Ski guru's wanted: Compare Volkl 6 Star vs. 5 Star vs. Fischer RX8

dsmperformance · 12-04-2003, 04:21 PM

If anyone has skied any of these skis, please let me know your thoughts and experiences. I am debating on getting either Volkl or the Fischer RX8. The RX8 is way cheaper and its supposed to be another hot ski.

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Teh Legacy · 12-04-2003, 04:39 PM

You get what you pay for...There's a reason the Volkl's are more expensive.

huckedup16 · 12-04-2003, 06:17 PM

meh...Ive skied Volkl, definatly an overpriced ski. Havent skied the Fischer so I cant comment but I know a few people on them.

What kind of skiing are you looking to do? By your choices Im guessing you are looking at more of an All Mountain / Racer hybid.

It would be worth it to probably look into some other skis and try to find some local demo days in your area. Most skis that you demo at a mountain are actually for sale (cash only

). Just ask the guy running the tent. I got a brand new pair of Salomon Equipe 3v's with S912ti's for $300 this way last year.

Never pay retail price on ski equipment, likewise always try to find last years gear. Most likely is the same stuff with a new graphic.

manhatch · 12-04-2003, 06:40 PM

DEMO DEMO DEMO! I can't stress this enough. You want a ski that is good for you. Just because a ski is more expensive doesn't mean it's better. What is good for one person might not be good for another.

I rode a super expensive snow board this weekend that had come with great reviews. For me, it was just wrong. I'm very glad I demoed it first.

Red Rocket · 12-04-2003, 07:29 PM

THEY ALL SUCK!

Well, kinda. I'm just not a fan of narrow skis anymore, even on eastern hard pack and ice. I like skis ~73mm and wider for ice/hardpack, that way you don't boot out when carving high angle turns. Otherwise I need a crapload of lift. Check out the salomon x-scream xtra-hot, I demoed them last year in 185 cm on packed powder/hardpack, it carves sick deep carves, and does other stuff....and it's 82mm wide. If you are really going to carve on packed powder and variable snow, you need some width. Stockli stormriders are also a hot pick.

I just bought a new pair of '01-'02 195 cm K2 AK Launchers this year. I was thinking I would only use them for powder, but I will probably end up using them in all around in crud snow the most. Those are only 88mm at the waist. Wide is 105mm and up.

However......DEMO!!!!!!!

Kevin

dubRexn · 12-04-2003, 08:51 PM

yep, always demo. I currently ski on salomon crossmax 10's, great all around.

What type of skiing do you do?

would you ever consider getting 2 pairs, one for alpine and one for mogul?

Nowadays skis have gotten quite specifc to the type of skiing you do.

But most importantly, demo them, I have tried some expensive skis and hated them, whatever it is, don't buy anything and be unhappy.

dsmperformance · 12-04-2003, 11:33 PM

I live in the east, so i'm looking for something all mountain and good on hardpack. My current skis are Salomon Super Force 9 3s's. Its a conventional ski and I really like it alot, but its time for a change and get up-to-date. I think i'll probably wait and demo a few pair before I actually buy. It would really suck if I bought a pair and absolutely hated them. Thanks for all the insight...

2k2 · 12-04-2003, 11:46 PM

IBscaryfastskier

Red Rocket · 12-04-2003, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dsmperformance
I live in the east, so i'm looking for something all mountain and good on hardpack. My current skis are Salomon Super Force 9 3s's. Its a conventional ski and I really like it alot, but its time for a change and get up-to-date. I think i'll probably wait and demo a few pair before I actually buy. It would really suck if I bought a pair and absolutely hated them. Thanks for all the insight...

I tell ya man - don't bother with anything under a 70mm waist....just make sure to keep them sharp.

Kevin

Red Rocket · 12-05-2003, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dsmperformance
.......My current skis are Salomon Super Force 9 3s's.....

And by the way, unless you happen to be a top expert, you are not used to carving, skiing on those skis - since you are used to skiing a skided/chop turn, you are going to have a tough time at first with these new style skis. I would highly recommend few lessons focusing on carving, on advanced rental carving skis, to get used to the whole carving thing, before you even bother demoing. Or have a (expert) friend bring you up to speed on it.

I've skied for 20 years, and put in about 50 days last year. On open, groomed slopes, I ski a full on modern GS race technique......so take my advice with a grain of salt.

