Voile HyperVector BC Skis

My first pair of HyperVector BC skis were left in India, I traded them for some freeze dried meals. Those skis had become my early/mid/late season skis. One tip had been glued back together a couple of seasons ago after an encounter with a tree and the bases and edges looked like they had had several confrontations with rocks, dead/downed trees and dirt. So, it was a fair trade. Upon arrival home, I saw that the same ski was on sale and purchased another pair. They are not a surfy ski in deep powder, but they do everything well and I like the pattern for long approaches and exits that have a mix low angle assents and descents. I also use the pattern for making changes in position - an easy 20 meters up and over a ridge with the pattern versus side stepping, or herring boning without the pattern. So I had an opportunity to trade my old skis for some Butter Paneer, Dal and Jeera rice and bought a new pair.

I bought these because I wanted some lighter-weight touring skis that also did well downhill. I added Switchback bindings to them. I am really enjoying the lightweight when touring. Very maneuverable. On downhills, they turn well . I wish the drag from the pattern was less, but it is about what I expected given the amount of pattern.

I purchased the 177cm a couple weeks ago and put three downhill AT days and four cross country days in the Oregon Cascades and Mount Shasta areas. Very satisfied with the ski. I put some aggressive steep powder turns on the skis and they handled the conditions well, staying afloat and good energy out of the bottom of the turns. Incredibly solid ski for being so light weight. Really nice not having to use skins on the flats and ski climbs gentle uphill without needing skins.

I've only gotten to take these out once so far since I got them as I just got them mounted. Even though I was nervous because I went from my old pair which was 161 in length to these in the 177 length, they worked great! They're so nice and light that getting used to the longer length seemed easy as I was able to easily lift the ski up to force a turn if I needed to since I'm used to shorter skis. I'm really excited about having the scales as well, so that when I'm doing low inclines, I can get away with not putting my skins back on!

I started backcountry skiing last season so I don’t have many other skis to compare these with, however, I am incredibly happy with my purchase. These skis are great! The scales are the best invention on a ski ever! While my friends have to spend time skinning up for small climbs, I just walk my way to the top. You won’t be disappointed if you purchase these!

My first experience with scaled BC skis was with the Karhu Guide’s with tele bindings and those turned out to be the best exploring setup I’ve ever owned. Having since switched to AT I was unsure how these would do now that I don’t tele. I am 6’2” 175lbs without a pack and I went with the 177 length. I first put first a Salomon Mtn binding on but now have the heavier yet amazingly easy switch-to-tour ability of the Fritchi Vipec Evo’s. Not having to pop out of the pins when switching modes is a needed function on these skis in my opinion and is as close to the tele setup that you can get. The HyperVector BC’s have a lot less camber than those Karhu XCD’s and ski a lot better up and down. Compared to the Hyper V6 skis, the HV’s are noticeably stiffer and have a more rearward mount point which results in a different style of skiing than with the V6’s. I have the 183 Hyper V6 also, non BC version, and comparatively they feel more centered or forward mounted. The HV’s hold an edge well and are easy to jump turn and pivot, and the rearward mount and early rise tip does help keep them afloat in soft snow. Like all the Hyper skis they are super light and because of the scales feel weightless on the way up with no drag on each step forward. This cannot be overstated. You don’t realize how much forward drag there is on even mohair skins until you try scaled skis. For their uphill prowess, I measured they can grip up to about 15 degrees on a packed skintrack in maritime Sierra snow, and up to 20 degrees in the best conditions. It helps to have the trail packed to decrease the effective angle of the ski so if you’re breaking trail expect that maximum approach angle to decrease some, depending on snow density. For higher density snow these skis make my skins almost obsolete for touring and allow me to cruise up long approaches without having to stop and de-skin for any rolls in the trail. They are so fast on approaches it feels like cheating. You’ll definitely slip some and try to keep the skins off for as long as possible, but that’s part of the fun of scaled skis - pushing them to their limit. Once I’m at the base of the hill I want to ski, the skins go on like any other ski and they grip the pattern fine. In melt/freeze conditions like spring the scales do have a bit of a downside in my experience. In the morning when it’s icy on a packed trail or over crust they are a little noisy and don’t grip well, and when I’m heading home they can ice up just like a skin on the way up. I have some high temp glide wax now (Maxiglide) in my pack to coat the scales before heading down and that has helped. They also can be grippy on wet snow, similar to non-scaled skins when there is water on the surface and your wax is rated lower than 32 deg F…they can feel sticky on the downs as they cross a wet patch. In general, they are a little slower on the downhill unless it’s soft snow (pow or corn). But following a buddy without scales put it in perspective, I didn’t get dropped by as much as he thought I would. As someone else noted, these are definitely a quiver ski. I bring them out when I don’t know how the conditions will be or when I want to explore a new area in good conditions. A between-the-storms ski. They’re awesome when other skis would be overkill - they are the XC hardtail of the ski world. You’d be silly to shuttle them at a resort, but the more rolly a course the better decision you’ll have made. If you expect the grip of a skin and the slide of a non-scaled ski then you’ll dislike them. But if you give them a chance you’ll be surprised at how far they take you and with less effort. They’re just really fun skis.

