Völkl Skis
Somehow, over the past decade it became something of a mantra that women would benefit if their ski/binding setup was higher in the heel. Never mind that coaches were raising the toes of some of their athletes. Never mind that ski instructors everywhere were complaining about the poor stance of their students in high heels. Never mind that skateboarders and surfers refused to improve their balance by wearing heels. Never mind that not one shred of scientific data supported the notion that millennia of evolution could be improved with heel lifts. Anyway, not to put too fine a point on it and not to take sides, Völkl has taken the brave move of flying in the face of convention — its new Bio-Logic concept raises the toe of the binding to create a more neutral, and safer stance for women. It’s worth noting that the toe is not raised higher than the heel, just enough to reduce ramp angle so that a neutral stance can be achieved. See sidebar in the women’s ski section below.
In other areas Völkl has developed an extended low-profile rocker shape to improve freeride skis such as the Gotama and Kiku. Wide skis are very common now and the Wide Ride interface that improves power transmission on skis over 80mm is found on select models in the all-mountain Unlimited and Attiva series. That interface is built into the ski during manufacture and it is 30% wider than previous versions. Völkl says it makes a wide ski feel like it is narrower. The system is labeled “iPT” for Internal Power Transmission.
TIGERSHARK
This collection of three premium frontside rippers is powered by Titanium and the best of Völkl technology.
Tigershark 11 Foot Power Switch
75mm underfoot, 16.8 meter sidecut in 175cm length. Available in 161, 168, 175cm.
A completely new ski. Power Switch refers to the technology whereby turning the dial at the back stiffens or relaxes the ski in three stages to alter its characteristics.
Tigershark 10 Foot
73mm underfoot, 17.3 meter sidecut in 175cm length. Available in 154, 161, 168, 175cm.
Tigershark 8 Foot
69mm underfoot, 16.1 meter sidecut in 175cm length. Available in 154, 161, 168, 175cm.
TIGER
Tiger 3Motion
68mm underfoot, 16.5 meter sidecut in 175cm length. Available in 148, 154, 161, 168, 175cm.
3Motion refers to the Marker/Völkl binding system for mid-range skis. It was developed in conjunction with the new Power Grip construction method which uses more material over the edges to deliver better edge grip.
Tiger
66mm underfoot, 16.6 meter sidecut in 177cm length. Available in 149, 156, 163, 170, 177cm.
RACETIGER
These are race skis but not necessarily FIS-compliant. They are high performance skis with race construction aimed at racing enthusiasts.
GS Racing Titanium
68mm underfoot, 18 meter sidecut in 175cm length. Available in 165, 170, 175, 180, 185cm.
Titanium beef up.
SL Racing
66mm underfoot, 13 meter sidecut in 165cm length. Available in 150, 155, 160, 165, 170cm.
Completely re-tooled with a new shape. Spring steel beef up.
RC Titanium
67mm underfoot, 15.5 meter sidecut in 168cm length. Available in 158, 163, 168, 173, 178cm.
Titanium beef up.
UNLIMITED ... All-mountain
The Grizzly
89mm underfoot, 17 meter sidecut in 170cm length. Available in 163, 170, 177, 184cm.
Wide Ride binding for over-80mm skis and 3-stage Powerswitch to modify flex.
AC50
85mm underfoot, 16.3 meter sidecut in 170 cm length. Available in 163, 170, 177, 184cm.
Wide Ride binding for over-80mm skis.
AC30
80mm underfoot, 16.7 meter sidecut in 170cm length. Available in 156, 163, 170, 177, 184cm.
Wide Ride binding, spring steel beef up. This was the most reworked ski in the series this year with a new shape and new iPT (Internal Power Transmission) binding.
AC20
74mm underfoot, 16.1 meter sidecut in 170cm length. Available in 156, 163, 170, 177cm.
Spring steel beef up.
AC 3Motion
72mm underfoot, 15.4 meter sidecut in 170cm length. Available in 149, 156, 163, 170, 177cm.
3Motion refers to the binding setup that uses a segmented interface for more uniform ski flex. 3Motion was developed in conjunction with the Power Grip construction method that uses more material over the edges to provide better grip.
