PRODUCT REVIEWS

I attend several ski demos over the course of a year. Several are offered by specific vendors, others are sponsored by the industry itself; most specifically, one at Pico in mid-January, and another at Waterville Valley in Mid/Late February.  The latter is more fun, since just abut all the buying decisions are made, and many shops close for two days and use the opportunity to get the crew together and go have fun while learning about next year's products.  My mission, as always, is to test skis with the goal of understanding who would enjoy each product the most, what the differences are from previous versions/models, and to help describe each product with as little jargon as possible. These reviews are for you; the skier, to help understand what a ski does and who it is best suited to. I try and make each review as easy to understand as possible, while describing how the marketing terminology applies towards the performance of the ski (I make the techno-language understandable as best I can). Along the way, you may find some interesting anecdotes around my personal experiences at that demo, or while testing some products, as a sense of me offering an insight to what really goes on at these events.

A few key points:

• There aren’t bad skis, but there are skis which are bad for some people- and that goes beyond putting a beginning skier on an FIS race ski, or a racer on a rental ski.
• 2025-26 continues the trend of either moving away from, or adding to product lines, skis that are more energetic and fun to ski.  Almost gone are the Cadillacs of yesteryear, except for a few that challenge the status quo- For example, the Stockli ar might be considered the Cadillac CT5 V-Blackwing of Cadillacs, over the Coupe Devilles our grandfathers coveted. 
• Snowboarders are still in the mix, and they're not likely to go away soon, but the number of vendors seems to have dwindled significantly over the years. Step-in bindings still seem to be an issue, as having a reliable system continues to elude vendors.
• It's my intent to test as broad of a range of skis as possible, but sometimes, skis just aren't available for testing.
• IF YOU DONT SEE A 25-26 SKI IN THIS YEAR'S REVIEW, IT'S LIKELY A CARRY-OVER FROM LAST YEAR.  PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO LAST YEAR'S REVIEWS.  Also, if I feel I got a ski wrong, or I need to update my original review, I do that in the original review. 
  

ABSTRACT:

2025-26 seems to be a year of building on the good changes from last year, without reinventing the wheel.

This year you can find models which still improve on sweet spots, edgegrip, and wider ranges of performance characteristics.  In other words, targeting the market with "single ski quiver" types of skis that blur genres and emphasize versatility.

SKIS

LIGHTWEIGHT POWER

Arcade 94

Size tested: 178
Dimensions: 138-94-127
Turning Radius: 16m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• PEFC Poplar Core with LCT
• Titanal Beam
• Rectangular Full Sidewall
• V-A-S
• Extended Sidecut
• Subtle tip and tail rocker
• Color: Yellow with purple sidewalls... and hell yeah, it looks great!

I could get in trouble for this one... So if this goes away, it's because I got "a talkin' to".   Hopefully, there's no price to pay because fuhgeddaboutit... This ski rocks!

The Arcade series was new for 2024-25, with the introduction of the Arcade 84 and 88.

The Arcade 84 has a sheet ot Ti under the bindings, extending a bit towards tip and tail, but not full length.  The idea there is to allow more flex tip and tail to give that ski a "turnier" personality.  In other words, it's easier to turn than the 88. 

The Arcade 88 has a full-length sheet of Ti, which stiffens the ski, and gives it a "racier" personality.  That full sheet significantly increases the power profile for a ski that's meant to power through crud and hold like it's on rails- which it does. 

The Arcade 94 has the same construction as the 84, which is absolutlely necessary for a ski this wide- If that sheet of metal extended the length of the ski, it would be just like many other stiff, all-mountain skis on the market.  Allowing this ski to be a bit flexier tip and tail makes it more playful, without sacrificing ANY edgegrip.  The overall stiffness profile is somewhere between the Arcades 84 and 88, which is where it needs to be for this ski. 

I only attended one day of the Pico demos this year, and this was my overall favorite of the day.  So much so, I skied it in the morning in fresh fluff, then skied it again at the end of the day when I was a bit more fatigued, on more varied terrain. 

It did not disappoint. 

