Ski: Volkl AC50 (2010)
Ski discipline: Big Mountain
Length (cm) / Dimension (tip-waist-tail - mm) / Radius (m):
163 / 128-85-112 / 14.7
170 / 128-85-112 / 16.3
177 / 128-85-112 / 18
184 / 128-85-112 / 19.6
Manufacturer’s Description of the Volkl AC50:
"The Unlimited AC50 with Motion iPT Wide ride brings the versatility of wide, big mountain skis to a new height. Its relatively wide, 85mm chassis is incredibly nimble on hard snow. For good skiers who want to bust through crud and cruise through powder, yet still have a ski that can truly rip the groomers."
The 177cm version made me glad we were in Vermont and had a couple of thousand feet of vertical to put the AC50 through it’s paces. The AC50s LOVE to cruise and if you’re comfortable at the speed of light, the ride is surprisingly quiet and smooth.
Edgehold on the AC50 is good but a ski this wide gives up a bit in torsional stiffness (they would have to be ridiculously thick in order to resist twisting) so skiers spending lots of time on less snow and more hard pack should look to the AC30 or Tigershark. Okay, they’re fat and wide and fast, and maybe they don’t turn like a skate, but they are FUN even on packed and “really packed” and they never feel heavy, which directs a lot of positives at Volkl who made fatter skis that everyone can use.
Real time prices for the Volkl AC50 2010, or similar ski products:
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/29
It is no secret the AC 50 in various incarnations has ranked #1 year after year by Skiing magazine. It is the same this year. This is the ultimate one ski quiver.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/13
I wasn’t really looking for ski’s but was curious about the new technology, my ski’s were 9 yrs.old. I demoed a pair of Blizzard’s and a pair of K-2’s both were nice but didn’t thrill me. The shop then put me on a pair of AC50’s (170) and what a ski! Quick, stable, no chatter and easy to turn either carving or short quick turns. I’m 57yrs. old,5’-1’’ tall and 198lbs and loved the ski. I walked out of the shop with a brand new pair of AC50’s and left my old ski’s in the shop!
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/13
I’m really 5’-11” not 5’-1” sorry.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/20
These are by far the best ski’s I’ve ridden on. I’m 6’4” 245 lbs and have always had a hard time staying up in powder and finding a ski strong enough to withstand the punishment that I can give them in the bumps, tree’s, and back country. You definatly won’t be disapointed with this ski. Go ahead and try to make them scream for mercy. Trust me, they won’t.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/21
I want to generally affirm the above reviews. This is a superb all-mountain tool for more advanced skiers with decent technique. A joy.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/22
I tested AC50 only on hard pack with frozen snow, but man, shall I rather say woman? I am only 140lb, 5’6’’ but even 170 cm long ski performed with great agility and really superb grip
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/29
Are they good in deep snow even the volkl ac 50 are a medium stiff ski?
Written by Ski Review Guest on 05/12
I demoed the AC50s in Mammoth in about two feet of powder and the groomers and they are incredible. I also tried the comparable Nordicas, Rossignols and others but they didn’t compare. You can really push these skis if you want but you could also put them on cruise control and let them ski for you.
Written by Dan Morgan on 08/10
Bought a pair yesterday and tried them on firmer spring conditions. Much firmer feel at speed than K2 Explorer, yet as nimble turning and solid as can be at speed. Took me a few runs to find the sweet spot then a day of joy. Went crud and slop hunting and never met their match. Next stop will be Sierra Cement powder in the trees to see how they do in deeper heavy stuff. Take them in the steeps or bumbs seem to be the all mountain ski I was looking for. Crazy about them.
Written by James on 12/05
I am 46, 5’11”,and weigh 185. I like the 170s due to the fact that i’m getting older and still like the bumps. I was out on the back side of Big Sky and all I could see was miles of parked volkswagon beetles parked side by side. It was about 35 degrees and the snow was deep and like mash potato’s. The ac50 was the ski to be on. my friends suffered, while I let go and tested them to there limits. What a ski. I demoed others and came home only to buy the best ski I have ever ripped on. There great for all the crud and fake snow of the east and love the powder of out west. yet, it is a ski for more skilled of a skier and do take a bit of getting use to. I do say there GREAT.
