Contrary to what other ski shops insist, the Volkl Women's Kiku isn't merely a "Girl's Gotama" ski. It's lighter, easier to turn and excellent for intermediate to expert women who ski powder and crud in the backcountry or along the fringes of big resort areas. This lightweight twin-tip has a female-specific wood core that's an agile balance of Sensorwood made from vertically laminated poplar and beech wood and integrated with strips of balsa. The result is a big weight savings over something like the Gotama--at least 20% depending on the Kiku length that you need. This season Volkl modified the Kiku sidecuts in all length (these are new lengths, too) for enhanced turn control in deep snow and varied terrain conditions. At the ends of the Kiku you'll also find a lower and shorter tip profile than the Gotama, which slightly reduces the overall swing weight and makes the Kiku easier to turn (both on and above the snow). Volkl moved the binding mounts on the Kiku closer to the ski tip than other unisex designs, so the effortless turn initiation feels almost instinctive. If you like powder and broken crud, but you don't want to be locked into a wide ski that's difficult to turn in deep snow, the Kiku offers excellent floatation and control.
Purchase USD$45 or more and get free shipping. The Volkl Kiku Flat Freeskiinig Skis for Women is available through Altrec.com.
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