G3 Aviatrix
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Dimensions: 116/81/104....Weight: 6.6 lbs (3.0kg)....Length
tested: 163cm |
by Jenn Gleckman
When first told that the Aviatrix were a
women’s “guide” ski, I was skeptical...
for me that evoked images of the lightskinny skis that I associated
with the light, skinny, chain-smoking mountain guides I used
to see in France, who sacrificed performance for weight. However,
as with many first impressions, mine were quickly proven very
wrong.
The Aviatrix is the slightly slimmer sister
to the Siren. Measuring in at 116/81/104, it’s touted as
a “the best…one-quiver…all-around telemark ski
out there” by G3. Like the Siren it has a light wood core,
which helps on the weight savings (G3’s website claims the
163’s weigh 6.6 pounds). Luckily, the weight savings do
not come at the cost of performance.
Due to a painfully low-snow winter
in the Sierra last season, the Aviatrix’s confronted mostly
groomed snow, moguls, icy/firm snow, wind buff and what is sometimes
referred to as ‘loud powder’. The first thing that
I noticed was the ski’s stability. The Aviatrix has no apparent
speed limit as I was able to let them fly (to the point of scaring
myself) without the hint of chatter. I was impressed by this,
since I’m not accustomed to equating a light ski with high
performance.
Much as I enjoyed pushing the Aviatrix’s
speed limit, I still made turns. Lots of them. Carving is a joy
on these boards, whether it’s short snappy turns or big
GS ones. They held an edge on some of the firmer conditions I
encountered, and I felt nimble negotiating through trees and
other obstacles (like moguls) at speed. The Aviatrix does not
require much effort to initiate turns, which I’m guessing
has something to do with the overall weight + flex.
I did manage to get out for a short tour
with them, and they look promising. Lightweight, yet they don’t
get bounced around in classic backcountry conditions.
I tested the Aviatrix’s with Cobra
R8 bindings and Scarpa T1 boots, and did very well on that set
up – the boots did not overwhelm the skis. They could also
easily be skied with a slightly smaller (dare I say ladylike?)
boot, such as the T2 or Venus.
Compared to the Karhu Betty, the other
light ski with similar dimensions that I tested last year, the
Aviatrix felt snappier and a bit stiffer through the tail, more
like a high performance ski in a featherweight package.
Conclusion:
For the strong intermediate to expert skier looking for a light
mid-fat ski that doesn’t sacrifice performance, the Aviatrix
is a solid choice.
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