Van Deer skis in Obertauern

Are Van Deer skis really that good - and which one is right for you?

If you ski in Obertauern, you’ve probably already seen them on the slopes: the distinctive Van Deer skis from Marcel Hirscher. Hardly any ski brand has drawn so much attention in recent years. That’s why plenty of guests come straight to us with one question: “Are Van Deer skis really that good?” Our honest answer: yes. But not for everyone. And that’s exactly what makes the brand so interesting.

As a ski rental in Obertauern we don’t only work with Van Deer, but also with premium brands such as Atomic, Völkl, Nordica, Salomon or AK SKI. That means we can compare models every day and see how differently skiers react to the same ski. That’s why for us it is never about “Which brand is the best?”, but “Which ski is the best fit for you?”

In this guide we show which Van Deer models there are, who they suit, and what we experience every day as an official Van Deer partner at FREUDENHAUS ski rental Obertauern.

1. What is Van Deer?

Van Deer Red Bull Sports was founded by ski legend Marcel Hirscher. The brand stands for high-quality construction, precise on-snow feel and a consistent focus on performance.

Many skiers automatically link Van Deer Red Bull Sports with racing. In fact the brand now offers far more than pure race skis. The collection runs from a sporty carving ski through to a versatile all-mountain model.

2. Are Van Deer skis really good?

Yes. Van Deer skis stand out above all for:

• a quiet ride
• strong edge grip
• precise handling
• sporty carving
• high-quality construction

But that’s also the crucial point: a good ski is not automatically the right ski. Our experience shows that Van Deer Red Bull Sports mainly delights skiers who want a direct, precise feel.

If you prefer a particularly comfortable or forgiving ski, you may feel happier on a different model.

3. Our experience from FREUDENHAUS ski rental

Every season plenty of guests test Van Deer skis on the slopes of Obertauern. And we keep seeing the same things. Many skiers misjudge themselves. Many guests first believe Van Deer is only for very sporty skiers. After a few runs they’re surprised how well they get on with the skis.

The other way round we also meet skiers who rate themselves as very sporty and then realise that they personally prefer a more comfortable ski.

That’s why two factors always matter:

• How well and how confidently do you ski?
• What kind of feel are you looking for?

4. Either you love it – or you don’t

Hardly any brand polarises as strongly as Van Deer Red Bull Sports. Many guests step out of the bindings after a few runs with a wide grin. Others say: “Impressive ski, but not my feel.”

Both are completely normal. Van Deer has a very distinctive character.

What guests particularly often praise:

• exceptionally quiet
• stable even at higher speed
• no chatter on hard-packed slopes
• strong performance when carving
• short and long turns equally possible
• surprisingly easy to turn

It’s the combination of stability and agility that gets mentioned positively so often.

5. It’s not only men who are interested in Van Deer

When we first took the models into our rental, demand was clearly male-heavy. By now, however, more and more women are interested in Van Deer and want to test the models. What usually comes first is not the racing idea, but the precise, sporty feel.

6. Which Van Deer is right for you?

Van Deer H-Power 68 – The sportiest carving ski in the series.

Ideal for:

• sporty carving
• hard and groomed slopes
• dynamic turns
• technically accomplished skiers

Van Deer H-Power 78 – The most versatile ski in the collection.

Ideal for:

• sporty holiday skiers
• long ski days
• changing slope conditions
• skiers looking for a ski for almost everything

When sporty guests ask us which Van Deer they should test first, we often recommend the H-Power 78. It delivers the typical Van Deer feel in a particularly balanced way and covers the widest range of use for many skiers.

Van Deer H-Power 89 – The all-mountain ski from Van Deer Red Bull Sports.

Ideal for:

• changing conditions
• fresh snow
• soft slopes
• versatile use

Especially in Obertauern the H-Power 89 can really play to its strengths.

7. Why are Van Deer skis more expensive to buy?

Van Deer positions itself firmly in the premium segment. The skis are built with high-quality materials and designed for maximum performance. Add the closeness to racing and the high build quality. Interestingly, most guests later don’t buy a Van Deer because of the spec sheet. They buy it because of the feel. That’s why we always recommend a test before you buy – whichever ski brand it is.

8. Van Deer or Atomic? Van Deer or Völkl?

We hear these questions regularly. Our answer: it depends.

Atomic offers a huge range from a comfortable carving ski through to a World Cup model.

Völkl is often valued for a quiet ride and balance.

Van Deer often appeals to skiers looking for a particularly direct, precise feel.

That’s why at FREUDENHAUS we deliberately stock several premium brands. Because the best ski always comes from the mix of ability, style and the right model.

9. Why is a test on the slopes worth it?

A ski can come out of tests brilliantly and still not be a perfect fit for you. That’s why we recommend: test first, then decide.

At FREUDENHAUS you can compare different Van Deer models side by side. Rental prices sit at the same level as other premium brands such as Atomic, Völkl, Nordica or Salomon.

With our Test & Buy programme you can test Van Deer skis on the slopes first. If you then decide to buy, up to two test days are credited towards the purchase price. That way you can find out whether the ski is right for you.

10. Exclusive Van Deer service at FREUDENHAUS

FREUDENHAUS is an official Van Deer Red Bull Sports partner in Obertauern. So the skis can show their full potential, they are tuned in our workshop on a service machine matched specifically to Van Deer. Every ski gets a race grind with exclusive Van Deer race structure plus a precise 87,5° edge grind. On top of that we use the original Van Deer service programme, developed specifically to Van Deer Red Bull Sports specifications. The result: maximum edge grip, a quiet ride and the performance Van Deer skis are known for.

FAQ – Frequent questions about Van Deer skis

Are Van Deer skis really good? Yes. Van Deer skis stand out for precision, stability, a quiet ride and strong edge grip.

Are Van Deer skis only for pros? No. Intermediate skiers often get on very well with the models. At the same time, technically clean skiers benefit especially from the skis’ character.

Which Van Deer ski is the most versatile? For many skiers the H-Power 78 is the ideal all-rounder and usually the first recommendation for a test.

Which Van Deer ski is right for sporty carving? The H-Power 68 was developed specifically for sporty carving skiing and precise turns.

Can I test Van Deer skis in Obertauern? Yes. At FREUDENHAUS ski rental Obertauern you can test and compare different models straight on the slopes.

Is a Van Deer ski worth it for holiday skiers? Yes, if the sporty, precise feel matches your own style. That’s why we always recommend a personal test.

Why do so many guests test Van Deer skis? Because the brand draws a lot of attention through Marcel Hirscher, the high-quality construction and the distinctive on-snow feel. Plenty of people want to find out for themselves whether that feel is different from other premium brands.