Kevin

ZIZZIZ · 12-05-2003, 12:23 AM

all good choices for a carving/groomer moriented ski. i can't wait to get out on a pair of 6 stars this year (i work in a ski shop) the rx8's are also super cool and hold well. however, the ski i would get would be the fishcer world cup rc. super cool! maybe try something like the rossi bandit b2, atomic c9 or k2 xt if you've never been on shape skis....

Blknblu · 12-05-2003, 12:36 AM

I own a pair of Volkl 5 stars... and for the kind of skiing I do they rock. I had a pair of Rossis before these. The motion system bindings work great. I teamed them up with a pair of Atomic Beta ride boots and tore it up at steamboat last year (well not tore it up is a bit of an exageration...but I did in MY mind

) Anyway as others have said demo several diff. ones your thinking about because.... the proof is in the pudding my friend.

Darby

Edit: I guess I should tell you the kind of skiing I do.. mainly groomed runs all steep of course

And the occasional off the beaten path glades through the pow Handle quite well in both and seems to be a good all mountain ski. If your in powder up to your nostrils most of the time... you might want to opt for something a bit fatter to get you up on it a bit more... excuse any speeeeling errors.. I'm tired

scaryfastskier · 12-05-2003, 12:42 AM

i HIGHLY reccomend the vokle 724 ax3 pro for an all mountain ski.

crossmax's suck (in my opinion) except for the current year. i would never use them for all mountain skiing though. they are a cruiser (something i don't do much of).

the 6 and 5 stars by vokl are both carving skis... and quite frankly the 6 star will own you. there is ~1% of all skiers that are strong enough in form and physical fitness. it is rediculously stiff. i come from a strong racing background and i feel it is far too stiff for me. the 5 star is a kick ass ripping carver ski... but i would never buy it cause i prefer soft snow to hardpack. that skis is in no way shape or form an all mountain ski.

i LOVE my pocket rockets, really like the 724 ax3pros and think the NEW scream hots and extra hots are good.

i work in a ski shop, so i demo all this crap and buy too much ski gear.

grant - is in love with twin-tips

ZIZZIZ · 12-05-2003, 01:05 AM

funny how the AX3 is labeled as a tele randonee board... I haven't gotten them out yet but have read they're quite alot like the g3's - which i thought were crap...

dsmperformance · 12-05-2003, 01:06 AM

scaryfastskier,

How is the 724 ax3 for short explosive turns? How would you compare it to the 5 star in the short turn category? Bumps too?

Thanks, sounds like good info above...

volkl23 · 12-05-2003, 01:30 AM

Get the Volkls! I have been skiing them all my life and cannot complain one bit. I've also come to like Dynastars as well. Like my screenname?

Pre-diddy · 12-05-2003, 01:32 AM

Quick question for all you experienced skiier types. Do skis really make a difference? I mean, I know length does...and width/shape, but if you have two skis with identical measurements, and similar purposes (ie: "all mountain" skis) is there really that much of a difference?

I don't ski much, (usually 2-3 times a season) but at leas once a season, my ski trips are over 1 week long, and I try to have an instructor for more than half that time.

But for all my time experienced on skis, (which I know, isn't that much) where I knew what I was doing outside of snowplow, I've only had one pair of skis. Volants. But everyhitng I've learned and observed so far seems to be that the shape of the ski itself is the most imporant factor, not who makes it or whatever. I mean, size determines speed, carving radius, and controlability, so how significant are the other factors after that. Currently, technology isn't such that any of the top companies couldn't copy any of the others, so where do performance differences lie?

Red Rocket · 12-05-2003, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pre-diddy
Quick question for all you experienced skiier types. Do skis really make a difference? I mean, I know length does...and width/shape, but if you have two skis with identical measurements, and similar purposes (ie: "all mountain" skis) is there really that much of a difference?

YES!

I have 4 different pairs of "freeskiing" skis:

200cm Nordica Ultra Wave
195cm K2 AK Launchers
195cm Salomon X-Scream Series
192cm Stockli Stormrider (1st gen)

All are approximately the same length, between 22m and 30m sidecut, varing widths. The all have very different feels to them. For example, the stockli's are more of a race stock GS board (3 sheets of Ti, heavy, damp) than the race stock P30 gs boards I own.....

they used for GS freeskiing in all types of groomed snow. All the others are medium weight. The x-screams are very soft, have the 22mm sidecut and are way too easy to ski - good for softer groomed snow, quicker carves at slower speeds, and jumping. The Nordicas are stiff-ish, used for hardpack, steeps, and at speed; they don't have as much sidecut so they chop turn good, but still rip big carves, are stable because of the length, but are light enough to whip around. Launchers are new, but they seem like they will kick ass in anything not groomed well, for gs or choped turns.