My first runs were in true east coast "powder", about 6-8" worth.  This ski floated and danced when I "light touched" it; staying centered and balanced, then powered through the piles of crud when I switched to driving the ski a bit harder in medium-long to long radius turns. 

On steeper, icier pitches, it held like it was on rails; making powerful, yet comfortable short, medium, or long radius turns without breaking a sweat, or leaving you out of breath. 

This ski is a big smile machine, with just enough shape to make it easy and fun, without limiting the turn size some of the more shapely skis can lock you into. 

Mind you, this ski is no beginner's toy.  It's the real deal with power, stability, and a big personality.  However, the wider flare in the tail makes this ski so versatile an intermediate skier can, and will, flourish on it, with carved or skidded finishes. 

In fact, you aren't reading this ski, it's reading you, and responding to your whims and preferences with grace and agility.  Intuitive is the right word to use here, but that's from the ski's persepctive, not yours.  You just do your thing, and it will thrive. 

I skied this ski in both 178 and 186 cm lengths. 

In 178 the ski was quick and powerful, yet stable in high-speed carves.  This is the length (forehead height) where the Arcade's race breeding really shine.  These skis are shockingly powerful, yet predictable.  There's no fear of getting bucked into the trees, and it finishes a turn effortlessly.

The 186 (just over my head) is where my heart belongs- it retains its versatiliity, yet skis like an all-mountain machine.  The stance is relaxed and comfortable, yet it still dances like Fred and Ginger in floof and carves like a determined race ski when you drive it up on edge. 

More about my experience with this ski:

FOLLOW UP FROM SECOND DEMO AT WATERVILLE VALLEY:

I started the Pico demo days on this ski. I skied it several times at Pico and loved it.
Soooooooo……
Why not start a beautiful day on something I’m comfortable with?

Right.

Off we go……

This ski is perfect. 

-And I say that knowing that perfect is a pipe dream… in all cases but this one. 
As a “Driver”, there isn’t a better ski out there in a 94 width -or in any width- for all-mountain skiing. The balance point is intuitive, and just forgiving enough to make the ski comfortable, but with a tight enough sweet spot to not restrict power when you need it. 
I skied this ski in 186 cm length, yet there’s no need to muscle this ski around (rotation not required). It has just enough tail flare to make finishing a turn instinctual, without restricting turn shape like some of the shapelier skis on the market are known for. 
Stay centered, and you can ride the fall-line fluff at the edge of the trail with innately consistent, sure-footed turns and no fear of hooking up and getting thrown into the trees. 
Open it up into medium radius turns to power through crud or carve the fall line with authority, then let it all hang out in long radius turns without fear of chatter or of the ski getting “nervous”. 
While this ski’s DNA is surely from the infamous Rossi Race department, with edge grip like a world cup slalom ski, it has the versatility of the best all-mountain skis on the market. The secret is in its construction; with a full sheet of ti underneath, and a partial sheet on top, this ski is no plank. That added bit of suppleness, coming from a little more natural flex of a wood core not restricted by a full sheet of ti on the top of the ski, adds the versatility other skis claim to have, yet fail to provide. This ski will excel at any turn shape, any turn radius, any conditions, anywhere. This ski is so versatile it will hammer through bumps or dance nimbly like a ballerina on ice skates. 

Quite often, skis with this kind of power profile can be too demanding, but the dynamic sweet spot on this ski gives it the perfect balance of power and comfort for skiers of varying skill level and aggressiveness.  Ski it with confidence and a smile!

A+++, Five Stars, top notch, best in class.

This ski is now available on the Rossignol website, so my fears of getting reprimanded have now passed.

Who should ski this ski?

• Experienced skiers who want a quicker edge-to-edge mid fat, versatile machine for varied east coast conditions.
• Confident skiers who want the joy of a powerful and responsive ski without the weight of a racing ski.
• Experienced skiers who prefer to ski one ski all day, every day.
• Skiers who prefer to ski a full length ski or downsize one size below head height (I skied it one size down and full length).
  
