Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium (2007)

I recently demoed the Volkl AC3, AC4 and K2 Recon while in Whistler. I'm 5'11" type 3 all mountain expert. Out of all three skis, the AC3 was by far my favorite. It's a true all-moutain ski, wide enough for powder and narrow enough for fast turns. Seems like 76mm waist is a sweet spot for all-mountain fun. It performs well in powder and still gives you fast turns on the groomers. The iPT binding is great, I find it much better than my old generation Volkl Motion binding, it provides better edge control and the piston does absorb tip vibrations. If you ski mostly powder and enjoy wider turns, then the AC4 (82mm waist) is a great choice. But for me, I find the AC3 is a more versatile ski. If you can't afford or don't want the trouble of two sets of skis, the AC3 is a great choice.

With extraordinary snowfall in the Cascades lately I haven't had to test these on piste yet but in knee to waist deep powder this ski ROCKS! The ski makes the deep powder turns a breeze as it constantly works to get on top.

That is what I told the head of the demo shop. They couldn't seem to please me. I have never been sold a pair of skis that weren't too fast or hurt my legs when bending on the steep stuff. I swore never to buy anything named "Unlimited" or "Rocket". I'm a crazy intermediate that does one thing good: back and forth s-turns on groomed. If I ski on any rare powder (Portland, Oregon) I ski straight and shallow. Those are my abilities. I fell in love with these skis and decided to buy them even though they were $300 over my budget. I kept comparing the demos with my old skis which I thought were too fast and confirmed. For some reason the AC3's were slower and turned incredibly with little effort. Don't know, maybe technology is finally serving the casual usual. Flipped out when I read reviews that this was an Advanced or Expert ski. Maybe I have good form from working on one little area or something. I kept looking for the steepest part of the slope, and I guarantee you I am a weenie. AND . . . . . . .they aren't paying me to say this!! Demo them if you get the chance. I am a picky, picky, weenie, old man skier.

Skied at Telluride on the AC3 170's in two vastly different scenarios: the first couple of days it was warm and a little slick, the last two in a foot of powder. I am sort of a 2+ skier and they totally elevated my game - which meant I had more fun than I ever have. I live in TN but might actually have to buy a pair.

I have a pair of K2 MOD 7/8 178's 111-70-101 that are 6 years old. I'm a Level III and go skiing out west for a week once a year. I can ski just about anything but prefer single diamonds on piste where I have more control. Occasionally, I'll take a double, do the moguls, or ski the powder and tree's. Seems like the AC3 is versatile for me but I'm torn between this one and the K2 Recon. My K2 MOD's have been very kind to me so I am biased on K2 right now. On the Volkl, not sure if I should go 177 or 184, I'm 6'3", 190lbs.

Demo'd these at Lake Louise in Banff on Sunday (177cm), bought a pair today. I am 5'11", Type III skier. Skied mostly moguls in the bowls on piste + glades, and this ski was GREAT in the softer snow. Excellent power. Really stable at speed, and excels at big GS turns, but also very nimble for shorter radius turns. I was expecting this ski to be more work than it was. As good as this ski was in the steep and deep stuff, it was equally amazing on the hard pack and ice on the front side. Unreal edge grip and stability. I'm cheap by nature, but didn't even wait for these to go on sale...I've wasted enough time!

Forgot to mention: 
 
I'm 205 lbs, and these skis replace my Rossignol Bandits (my new rock skis), 174 cm, with 116-78-105 dimensions. Rossi's were great too, but less power, less stability at speed, and the edge hold on the hard stuff can't compare. 
 
The only thing I wouldn't recommend these skis for would be skiing eastern moguls. Hope this is helpful.

Demo'd these yesterday and was amazed at their control. Looking to replace my 195cm Volkl P30 race carvers with a softer/shorter all mountain ski and these fit the bill. I'm a type III skier and ski midwest groom most of the time but hit the rocks a couple times a year. These things are very responsive in turns and have no trouble holding an edge on the steep icy runs. The speed I was able to carry was impressive versus my P30 race carvers. Definitely buying them.

I am buying a new pair of skis, and I am sold on either of the 3's or 4's, but I'm not sure which one to get and have not been able to demo both. I am an all mountain skier, I want something that will do awesome in powder, but more importantly something that is fast, with plent of grip, and good on short as well as long turns on groomers. Sounds like the AC3 will do this, but I was wondering if the AC4's can hang with the 3's on groomed runs or if I should just go with the 3's. Anyone have any suggestions?

I was sold on the AC3's and AC4's. I ended up buying the 3's in size 184s . I spend more of my time on the groomers than powder. You will find they work well in powder also.

