Excellent all-mountain versatility for experts and advanced skiers who want speed with less twitch.

If you thought that Volkl renamed last year's AC2 and just gave it a graphic makeover you would be missing out on one of the best new rides of the 2007-08 season. While the AC20 is less twitchy than the AC40 Carbon it has a high performance tip-to-tail Sensorwood core that adds more speed rebound and potential agility than last year's gentler AC2 ski. 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 AC20 also steps up from last year's Double Grip LT technology with a new Power Grip construction that puts more mass over the ski edges for more consistent grip through turns. Identical sidecut dimensions aside the only other similarity that the AC20 has with the AC2 is the popular Marker LT 11.0 Binding. Last year Marker revised this integrated binding design with an in-molded toe release device that's paired with the proven Twincam Heel. The Marker LT 11.0 is intended for advanced skiers who weigh up to 240 lbs. but the AC20 won't bore the lighter experts seeking double-diamond challenges. We like the convenience of Marker's Twincam Heel because it's an easy entry design (Marker calls it a "soft-entry feature"). This makes it easy to step into the binding even after a tumble on steep terrain where footing and balance are as rare as the air around you.