• This is a great ski for the skier who wants to own one ski that does it all- especially on the east coast- from bumps to broiler plate to spring crud, it handles everything effortlessly.
•   This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex)
   
  

I attend several ski demos over the course of a year. At these demos, ski industry people are able to test new skis, boots, bindings, and accessories before they are released to the public, and after most final design changes have been made. My mission is to test skis with the goal of understanding who would enjoy each product the most, what the differences are from previous versions/models, and to help describe each product with as little jargon as possible. These reviews are for you; the skier, to help understand what a ski does and who it is best suited to. I try and make each review as easy to understand as possible, while describing how the marketing terminology applies towards the performance of the ski (I make the techno-language understandable as best I can). Along the way, you may find some interesting anecdotes around my personal experiences at that demo, or while testing some products, as a sense of me offering an insight to what really goes on at these events.

A few key points:

• There aren’t bad skis, but there are skis which are bad for some people- and that goes beyond putting a beginning skier on an FIS race ski, or a racer on a rental ski.
• Like it or not, skiing is absorbing the antidisestablishmentarianism once embraced by snowboarders. The outdoor industry is seeing a steady trend where the number of snowboarders are decreasing, and skiers increasing (at a much faster rate, by the way).  The improvement in technology and ski offerings lured people (young and old alike) back to skiing, and has produced a generation of “Riders” that traditionalists have a hard time with. This is a tantalizing subject, so you're sure to see more about this below, in my blog page, and in my glossary.
• It's my intent to test as broad of a range of skis as possible, but sometimes, skis just aren't available for testing.
  

ABSTRACT:

2024-25 ushers in another step forward in ski design and technology across manufacturers.  Ski companies are improving the versatility of their skis across genres, with new models reducing the need to have multiple skis for multiple conditions.  Mind you, those models still exist, and for good reason.  However, for New England skiers looking to use one ski, all-day, every day, many of this years additions fill that role. 

This year you can find models and widths that accommodate diverse style preferences, yet hold up extremely well in the variability that skiing on the east coast provides; mid-fat and wider skis with exceptional power and hold on hard pack, directional twin-tips that carve yet still dance in soft snow, and once boring carvers that deliver exhilarating G-forces without the exacting demands of a race ski.

SKIS

VERSATILE

Maverick 95 Ti

Size tested: 188
Dimensions: 130.5-85-114.5
Turning Radius: 20.8 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Tip and tail rocker
• Poplar Core
• Titanal Layer
• Dura-Cap Sidewall

If you read the description of this ski on the Atomic website, there's nothing extraordinary about it- This ski has classic construction made with classic materials-  Not a lot of hype, not a lot of fanfare. 

The Maverick is understated- with a classic look.

With that, that's where "understated" stops.

This ski has been quite popular in The Atomic line of all-mountain skis- for good reason.

Firstly, I skied this ski a bit long for the east coast; most skis in a 188cm length take significantly more work to turn in short to medium radius arcs, on hard pack. 

In this case, the 188 was nowhere near as difficult as many other all-mountain skis.

The first thing that jumped out at me was that this ski is quiet and consistent.  It skied very well in short, medium, and long radius turns, giving back exactly what you put into it.  The power profile  is such that it doesn't over-power you;  the sweet spot is big, but not so big that the ski is dead.  However, it's big enough that it doesn't throw you or make the ride difficult.  It's easy to ski on, versatile in all shaped turns, stable at speed, and easily liked by riders and drivers alike.

My single-phrase description for this ski was "Jack of all trades"-

It's not too stiff, nor is it too soft, it's not difficult to ski, and it's fun.

This is the perfect ski for an intermediate through advanced skier, looking for a comfortable ride that isn't over-burdening- It's a great ski for the skier who works hard all week long, then doesn't want to work too hard to ski weekends, and ski the whole day, both days.

Additionally, a lighter weight skier can ski on this, as an advanced ski, and not be overpowered by it.

In a standard length, this ski is perfect.  In addition, it's beefy enough to be skied one size down, where it will still hold an edge yet be more nimble in short to medium radius turns. 

This ski is a workhorse- solid and consistent, ready to be skied hard for long time and continue to shine.

 
Who should ski this ski?

