Skis

Volkl Supersport Allstar Titanium Ski with iPT 12.0 Piston Binding:
Fair disclosure: We're highly biased about the Volkl Supersport Allstar Titanium Ski with integrated Marker iPT 12.0 Piston Binding. That's because few skis outside of racing specialty models go as fast on groomers as this expert-oriented ski. The challenge for expert skiers who want to carve is that you're usually stuck browsing the all-mountain models or looking at a carving ski that's either made for GS racing or aspiring intermediates. Last year the Supersport Allstar Ski skied away with "Best in Test" for Skiing Magazine's Carving Expert Category in the 2006 Gear Guide. This year Skiing Magazine did away with the Carving Expert Category, but the 2007 Supersport Allstar Titanium Ski dominated the new Frontside Expert category with another consecutive Best in Test award--but this isn't the same ski as last season. While the 2007 Skiing Magazine listed pros and cons (actually they called them "props and gripes") for every ski in their Gear Guide, out of 220 review pairs, the Volkl Supersport Allstar Titanium Ski had the gripe that stood out from the rest: "None. This is the ski of the year." So yes, we're highly biased about this ski, but we have some of the most discerning reviewers in the industry backing us up. What distinguishes the 2007 version from last year is a new titanium component and a redesigned Marker iPT 12.0 Piston Binding. Normally Volkl keeps the titanium in their GS and RC series racing skis (it's also in this year's AC4, AC3, and Attiva skis) but the Supersport Allstar Titanium brings new power to discerning expert-level masses. Like last season, the Supersport Allstar Titanium still features the tip-to-tail Sensorwood core and wood sidewalls for flex. Unlike some ski manufacturers who contract core work to third party companies, Volkl produces their own wood core to optimize quality and consistency in design with CNC precision. The Supersport Allstar also features Volkl's Double Grip XT technology, a double-height construction above the ski edge that enhances skier support and grip through varying high-speed turn arcs. Both of these elements were key to the amazing performance characteristics of last year's award-winning Supersport Allstar ski, but this year's version takes the power transmission to an unprecedented level. That's probably why Volkl replaced the integrated Marker Motion IPT P.C.O.S. Binding with a new Marker Motion iPT 12.0 Piston Binding. It's a lighter binding design that improves the ski flex through an improved Motion system. The iPT stands for "internal power transmission" because unlike previous Marker Motion bindings, this one is built into the ski, creating the most rigid connection ever developed for this binding line. Because the sides of the binding interface rest directly on top of the Supersport Allstar Titanium's Extended Double Grip construction, you can apply more pressure directly over the ski edges. This gives you better response with the same lively feel that quickly rebounds through the perfectly rounded ski flex in each turn. Another binding enhancement is the interface, which now snaps together according to your boot sole length, so you can do away with the weighty adjustment dial (you will see a dial version on some Supersport Allstar Titanium demo versions out there on the mountain).

• 2007 Skiing Magazine Gear Guide BEST IN TEST winner, Frontside Expert category
• The ONLY ski in the 2007 Skiing Magazine Gear Guide to have NO GRIPES. Cited as "the ski of the year"
• Fast, carving performance optimized for discerning advanced and expert skiers
• New titanium sheeting for enhanced power transmission without extra unnecessary ounces
• Sidecut (tip/waist/tail in mm.): 116-70-101
• Sensorwood core
• Volkl Extended Double Grip construction
• Includes integrated new Marker Motion iPT 12.0 Piston Binding
• Marker Motion AT Binding DIN setting range: 3-12
• Ski and integrated binding recommended for advanced and expert skiers who weigh up to 250 lbs.