Volkl "30-Second" ski reviews: new for 2008
Racetiger SL Racing
Quick and stable at the same time, a good choice for Masters or Citizen racing. Maybe a bit demanding for free skiing for all but racers on a day off. Great ice tool.
Niebla
An increasing rarity, the Niebla is one of the few available narrow technical skis for improving women that is not an all out race ski. Great choice for groomer oriented technical skiers working on skills. Very forgiving for a technical ski.
Tigershark 10/12
These are great skis! Let's start by saying that the Tigershark is a strong contender for ski of the year. Among other reasons, the Tigersharks as a group—there are four offering a total of six performance spectra— represent one of the few instances of innovation in this year's crop of mostly-tweaked skis. Tigersharks replace the legendary "Stars."
Of course, various stiffening schemes have been used in recent years, but they typically change flex beneath the boot; the Tigersharks affect flex along the entire length of the running surface with pairs of stiffening rods embedded in the ski, controlled by the Power Switch, which engages or releases the rods.
These skis present such a swath of versatility and technical options that the only true way to appreciate their characteristics is to ski on them. Performance is generally less crisp and more forgiving with the switch off.
The principal difference between the 10 and 12 models is that the 10 is more biased toward the groomed and the 12 excels off, but these are both so broadly effective that even that distinction is relatively minor. It boils down to whether the skier prefers a narrow or slightly wider ride. This ski must be tested by the skier.
If the Atomic B5 redefined the notion of all mountain versatility, then the Tigersharks take it up a notch.
AC 30
The 30 may prove to be Volkl's most "all around" all-around ski, among traditional models. Testers of a wide spectrum of abilities liked the 30. Typical comments: "Excellent response, meaty but easy to handle and holds like crazy." and "Lively, easy to ski but you can push it and it delivers. This ski will do it all."
Fuego
A confidence builder for improving skiers, with plenty of top end to satisfy experts. Quick, stable, light, forgiving and superb edge hold. Extremely versatile, solid choice for female-specific 1-ski-quiver.
Also reviewed on subscription site: unchanged '07 carry-over models and additional '08 models—Aire, AC 20, Tierra, Luna, AC 40, Katana, Mantra, Aura, Pearl, Bridge, Wall
