Anton Dynamics UFOria - XA
2010
127-78-116mm, r=11.2m @ 162cm.
Anton Dynamics UFOria XA (left) compared to Carbon EX (right)
Manufacturer Info:
Anton Dynamics Inc
PO BOX 322
682 Main Street South
Woodbury, CT 06798-0322
Phone: 203 405-3470
http://www.antondynamics.com
Suggested Retail Price (MSRP):
$2,995 (was sold for $2,500 on their website during promotional pricing)
Usage Class:
Frontside carver
Your Rating (with comments): (1="get me off these things"->10="I have to own a pair")
10 for groomed surface carving, 4 for off-piste.
Summary:
Superbly fun, adjustable-flex frontside carving machine suitable for low-level intermediates looking to achieve secure carving skills through hyper-carving race-oriented experts looking for thrills on-edge at all speeds. The ability to adjust the UFOria XA from soft and compliant short-radius turns to sincerely grippy, securely strong and exciting large-radius turns under GS pressures is simply a hoot and very impressive. There is nothing like it on snow. Balky and unhappy in deep snow, but surprisingly fun and responsive in the bumps when the flex is adjusted to your style. Very expensive, but can provide the behavior of several different skis in one package of highest quality. More versatile in different frontside conditions than the firm-surface-only Carbon EX, but not as quick edge-to-edge. The XA rewards a strong skier.
Background:
The UFOria series is the second-generation release of the Anton Dynamics (formerly Anton Gliders) suspension ski system. The UFOria series is available in a mid-performance, non-adjustable flex "UFOria -S" model and the premium "UFOria -XA" model with adjustable flex and more aggressive suspension geometry. We previously tested the first-release generation of Anton suspension skis (click here for previous review and photos) and found we liked the widest, high-performance Carbon-EX model best. Anton Wilson designed an even wider, longer ski than the first series and fitted a revised suspension system to it, resulting in the UFOria series, which has won over many skiers of all abilities. We tested the top-of-the-line UFOria XA model here.
Technical Ski Data:
Wood-core, fiberglass, carbon-base, full-wrap edge ski construction with adjustable, aluminum suspension system. VIST lite series bindings included.
Pre-Skiing Impression:
Superb-quality ski construction and finish. Aluminum suspension system is a work of art with impressive fit and finish of components. New wider ski is well proportioned and responds to hand flexing (on all settings) throughout its length, visibly distributing pressure effectively to the ski's forebody, midsection and tail. Damp feel and impressively torsional rigidity. The gloss-black color is a nice looking platform for the red aluminum spaceframe and silver spring elements, but the "zipper" pattern graphic doesn't do much for me.
Test Conditions:
Powder (shin deep), cut-up powder, packed powder and hardpack surfaces, very cold, dry snow.
Test Results:
As per Anton Wilson's suggestion, I initially set the UFOria XA skis to the "medium" flex setting of 5 clicks from full-soft (10 clicks available). Skating away from the lift, the UFOrias felt somewhat "heavy". As soon as I got into the second turn, the "heavy" feel gave way to a "planted" sensation. Finding the "sweet spot" on the UFOrias is easier than other skis since the suspension system will essentially move you to the centered position if you press too much weight forward or backward. The leafsprings respond to the rocking motion of your foot, always trying to return your stance to being centered. You ski the Antons like any other ski, but with less effort to get the ski to set its edge and flex into a carved state. The UFOrias simply respond to being rolled and pressed on edge by creating a curved flex and following the direction they have been set to. Once set into an arc, you can simply apply more or less pressure to get a tighter or wider turn without losing any security underfoot. With some carving skis, if you let up pressure once set into a carved turn, the ski straightens out or releases its grip uncomfortably. The UFOrias maintain a confident, secure edgehold throughout a turn, even when you make mid-course corrections to the radius of your arc. It's this security underfoot that should be really appealing to intermediates learning to generate carved turns across various surfaces. The UFOrias define what ski instructors and race coaches mean when they talk about "maintaining edge contact" and "finishing the turn". The UFOrias maintain constant edge contact along he length of the ski across the surface of the snow during any size turn. They feel like they distrubute pressure along the entire contact edge progressively and completely; the forebody, waist and rear sections of the ski don't really exist, it is simply "the ski" under curvature pressure, applying weight to the edge for reliable, predictable grip. The edging behavior is remarkably responsive and inspires confidence not found in other skis. Shorten the dampers all the way and the springs compress farther down before the suspension frame contacts the ski itself and you get a softer, shorter-radius ski with easy-handling, round turn shapes. Lengthen the dampers all the way and the suspension frame contacts the ski nearly immediately and produces a behavior like a giant slalom ski, both in flex and perceived length. You can literally
adjust the ski's flex and turn radius characteristics by turning two knurled screws (with gloves on). The UFOria XA also allows relocation of the binding on the platform (with a #3 Pozi driver) so you can get your own mounting position dialed-in to where you like it. When people see the Anton UFOria, they often ask.."does it feel springy or bouncy?" The suspension system doesn't give that impression at all. The ski is damp and controlled, never nervous or jumpy, but responds instantly to weighting, angle and rotational changes, always feeling well-planted and follows the surface of the terrain. I found the Anton UFOria XA to provide remarkably detailed feedback about the snow underfoot, even with the suspension system and aluminum frame between the boot and snow surface. You would think it would isolate feedback to your feet, but it communicates the degree of pressure, resistance, friction and depth better than most skis capable of high-intensity carving or slow and easy cruising. It works, and it's really fun to ride.
Analogies: (this ski is like...)
A slot car you can ride in, and adjust.
Things You Would Change About This Ski:
I would experiment with a bamboo core to reduce some weight.
Short Answer When Someone Asks "What Do You Think About This Ski?":
"Really, really fun. It's a carving machine you can adjust to make it soft and supple
with short radius turns, or stiffen it up to make GS turns like a race ski. Remarkable and one of the most interesting skis I've tried. Not for powder skiing, but ideal for all kinds of groomed surfaces. All ski makers should try them and study the principles used to get it to perform the way it does."
Advice To People Considering This Ski:
Try a pair before you judge them by looks alone.
Self-Description of Skiing Style, Ability, Experience, Preferences:
5' 11", 180 lbs. Expert groomed-surface carver, "old-style" race inspired, "foot steerer" with fairly sensitive edging feel. Loves to hold long arcs with lots of pressure on the downhill ski (you know the type), but also loves the feel of both skis on-edge leaving tiny railroad track edge tracks. Loves powder when it's not tracked out. 10 year coach for youth race team in New England (bulletproof is the norm).
Anton Dynamics UFOria XA (left) compared to Carbon EX (right)
Base view of UFOria XA (left) and Carbon EX (right)
Anton Dynamics UFOria - XA
Anton Dynamics UFOria - XA
Flex Adjuster in full extension (stiff setting)
Flex Adjuster in full retraction(soft setting)