Expert knowledge from Ben Zavora

I have been skiing Voile V8 skis in various lengths for the past 8 seasons and they have been my go to powder ski. Although the V8 has been my favorite Powder ski for years, it is also super versatile in firm and variable conditions. The V8 is a very predictable ski, so much so, I have used it for steep couloir skiing over the years as well and when variable conditions are present, the V8 shines! I have been skiing the regular and hyper version of the Charger for the last 4 years and have come to really enjoy it as my all around ski. The early rise contributes to what I refer to as “Power Steering” and the conventional tail makes them easier to set on edge than the V8. We ski a lot of deep powder around Cooke City and the V8 is definitely my go to deep powder ski. I like the soft tails for slarving through trees and obstacles, where as the Chargers tend to turn more exact and “rail” on turns. For me, my normal season starts with V8’s every year for our typical bottomless powder and as the snowpack stabilizes and becomes more supportable, I usually switch over the my Chargers until late spring, when I go with my Vectors on a regular basis for ski mountaineering season.

Ben Zavora

Location: Cooke City, MT

Skis: SuperCharger 185cm

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Website: www.BeartoothPowder.com

Instagram: @beartoothpowderguides

Facebook: Beartooth Powder Guides

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Ben Zavora is an AMGA Certified Ski Guide and owner of Beartooth Powder Guides in Cooke City. Ben has been extensively exploring the backcountry of Montana, Idaho and California for the last 24 years and his enthusiasm for Powder skiing and Ski Mountaineering just seems to grow stronger each year. The goal of Ben and his guides at Beartooth Powder Guides in Cooke City, Montana is to “Create a socially significant business that encourages people to get outdoors and appreciate the beauty of the mountains, while sharing our enthusiasm and love for the wild places of Montana."

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Expert knowledge from Nathan Rowland

With the Voile Hybrid Rocker profile, the V8 and HyperV8 can easily transition between carving and ‘slarving’ in soft snow.  They are also very agile skis for their length since the actual running length (contact area) of the ski is shortened with generous tip and tail rocker.  Most at home in three-dimensional snow (powder or sun softened), the V8 is a soft flexing fun-hog of a ride happy to be thrown in to a variety of turn shapes.  Playful to its core, the paradoxical fat-agile, carevable-slarvable V8 is my go to board for soft conditions.

By comparison, the SuperCharger and HyperCharger are still powder hungry boards but are generally more committed to riding on edge.  With a stiffer flex and more traditional tail, this ski likes to be piloted on rails down the fall line.  The SuperCharger is quick from edge to edge and handles hardpack as well as firmer backcountry conditions (think ski mountaineering) with aplomb.  Its a versatile ride with float when you want it, but the power to handle the full spectrum of conditions when you venture out in to the unknown.

Nate Rowland

Location: Aspen, CO

Top Gear Picks: Hoback T Avalanche Shovel / Guide Avalanche Probe / CamLock 2 Carbon Ski Poles

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Instagram: @aspenate

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Nate grew up in Washington State near iconic Mt. Rainier and learned to ski on the slopes of the state’s volcanoes. Trading a deep coastal snowpack for the light continental crapshoot of Colorado, Nate has called the Elk Mountains near Aspen home for the last couple of decades.

As a year round guide with Aspen Alpine Guides, he spends the snowy months ferreting out high alpine powder, ski mountaineering and linking up backcountry huts between Crested Butte and Vail. Over the years Nate has been fortunate enough to take his skis for walks in many exotic locations from Kyrgyzstan to the Aleutians.

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Expert knowledge from Ty Guarino

SuperCharger and early rise: Out of the two different camber-profile platforms offered, the SuperCharger and it’s relatives act, feel, and ski much more traditional than the hybrid rocker.  The combination of a stiffer and flatter tip and tail helps the ski hold a better edge on firm snow. Although the turning radius is a bit longer than the V8, the SuperCharger still feels nimble in tight trees or steep couloirs. With a moderate width, powder days are still within the SuperCharger’s wheelhouse. My quiver pick: I use superchargers as my every day backcountry ski as well as on-piste at the resort.  From steep couloirs to mid winter powder, the camber, dimensions, and sidecut of the SuperCharger seems to be a perfect fit as a one-ski-fits-all pick.  If I could only have one Voilé ski, it would be this one. 

V8 and hybrid rocker: With a softer tip and tail to its SuperCharger counterpart, the V8 has a more forward stance, and a tighter turning radius, and a softer feeling flex. The hybrid rocker feels forgiving, bouncy, and playful, and is most advantageous on the deepest of powder days.  Although it looks and feels fat, the V8 is still nimble in the trees and has an exceptionally quick hop turn due to it’s more center-mounted profile. My quiver pick:  I use the V8 for Canada hut trips, popping pillows, and floating heavy-pow at the resort. 

Ty Guarino

Location: Bozeman, MT

Skis: V8 186cm / Charger Ace 178cm

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Website: www.TelemarkTy.com

Instagram: @ty.guarino

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Ty is a career Mountain Guide and Ski Patroller currently working for Exum Mountain Guides, Beartooth Mountain Guides, Montana Mountaineering Association and Bridger Bowl Ski Patrol. He is the only active American IFMGA Mountain Guide working solely on Telemark gear. Originally from southern New Hampshire, Ty developed his passion for Backcountry skiing on the eastern flanks of Mt Washington in New Hampshire’s Presidential range. Currently Residing in Bozeman Montana, Ty skis as much as possible in and around the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Although Bridger Bowl is his home mountain, Ty likes to explore other skiing venues including Alaska, South America, New Zealand, and New England.

 

 

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