I'm thinking of demoing these when I got to Vail tomorrow. I am in the market for a new ski, I do like Volkls. Had great experiences with the classic 5 stars, demoed a pair of Karmas in Jackson Hole last year. I am an East coast guy, and even though I've spent more time skiing out west the past two years, if I'm going to buy a ski, I'd like to buy one that would fair well with the East coast ice. A good friend of mine told me these skis are heavy? I found it kind of hard to believe. I'm 5'9" 175 pounds, may be closer 180 right now, I'd consider myself Type 3 Advanced; I like to ski everything. Does this sound like a good fit? The other ski I was thinking about was the K2 Recon (did not like the Outlaw, I think I'm too light for it). 
 
Thanks, J.

Demoed three different brands in Telluride. I have been skiing 35 years. These skis were fast and responsive on packed powder and easy on the moguls. I am a traditional parallel skier and these were the skis for me. Cannot wait to go again..

Okay, I'm the one that titled the review, "I'm Limited!! Don't give me those to demo!". 
 
After skiing at Bachelor, OR, and then Big Mountain, Montana, I am looking around to buying the AC2 Unlimited Women's ski in the same length (170cm). Why? The AC3 mens ski want to be skied faster than I can think. I did finally figure out how to do Black Diamonds and the guys in my club I was skiing with (all better than me), said the AC3 mens were good skis for me. But I just noticed my legs burning more than was comfortable and I was sure they were S skis, not GS, but what do I know? What as really interesting was at Big Mountain there was, groomed, garbage, powder, and garbage (used up) powder and these skis just treated them all the same, never blinking or twitching or giving a second take. Ice too. Hit the powder and it didn't seem like I had to change speed or balance. Rammed right through the garbage -- I had to hypnotize myself to ignore the garbage because the skis refused to admit it's existence. But, I think I would like to try the women's version because I just don't ski enough and would be happier with a little less speed and I guess I would have to put up with a little more squirrelly. But....don't think I will sell the AC3s either, heh heh. (the women skis can't tell your a man, right? They don't look up your pant leg or anything like that, right?)

I do not like how they perform. They are bad in powder.

Bought them, then tried them. Not a great mogul skier so I didn't like them in the moguls. They felt a little uneasy at first. Might have been my own apprehension. Things levelled out later and it was a pretty good day with the new boards.

Demoed them 3 weeks ago , and instantly fell in love. Great in the bumps, fast in the turns with excellant grip and control. Just bought a pair .

Demoed these the other day in Idaho. The first few hours I felt they were simply too easy too turn - didn't feel right. I was used to average skis which these are not. As it turns out these are by far the most stable, smooth and versitile skis I have ever ridden. Trying to buy a pair now.

Let the rental mgr. talk me into the AC3's. Had two powder days and five groomed days. WOW! The AC3's were the best ride this year...by far. If I was going to buy one pairof skiis, this would be the one! I am a ll skier.

I demo'd the 163 AC3 in Park City at the end of the season. I was interested in the AC2, but could not find one to demo on the mountain. I was more interested in a 170 or possibly a 177, but only the 163 was available. The AC3s were very agile from side to side. They gave almost too much control in the turns, but this is probably due to the ancient Rossi skis I own. We got 5" of new powder that morning and the AC3s were a dream in the powder. On the groomed and late-day slush, they still performed very well. The only downsides were the shorter turning radius (15.1m for the 163). I prefer a slightly larger radius which might be found in the longer skis (170 = 16.7m and 177 = 18.4m). The other trouble I had with the ski was trying to end a turn on some of the more inclined slopes. The ski wanted to keep into the turn when I did not want to. After the demo, I read elsewhere that this is a normal characteristic of this ski and that using a slighly different technique, you can overcome this tendency. I am now shopping around to see if there are any 170s or 177s available at the end-of-the year sales.

I have the Volkl 5 Star and wanted a versatle all mountain ride. Bought the AC3 163, I am 5'9 183 and the ski is the right size. Taking them out to Colorado for spring skiing. They worked great on the eastern slopes. Moguls were fine when the snow was softer. Can't wait to compare them our west.

I just came back from Vail where we had spring (sloppy) conditions and 18" of powder in the same week. Demo'd the AC3 and this ski is a rock star! I am a 3+ skiier and there was nothing i could throw at this ski that it did not handle. High speed... no sweat, steep and icy... grips like glue, powder...never had such a good time. I am getting a piar of these for myself!

This is a very nice ski! 
 
I demoed this 76mm waist ski this season in 170cm to replace my aging 75mm waist Salomon Screams in 175cm.  
 
This is to fill the Mid-Fat slot in my quiver, as I have a set of 68mm waist Dynastar Contact 9 in 165cm for Carving on hard surfaces and a set of K2 Apache Outlaw in 167cm for enjoying the soft surfaces (deep crud piles and Sierra Cement). 
 
This season I also demoed the Nordica Hot Road Top Fuel in 170cm and felt these were a better Mid-Fat for me as they had a little more sidecut and seemed to handle mild crud a little better, so I bought the Nordicas over the AC3 to fill the Mid-Fat slot in my quiver. 
 
