski, I need a fat boy for 1+ feet deep! Interesting to hear the Gots have a similar lively feel to the 8000. Any idea how they compare to the 8800 which is definitely not even close to the lively feel of 8000 and a heck of a lot less wide than the Got. I have gotten really frustrated with my search for a nimble and lively fat powder tree ski to say the least.

lot's of smaller companies that may have what your looking for. larger companies have to target the masses. there is a really a diverse selection these days, much better than even 10 years ago.

 

[madskier6]

Mad, I considered the Gots but I figured they are typical Volkl, especially after having skied the Mantra which did absolutely nothing for me, I completely disliked the Mantra. Lively and maneuverable are what I am looking for in a powder/woods ski. I can't stand all the latest trends of powder skis that rail on the groomers. Meh. I don't need a groomer ski, I need a fat boy for 1+ feet deep! Interesting to hear the Gots have a similar lively feel to the 8000. Any idea how they compare to the 8800 which is definitely not even close to the lively feel of 8000 and a heck of a lot less wide than the Got. I have gotten really frustrated with my search for a nimble and lively fat powder tree ski to say the least.

I also did not really like the Mantra either. The Goats ski very different from the Mantra & are not in the class of powder skis that rail on groomers. My only point was that it was slightly stiffened to be a little better on groomers. They have no metal in them.

On the same day, I also demoed the Dynastar Mythic Rider, which is this year's replacement for the 8800. I liked the Mythic but not as much as the Gotamas. As a fat powder ski, which is what you say you're looking for, I definitely preferred the Goats. They float very well in the pow & are nimble & smooth in my opinion. YMMV but I think you should check them out.

 

[riverc0il]

Word to smaller companies being able to focus more. The problem with smaller companies is lack of demos and smaller runs means less word of mouth and fewer reliable reviews.

Jeff, thanks for the thoughts on the Gotamas. Interesting you mention the Mythic Rider as I am actually essentially trying to replace my Intuitiv Bigs (former 8800) which just don't have that special something something in the powder. I will add them to the list. I was not aware that the Gotamas do not have any metal in them which is pretty rare for Volkl.

 

[bigbog]

I demoed the Tigershark 10 foot switch at the end of the season and it was an awesome frontside ripper.

Man...I absolutely LOVED the pp/hp performance of that ski.....slightly less dense than 5* but with its energy plus a little more width underfoot. (demoed back in Feb...would like to demo again this next season).
Wouldn't I like to see someone get the Rossi/Look bindings(fks/px) on Volkl's rails somehow..(probably sounds like I've been smokin' more than a few joints today...;-))

 

[bigbog]

....ditto...

........Lively and maneuverable are what I am looking for in a powder/woods ski. I can't stand all the latest trends of powder skis that rail on the groomers. Meh. I don't need a groomer ski, I need a fat boy for 1+ feet deep! Interesting to hear the Gots have a similar lively feel to the 8000. Any idea how they compare to the 8800 which is definitely not even close to the lively feel of 8000 and a heck of a lot less wide than the Got. I have gotten really frustrated with my search for a nimble and lively fat powder tree ski to say the least.

Unbelievable eh'?....with their somewhat lousy conditions at times out West, to get companies to design boards over 88mm to rail on EC hardpack....:roll:, *EDIT: But that said.....people out West know what they get for snow..so who am I to question.

 

[big_vert]

Any idea how they compare to the 8800 which is definitely not even close to the lively feel of 8000.

Quick question - I've been on 8k's for two seasons, and haven't had so much fun on a ski in 40 years at it. I only got my 8.8's in June, so I haven't taken them out yet- how do you explain the difference in feel - I hoped I was just getting a longer turn radius than the 8k's, but it seems you feel there's a lot of difference. Do you mean the pop isn't there?

Appriciate your comments.

 

[riverc0il]

Well, I can only compare to the 8800 predicesor which was the Intuitiv Big/Nobis Inspired, but from what I remember there were very few changes made to the 8800. To retain generational similarity, I will equate my experience with the Bigs to the 8800.

I find the 8800 to be more sluggish and much less turny than 8000 which is very nimble and lively. I have tremendously enjoyed touring with the 8800s on Mount Washington and feel this is a superior ski for "big mountain" stuff where you can really open things up and precision turning is not important. I was less than thrilled with the 8800 performance in the trees and with a narrow shovel and tail (nearly identical shovel/tail to the 8000), the float was not nearly what it should have been on the 8800 in powder. The Mythic Rider replaces the 8800 this season and the addition of some width and sidecut are very welcome. I think the Mythic Rider will be far superior to the 8800 (without having skied the Mythic but based on my impressions of the changes). That said, definitely far less pop compared to the 8000 which is my dedicated ski for all conditions but most especially natural snow and trees.

Just my impression, your mileage may vary as per usual.

 

[big_vert]

Interesting - thanks for your thoughts.

I was on the phone for an hour with Dynastar yesterday about a warranty issue, and the question came up whether I should replace my 8.8's with Mythic Rider - their position was that "it wasn't worth it - not enough difference". I ended up replacing my second pair of 8k's with ontact 9's. I look forward to those for the East.

Well the 8.8's will be my Whistler / UT/CO skis anyway, so as long as I'm not going for trees at Steamboat it sounds like I'll be good.

 

[riverc0il]

I think the 8800s/Mythics would make for an ideal western ski, especially for the more open areas. Then again, there are always the Legend Pros too :lol: I am surprised that thought there wasn't a lot of difference between the 8800s and the Mythic. I almost considered the Mythic but am looking for something fatter and slightly more nimble for my purposes. I have yet to read other people's reviews but I have to believe the minor change made will be welcome for eastern skiers in particular.

 

[big_vert]

Yes the Legend Pro's are a thing of beauty, but the lengths they come in are a bit much for me. It's been a long time since I've been on 185+.

There were 8800's at Sierrasports for $199 a few days ago At that price......

It sounds like you want one of the Volkl's that're getting all the press recently if you want wide and lively. I haven't been on Goats, but I hear good things from people who's skiing (and choice of skis) I respect.

I tried Sandstorms at Whistler in April. Like all Solly's I've been on - yuck. If you like Dynastar's, there's not a chance you'll like them

 

[bigbog]

There are some ski from the smaller companies....most

are out West, that would be interesting to try. Some 08' models are supposedly a little stiffer than last years'. 4FRNT, Armada, LINE.. I've read some, but not many comparisons between individual skis yet.. Best thing, although time consuming, is to find the shops to demo from or the demo days.

 

[big_vert]

are out West, that would be interesting to try. Some 08' models are supposedly a little stiffer than last years'. 4FRNT, Armada, LINE.. I've read some, but not many comparisons between individual skis yet.. Best thing, although time consuming, is to find the shops to demo from or the demo days.

I love demo days. Sounds like an idea for a thread.

I try everything I can, and was on multiple models of Volkl, Head, Rossignol, Salomon, K2, Nordica, and Dynastar during last season. The smaller manufacturers often aren't so well represented on those days though - unfortunate.

It's easy to see who you can take opinions / advice from after skiing enough different things and sharing thoughts.

 

[Greg]

I love demo days. Sounds like an idea for a thread.

I'm sure we'll do it again like last year.