Volkl AC4: 2005/06 model versus 2006/07 model

[saus]

What difference would one notice skiing the AC4 of the 2005/2006 season back to back with the AC4 of 1006/2007?

Also, for an average skier of about 155 pounds, 5' 8" who already owns the 2005/2006 All Star in 161 (love them) and the Head Monster iM 77 Chip in 170 (also love them), what length of new AC4 would seem appropriate - the 163 or the 170?

The plan is to replace the Monster 77 with the AC4. The All Stars would be for everything at which they excel, and the AC4's would be for everything else.

 

[madskier6]

I believe the '06-'07 AC4 is stiffer than last year's because they added 2 sheets of titanal. They also integrated the binding into the ski to a greater degree so it should carve better than last year's. I have not skied the '06-'07 model but I did demo last year's AC4 in a 170 and loved it. I thought it was a great ski.

As far as which size, first try to demo both and make-up your mind. Otherwise, where will you be skiing them mostly, East or West and what type of terrain do you like to ski?

I am 5'10 and 200 lbs so I'm heavier than you but I thought the 170 was great for me.

 

[saus]

Thanks for the feedback, Jeff.

I think that the difference in our weights makes the AC4 in 170 a different ski for you than it would be for me. I already have a ski for primarily on piste - the 2005/2006 Volkl All Star in 161. I'd be using the AC4 to ski in conditions where it would do better than the Allstar - mainly, deeper snow, heavier snow. If you and I both skied, side by side, on the 170 cm AC4 in those conditions, I imagine we'd have different experiences.

It just says great things about the AC4 that you enjoy it so much in the 170. I think it shows that the final test of a ski is what it does for a particular skier in particular conditions.

 

[riverc0il]

out of curiosity, have you tried other skis in that class? i am curious what factors have caused you to narrow down specifically on the AC4 for your needs.

 

[saus]

(a) I am a gear whore.

(b) I am interested in ski equipment as some people are interested in cars - I just like it.

(c) Although I previously have made a practice of trying to demo as many skis as possible, I now try to choose a well rated ski and use it for a season - not just a few runs - to evaluate both the ski and the ratings. This helps me to advise the guests at Smugglers' Notch who ask for advice about such things.

(d) The Volkl AC4 is a very highly rated ski (you know what I mean, I'm sure).

(e) Last year, the Volkl All Star also was very well rated. I bought it. It lives up to its hype.

(f) ergo, I am curious to see if the AC4 will do the same for its class of ski, and I'll have tons of fun finding out. The AC4 appeals because (1) it is wider than my Head Monster 77s - but not TOO much wider, and (2) it is said to be stiffer and more stable.

Thanks for asking!

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

(a) I am a gear whore.

(b) I am interested in ski equipment as some people are interested in cars - I just like it.

(c) Although I previously have made a practice of trying to demo as many skis as possible, I now try to choose a well rated ski and use it for a season - not just a few runs - to evaluate both the ski and the ratings. This helps me to advise the guests at Smugglers' Notch who ask for advice about such things.

(d) The Volkl AC4 is a very highly rated ski (you know what I mean, I'm sure).

(e) Last year, the Volkl All Star also was very well rated. I bought it. It lives up to its hype.

(f) ergo, I am curious to see if the AC4 will do the same for its class of ski, and I'll have tons of fun finding out. The AC4 appeals because (1) it is wider than my Head Monster 77s - but not TOO much wider, and (2) it is said to be stiffer and more stable.

Thanks for asking!

A) Me too
B) Me too
C) Do you work at Smuggs?
D) I do, I demoed it last season and it was not one of my favorites.
E) Didn't try that one
F) With 2 sheets of metal on a wood core it better be stiff and stable

 

[saus]

I'm a weekend and part-time instructor at Smuggs. It's fun, but not my "day job".

After a season of becoming accustomed to the AC4, I'll be able to give you a solid opinion. In the past, I've bought skis I've never demoed but bought on recommendations and ratings. Some, of course, I liked better than others - but I can't say I just hated any of them. All were fun when I used them. Then, dang! I hadda try something new.

