Volkl Unlimited AC30 Titanium (2008)

I own the Supersport 5 star but will never ski them again after purchasing the AC 30's today. Edge control is incredible. Easy turning, stable and goes over the top of crud.

I'll be using these as my frontside ski from know on. I wouldn't use these in deep pow - but they handle anything that Colorado has been able to throw at me with ease.  
they are forgiving, but allow you to really push them hard. Great Volkl edges, and reliable flex and pop.

I demoed a pair over the weekend. What a great ski. I also have a pair of Volkl 6 stars and an old pair of K2 KVC's. The AC30 gives you great response and stability. I noticed that they seemed to be a bit more responsive than the 6 stars in short radius turns - good when going through the glades. Beautiful skis.

I bought a pair last year - the AC3 - put em on my feet for the first time in Whistler and have never looked back. They are amazing, do exactly what you want them do and it takes less effort to do it.  
 
Nothing on the market touches them as an all mountain ski. Bottom line.

I am 5'10" and weigh 215 and use to skiing Rossi 4S 195cm Ski's, basically a stiff tail GS type Ski. I like the Fast GS turns, Tight short turns, Skiing the Steep double blacks here in the East (so need good edgs on icy), and venture to the bumps a bit.  
 
What Height would be recomended for me with these new shaped type skis? 
 
How are these in the bumps too?

 
I dissagree with the review comments: The AC30 is neither demanding, stiff, nor high performance, and contrary to the review they will in fact tolerate bad technique(riding the tails, slipping, skiing with feet too close together).  
 
While they do have decent edgehold for an All Mountan, I found nothing demanding about the ride and there is a speed limit. 
 
Like most skis in this range they can be used by an intermediate up through advanced. 
 
All mountain skis promote bad technique to begin with. They offer a wider and more stable platform to balance on and in so doing give the intermediate skidder a false sense of confidence and control.  
 
 
As far as the statement about Volkl, I find it rediculous, Volk as a brand does not make skis any less forgiving or demanding than any other brand. Like any other manfuacturer they make skis for different ability levels, from rank beginner on up.

Aggreed. I see just as many gapers in rear entry boots sliding around on top of the line Volkls as I do gapers carying shiny new Atomic race skis around the lodge. The Volkl race is a workhorse, but there rec line is not any more demanding or unforgiving than any other brand.  
 
I would classify the AC30 as high performance for the category they are in in. I have yet to find the speed limit. Does it have the stability and grip of a 185CM GS ski? No, but for an all mountain ride it offers more performance than 90% of the skiers on the hill would ever need or want.

Hi Guys, 
Returning to alpine after a long break and looking for a good all mountain ski. I'm intermediate, 5'11", 170#. Any advice on a suitable ski? I'm considering Volkl AC20, AC30, K2 Outlaw or Rossignon Zenith. I worry that the Volkl might not be forgiving enough for my sloppy technique and aging legs!

Your a bunch a fags!!! I rip these skis and ski better than most of you cock holsters

you also have a brain of a 14 yo 
not exactly beaufitful to look at 
or easy to bring up or to educate...apart from that you probably drink your own urine...

I am going to Aspen next week and want to demo these...wanted to demo the AC30, but they only have AC40. I am 42 yrs old, 5' 11" and 235 lbs (heavyweight.) I ski mostly blues...have only been skiing for 4 years. Is this too much ski? Any recommendations??? 

If you like going off of the groomed runs, I think that the AC40 will be fine and you will enjoy the wider underfoot area for the powder. If you don't, you are probably having to spend too much on a ski that you won't be utilizing. The AC40 is not a hard ski to use or get used to. Give it a shot, and have fun!

Well I would only recommend the AC40 if you ski more backcountry than you do groomed runs. I Have a pair of 08 AC30s. I love them. I have skied them in two feet of powder with out much of a complaint. I do not believe that you need a 100 mm plus waist ski to ski powder. Remember back in the day when people skied powder on a 40mm waist ski. AC40 is also less forgiving. These skis will do almost anything you want if you ski them correctly. 
 
-Chris In MN

I ski the AC4 and love them in all conditions. When i ask them to turn, they do it and as tight as i want it. When i hit the moguls they are so easy to move around. I've never had a better ski i feel so confident in. And that's really the most important part. Minor differences in the AC3/4/30/40 that most skiers wont notice. Enjoy the POW POW!

I'm a first time skier and thanks for your reviews. I decided to buy a pair of ac30's and I know I'll be ripping double black diamonds after a couple of outings. See you in the hard stuff. 
 
SoCal Jason

I just bought the last pair of '08 AC30s at the shop. I was looking for an all mountain ski that can really hold an edge on hardpack/icy conditions. The salesguy recommended these skis me to these skis w/o any hesitation.  
 
