Women's Ski ? : Volkl Attiva 5 Star vs. K2 T9 Burning Love

My wife is 5' and a level 8, type III skier. She skis (rockets) steeps in the fall line and excels in powder and "powder" bumps. We ski prmarily in the East and she is looking for a fast turning, good (ice) edge hold but bump skiable set of boards. I have hepled her narrow her choice to either a Volkl Attiva 5 Star or K2 T9 buring Luv (154cm). Her concern with the Volkl is weight, stiffiness vs. edge grip and turing response for the K2. She demo'd a K2 last season - spring conditions - and liked them. Due to sales now and snow later, will not get a chance to try the Volkl's before making a decision.

Any feedback from women who have tried both would be appreciated !!!!!!

I demo'd both skis last March. First let me say that I don't usually care for women's skis, as I generally find them too forgiving and boring (yes, sorry for the the nondescript description )

However, the Attiva 5* was the best women's ski I've ever tried. Now, I must tell you that I ski a Volkl 6* when skiing the east, so obviously I prefer a stiff ski. That being said, I found the Attiva to have great edge grip, and it jumped in and out of turns without complaint. The ride is also quick and snappy.

I know lots of women love the K2 luv series, but I didn't care for it at all, with the exception of the Phat Luv which is a blast in powder. I demo'd the Burnin' Luv, and the Lotta Luv, neither of which I liked. The Burnin' Luv turned easily, but was NOT happy at high speeds, and had a mushy ride.

All in all, if your wife prefers an aggressive ride and likes to push her limits, the Volkl will be a great time. If she likes to sit back and just cruise, then the K2 will do just fine.

But judging by your description of her skiing, I think she'll prefer the former.

Have fun!

What did you think of the Lotta Luv? I have been looking at it for softer, deeper snow.

As I said, I didn't like it so much, but it's very popular, so obviously I'm in the minority.

Skichick70,
Your coments about stability at speed have me intrigued. I hope you can shed some insight on my dilema.

I'm toying with the idea of buying a skis for my daughter, a 110 lb 5'2" level 7 skier, who likes to ski fast. Or at least she did until we rented those Head Lightning 160s, and those scrambler or streetracer 8s.

I had thought she was skiing much better until she had a couple of bad days (like not wanting to go down steep runs of steepness she had handled before, and not being able to hold an edge o blue runs) on what had been rented as "higher performance" skis. After recently discovering Realskier's reviews of those skis, I see she was on skis that were never intended to be skied fast on the trails she was following me on. Accordingly I'm upgrading her capability and am considering Porsche SL Carvers, Wild thangs, Fast thangs, and Burning Luvs for skiing on piste in Ontario Canada.

My daughter followed the typical female trend and underestimated her ability until I showed her the various web sites and asked her what number she gets (we agree it's a 7). She tells me that she doesn't want an "unforgiving ski", but her complaints about the skis she's rented are that they don't do what they are told to. She doesn't like it when she puts them on edge and wants the edge to pull her around like it should, but it lets go of the snow and she skids. She tells me that she doesn't like it when the skis are too light so that the bounce like crazy when we go fast. She has never complained about catching an edge or tripping herself up or being thrown or anything that would indicate a need for a more forgiving ski.

I'm thinking she probably needs skis that are more stable and have more grip. than she's been renting.

Yeah, I know, heard it all before, you haven't seen her ski, I have to be the judge, etc. But every little bit of insight helps.

Anything I can find out about any of these skis will help.

Volkl vs T9 Burnin luv

I have a friend in my ski club who skis Mad River Glen and she skis the T9 burning luvs. She likes the skis but she's been complaining that they don't turn quickly enough and she doesn't like them for woods skiing.

Volkl Attiva 5 Star vs. K2 T9 Buring Love

My wife decided on the Volkl - 154cm. When she has a chance to try them, hopefully soon at Killington, I will post a test report. In my first post I didn't mention her current "favorite" ski is a 167cm Atomic 920 which is a stiffer ski. This and the feedback from Skichick70 resulted in the Volkl decision.