Not infrequently, I found that the skis had the characteristics described on page and screen but were not as difficult to use - except for one, a long time ago. Volkl P30 - it was too long and too stiff for me at that point. I bet I would have enjoyed it much more in the next shortest length. Only thing was, the next shortest was a full 10 cm shorter!

Stay tuned. I'll give you my unvarnished opinion, once I have a solid opinion.

 

[riverc0il]

(a) I am a gear whore.

(b) I am interested in ski equipment as some people are interested in cars - I just like it.

(c) Although I previously have made a practice of trying to demo as many skis as possible, I now try to choose a well rated ski and use it for a season - not just a few runs - to evaluate both the ski and the ratings. This helps me to advise the guests at Smugglers' Notch who ask for advice about such things.

(d) The Volkl AC4 is a very highly rated ski (you know what I mean, I'm sure).

(e) Last year, the Volkl All Star also was very well rated. I bought it. It lives up to its hype.

(f) ergo, I am curious to see if the AC4 will do the same for its class of ski, and I'll have tons of fun finding out. The AC4 appeals because (1) it is wider than my Head Monster 77s - but not TOO much wider, and (2) it is said to be stiffer and more stable.

Thanks for asking!

cool cool. doesn't sound like you have tried any other skis in that upper mid-fat range. i am not trying to talk you out of the AC4 and i recognize you have had good luck without trying a variety of skis, but by narrowing down your ideal ski without trying other skis, you may just be missing out on a ski that would be better suited to your needs. there are a great many skis out there that are slightly wider than your monster 77s while also being very stiff and stable. i think there are better skis out there to complement a volkl all star in terms of having a non-groomed ski to complement a ski that rips groomers. just wanted to put in a vote for try before you buy, you could be missing out on skis better suited to yourself and your needs. or not, but you'll never know if you don't demo.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

cool cool. doesn't sound like you have tried any other skis in that upper mid-fat range. i am not trying to talk you out of the AC4 and i recognize you have had good luck without trying a variety of skis, but by narrowing down your ideal ski without trying other skis, you may just be missing out on a ski that would be better suited to your needs. there are a great many skis out there that are slightly wider than your monster 77s while also being very stiff and stable. i think there are better skis out there to complement a volkl all star in terms of having a non-groomed ski to complement a ski that rips groomers. just wanted to put in a vote for try before you buy, you could be missing out on skis better suited to yourself and your needs. or not, but you'll never know if you don't demo.

You what they Oil, I get your point, but so what if he doesn't demo it's not the end of the world if he would have found a pair he'd like better. High end skis are all good skis. I have preferences and I love to demo new skis, but if someone doesn't want to spend half a season demoing to try to find the perfect ski I say to each their own.

Anyways, say someone demos 20 skis, does that person drive themselves nuts wondering if they had just demoed that 21st ski that would be it.

I say do it your way saus and more power to ya.

 

[saus]

Steve, thanks. Your advice is sound. I would have given it myself . . . to someone else :lol:

However, at this point - and I have a mind like a steel trap - my mind is shut and won't open again until the next time I want to buy skis. I'm taking highpeaksdrifter's advice (it's just coincidence that it matches my own philosophy).

Last time I insisted on a demo before buying, I was told that there was no prostock left in the distributor's inventory. I put my hound dogs on the hunt and found THE last pair of All Stars in the size I wanted at proform, and I don't want to risk missing this chance of a lifetime (which at my age might be even shorter than my whatsis). I'd rather risk kicking myself because I buy THE worst pair of skis I've ever used.:razz:

Hey, if I were all that good at listening to reason, why would I be a lawyer?

 

[riverc0il]

...but if someone doesn't want to spend half a season demoing to try to find the perfect ski I say to each their own.

you don't need to spend half a season demoing. when i decided to buy my legends a few seasons ago, i spent one single demo day at cannon on a $20 lift ticket and no demo fee trying out 9 or 10 different pairs. back then i was huge into volkl and would never have considered the legend if i hadn't demoed whereas the 724pro just didn't do it for me at all, would have made a mistake following a preferred brand if i hadn't tried them.