I skied them yesterday for the first time, and conditions at Heavenly Valley were packed powder and icy runs. In 20 years, I have never skied the iced up bumps at 10AM on Gunbarrel with so much control and ease. These skis absolutely ripped on the hardpack/icy runs. I was able to set these skis on such a hard edge and rip fast GS turns and they held like nothing I've been on before. No chatter, just like riding on rails. 
 
Amazing. Phoenomenal. Great maneuverability and control at all speeds.  
 
I have AC30s for all mountain on old snow, Pocket Rockets for all mountain on fresh snow.  
 
Life is really, really good.

Just bought 08 AC30s, can't use until this weekend though. Had 5 stars before these, which I beat the heck out of for 4 seasons and are close to falling apart. After demo'ing a couple other brands a few months ago, I couldn't get the AC30s out of my mind. The one thing other brands don't do for me is the chatter - I'm a strong/fast female, and in those 4 years I never once felt a chatter or felt like my volkl's would let me down. But I needed something quicker in the bumps and woods, that can also handle the eastern hard pack - it can go from soft bumps to hard as rock overnight here, and I'm certain these will be perfect.

For a few years I ditched the changes in skis, bought high-end custom-fit boots but just rented skis. These particular skis, and a 2-for-one late-season sale tipped me over the edge. 
 
One factor was the flex characteristics, another was the awesome active binding mechanism. Because I have size 13 feet, a flex through the binding platform is imperative for me. 
 
I had new AC30's and went to NH for the weekend with my family. We got 7+ inches of snow overnight. I spent the morning skiing slow & backward with the little ones. Then after lunch ripped down a mogul field with a friend who showed up. Wow. I'm not that good, it's the skis. I've skied long & old, new & rental. These are totally different. They just let me rock and roll. I stayed for the night skiing, of course. :-) 
 
I'm 6'4, 170 lbs. Because I'm so light and wanted to play with these I got 170 cm. They're great. When I started flying down the hill, well, I kinda wanted more length, but for everything else -- moguls, shallow powder, jumping, playing in general, they were great. Too short for gs, too narrow for me for deep powder and too long for tight woods but to me those call for specialty skis anyway. For ice, regular amounts of New England snow, and the usual all-mountain playfulness they worked wonderfully for me. Super glad I bought them. Unlike my other ski purchases, I have only smiles and zero regrets.

I wrote the East US review above. I should also mention that I wanted the torsional stiffness of these AC30's. I sort of liked the AC20, but when I twisted it, it was just way too soft for my taste. I couldn't imagine that it'd dig the edges when I wanted since it was so torsionally flexy.  
 
The AC30 felt very different even though it was the same brand and only the next model in the same line. Not only longitudinally stiffer & with more spring, I couldn't really get it to twist. That was obviously helping to get tip & tail edges onto the snow to help with the turns. The super soft torsional flex was what I learned to hate about the soft rentals, that had me leaning way off balance to get the edges to dig. Infinitely better on the AC30.

Been a skier for over 35 years. Busted out the bumps on 205's back in the 80's. Now I ride a AC30 in a 170 length. And quite frankly there is nothing these skis will not do. To say that I am amazed by their performance would be a significant understatement. 
 
If you want ONE pair of skies instead of a quiver, then this is a great choice. 
 
Life IS good!

I just got back from loveland ski area outside of denver , as usual great conditions, demoed Salomon X-wing fury , Apache Recon and AC30 . I am an expert skiier - No question AC30 the best , this ski allows you to confidently ski the tips in all conditions especially liked this ski in powder and crud .. 
also very stable on steep moguls ... did not get to test ice , rarely seen at loveland ..

These AC 3's are the best skis I have ever used. The edge on the hardpack gives you so much confidence, all you say is just try me!! But I have been skiing in powder up to 24" deep and they ski awesome in powder as well. 
If you are having problems with the powder, you must be the problem, it is not the ski!!

Is there a simple summary of difference between these Volkl skis?? 
 
I'm looking for a good all-around ski, and both seem to fit the bill. How to distinguish? 
 
thanks

March 9 , 2008 Vail Colorado  
One more demo day , do not buy the AC30 until you ski the Head monster IM 82 or 78 .. 
I skied the 82 , best all mountain ski by far , much better in the bumps than ac30, fantastic in the spring vail back bowl crud , carves beautifully on groomers - stable, liquidmetal technology is awesome ... no AC30 for me , monster is the one ...

