Völkl Flair SC review 2017
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
This year, Völkl suggested the Flair SC to replace the Adora which won the "Best ski" distinction last year. Like its predecessor, the Flair SC stands out for its excellence, narrowly missing the "Best ski" distinction.
It is extremely user-friendly even for the riders with the fewest technical skills. Rotation is easy and even intuitive, turn performance is healthy and it's a remarkably stable ski. Skid turns are adaptive and consistent.
The Flair SC is very forgiving if positioning is not quite right and the ski is reassuring. Piloting the tracks is easy, giving beginners the confidence they need.
Very easy and comfortable, the ski is nonetheless a bit less efficient at a faster pace. At higher speeds and in carved turns, its performance begins to deteriorate.
In this category we're looking for skis that are accessible for the least skilled riders who are nonetheless capable of progressing to carves and more advanced techniques. While the Flair SC is perfect for the first aspect, it's less convincing in terms of performance and so just missed out on the "Best ski" distinction.
It's a model that we strongly recommend for beginners and improvers who want to move on to parallel skid turns.
Review: Pros
- Exceptional user-friendliness
- Tolerant, reassuring behaviour
- A light ski
- Enjoyable
- Excellent turn performance
Review: Cons
- Not very adaptive in carving and less happy at higher speeds
The ski review scores
Turn initiation | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.3 |
Stability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.5 |
Stability/turning performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.3 |
Grip | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.5 |
Short turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.5 |
Long turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.5 |
Skid turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.5 |
Handleability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.0 |
Comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.0 |
Snow contact | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.0 |
Soft snow fluidity | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.3 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
In the new women's FLAIR line, the Flair SC is a light Slalom Carver (2550 gr with 163cm bindings), stiffened with carbon reinforcements and straight sidewall construction. This ski will be perfect for sporty women looking for a stiff piste ski that's light and designed for short-radius turns and speed.
Features of the Flair SC
Brand : | Völkl |
Model : | Flair SC |
Year : | 2017 |
Family : | Intermediate women's cruisers |
Size tested : | 158 cm |
Tip size : | 122 mm |
Waist size : | 72 mm |
Tail size : | 103 mm |
Radius for the size reviewed : | Not available |
Your review
Reviewed by PROSKILAB™
in La Clusaz, France, March 2016