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Replacing my 2006 Volkl Karmas

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timber7
Posts: 6 - Karma: 24
Hello... first post!

I bought a brand new pair of 161cm Volkl Karmas in 2006, so I've been riding them for 10 years now and I've absolutely loved them.

I've mostly been skiing in Colorado for 2 weeks a year, mostly going off piste, but a fair bit of everything - including groomed runs, moguls and occasionally the park. I'm an advanced skier, but to be honest, I have no idea about ski gear, what makes certain skis good, and as I've been skiing these exclusively for ten years (and I got them when I was 14 - didn't pay much attention to how other skis felt before then), I don't really know what else is out there. They've always felt like a good all round ski, and after Googling them just now, it seems like they are a jack of all trades type ski.

I've just signed up to do a ski instructor course in Revelstoke, BC from January-April 2016, so I'll be spending a lot more time on the mountain, and I'd like to treat myself to a new pair of skis. I loved my Volkl Karmas so I was looking at another pair of Volkls. The One and Two look fun - I love skiing powder and I've heard there's lots of powder in Revelstoke, but if I'm doing a ski instructor course, would I be better off going for another all-rounder type ski?

Can anyone throw in any suggestions please? They don't have to be Volkl. I would like to try out some skis that are awesome in the powder, but I would like something that isn't completely terrible on piste either (not that I've read that that the One and Two are terrible on piste).

Thanks!
Jun 20 2015 12:41PM
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timber7
Posts: 6 - Karma: 24
Forgot to mention, I'm 5 ft 10, around 150 lbs, if that matters?!
Jun 20 2015 12:42PM
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timber7
Posts: 6 - Karma: 24
Thanks hotdog! Volkl One is definitely a ski I'm considering.

To be honest, I don't *think* anything - I'm pretty clueless when it comes to ski gear. I know that fat skis are good for powder, but I've never used any, and apart from what I've been reading on the internet, I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for!
Jun 20 2015 1:10PM
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SteezOnSkis12
Posts: 907 - Karma: 1,446
Honestly if I were you I would go for a higher end all mountain ski. You get what you pay for so if you buy piece of crap 300 dollar skis they aren't going to last you another 10 years. I would say check out the ON3P kartel 106.
Jun 21 2015 11:49AM
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Poikenz
Posts: 1480 - Karma: 3,769
SteezOnSkis12Honestly if I were you I would go for a higher end all mountain ski. You get what you pay for so if you buy piece of crap 300 dollar skis they aren't going to last you another 10 years. I would say check out the ON3P kartel 106.


Piece of crap skis can last forever if you aren't bashing them off rails a million times a season. I'd say that this guy isn't doing that, it's why you still see old dudes ripping 20+ year old skis or casual riders still on og ar5's.

I'd say you'd be fine on the one (I think you'd find the two a little much for an everyday ski), but it also depends on what you see yourself doing after your 3 months are up. Will you still be in pow conditions or will you find yourself somewhere with less than ideal conditions that won't be needing a 110-120 underfoot ski?
Jun 21 2015 4:23PM
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ChristianMingle
Posts: 629 - Karma: 1,202
I have a pair of 06 karmas in 177 if you want them haha
Jun 21 2015 11:38PM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,997
PoikenzPiece of crap skis can last forever if you aren't bashing them off rails a million times a season. I'd say that this guy isn't doing that, it's why you still see old dudes ripping 20+ year old skis or casual riders still on og ar5's.

I'd say you'd be fine on the one (I think you'd find the two a little much for an everyday ski), but it also depends on what you see yourself doing after your 3 months are up. Will you still be in pow conditions or will you find yourself somewhere with less than ideal conditions that won't be needing a 110-120 underfoot ski?



Yea it's all how well you take care of them and if you're taking them into the park.
Jun 22 2015 12:40AM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14489 - Karma: 10,641
Do you ski switch often? The one is a very fun ski, I loved it and the day I skied it was hardpack.

I would say look for something around 100 underfoot. If you don't ski switch often or at all, check out the Supernatural and Sick Day series from Line.

If you are looking for more of an all mountain park ski (like what your Karmas are), check out the J Allplays. They were pretty fun all over, a little softer but they still hold up unless you hard charging all the time.
Jun 23 2015 10:11AM
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timber7
Posts: 6 - Karma: 24
Cool, thanks for all your responses.

Don't go on the park too often and when I do, I give the rails a miss (can't do them for shit. is that what ruins skis?)

After my Revelstoke season, I'll be back to a couple weeks a year with my intermediate friends in the morning, skiing groomed runs, and then off piste my myself in the afternoons where I go a bit harder and off piste.

Still swaying towards the Volkl One after reading this... I guess it's the brand loyalty, because I've loved my Karmas so much. I could keep on skiing with them, but after 10 years, I feel like I should see how ski technology has advanced and try something a bit newer?
Jun 23 2015 5:29PM
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