Scales. That's all I have to say. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard a fellow skier say "I don't really see the value in scales." only to follow up at some point with "I can't believe you can get up that without skins.", I'd buy another pair of these! For those on the fence, you won't be disappointed. For those who think they are slower or noisy, all I can say is I don't agree. For much of what I ski, they are the unicorn.

I do a lot of low angle skiing in Montana, so lots of long up and down hills that aren't alpine level steep (I do also ski alpine with these). I got into back country XC skiing a few seasons ago on a pair of Rossi BC 100s. Great skis but they didn't offer the flexibility to ski downhill the way I could having the heel locked in. The Hyper Vectors were the perfect answer. They're negligibly heavier than my Rossis, which is crazy considering the Rossis are strictly an XC ski not meant for downhill capability. The Voile HyperVectors climb just as well as the Rossis without skins, the fish scales are amazing. They don't replace skins (like the website says/should be expected) but they save a lot of time on low angle slopes that are continually going up and down because you don't have to take your skins on and off! So, so nice. These skis are such a great way to make low angle skiing more fun and still rip when you want to take them up to the mountain peaks for some steep downhill. I used these at a small resort and I think they're great for resort skiing too (they weren't perfect but I think that has more to do with my Dynafits not being meant for resort skiing and being strictly a backcountry binding).

I am just finishing up my third season on a set of Hypervector BCs, which replaced a pair of Vector BCs that I rode until they were no longer viable. This ski is not for everyone, but for those who have long, rolling approaches to work through, it is an ideal tool. Similarly, I may quit doing ski traverses if this ski is ever discontinued, because moving to anything else is too disappointing of a thought to contemplate. This ski is certainly outperformed by some others in specific conditions, but there are very few options out there that handle everything as well as the Hypervector BC. This trait really shines on long spring tours or multi-day trips, where every type of condition might be encountered. It is easy to make a powder ski fun, but these skis manage to bring a smile to the face while descending mixed spring snow and hauling an overnight pack. They especially excel in wind and sun-affected snow, and in corn. As far as the scales are concerned, I use these primarily from March-June, when the snow gives grip on the uphill and minimal resistance on the down. Dry, early winter snow gives the worst of both worlds, but in a higher-density spring snowpack, it is astonishing what can be climbed without skins (I recently skied a 200+ mile traverse where the skins came out fewer than 5 times). Likewise, not dealing with water-saturated, sticky skins is priceless. In normal mid-late season conditions, a scaly setup is simply faster and more efficient than skins—even race or kicker skins. While it may be possible to travel near the same speed on skins, the effort saved over miles of low-friction gliding makes it possible to travel further with considerably less effort. For me, this means that skiing becomes more fun, which is generally what I am after. This ski can crush miles on the flats and is completely capable of descending anything you might come across, and really benefits from a lighter setup. I ski mine with lightweight bindings (Plum R170) and Alien RS boots, and the result is something that is genuinely pleasant over miles and miles of gentle terrain, but completely capable on any spicy bits that catch the eye. For me, this is a quiver ski, but in a somewhat unconventional sense. It does not come out for certain conditions, but rather for a time of year or a type of skiing. As soon as the days start getting long, my other skis start collecting dust. For long tours that stretch daylight or continue into multiple days, the Hypervector BC is a well-refined tool that continues to shine well after my legs have given up.

A note to locals, quite surprisingly I was able to get all the way up to top of Supreme at Alta, using these skis WITHOUT skins. That is quite a weight/energy savings. Also worth noting, I used to have the older baby blue version of the vector, and I've noticed the new Hyper Vector has been improved significantly - seems more forgiving, and enjoyable in its handling.

I’m wrapping up my 2nd season on these skis. Primary uses are multiday hut-to-hut trips, general backcountry touring and up-hill cardio training in Colorado. I find these skis do an amazing job of handling all the crazy snow conditions encounter in the backcountry – from pow and crud to wind-blown, bullet-proof slabs at higher elevations - they have great effective edge when needed! The scales are perfect for rolling terrain and really reduce overall effort and transitions, making long days a lot easier. They are a go anywhere, work horse ski, but are still fun, light and very responsive. I have them mounted with Fritschi Vipec Evo 12 bindings which provides transitions from downhill to walk mode and back in just a few quick seconds. I use the Voile Camlock 3 poles to easily pull the heal piece into position. The scales do of course add a little drag on the downhills, but they certainly make up for it on the overall long-haul backcountry experience. Construction is very solid for such a light ski and they are holding up well after my 2nd season. Highly recommend this ski.

I've had these out 2X so far after having them for 2 weeks. They are really an amazing ski. The "glide" is definitely hindered by the scales a little, but what you loose in glide you make up for 10X with the ability to climb hills and basically go anywhere at any time. I paired these with Fritchi Vipec 12 Evos. I can switch from downhill to walk mode and back in about 5 seconds. It used to be that I would go down smaller hills with my skins on and get basically zero glide, but now it is much easier to leave the skins off unless you are doing a big climb.