I was looking for a new ski and I tried 7 pairs. I ski hard and am 44, 5'-8", 155 lbs. I ski in Maine and love bumbs and un-groomed, but we often have hard packed (ice) conditions. I chose the K2 Recons over AC30's, Nordica Nitrous, Rossi Zeniths, B2, B3, and a friends pair of Atomics.  
The Norica's weren't as responsive or quick as I like. The Bandit B2 & B3 turned on a dime but too lose at high speed GS. The Zenith ans AC30's were soft for bumbs and powder but too much tip vibration at high speeds. I rented the AC30's and K2 Recons for a full day. The K2's were a %#$& blast. They are fun in glades, bumps, and rode great at high speeds. I tried most of the skis in crud and powder( wev'e had a great year), but I just used the K2's on hard pack and I couldn't belive how they held. I could carve on hard pack at high speeds. It was as if I was on packed powder.

I just bought a pair of AC30s, based in part on the reviews here. They are everything stated here and more. They are, quite simply, the best ride i have ever had. It's late season and the conditions at Whistler are very varied - cold and dry up top, wet and cruddy at the bottom, variable in between. Icy patches; crust; ruts; you name it. These skis took everyhting with ease. It will take us a bit of time to get to know each other, but once we do I can forsee a long and satisfyig relationship.

Have just got back from a week in Lake Tahoe where I rented the 08 AC30's in 170 cm. I agree with all the positive comments above: these skis are awesome all-rounders. Great carving skis, responsive through short turns, they inspire confidence at speed and they fly through light powder. If I had to buy just 1 ski, this would be it.

I have been skiing off-an-on for 25 years and am an intermediate skier (6', 155 lbs). I purchased my AC30s (my first personal skis) and took them to Marmot Basin (Jasper, Alberta, Canada) for a weekend of Spring skiing (Mid-April). 
 
My weekend was heaven on earth. The AC30s danced and carved down the groomed slopes. They urged me to go faster and to seek new challenges. Skiing on the groomed slopes was effortless.  
 
Since it was Spring time, when I ventured into ungroomed areas, it was signficantly more work for me. I suspect that this is for two reasons: 1) I learned to ski in the East on ice and 2) the new snow we had over the weekend was very wet and heavy. I am looking foward to looking for (dry) powder next winter! 
 
In short, I love the AC30s and would buy them again without a moment's hesitation. 
 
 
 

This is an add-on to the previous review. I forgot to mention that besides being excellent carving skis, the AC30s are incredibly stable. I like to practice my balance by skiing on one ski. This is a real challenge with many skiis. However, the AC30's were rock steady as I went across the slope on one ski or the other at slow to moderate speeds. 
 
Then, when I was through with the exercise and turned the skis loose, they leaped down the hill. 
 
As I said, I love the AC30s and look forward to having them as my companion on the slopes for many years.

Hi 
 
I too would very much like to hear a comparison between the AC30's and the Tigersharks. I rented the Tigersharks at Tahoe in March and loved them! But they are pricey! (~ 500 used). Now I have a chance to buy the AC30's but from some of the reviews (on the official Volkl site), they seem closer to the Attivas (all-mountain women skis) than the Tigersharks. I tried the Attivas and didn't like them.  
 

Salt Lake City local who loves to bomb the early morning groomers and hit the aftermoon bumps. Any recomendation between the 170cm and 177cm? Weight: 175lbs Heigth: 5'11. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!!

I would recommend getting them on the longer side as they are great in powder!  
I have 184 and I am only 5.7, 160lb.

Thanks...lets hope for another great year !!!

"Skiing" mag says AC 30's are "too carvy for moguls." Any thoughts?

I just bought a demo pair of the Volkl Attiva Tierra's, which I understand are pretty much the female version of the AC30s (without the titanium). Everything I'm reading says they're great skis but may be a problem in short turns and skids. So like the last person, I'm wondering the same...how are the AC30's and/or Attiva Tierras in moguls and short turns? Thanks -

I'm 5 11 and 185 lbs expert skier. 
I liked both the AC30 & 40 but found the 40 did everything the 30 did on hardpack and groomers but had a definite edge in powder/crud/corn as it;s a wider ski. I ski em in a 184 and what a great ski! Goota try both to see which you like better. Both are good in all terrain and in bumps too if you are a good skier. I've heard the AC 50 is great too just slight wider version of the 40. 
Cheers

Does anyone recommend these skis in the bumps?