Satisfied?

Kevin

Red Rocket · 12-05-2003, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by volkl23
Get the Volkls! I have been skiing them all my life and cannot complain one bit. I've also come to like Dynastars as well. Like my screenname?

Hummm......

Keep in mind that this is coming from somebody that has 5 pairs of volkls of various ages in his house right now, and has his skis tuned by Mike deSantis (ex-volkl World Cup Tech and product manager in charfe of development). Here we go:

Personally I think volkl's are very overrated. I've skied the G3 and 724, hated both. I have pair of P40 SL's that suck pretty bad too.

I do have a pair of new last years Volkl DH boards...218cm...they kick ass, of course. My race stock P30 gs boards are pretty sweet too, but they're pretty useless outside of a race course.

Never skied a Dynastar I was impressed with either. But I do hear good stuff about the older rectangular sidewall 'bigs'.

Stockli....now there's a special ski.

Kevin

scaryfastskier · 12-05-2003, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dsmperformance
scaryfastskier,

How is the 724 ax3 for short explosive turns? How would you compare it to the 5 star in the short turn category? Bumps too?

Thanks, sounds like good info above...

not so good for the short turns... the 5stars are really good for short turns though. i tend to ski more "GS" style. i really prefer to make longer more powerful turns than short snappy ones. i used to race slalom alot and i think i burned out.

as for the person who asked if skis actually matter... yes. i agree with rocket. i would not use anything with a waist smaller than 70mm for freeskiing. i prefer a waist ~80mm myself. while rocket obviously knows his stuff, i beleive we are VERY different skiers (i am also abnormally light for my height... 6.03 and 150). our different styles will cause us to like very different setups. the few times i have been on stockli skis i have HATED them with a passion. they are a very very good ski, but i prefer a softer ski that matches my skiing style and weight distrobution. this is why i highly reccomend demo-ing any ski you consider buying. my favorite method is to research first, then find a ski to look at in person, and if i still like the way it feels, demo a pair. then buy.

lots of good advice in this thread

grant

my freeskiing skis:
175 dynastar troublemakers
177 1080s
181 1080s
185 xscream series
175 pocketrockets
182 (iirc) dynastar 4x4s

my park skis
161 teneighties (old style)
161 teneigheties (new style)

Retired/broken sets i wish i still had in good shape
i used to rock salomon slalom skis... 3vs i beleive. had to give them back to my sponsor when i "retired" from racing
172 dynastar max 2s (first pair of "real" skis i owned)
bunch of old crap skis

dubRexn · 12-13-2003, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scaryfastskier

crossmax's suck (in my opinion) except for the current year. i would never use them for all mountain skiing though. they are a cruiser (something i don't do much of).

yeah i got the 2003's. I am no pro, but i ski all the terrian less the double blacks at whistler/blackcomb, and these have worked quite well, and they are a little easy on my knee which i screwed up skiing.

dsmperformance · 12-27-2003, 11:19 PM

Finally got a pair that I liked...the Atomic Supercross SX-11's with Atomic SX 4.12 bindings.

Alpine · 12-28-2003, 05:56 AM

I looked at a bunch of skis a couple of years ago... the Volkl's I tried (and most reviewers seemed to agree) were really damped, as in I could barely feel any snow below me. Hardpack, crud, powder, it all felt the same. I couldn't stand that. Kind of the Cadillac of skis. So anyway, that's my unrelated 2 cents.