I am a 165 pound 5'10" expert with plenty of mileage (e.g. over 30 ski days this year). I am a moderately aggressive skier, that enjoys contemporary carving. 

This is the continuation of my 3/23/07 entry. I skied the AC3 at Keystone Co. Typical spring variety of conditions, crud, slop and packed powder. The AC3 take anything the mountain. throws at it. The best ski I have overall.

I bought the AC3s due to my loving the Supersport 5S, thought the AC3 would fit the bill for more varied terrain. Skiied it yesterday and today at Mammoth in 6" fresh powder mixed w/crud, then in spring conditions with soft groomers and soft crud. An unbelievable ski, wish I had it all season. First day you'd have powder, then patch of ice, then cut up crud, all in 100 feet. The AC3s skiied them all the same, never budged. Bombproof edgehold. I've never been able to ski soft crud on the steeps confidently which is pretty typical of Mammoth until this ski, now I'm blasting it. Also I was afraid being midfats they would be slower edge to edge than the slalom type skis I typically prefer. Not true at all, these are as quick as the S5s, which are pretty much the surgical instrument of frontside carving. I'm 175, type 3 skiier, moderately agressive, I bought the 170s. What a ski.

5’11”, 190 lbs, age 50. Type 3, fairly aggressive (I don’t huck cliffs and stay out of the parks). 
 
Need demo suggestions… I ski 40% glades, 40% off-to-the-side untracked and crud, 20% groomed – steep or getting back to the lift. Frequently ski Mammoth, CA. 
 
I ski about 15 days a year so can only rationalize one pair. Tried the K2 Recon in VT. Nice, good control over wide range of conditions, good float in 10” powder (that’s right, in VT!). Just tried the K2 Outlaw in CA – same, but less maneuverable. So, for now the Recons. (Also, just tried the Elan 666, didn’t seem special but conditions had deteriorated so fair comparisons weren’t possible.)  
Gripe: Low “energy” -- while the K2’s suck up the terrain, they also give little back.  
 
Have heard good things about Volkl AC3 & 4 and read good things about Dynastar Contact 11 on these pages. SUGGESTIONS ANYONE ? 

I'm a 5'10, 190lb, 34yo Type III skier....I ski very aggressive, mainly long turns and high speeds are my thrill...hard blues, diamonds and the occasional double D. It seems most pairs of skis I try tend to get squirrelly on me with the speeds I like. Anyone want to chime in and tell me if they think this is the ski I'm looking for or should I look elsewhere? I haven't bought a pair of skis in a few years.

2 years ago I demoed rossi z9`s loved them. Bought them for a sweet price last year. Demoed the AC3 and 4 at loon mtn in N.H.last winter. The z9 is sweet, but would have traded in a heart beat for for the AC3 or 4. Felt like I was skiing in Heavan. Can not wait for snow. Skiing is the most fun I have ever had with my pants on::::

I know this is for the AC3, but I bought AC4s for the fall 06 season after 2 seasons on Volkl 7/24s. I have a season pass at Mammoth and I ski these everyday I am there except big powder days. K2 Made N AK for pow. Anyways, I love theses skis, They are fast, incredible edge in the steeps, and great edge to edge response. They are stable, blasting through crud with minimal chatter at speed. If you are a good type II skier looking to improve your game, try these skis. I ski 170s and I am 5'11" and 180. Did I say I love these skis, they will make you a better skier, I promise. Well take a lesson too.

Im 6'0" 160, probably a type 2 1/2 to a very lame 3, I go skiing every year prob 14-20 days a year now but I have only been skiing 2 years now so I was wondering If I would be able to use these well untill I am able to use these fully. I am also looking at the K2 Recon, outlaw, or Nordica Hot Rod Nitrous wondering what any of you have to say.

I am at an intermediate level and live on the east coast. I am looking for an all mountain ski that can handle the ice but also moderatley deep powder. I have been looking at the following skis (any reccomendations?): K2 Recon, Volkl AC30, Fischer AMC76, Hot Rod Nitrous, Metron B5, Magfire 8.

Get the AC40 as your all mountain ski. The AC30 is a great ski and is easier to move around than the AC40, but if you need a ski that will also do powder get the AC40. I have both, and so far, this year, I have 12 days on my AC40s and 2 on AC30s (I ski almost exclusively in Tahoe). I personally don't like the Metrons very much and have no experience with Fischer or Nordica, so those may suit your style as well.

I'm 6'3" and 240Lbs, I have the 184 length. I have used the ski's extensively across most of ME, NH, VT & MA this season and in all types of snow. The ski's are unbelievably satisfying to ski on the wide groomers of Sunday River - I find the harder you push the skis the more stable and secure they feel. The edges offer fantastic grip on even the slickest of "New England Deep Pack". But, they are not great for moguls and the performance in a foot of new powder was not good for me - I found the skis getting buried too easily. Overall, I love these ski's.