I skied my AC30's last season and will be using them again this season. They are a great ski on the groomed piste and offer an average ride on the powder. I couldnt find the speed limit on them. They do give a confidence boost at speed as the edge grip is awesome. My ski buds could not keep at full on pace on similar priced skis. As they are quite a stiff ski I would not recommend an intermediate skier use these in the bumps. If an intermediate wants these for the bumps, consider the length of these carefully, buy them slightly shorter or you will regret buying them. The shorter option will help the average intermediate across a wider range of terrain as well as giving good overall performance on the groomers. 
Cheers Nik. =)

I'm a very advanced skier, skiing for 25+ years but took a break due to kids/family. I'm on an Atomic Betacarve 9.26 in a 200cm and am looking at upgrading to the AC30's now that I'm skiing again. Any length recommendations? I ski groomed as wide open as I can, but when I'm not on groomed I love ultra steep terrain with the occasional narrow chute, rock huck etc...I guess I'm a bit out of touch with equipment having taken 7 years off, but I ski all of the above well with the Atomics (well maybe the chutes present some issues on a 200) I'm leaning towards the 184cm. I'm 5'-10, 175lbs and quite agressive.

If you can't do powder without an ultra wide ski you probabaly just aren't good enough - so take a lesson. I bought the new 2009 AC30 in Dec and couldn't stop smiling over the last two weeks in Val D'Isere. 
 
These are awesome. Sure, there is a little chatter at higher speeds - but that just makes the adrenaline pump that bit harder as you push them more and more, and that is the point isn't it? I don't want to feel as though I'm sitting on a sofa - I want a raw nerve jangling thrill, and thats what these skiis give me. They are truely all mountain skis - tame on the groomers, tigers off of them.  
 
Back off out to Courchevel with them next week and can't wait. If you see a guy on AC30s hurtling down off Saulire... say hello. It's probabaly me. 
 

I am 5.8 185, type 3 skier from colorado, and demod the ac30 177 for 4 days in Utah (jan 23 - 26th, It rained on the bottom and It snowed 5-8 every day up top and these things rip in the powder, crud, chunk, bumps, jumps, drops and steep trees which is where we spent the majority of our time. Anyone saying they aren't good anywhere just isn't up to the ability level yet. Oh and the whole comment about the ski not tolerating bad technique is just plain stupid. I was back, I was forward, feet pinned together, spaced apart, christy turns took then through everything in four exhausting days and they RIP. I can honestly say that I took them through every possible snow condition, being that it was raining at the bottom and snowing on top for a few days, (freak weather for january). Oh and they rip on the groomers too if anyone cares. Skies tested on The Canyons for 2 days, Snow bird and Solitude (which is a killer resort, the honey combs are sick!) I sitll want to test the Recons before I make my final decision, but right now I'm sold on the AC30's.

I demo'd the 2009 AC30's and the Nordica(Nitrous). awesome ski's after sking on the K2 Axis for about 5 years. Didn't seem like much difference between the 2 ski's so i bought AC30's. Love them except the concern about it being a bad bump ski. I did not have a good final run on some very steep moguls and it has me thinking that the squared off shape on the tail vs. the more rounded tail on the Nordica suggests that the Nordica would have been a better choice for all mountain and bumps. Is this just all in my head?

I am 5"2 and weigh 140. Can I buy Volkl 156 AA30?intermediate skier? Thanks.

Just finally broke my Atomic Metron 10s after four seasons, was a little nervous changing to the AC30 Volkls because I never had a chance to demo them. I took the gamble and it paid off, what an AWESOME set of skis, the edges on pure ice held like a train on its rails, in the hard pack, in the glades very responsive and when you point them down hill the only thing that slowed me down was the wind pushing back. Cant wait to get these skis out west to ski them in the deep stuff. BUY THESE IF U CAN.

I have a pair of the new Lange Fluid 80 FR and found a friend selling this ski. I was wondering if my boots would fit his bindings he has the ipt binding. Thanks alot for the help guys.

Yes, the Fluids will be fine. Make sure that the binding is adjusted to the boot. If you do not know how, have a ski shop do it. Here is some info that can help, although it was for a slightly different request: 
http://www.epicski.com/forum/thread/80392/marker-ipt-fore-aft-adjustment

I bought a pair of AC30 hardly used demos with bindings for $225 in Utah April 2008. Did I pay to much? hahahahahahahaaaaaaaa! Gotta love it!!!

I recently bought the 09 AC30's and I absolutely love this ski. Living on the east coast we get alot of hard packed/ice/crud and the AC30 handles like a champ. The edge grip is great - initiate a turn, get on the edge and the ski will rock and roll. During my last night ski outing, there was alot of icing - the AC30 cut right through and instilled alot of confidence, especially on the steeps. I am really glad I got these skis. Great all around ski for all conditions.

all mountain ripping, all conditions, I love them, I love them, I love them, I love them!

If you like showing everyone your backside all day and how to turn at light speed without disturbing the snow. This is your ski. 
 
It is too carvy and stiff to be a good mogul ski and I am too heavy for the 170's (5'-9" and 220 lbs.) to float well for me in deep pow pow.