2009 Fox Van RC2 or 2008 Fox Float R

R is rebound adjustment.
RC2 is rebound and high/low speed compression.

If you have 36mm stanchions on your float, I would probably spend money elsewhere. You’re saving weight, about 1/2 pound, with the float. The float is air sprung while the vanilla has a coil spring. Plus dialing dual speed compression is a bitch.

A lot of it depends on your definition of "some downhill." My definition of some downhill is one-two times a week when the resorts are open and two or three times a month until the snow starts burying the high county after that. Air springs have bad habit of heating up and getting very progressive under heavy use. The larger air volume on a fork, as compared to a rear shock, makes this tougher to notice. But, if you’re finicky you will catch it. The half a pound of weight will be more so noticeable on the tight single track. If you are riding less then 30% DH, I would stick with the air fork. At more than 50% DH definitely go with the Vanilla.

Personally for me the question wouldn’t be 36 Float R vs 36 Van RC2, but 36 Float R vs 36 Van R. I don’t find the hassle of dialing dual speed compression to be worth the extra dough. Let your elbows and shoulders compensate for changing trail conditions and get some of those Azonic Checkerboard bars with spare money.