Written by Greg on 12/12
I am a 5’11” 170 lb level 2 (CSIA) instructor, and have always preferred the solid, stable feel and extreme edge grip of “carving”/race skis. My default SL skis (165cm) are 67 mm under foot, super stiff through the waist, and snap off short radius turns like nobody’s business. I demoed lots of “all mountain” skis (Rossi, Head, Salomon), but found even the highest end too soft through the middle and tail.
Then I tried the AC50. I must say, I LOVE this ski!! It hooks up effortlessly (took me a bit to get used to such easy initiation!), is rock solid/stable under foot, and is surprisingly happy snapping off short turns in the fall line. The AC50 has a reasonably large sweet spot, but these boards definitely require a well balanced and positioned rider who can stay centred on them and work the edges. Far too stiff and unforgiving for imtermediate level skiers who are still skidding turns.
On my first 2 days in the Alberta rockies, I skied ice, crud, packed powder, groomed, and these skis rocked through it all. I am now the proud owner of my own set of 170s, which will become my “mountain” skis. I’ll reserve my SLs for local training days on the hard pack/groomers.
Thanks, all, for the good reviews. This site definitely helped me find the right ski.
Written by yak on 01/12
Sorry… I sold mine… these skis were not for me… I ski everything EXCEPT groomers unless getting from point a point b… These just did NOT do it. Had the AC4 which was a superb ski. Skied them to death and still have them. Will ski them even with an inch of edge missing over these anytime. Blah.. Edge grip on groomers good but weird.. Float… not exciting here. Crud.. well this is there best attribute .. they do not bounce around much but then again they just have NO zing thru it either.. Ski chutes, rocks, trees, and these are not tight turners… 170cm for 5’11’ 170#s.. boring no zing to them ski ... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Written by Steve on 02/09
I got a pair of AC50s to replace an old pair of 724s.
1st day out this season was the day after a once in a lifetime rain event at Snowbird where they had over an inch at 11,600 ft. The mountain was locked up solid ice. While the day became boring, the skis sure held up on the granulated groomers - edged well on a day where you needed them.
Day 2 saw 14” powder and even though I had a pair of Gotamas handy, I opted to stay with the AC50s to see how they’d do in fresh snow. Those wide tips - almost as wide as the ‘Goats - held up beautifully and they were a delight in the pow.
Back east, I just spent a weekend at Mad River Glen and I cannot imagine a more perfect place for these skis. We had 11” fresh atop 18” from a couple of days earlier and they handled every whoop-de-do on that hill with finesse.
I’m 57, 6’ 195 and it’s the best damn ski I’ve ever had!
Written by Jeremy on 02/21
I got the AC50 recently. I am amazed. The ski grips the groomers more solidly than any ski I know of ( other than perhaps a GS race ski) It is surprisingly nimble and performs well in the bumps too. This ski likes to FAST.
Intermediate skiers will be disappointed.
This is a ski for pros. You need to work this ski and dig those edges in and it will reward you with a lively performance. In the crud and powder - wow - it makes life easy - it ploughs through anything like a tank and it will even float if you can get your speed up.
I am amazed. For sure I will keep my racing skis for odd days that are only on the frontside groomers but if you are like me and spend half your day seeking the craziest routes through trees, glades and any nasty untrammeled terrain available then this AC50 will get more use and give you tons of pleasure.
Written by Guest on 02/24
Powder… 3/10 Tress and Chutes .. 3/10 Crud .. 5/10 Groomers.. 5/10
This ski does nothing well except hold a line in crud… other than that I have nothing positive to say about it.
