Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007 Ski Review

Sometimes going back to the roots can be a good thing. In the case of the new Volkl AC3, its great!

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium

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Model: Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium (2007)
Size(cm) / Radius(m): 156/13.5 163/5.1 170/16.7 177/18.4
Sidecut: 118-76-104

Manufacturer’s Description of the Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium:

"The new AC3 is wider at the waist, and more versatile. It is the true 50/50 frontside/backside favorite. With iPT and Extended Double Grip. This will be the go-to ski for 06/07 in the expert all-mountain category."

"The new binding system, called the iPT (Internal Power Transmission) is partially inside the ski, making it both lighter, more powerful and it makes the interface the most rigid of any Motion System built to date. The sides of the interface rest directly on top of the exclusive Extended Double Grip construction, pressuring the ski directly over the edges, and maximizing the system’s efficiency."

Ski-Review’s verdict:

Two sheets of metal (for a smooth feel at speed) like most great GS boards, and add some wood, in this case 2 laminated stringers running from shovel to tail, and the result is a new AC3 that was one of the stars of the industry demo. When the press, dealers, reps, shop people, examiners, racers and those lucky enough to be invited to these events, are still talking about a ski well after the dinner hour; then we have a winner. Only a handful of skis enjoy that kind of reception each year and this year’s Volkl AC3 is one of them.

Comments from other testers:

Fast, and still easy to maneuver, smooth at speed, initiation is positive and edgehold is more than just “secure” I REALLY like this one.

The AC3 is an expert ski, with race ski construction, so skills are required to achieve top performance. Pay attention on this one and the results are FUN and a ski that seems more than willing to play with the big boys.

Half All Mountain Expert Ski. Half Luxury Car Cruiser. Smooooth and fast.

Real time prices for the Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007, or similar ski products:

Reader Ski Reviews of the Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/09

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/10

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/19

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/26

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!

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/28

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/29

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/29

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/29

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/08

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?

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/14

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/14

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/17

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..

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/19

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?)

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/23

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

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/01

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/10

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 .

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/16

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/19

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/22

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.

Volkl Unlimited AC3 Titanium 2007
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/23

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.

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