• How to choose skis

Powerswitch intro: Volkl has taken a bold step with this new line of skis. They have replaced the top Supersport models with a pair of new skis with a dinstinctive internal flex adjustment technology. The raised shoulders of the Tigersharks carry a hollow chamber within the core that extends the length of the ski. Within the chambers are carbon fiber rods that rest against a spring inside the tip of the ski and rest against a stout cam inside the tail. The position of cam is adjusted by a simple rotary switch. In the "off" position, the rods float within the springs and offer no resistance to ski flex. In the "on" position, the cam forces the rods into pressure against the springs. The pre-flex load on the rods stiffens the ski making it feel more aggressive.

Jim's review: The first question of course is does this technology work? The answer is, without a doubt, it does. I started testing the 12' 168 cm. with the switch "off" on a smooth groomed run with very firm snow. (12' is just a name and does not reflect any technical attribute) I immediately noticed that this ski is more solid and damp than any Volkl since the Superspeed. This little 168 had guts and grip that belied its short size. I have not skied anything short of a race ski that felt any more solid or grippy in a comparable size. The speed picked up and up and up and it didn't matter, the ski felt the same. I finished a couple of turns across the hill to bleed off some speed before transitioning into medium and then short radius turns. The transition was smooth but I quickly discovered that the 12 footer is better at big fast turns than shorter ones. The short turns took more input from me to get the job done. I shot back up to the top of the run and over into a short face with some built up wind packed crud. Here this ski felt like a slasher rather than a floater. It motored through some slabby junk with no deflection. I found that it was most comfortable, if I just laid in some edge angle and let it turn me through the goo. When I scooted out of the goop, I stopped to "switch on" to finish out the run on the groomers. At this point, I was wondering what was going to happen. It turns out that the difference on the groomers is noticeable but not overly dramatic. The ski definitely had even more of a gee-essy feel as I laid it as far over as my skills and nerve would allow. It took a deliberate race oriented move to finish the big turns cleanly. Shorter turns were doable again, but took even more pressure to finish. On the way back to the top for a last pass through the goo I again wondered what the run would bring. I found that the ski with the switch "on" was simply too stiff at my preferred speeds to make the crud run comfortable. It blasted the junk without a shudder, but I had to elevate the speed fairly high and apply some deliberate pressure to finish the turn. I mellowed out the speeds on the run down to the bottom and the 12 footer was smooth, quiet, and tractable. This technology is more noticeable in softer or broken snow where it takes the ski from powerful to super powerful. On the groomers it feels like it instantly adds 5 cm to the ski. At my 190 lbs. I didn't need any more length than the 168. This is a tool for very good skiers with their game pretty much in order. For a more groomer oriented skier, the 10 foot powerswitch version is quicker and more nimble.

Terrain Preference = 70% Groomed 30% Other
Skier Category: Expert/Expert
Speed Category: Highest
Sidecut: 124-79-108