12-04-2003, 04:21 PM	#1
dsmperformance Scooby Specialist Member#: 15059 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Latrobe, PA Vehicle: 2004 WRX STi 1991 TSi	Ski guru's wanted: Compare Volkl 6 Star vs. 5 Star vs. Fischer RX8 If anyone has skied any of these skis, please let me know your thoughts and experiences. I am debating on getting either Volkl or the Fischer RX8. The RX8 is way cheaper and its supposed to be another hot ski. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

12-04-2003, 06:17 PM	#3
huckedup16 Scooby Specialist Member#: 20612 Join Date: Jun 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Punch Her In The Butt!!!! Vehicle: 2012 Impreza Sedan Black	meh...Ive skied Volkl, definatly an overpriced ski. Havent skied the Fischer so I cant comment but I know a few people on them. What kind of skiing are you looking to do? By your choices Im guessing you are looking at more of an All Mountain / Racer hybid. It would be worth it to probably look into some other skis and try to find some local demo days in your area. Most skis that you demo at a mountain are actually for sale (cash only). Just ask the guy running the tent. I got a brand new pair of Salomon Equipe 3v's with S912ti's for $300 this way last year. Never pay retail price on ski equipment, likewise always try to find last years gear. Most likely is the same stuff with a new graphic.

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12-04-2003, 04:39 PM	#2
Teh Legacy Scooby Specialist Member#: 9853 Join Date: Sep 2001 Chapter/Region: International Location: Never miss an opportunity Vehicle: to keep your mouth shut.	You get what you pay for...There's a reason the Volkl's are more expensive.

12-04-2003, 06:40 PM	#4
manhatch Scooby Newbie Member#: 24131 Join Date: Sep 2002	DEMO DEMO DEMO! I can't stress this enough. You want a ski that is good for you. Just because a ski is more expensive doesn't mean it's better. What is good for one person might not be good for another. I rode a super expensive snow board this weekend that had come with great reviews. For me, it was just wrong. I'm very glad I demoed it first.

12-04-2003, 07:29 PM	#5
Red Rocket Scooby Specialist Member#: 10507 Join Date: Sep 2001 Vehicle: '04 Ex STi Owner '97 4Runner	THEY ALL SUCK! Well, kinda. I'm just not a fan of narrow skis anymore, even on eastern hard pack and ice. I like skis ~73mm and wider for ice/hardpack, that way you don't boot out when carving high angle turns. Otherwise I need a crapload of lift. Check out the salomon x-scream xtra-hot, I demoed them last year in 185 cm on packed powder/hardpack, it carves sick deep carves, and does other stuff....and it's 82mm wide. If you are really going to carve on packed powder and variable snow, you need some width. Stockli stormriders are also a hot pick. I just bought a new pair of '01-'02 195 cm K2 AK Launchers this year. I was thinking I would only use them for powder, but I will probably end up using them in all around in crud snow the most. Those are only 88mm at the waist. Wide is 105mm and up. However......DEMO!!!!!!! Kevin

12-04-2003, 08:51 PM	#6
dubRexn Scooby Specialist Member#: 16100 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: South Bend/Purdue/Indanapolis Vehicle: GD	yep, always demo. I currently ski on salomon crossmax 10's, great all around. What type of skiing do you do? would you ever consider getting 2 pairs, one for alpine and one for mogul? Nowadays skis have gotten quite specifc to the type of skiing you do. But most importantly, demo them, I have tried some expensive skis and hated them, whatever it is, don't buy anything and be unhappy.

12-04-2003, 11:33 PM	#7
dsmperformance Scooby Specialist Member#: 15059 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Latrobe, PA Vehicle: 2004 WRX STi 1991 TSi	I live in the east, so i'm looking for something all mountain and good on hardpack. My current skis are Salomon Super Force 9 3s's. Its a conventional ski and I really like it alot, but its time for a change and get up-to-date. I think i'll probably wait and demo a few pair before I actually buy. It would really suck if I bought a pair and absolutely hated them. Thanks for all the insight...

12-04-2003, 11:46 PM	#8
2k2 NASIOC Supporter Member#: 12368 Join Date: Nov 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Pittsburgh,PA Vehicle: 2008 Infiniti G35X 2011 BMW X5 Diesel	IBscaryfastskier

12-05-2003, 12:23 AM	#11
ZIZZIZ Scooby Newbie Member#: 44417 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Stowe, VT Vehicle: 09 BL6 White	all good choices for a carving/groomer moriented ski. i can't wait to get out on a pair of 6 stars this year (i work in a ski shop) the rx8's are also super cool and hold well. however, the ski i would get would be the fishcer world cup rc. super cool! maybe try something like the rossi bandit b2, atomic c9 or k2 xt if you've never been on shape skis....

