Volkl Bridge Review

[ChowdahRidah]

Wasn't the karma a park ski? Why would a park ski be stiffer than the Mantra? That doesn't sound right.

[outerlimitz]

I'd really love to have a pair of Bridges, but let me play devil's advocate and question Volkls choice with this ski. Without skiing it of course, it seems like the bridge is way too fat for a FS/Mogul/Park ski for which the Karma was much better suited. It is also too narrow for a really good powder ski like the Gotma or Salomon Gun LAB. Given that I have the Karma and Gun LAB, even if you gave me the bridge's, I can't imagine a park/FS day that I'd take them out over my Karmas, or a powder day that I'd take them out over my Guns. Does this nag anybody else? I know they could be a "one-ski-quiver' but it seems they are too fat for even a compromised front-side ski. I'd really be interested to hear thoughts on this.

[Kied]

For those that are wondering - the Bridge is about the same stiffness as the Karma, maybe slightly stiffer, but not as stiff as a Mantra ('cause there's no metal in it). I blew up my Mantras last year after nuking through a rock garden, and was lucky enought to get a pair of Bridges for replacement. So far I'm stoked on em ... not noticably softer than the Mantra, but a bit more sidecut, which made them more fun to ski. The Mantra's always been a great ski, but was a little dead in the sidecut dept. Just my 2cents.

[ChowdahRidah]

Would you say the Bridge is substancially better at ripping groomers than the Mantra?

[Kied]

Substantially? Well, I don't ski a lot of groomers, but here's my take. I always loved the Mantra - great everyday ski - worked well in almost every condition. But... due to it's down-the-fall-line, great-in-pow design the tails never really finished a turn strong on the groomers. Since most people skiing that ski don't ski groomers other than to get back to the lift, it never really mattered. So - if you want a ski that skis all mt, almost as well as a Mantra, but want something more fun on the groomers - go with the Bridge. It definitely finishes the turn better. Another added bonus- it's always amusing to spray your buddies with your roost in the spring.

[doctordoctor]

Any thoughts on length of the Bridges? At 175 lbs, 5 foot 9, I'm getting the 177's. But I'm a little partial to getting the 169's and just having fun with these guys. I hear these Volks' ski short though?

[Kied]

Go 177. I'm 165, 5'11 and ski the 185. I wouldn't say they nessicarily ski short or long... just right. 169's just REALLY short, don't do it.

[life aquatic]

You're more than likely a much better skier than I, but I haveta' agree with cinnepa....Eat Something man...!;-)...pressurize that sucker into something less than its default turn radius!....as in New England terrain....geez

ppppfffft. I'm still yet to grow. I'm 15 and I've reached my height peak, now I'll just be growing out. and yes, Bridge was slightly stiffer than Karma, slightly.

[the saltiest]

so i'm looking into getting my first pair of twin tips. I ski all over the rockies, and I ski pretty much all kinds of terrain. I love speed, but I also like tree skiing, chutes and big drops, bumps, and anything that gets me in the air (although i've yet to get into terrain parks).
I'm 6'3, 210 lbs, and am skiing on old Volkl Platinum P40s (think way back to early shaped skis) that are about as tall as i am.
So what twin tip ski would be best for me so that I could do extreme stuff, have fun in the air, but still be able to do cruisers with the old man?
a guy in a snowbird ski shop said the bridge would be the best all-mountain twin tip, but i wanted some other opinions. I've also come across the K2 Public Enemy a lot and was curious about that.
any recommendations?

[Sloafer11']

I headed out to snowbird this week thinking it to be blue bird and no storms so i brought only my 169 bridges. once it started snowing i longed for length and girth, but once i got onto the mountain the bridges kicked ass. I lapped the gad shutes all day, and these were more than perfect for the steep, deep, and tight trees. i could make tight turns as if i was on 140cms, they were great. but the next day with 6 inches of heavy gropple i took out some 176 dynastar big troubles (the 07/08 limited) which are a bit longer (visibility was bad so i didnt take out my charger skis). so beware, while this ski kicks ass in trees its isnt that stable in heavy stuff, *note that im skiing 169s and the longer versions are probly much better.

long story short, these are not a "one ski quiver" ski.

so i'm looking into getting my first pair of twin tips. I ski all over the rockies, and I ski pretty much all kinds of terrain. I love speed, but I also like tree skiing, chutes and big drops, bumps, and anything that gets me in the air (although i've yet to get into terrain parks).
I'm 6'3, 210 lbs, and am skiing on old Volkl Platinum P40s (think way back to early shaped skis) that are about as tall as i am.
So what twin tip ski would be best for me so that I could do extreme stuff, have fun in the air, but still be able to do cruisers with the old man?
a guy in a snowbird ski shop said the bridge would be the best all-mountain twin tip, but i wanted some other opinions. I've also come across the K2 Public Enemy a lot and was curious about that.
any recommendations?

**personally**, i hate the PEs, i hate their cheap feel. these definately are an all mountain ski, but as i hinted before, go for the longer version. Also as i mentioned before, i really loved the big trouble, its softer, but its fun.

[P J Shaker]

Hey guys,

i have been reading this whole thread because i finally ordered my Bridges today....i am 6 foot 200 pounds, but and rolling with a 177 because i live in michigan and ski here 99% of the time....

i am currently rolling some 2006 Karmas (which is the best ski i have ever been on)...i have been wanting the bridge for a while to make the jump to a 92 waist...

so far, after reading everyones reviews i am really excited..the fact that the Bridge is a little stiffer than the Karma makes me quiver..i will have alot of groomed riding in michigan..i cant wait to ride it..

if anyone doesnt know, Volkl is having their end of year sale....if you work at a store you can get some things at 35% below cost.....i am paying $249 fir my Bridges......

i will let you guys know how they ski

[strum]

As you should know damn well from "working in a shop" and all,

don't post pro deal prices.

it isn't cool, and endangers the rest of our ability to get them

[P J Shaker]

As you should know damn well from "working in a shop" and all,

don't post pro deal prices.

it isn't cool, and endangers the rest of our ability to get them

its not a pro deal price, its volkl's end of the year clearance..they do it every year with all of their left over stuff....its not a big secret

[BigLineSeeker]

its not a pro deal price, its volkl's end of the year clearance..they do it every year with all of their left over stuff....its not a big secret

If it's not a big secret do you care to pick up a pair for me? I could use some 185s.

[snoweater]

My friend has a pair of Bridges from last year, he's skied about 80-90 days on them and the topsheets are the most f-ed up i've ever seen on a ski. I don't notice anything in his style that might cause this, but they're absolutely chipped to hell! Kinda looks like he took them on a National Lampoon Vacation, tied to his bumper.
I know most won't care, and i wouldn't either if the ski rips, but may speak to the general quality of construction of the newer Volkls, which i've heard bad rumors of recently...this is the only problem i've seen first hand though.

[drjaws]

I am 5'6"/140 and skied the mantras last season-really too stiff for me. I needed to ski
essentially as fast as I could to get them to work. However, when I did they were impressive for a wide ski without a riser plate. These skis really like all out speed.