175 4frnt VCT questions

**TheBaroness** · 12-22-2006, 01:59 AM

I've already done a search on this topic, but I'm in need of some more detailed answers.

I'm thinking of getting the VCT in 175cm as my "one-quiver ski" for my trip to Whistler/Aspen. I'm looking for a ski that will be good in powder/crud, but can also handle groomers (in case of the inevitable dry spell). I generally ski the 169 Volkl Karma and love them. I'm not worried about the width/stiffness of the VCT, but am concerned about the turn radius and its performance on hard pack (since everytime I'm in Aspen it's boilerplate). I'm also looking at the MSP 170 but would like something a little wider.

If anyone who's skied the VCT could please detail their all mtn performance, particularly on the hardpack, I'd very much appreciate it. Or if anyone could suggest a similar ski (95+ waist) that you feel would meet my needs that would be awesome. My stats are 5'3", 175lb, advanced/expert skier with technical race background.

Thanks.

**ptavv** · 12-22-2006, 07:28 AM

I'm heading out in about 15 minutes for touring day #1 on my 182 VCT and Naxo setup. I'll give a thorough review this evening once I've driven 300 miles.

**dookeyXXX** · 12-22-2006, 06:07 PM

sweet!

looking forward to the review as I'm intrigued by the 4frnt MSP and VCT, as well.

but i'm not a huge fan of park specific designed skis with a more center mount (rode the Armada AR5 last season and ended up not enjoying it as much as more "traditional" shaped/designed skis).

**nikster140** · 12-22-2006, 06:55 PM

i have been on the 175 VCT for about a season now, and i love them. i ski mostly in powder, tracked out powder and crud. i have to say they absolutely charge through crud, and are really stable at high speeds. they are a fairly stiff ski for me (i'm 5'4" 120) but that should not be a problem for you as you're heavier and probably a stronger skier.

as for groomers, it's pretty subjective - they're obviously NOT made to carve turns. they don't have much sidecut and feel kind of planky on hardpack, making them difficult to turn. that said, i love them on the groomers; it's fun and a challenge.

i ski them on powder days and in the park, so they're great if you only want one ski. but if you live where there's more hard pack than powder, you might want something with a little more sidecut like the MSP that's more of an all mountain ski. the VCT is a powder ski that you can definitely use other places if you want.

any other questions let me know

**TheBaroness** · 12-22-2006, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by nikster140

i have been on the 175 VCT for about a season now, and i love them. i ski mostly in powder, tracked out powder and crud. i have to say they absolutely charge through crud, and are really stable at high speeds. they are a fairly stiff ski for me (i'm 5'4" 120) but that should not be a problem for you as you're heavier and probably a stronger skier.

as for groomers, it's pretty subjective - they're obviously NOT made to carve turns. they don't have much sidecut and feel kind of planky on hardpack, making them difficult to turn. that said, i love them on the groomers; it's fun and a challenge.

i ski them on powder days and in the park, so they're great if you only want one ski. but if you live where there's more hard pack than powder, you might want something with a little more sidecut like the MSP that's more of an all mountain ski. the VCT is a powder ski that you can definitely use other places if you want.

any other questions let me know

hey, thanks for your review. I guess I really have to ski them to truly know whether they'll suit me, being as how different people like/are used to different skis...unfortunately it's going to come down to me basically "guessing" what kind of snow I'm going to get, whether it'll be mostly pow or hardpack depending upon the conditions while I'm there. Since pretty much every time I've ever gone on a ski trip I've gotten a dry spell perhaps I'll err on the safe side and get the MSP's, as I'm a little concerned about having to rip a bullet-proof Golden Horn at Highlands or Ruthy's at Ajax on VCT's while keeping up with folks on carvers!

**ptavv** · 12-23-2006, 12:00 AM

Hm. I've driven 300 miles today, hiked 3.5k vert, and then skied 25k vert in bounds, so I'm in no shape to write a thorough review.

The highlights, as I saw them:

Charges through anything that is not a groomer. On groomers they have a lot of tip chatter, requiring you to work them on their edges to maintain consistency. Not a big deal since I don't plan on ever skiing them on groomers in bounds, but I was pleasently surprised by how well they carved when I put some effort into it.

In soft windaffect, some windload, suncrust, and windbuff they were great. They absolutely charged through whatever and I never felt like they were getting away. My ski style lends itself to wide open huge turns, which these skis feel like they were meant for.

I'd also advise anyone who feels like they're on the fence between the 175 and 182, go with the 182. The tips and tails are turned up quite a bit, and you'll want that effective edge.

All around, a very good ski, I'll write a more coherent review tomorrow and give it its own thread.

**TheBaroness** · 12-23-2006, 01:55 AM

Originally Posted by dookey67

sweet!

looking forward to the review as I'm intrigued by the 4frnt MSP and VCT, as well.

but i'm not a huge fan of park specific designed skis with a more center mount (rode the Armada AR5 last season and ended up not enjoying it as much as more "traditional" shaped/designed skis).

The only park specific ski I've ridden which matches the perfomance of a "traditional" ski is the Volk Karma, which is an awesome in-bounds all mtn resort ski. I highly recommend them, even to people who don't ski much park.

**TheBaroness** · 12-23-2006, 02:02 AM

Another question for VCT skiers: did you feel like you could vary the lengths of your turns, or where you locked in once you initiated (I guess what I'm asking is can you slide the back of the ski once you've initiated the turn?) I prefer to make shorter turns to control my speed (especially on narrow runs), though I do like the odd big GS turn. Basically, I guess I'm just looking for some variability in turn shape, can the VCT accomodate this? Thanks.

**ptavv** · 12-23-2006, 09:58 AM

Yeah, the VCT can accomadate shorter turns when you're in soft stuff. I was working in super hard edge to edge (I ski pretty aggressively normally) on hard stuff, but in soft or chop I could slide turns to scrub speed with no trouble.

Basically, my feeling is that the ski skis like a really fat, minimal sidecut, no camber ski. It has pretty much all of the benefits that you would imagine, and all of the shortcomings (groomers).

I promise I'll get to the detailed writeup tonight or tomorroe, but I'm heading out the door to ski another day on them