Model: Racetiger SL Racing
Size(cm) / Radius(m): 150/11.3 155/12 160/12.7 165/12.8 170/13.5
Sidecut : 115-66-99 (150, 155, 160) 119-66-102 (165, 170)
Length tested: 160
Manufacturer’s Description:
“For the all-mountain skier looking for the quickest turning slalom carver available, look no further than the Racetiger SL Racing. Extended Double Grip construction and Motion iPT ensure the lightning-quick response that this skier is looking for. Hang on tight.”
Ski-Review’s verdict:
Looking at the stats for the Volkl Racetiger, I found it a bit surprising that it did not have a bigger sidecut considering it is a slalom ski.
I skied the Racetiger in a 160 which had around a 12.5 meter radius—for a slalom ski of this length I would normally expect a radius more around 10 meters. Although there is a publicly available race stock slalom ski from Volkl this year with more aggressive dimensions to boot, you would expect the majority of consumers to plump for this model.
This lack of sidecut really affected the skis performance. It didn’t feel at all "edgy" like a slalom ski should, rather the Racetiger SL Racing felt downright mediocre. This was not helped by the fact that the ski is very stiff and light, which is fine if you have legs of steel and are not going to be skiing for long.
On to the plus points however, and an area where the Racetiger did perform was in slow short radius turns. I “think” this comes from the ski being short and stiff which makes it east to pivot/twist. When you crank up the speed the ski grips a bit better but doesn’t feel very stable.
In conclusion the Racetiger does not tick the right boxes to be a good slalom ski. In my eyes, a slalom ski should be short, firm, edgy and have a tiny turning radius the Racetiger only fully ticks one of these boxes.
In my opinion, if you want a Volkl slalom ski - go for the P60.
Note: I saw some of the Austrian team on the race stock version (Racetiger SL Race Stock or the factory World Cup versions) and they look like they have a much more aggressive sidecut, so if you can get hold of those it may be a different story.
Real time prices for the Volkl Racetiger SL Racing 2006, or similar ski products:
Written by Dirk Ter Haar on 09/10
Hi i am the guy who wrote the review. To my knowledge (correct me if i am wrong) there is no regulation on the turning radius of a slalom ski. Just on the length and carve plate height. After all the P60s are race legal and they have a sidecut more akin to a slalom ski.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 09/19
Men’s slalom skis must be no shorter than 165 CM, but there is no regulation on turning radius. See here: http://www.ussa.org/publishingfolder/assets/files/alprulesequipment.pdf
Written by Ski Review Guest on 10/10
The SL Racing is meant to have a less aggressive sidecut. Its the punters race ski.
Yes its stiff, but Volkls always have been and thats a good thing.
And if you did your rookies in NZ you might know that the Alpine Director of the NZSIA skis on these skis and swears by them.
You have to be a very strong technical skier to get Volkl race skis to work for you, but once you do you’ll love them.
big dan
Written by roo on 11/09
These skis are absolutely fantastic. The grip is limitless, the turning radius is superb. I don’t know how anyone can criticise these skis as they are absolutely superb. I used to have salomon 3vs (the LAB version) and there is no comparison. The volkls are amazing.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/08
The reviewer says “If you want a Volkl slalom ski go for the P60”.
Which P60’s? P60’s also came in Race stock and consumer versions, just as the Racetigers do. The racestock skis (vertical sidewalls, and none of the double grip construction silliness ala Allstars) are a totally different animal . I don’t know what ” a more agressive sidecut” means, but the issue is not just sidecut-racestocks are narrower under foot but do not necessarily have a shorter radius than the consumer versions. THE DIFFERNCE IS BEYOND SIDECUT- It is construction, stiffness, and flex pattern. These are very aggressive presice skis compared to the consumer versions.
You’d find the same diffences in the P60 racestock and non-racestock.
S. Sepehri
Written by Dirk Ter Haar on 01/10
I am the reviewer, The 05 P60 SL skis are the ones i am refering to (bright yellow ones). They have a tighter turning radius which is what i am refering to as a more agressive sidecut. I am fully aware about the other factors that affect the skis performance but the factor that is lacking form this ski is the some what lacking turning radius. i also know that you will find differences between race and customer stock (that is what you are paying all that extra money for) but at the end of the day i think that you would be much better off on the P60s if you are a keen slaslom racer.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/02
between the dynastar speed course comp or the volkl racetiger gs which ones would u go for
Written by Dirk Ter Haar on 02/02
Dynastar every time just because i find that they ski much better, but you always have to bear in mind that what is good for one person isn’t always good for another. The volkls are very stiff which i find makes then not much fun. Where as the dynastars are very versitile.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/03
how do the fischer rc4 rc’s compare to volkl p60 gs
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/04
i weigh 110 abd im 57 i looking atvthe racetiger sl - do the have better grip than the p60. also are the stable at high speed/ what should i pay for these ski with out the bindings
Written by Dirk Ter Haar on 02/04
I am quite a big fan of the RC4s. But the P60 and RC4 are pritty compible skis. You wont go wrong with either, it is just a case of personal preferance.
In reply to the second question, i would say the P60 has more grip and is more stable at higher speed. But the P60 will be more expensive as it is higher spec ski. In my experience Volkl are quite an expensive brand and you are also looking at the high end of their range. So both of these skis are going to come with hefty price tags. I couldn’t put a figure on it though, just shop around.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/13
I am improving intermediate skier that likes to go fast but does not like to work for it. I have been skiing on Volkl Carver V4 for 3-4 years and looking to upgrade to P60 GC. Any advise on how these ski behave please! I am 150lb, 5’8” . Thank you.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/02
Is P60 good in bumps. Some body told me if you hit the bumps too hard, the ski will bend and never come back. Is it true?
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/15
Well I skiied the RaceTiger SL and believe or not I bought the GS erision of this ski, Crave yes, big wide cutting high speed turn awsome, bumps ouch, was it worth the money? HELL YES
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/02
I rented the RaceTiger GS skis last week, and the SL version today. I went home with the RaceTiger SL. It ROCKS. If you call this a mediocre ski then you are, um, missing something? I haven’t skied on anything like this in 40 years of racing and rec skiing. Both the GS and the SL accelerate out of every turn, hold an edge like nothing else, have incredible stability and precision. I was skiing on 160’s (my other pair are 207cm P9’s) and could go as fast as I wanted with full-on control. Maybe in extreme crud or bumps you could do better, but I skied trees, bumps, crusty windblown and corn snow, and they handled it all. Love ‘em. They brought excitement back to my ski life.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 11/06
I’m trying to decide between the 160s and the 165 Race Tiger SL, I’m 5:8” and weight 150/155, former racer, etc. Any suggestions?
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/08
Definitely go for the 165s. I just got a pair and I love them!!!
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/08
I’m sick and tired of everybody badmouthing Volkls. If you like them - Great!!! If you don’t, fine, but say that they don’t work for you, not that they’re bad skis. I love my Racetigers and I loved the P60s as well.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/20
Volkl are the best skis I have ever had. If you don’t like them, then you’re a bad skier. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!
Written by Ski Review Guest on 08/30
Have you ever heard of fis regulations?