12-05-2003, 12:36 AM	#12
Blknblu Scooby Newbie Member#: 29188 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: PRSIC Location: 2 star hotel Vehicle: 2000 Ducati M900	I own a pair of Volkl 5 stars... and for the kind of skiing I do they rock. I had a pair of Rossis before these. The motion system bindings work great. I teamed them up with a pair of Atomic Beta ride boots and tore it up at steamboat last year (well not tore it up is a bit of an exageration...but I did in MY mind ) Anyway as others have said demo several diff. ones your thinking about because.... the proof is in the pudding my friend. Darby Edit: I guess I should tell you the kind of skiing I do.. mainly groomed runs all steep of course And the occasional off the beaten path glades through the pow Handle quite well in both and seems to be a good all mountain ski. If your in powder up to your nostrils most of the time... you might want to opt for something a bit fatter to get you up on it a bit more... excuse any speeeeling errors.. I'm tired

12-05-2003, 12:42 AM	#13
scaryfastskier Scooby Specialist Member#: 7893 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: International Location: Saint Louis Vehicle: 2010 F150 & Iron883 Husky TE449 + TXC250	i HIGHLY reccomend the vokle 724 ax3 pro for an all mountain ski. crossmax's suck (in my opinion) except for the current year. i would never use them for all mountain skiing though. they are a cruiser (something i don't do much of). the 6 and 5 stars by vokl are both carving skis... and quite frankly the 6 star will own you. there is ~1% of all skiers that are strong enough in form and physical fitness. it is rediculously stiff. i come from a strong racing background and i feel it is far too stiff for me. the 5 star is a kick ass ripping carver ski... but i would never buy it cause i prefer soft snow to hardpack. that skis is in no way shape or form an all mountain ski. i LOVE my pocket rockets, really like the 724 ax3pros and think the NEW scream hots and extra hots are good. i work in a ski shop, so i demo all this crap and buy too much ski gear. grant - is in love with twin-tips

12-05-2003, 01:05 AM	#14
ZIZZIZ Scooby Newbie Member#: 44417 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Stowe, VT Vehicle: 09 BL6 White	funny how the AX3 is labeled as a tele randonee board... I haven't gotten them out yet but have read they're quite alot like the g3's - which i thought were crap...

12-05-2003, 01:06 AM	#15
dsmperformance Scooby Specialist Member#: 15059 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Latrobe, PA Vehicle: 2004 WRX STi 1991 TSi	scaryfastskier, How is the 724 ax3 for short explosive turns? How would you compare it to the 5 star in the short turn category? Bumps too? Thanks, sounds like good info above...

12-05-2003, 01:30 AM	#16
volkl23 Scooby Specialist Member#: 39092 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: St. Louis MO Vehicle: 2004 WRX STi Java Black Pearl	Get the Volkls! I have been skiing them all my life and cannot complain one bit. I've also come to like Dynastars as well. Like my screenname?

12-05-2003, 01:32 AM	#17
Pre-diddy Scooby Specialist Member#: 26837 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Annapolis Vehicle: 04 STi - Sold! :(	Quick question for all you experienced skiier types. Do skis really make a difference? I mean, I know length does...and width/shape, but if you have two skis with identical measurements, and similar purposes (ie: "all mountain" skis) is there really that much of a difference? I don't ski much, (usually 2-3 times a season) but at leas once a season, my ski trips are over 1 week long, and I try to have an instructor for more than half that time. But for all my time experienced on skis, (which I know, isn't that much) where I knew what I was doing outside of snowplow, I've only had one pair of skis. Volants. But everyhitng I've learned and observed so far seems to be that the shape of the ski itself is the most imporant factor, not who makes it or whatever. I mean, size determines speed, carving radius, and controlability, so how significant are the other factors after that. Currently, technology isn't such that any of the top companies couldn't copy any of the others, so where do performance differences lie?

12-27-2003, 11:19 PM	#22
dsmperformance Scooby Specialist Member#: 15059 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Latrobe, PA Vehicle: 2004 WRX STi 1991 TSi	Finally got a pair that I liked...the Atomic Supercross SX-11's with Atomic SX 4.12 bindings.

12-28-2003, 05:56 AM	#23
Alpine Scooby Newbie Member#: 10960 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX Silver	I looked at a bunch of skis a couple of years ago... the Volkl's I tried (and most reviewers seemed to agree) were really damped, as in I could barely feel any snow below me. Hardpack, crud, powder, it all felt the same. I couldn't stand that. Kind of the Cadillac of skis. So anyway, that's my unrelated 2 cents.