First, I am kicking myself for not buying an AT setup before now. To put things in perspective, I have been using a backcountry/XC/tele set up for ~15 years. And that set up was a huge step up from my even older NNNBC full metal edge Karhu's that were great at the time (going back 15-20 years). The entire AT setup is lighter than anything I have owned in the past (and my Garmont boots are not light). I recently finished three consecutive days in the high peaks of the Adirondacks with some friends (also on Voile skis) and the skis are flat out amazing. They glide well on the flats and climb like a goat. Only needed skins when things got super steep (maybe 2 miles out of 30 over the weekend). And going downhill is mind blowing how much control they have (heels free or locked). I am looking forward to spending more hours on these skis to figure out what all they can do; I know it's me holding them back!

First, thanks to Voile staff for helping me compare the Vector and V6 skis. Upper mid intermediate skier, 180# plus a 15# winter day pack, selected the hyperVector BC171 cm because of emphasis on control and they work great. Using Fritschi Vipec Evo 12 bindings and BD kicker skins. Since purchase 30 miles and 7000' of groomed and ungroomed logging roads, groomed down hill, backcountry powder, and ungroomed single track. The skis are awesome: so light you don't feel them when climbing, great traction when climbing, tips swing easily, turn initiation is effortless, very stable. The 171 cm has proven to be a good decision for me. These skis open up the backcountry like no other product and are the most fun skis ever!

I bought these skis for long flat approaches, skipping around snowy meadows, crossing frozen lakes to access glaciers, and spring grouse hunting in rolling terrain. For all of those uses these skis excel. It only took me a few outings to appreciate what the scales were and were not capable climbing. Now I keep a pair of skins in my bag, just in case. I purchased the 184 length and mounted them with dynafit speed rads at the recommended point. With a nice light boot they tour better than my old bc Xc skis and are way more fun on the way down. On icy groomers they do make a ton of noise, but on spring slush they don’t make a peep. Overall I’m surprised by how versatile these skis are and I would not hesitate to purchase again.

The evolution of a quiver of one. I’m a 75 yr. old backcountry skier spending over 100 days exploring the backcountry around Cooke City, Montana every year. Cooke is a vortex for the Northern storm track, so I ski a lot of powder. In addition, spring offers some amazing opportunities in the nearby Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains, and in Yellowstone National Park. The first, and only, guide book ever written for Cook City is not titled Nine Months of Winter without reason. My first Voile ski was the original Vector. Then, after a couple of seasons, thinking I might like a fatter board I purchased a pair of V8’s. That was too much ski for a skinny old man to push up the mountain, so I gave the V6’s a try. Voila, great ski! I thought I’d found my ideal ride, the V6 in winter pow and the Vector for set-up spring conditions. A quiver of two. Not bad. The Vector was a little quicker and held an edge better in spring conditions, and the V6 floated a little better in pow, although either would have been a great all-mountain/all-conditions ski. Then some of my friends got involved in SkiMo racing, and I though how cool it would be to push something that light up the mountain. So, the next season I started riding a pair of Objectives driving them with Dynafit PDG boots. That was it, man, super light like a pair of ballet slippers. I had so much fun with the Objectives that the next season I got another pair, but the BC version for the long rolling approach/exits around Cooke City and in Yellowstone National Park. But then, sometime during this time (I think summer 2017) we stopped by the Voile shop in SLC for some assistance with a damaged pair of Voile Switchback bindings that my wife was using on her pair of Vector’s. The guys in the shop were amazingly helpful, and while they were scrounging around for some old parts to fix the binding, I got talking to one of the product designers. He asked me what I thought of the Objectives, and I told him it was very cool with surprising performance for such a light ski, but I really would like something a little beefier for the downhill. He smiled and told me about this new ski Voile was coming up with - inspired by the Objective, but incorporating a progressive new design that was more in line with the Vector’s, called the Hyper Vector. I was skeptical, but that fall, I bought a pair of Hyper Vector BC’s mounted with light tech bindings and driven with Scarpa F1 boots. Totally, friggin, amazing! This set-up tours almost as good as the Objectives, but the downhill performance is much better. This kit oughta be called the Yellowstone. Long approaches become short, old men become young. The performance of this ski is remarkable. In Powder, just think about turning and the ski does it, and in spring, it is solid like my original Vectors - only more so. It is also cool to know that when I pull skins on some summit a long way back in the wilderness that I’ll never have to skin up again for the exit. How Voile ever come up with a ski that combines all these features, I’ll never know, but I’ve finally found it – my quiver of one.

Bought this ski and took it out for a test on the ski resort and the scales quite disappointed! It’s not so bad when you going downhills but on the little flat rolling terrain, it become super difficult to get enough momentum to side thru that I ended up had to walk most of it. It is actually good when you do have to walk uphills bc there’s no sliding back for sure.

I got these skis to access and ski zones that required several miles of skinning through undulating terrain just to get to the base. They are incredibly efficient, fast and energy saving in these situations. And on the descents there is no noticeable difference in performance or speed due to the scales. The only downside is having to wait for your partners who don't have these skis - do them, and yourself a favor - and make them get these skis too :D