Advanced/Expert(when I get 40 days in) Skier.. who hates groomers…
If you ever had a ski that rips this one will disappoint. If you have no experience with skis maybe you will think crud stability is everything. But this ski has no outstanding points to it other than stability in crud.
Written by Philip Ciaccio on 02/24
Ski lineage
95-2000 Rossignol 7S (NE) 203 cm 2000-2005 Volkl G40 Pro (UTAH) 200cm 2005-2008 Volkl Super Sport 177cm 2008-20011 Volkl AC 50 184cm
WARNING: Do not listen to Rock and Roll while driving this ski you will reach inappropriate speeds. This ski is hands down the best one-quiver on the market. Blows through crud, absolutely rips the hard pack and glides through pow. Just wish they were light enough to carry up to Tucks and Wolverine Bowl.
Written by George on 02/26
The best all mountain ski available by far.
I have been an expert skier for 35 years. I have had Rossignol ST, SM, and 4S. Dynastar Acryglass and Omeglass, Volkl Supersport 6 star.
The only ski I really hated was Rossignol Bandit. A damn wet noodle of a ski.
My favorites are Rossignol 4S, Dynastar Acryglass, Volkl Supersport 6 star ( the really stiff one that is equavlent to the Wolkl RC Titanium) and now my favorite of all Volkl AC 50.
The AC50 is amazing technology but you need to be EXPERT. This skis requires aggressive skiing or its incerdible stability and grip may leave you thinking it is lifeless.
Driven by a skilled skier this is the best ski ever made (so far)....
Written by Steve on 02/26
One more comment to followup on George’s comment that if you’re not experienced the ski may feel lifeless. As a kid I skied Head Competition Giant Slaloms and then Roc 550s followed by Atomic red sleds. If you are old enough or good enough to remember those skis, you will remember how hard you worked to carve a turn. Skiing Fall Line, Paradise and 20th Hole at Mad River, you’re gonna be dodging trees. Believe me when I tell you that you just FEEL these guys carving. There’s no other way to describe it…
Written by LIveless period... nothing good about him.. on 02/26
One more comment to follow-up on my earlier review… I am an experienced near expert skier with loads of experince that never skis groomer, who loves powder skiing and tree and chute skiing. I will walk anywhere and climb anywhere to ski the nastiest stuff out there!! I buy skis nearly every other year and try new ones on demo days routinely. ... (an expert designation requires 100+ days of skiing a year)... Nobody skis more agressively than me unless you are making movies!! There are a few rules when skiing with me my buddies know and one of them is (if you value your life) “don’t follow me”.
These ski bit the big one!!! Slugs!!! They are not nimble sticks. They are not powder hounds. They are a straight line crud ski!!! If that is what you do all day then go for it.. !!
I do NOT ski groomers.. maybe that is your thing but to me the only thing to ski groomers for is learning or speed. And unless you are on the race course it is way too dangerous to go for speed when you can hurt or even kill someone! And this ski was not even good for groomers, twitching on the slope as conditions on the slope changed during a run. For soft groomers it cut like a knife. But anything with variable conditions was twitchy.
Worst ski I have tried in years and years by far. And again… nothing against Volkl.. I adore my Volkl AC4 skis with part of an edge missing I still ski them on non-hardpack days when I want to have a blast….
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/27
Just finished my first day on my new Volkl AC50’s and all I can say is WOW! Didn’t hurt that it was a picture perfect day at Whistler. This is the first ski I have bought that I can honestly say performed exactly as the manufacturer wrote that it would. It moved the crud/crust like a bull dozer, performed awesome in the groomed at high speeds. I was previously using the Volkl Supersport which I have enjoyed very much. When I first put them on this morning I was bit worried the width and weignt were going to be an issue, but the ski quickly made me forget that worry. Held edge awesomely on high speed turns. Feel a little bulky on short radius turns, but still gets you through. For advanced to expert skiers, you need to try the AC50. The salesman who sold it to me said to be sure to have a helmet cause it will blow your mind…LOL..Enjoy.