AC
70mm underfoot, 14.8 meter sidecut in 170cm length. Available in 149, 156, 163, 170, 177cm.
FREESKIING
Freeskiing, freeriding, backside jibbing etc. are used interchangeably by various brands but basically they refer to the over-80mm skis in this series that are at home in the powder, cut up powder and soft snow but many of them are quite competent on groomed runs too. They are often sold without bindings and as a general rule, the wider the ski the more suited to soft snow and vice versa.
Kuro
132mm underfoot, 26.3 meter sidecut in 185cm length. Available in 175, 185, 195cm.
With a 164mm tip and rocker shape this is surely the king of powder. No deep too steep.
Katana
111mm underfoot, 25.2 meter sidecut in 183cm length. Available in 176, 183, 190, 197cm.
Now with a slight rocker shape. That shiny stuff on top is the Titanium beef up visible through the top sheet.
Mantra
96mm underfoot, 22.5 meter sidecut in 184cm length. Available in 170, 177, 184, 191cm.
The most versatile ski in the line.
Chopstick
128mm underfoot, 32.4 meter sidecut in 185cm length. Available in 175, 185cm.
Almost as wide as Kuro but a completely different animal. Slight rocker and symmetrical sidecut for backcountry jibbing. Warning: graphics may cause you to lose your appetite.
Gotama
106mm underfoot, 28.8 meter sidecut in 186cm length. Available in 178, 186, 194cm.
Völkl calls it the cult ski that everyone loved. Now it’s back with new rocker and sidecut for 09/10.
Bridge
92mm underfoot, 22 meter sidecut in 185cm length. Available in 161, 169, 177, 185cm.
Völkl pro rider’s favorite, suitable for park and pow.
Wall
87mm underfoot, 22 meter sidecut in 185cm length. Available in 161, 169, 177, 185cm.
The quintessential pro freestyle ski — agile, versatile and bombproof.
Ledge
84mm underfoot, 18.8 meter sidecut in 169cm length. Available in 148, 155, 162, 169, 176cm.
A butter zone and symmetrical sidecut make this a super park ski for novices and kids.
Technology you should know about
| Extended Low Profile Rocker Design |
ELP is Völkl’s way of giving skiers the easy maneuvering of a reverse-camber ski without sacrificing groomed snow performance.
The basic idea is that a long, gradual bend provides just the right floatation but it has better snow contact when it comes time to ride the groomers.
To fully exploit the new profile, Völkl engineers re-shaped the sidecuts and tailored the flex pattern so that the tip is stiffest, middle is medium and tail is softest.
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WOMEN’S SKIS ... Attiva
Völkl noted that in 2007 statistics showed that almost 50% of all skiing injuries to women were knee-related compared to about 25% knee injuries in men. Bio-Logic is its response to address this issue.
Technology you should know about
| Bio-Logic |
“Prevention doesn’t start when you put the skis on, but rather when you build them.”
Dr. Jürgen Eichorn.
Völkl calls it a revolution in women’s products. Bio-Logic is a 3-part master plan to make skiing easier and safer for women.
Bio-Logic Stance – Dr. Jürgen Eichhorn, internationally renowned knee specialist had this to say, “Bio-Logic reduces the dangers for the knee — our tests confirm this.” According to Völkl, the tradition of using heel lifts only exacerbates the biomechanical challenges that women face while skiing. With Bio-Logic it has created a more neutral stance by raising the toe of the binding — resulting in better balance between muscles in the front and rear of the legs. The result is less strain on the quadriceps and more balanced muscle action between hamstrings and quads meaning better performance and potential protection for the knees.
Bio-Logic Geometry – Most skis are slightly wider in the tip than tail but the new Bio-Logic sidecuts are even narrower in the tail than unisex skis. A tighter radius in the tip also helps the ski initiate easily but finish with less effort, further reducing strain on the knees. In addition, the narrowest part of the ski has been shifted slightly rearward. Five new molds in the Attiva line benefit from Bio-Logic geometry.
Bio-Logic Flex – the flex of the new Bio-Logic skis are carefully matched to work with the stance and ski shape. The resulting flex is firm in the tip and progressively softer toward the tail.