Anyways, say someone demos 20 skis, does that person drive themselves nuts wondering if they had just demoed that 21st ski that would be it.

you don't need to demo 20 skis. say, one in the preferred class from the major half dozen or so manufacturers. toss in three or four more of the other players and you have a solid day on rentals. would someone drive themselves nuts if they could have had a better purchase? not unless they didn't like the ski they purchased. but if you demo a lot of skis, you realize you might have been less happy if your first gut choice wasn't the one you liked best. i consider demoing a very cheap insurance policy against wasting time and money.

that said, i have purchased many skis without demoing. i have purchased a few due to prior experience with similar skis from the same brand (loved the volkl p40 so the p50 was a no brainer and good choice... loved the 8000 so the 8800 equiv last seasons model was a no brainer). but i have also bought a ski without demoing that didn't suit me and i am taking a loss and reselling it after skiing it only one day. it can work both ways. demoing isn't always the best course of action and even though i am a big advocate for it, i regularly purchase without demo and believe it is okay in many situations.

i advocated strongly in this case as it doesn't seem like saus is really familiar with the choices on the market from a first person perspective. all the skis in a certain class may indeed be great skis, but great skis are not always great fits for individuals. i have skied on lots of "great skis" that i hated.

all that said, saus... if you got a proform deal, you might as well go for it. you could likely turn around and sell those puppies at a profit even if you don't like them

 

[saus]

All good points, my friend. My point is this: I want to buy and ski the AC4 over the course of a season. I just want to. One run, one day, one week won't do it. Near the end of the season, I'll post my solidly developed opinion.

Besides - being a reasonable guy, I consider this: They look soooo cool! and they're RED!!!!

How can I go wrong?!

Cheers! :beer:

 

[tree_skier]

I demoed the 06/07 AC4 at the end of last season and loved it. It would be the first ski in my quiver after the race boards. I liked it much better the the supersports, but not as much as the racetiger race stock. The supersports were like the racetiger's ugly sister who took the short bus. Whereas the AC4's were more like the brunette vs. the blonde. As you may guess the racetigers were awesome on NE packed powder and not as good in the corn/mashed potatos/ bumps of spring. While the AC4's took a little more work to perform on the firm stuff (although I thought they were as good as the supersports) they were just unbelievable on the spring conditions and very enjoyable in the big soft bumps on beartrap.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I ) they were just unbelievable on the spring conditions and very enjoyable in the big soft bumps on beartrap.

I'm sure not trying to tell you that you didn't like them, but what mid-fat isn't in those conditions.

 

[saus]

Over the years, I've noticed that some are better than others. I think that's what tree_skier means.

 

[tree_skier]

They were far better then Fischer's similar offering and although not as good as the racetigers on hardpack as good as the supersports. The AC4's are what I am looking to get for my wife.

 

[saus]

If your wife doesn't mind your sharing this: Her height, weight, years of experience, and ability level.

 

[tree_skier]

If your wife doesn't mind your sharing this:
Her height 5' 10
weight not going to say but a little less then me
years of experience 30
and ability level can ski anything but prefers groomed cruisers.

She currently skis salomon sl race skis about 6 years old. She would be much happier when conditions aren't groomed on a different ski

 

[saus]

OK, then, TS! What is your weight?

My stats are 5'8", 163 lbs and shooting for 150, 64 years old (65 in Oct) and shooting for 1000, skiing since I've been 50 yo but I'm just an average skier. There are DEFINITELY places which I can survive but not actually ski. Improving with age.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

The AC4's are what I am looking to get for my wife.

They make women's skis for a reason. AC4 would be too much ski for all but very powerful expert women. Most women are just not as strong or quick in their movements to handle that ski.

My daughters about 5'9" and an advanced skier. We each have demo bindings so one run we switched and she took a run on my Top Fuels. It only lasted about 500 feet. She couldn't wait to get her own skis back.