“I applaud Völkl’s leadership in the area of prevention with their new Bio-Logic technology. There was a noticeable difference in how the binding-ski combination helped me maintain a balanced stance and stay out of positions that put the knee, specifically the ACL at risk.”
Dr. Cara E. Walther, Orthopedic Specialist.
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Aurora
82mm underfoot, 15.1 meter sidecut in 161cm length. Available in 154, 161, 168cm.
Expert level all-mountain ski. Fairly wide but Völkl claims that the iPT Wideride binding will make it feel like a narrower ski on hard snow.
Tierra
78mm underfoot, 14.8 meter sidecut in 161cm length. Available in 147, 154, 161cm.
Expert all-mountain ski that features Bio-Logic technology. Völkl calls Tierra the most versatile woman’s ski on the market. Powered by an integrated band of spring steel for quick reaction.
Sol
75mm underfoot, 16.4 meter sidecut in 165cm length. Available in 144, 151, 158, 165cm.
An intermediate to advanced ski that features Bio-Logic technology. The perfect tool for game improvement.
Estrella
73mm underfoot, 16.4 meter sidecut in 165cm length. Available in 144, 151, 158, 165cm.
Solid ski feel and forgiving behaviour for novices and intermediates.
Luna
73mm underfoot, 16.4 meter sidecut in 165cm length. Available in 144, 151, 158, 165cm.
Oceana
70mm underfoot, 13.4 meter sidecut in 163cm length. Available in 142, 149, 156, 163cm.
Fuego
72mm underfoot, 16.2 meter sidecut in 165cm length. Available in 144, 151, 158, 165cm.
The sportiest groomed slope ski in the entire Attiva collection. Wood core with steel insert as well as Bio-Logic technology makes it an excellent choice for athletic mountain speedsters.
Aire
68mm underfoot, 13.6 meter sidecut in 161cm length. Available in 142, 148, 154, 161cm.
Solid ski feel and forgiving behaviour for novices and intermediates.
Cielo
66mm underfoot, 13.9 meter sidecut in 163cm length. Available in 142, 149, 156, 163cm.
Solid ski feel and forgiving behaviour for novices and intermediates.
Aura
94mm underfoot, 19 meter sidecut in 163cm length. Available in 156, 163, 170cm.
Women’s version of Mantra that has enough shape to be very versatile.
Kiku
106cm underfoot, 23.6 meter sidecut in 170cm length. Available in 162, 170, 178cm.
Complete redesign this year, new shape and rocker profile for sweet powder performance but good manners on the groomed too.
Cosmo
92mm underfoot, 17.9 meter sidecut in 169cm length. Available in 153, 161, 169cm.
Pearl
84mm underfoot, 16.9 meter sidecut in 162cm length. Available in 148, 155, 162, 169cm.
This is the girl’s version of Ledge, the park ski for novices and kids. Symmetrical sidecut and low weight make it playful and agile.
BACKCOUNTRY
 The line separating backcountry skis from dedicated touring skis has become so blurry with multi-purpose bindings like the Duke and mainstream freeride monsters such as Kuro that it’s hard to see a legitimate difference. Although this is mainly a guide to skis for the lift-serviced world, Völkl has two new models in its Mountain line that fit perfectly.
The Mountain series comes with a hole in the tip to accept Völkl’s new pin system for attaching climbing skins (Skin Pin). The hole in the tip doubles as an attachment point to convert the skis into a toboggan.
Mountain Series skis are all named in the Inuit language.
Nanuq (Polar Bear)
94mm underfoot, 23.2 meter sidecut in 177cm length. Available in 163, 170, 177, 184cm.
This ski won the Eco Responsibility Award 2009 at ISPO. Völkl calls Nanuq a touring ski with a freeride feeling. With the right binding it’s ideal for multi-missions.
Mauja (Soft, deep snow)
74mm underfoot, 21.7 meter sidecut I 177cm length. Available in 154, 163, 170, 177cm.
This ski carries on the tradition of Snowwolf by being a bit wider but still light and agile. It’s aimed at a broad audience.
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