• Experienced skiers who want a consistent and versatile ski has plenty of stability at speed, yet turns easily enough in short turns.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who want a ski in a comfortable stance on a balance point.
• Experienced skiers who prefer to ski one ski all day, every day.
• Skiers who want size flexibility such that they prefer a size longer than recommended, down to a size shorter.
• This is a great ski for the skier who wants to own one ski that does it all- especially on the east coast.
•   This ski will ski best with a moderately stiffer flexing ski boots (115-140 flex)
   
  

Maverick 105 CTi

Size tested: 185
Dimensions: 134.5-104.5-123.5
Turning Radius: 19 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• All Mountain Rocker
• Ash and Poplar Core
• Directional Shape
• CTI Carbon and Titanal
• Dura-Cap Sidewall

The 105CTI is similar to it's little brother, the 95Ti.

In terms of it's construction, the 105 adds carbon to the core, which makes it a bit damper for stability at speed, and a touch "dancier" than skis with Ti alone.

I skied this ski on a day with varied conditions; scrapy hardpack and sloppy mashed potatoes.  The 105 handled it like a charm- consistent and versatile, solid underfoot, with a comfortable balance point.  It excel when charging hard, powering through muck like it wasn't there. 



In terms of overall Power profile, being that it's a mid-fat, the extra surface area gives it a bit more stored energy in longer radius turns.  Given that the sweet spot is comparatively large, it still wont over-power you;  yet it gives what it gets, increasing the response the harder you push it.

At speed, it's damp, stable, and fun- easily liked by riders and drivers alike.

This is the perfect ski for an intermediate through advanced skier, looking for a comfortable ride on a more traditional feeling mid-fat.

In a standard length, this ski is perfect.  In addition, it's beefy enough to be skied one size down, where it will still hold an edge yet be more nimble in short to medium radius turns. 

 
Who should ski this ski?

• Experienced skiers who want a solid mid-fat with plenty of stability at speed.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who want a ski in a comfortable stance on an easy balance point.
• Experienced skiers who prefer a mid-fat for every day skiing.
• Skiers who want size flexibility such that they prefer a size  down or a standard size.
• This is a great ski for the skier who wants to own one ski that powers it's way through everything on the east coast.
•   This ski will ski best with stiffer flexing ski boots (120-140 flex)
   
  

Bent 100

Size tested: 186
Dimensions: 129-100-120
Turning Radius: 19.5 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Powder Rocker
• HRZN 3D Bent
• Directional Shape
• CTI Carbon and Titanal
• Dura-Cap Sidewall

I want to start this evaluation by talking a bit about the Dura-Cap sidewall.

There's nothing new about this construction, where cap technology sits on top of a traditional sidewall. 

What IS new is how it's employed.  Previous iterations of this technology were applied to carving and race skis- skis made for hardpack.  However, the Bent is the brainchild of a collaboration between Atomic and Chris Benchetler, renowned big mountain free-skier.

The dual-technology of the Dura-Cap construction isn't just a marriage of two technologies, it creates something better.  This construction functions, when engineered properly, in such a way that skis made this way are exceptionally damp and quiet feeling.  That, in and of itself, provides for a more stable ski.  Fringe benefits include a unique power profile such that it accommodates multiple styles of skiing effortlessly- In other words, Riders and Drivers both love this ski.  When you put this ski on edge, then add power through the turn, this ski responds consistently and powerfully.  When ridden flatter, with a more upright stance, the ski smears effortlessly and remains quiet and predictable. 

Another feature of the construction of this ski is that it's lighter with a thinner profile.  that allows it to flex easily and consistently. 

That fact alone makes the ski a good fit for aggressive skiers who like to "play". 

The ski switches, and butters effortlessly, yet it's no noodle, even for a big guy like me.

In terms of more about my personal experience with this ski, skiing it in a 185 was unnecessary.  I could, very well, have skied it in a 179 and had a great experience.  That said, it skied as advertised (and described above).  Standing a bit more upright and straightlining down the hill, it quickly reached speeds most skis would have been uncomfortable with. 

Dropping into a more athletic stance, then tilting them up on edge with a little bit of counter-rotation in the hip, changed the personality of these skis entirely.  They held like they were on rails, and responded powerfully, yet remained quiet and predictable.   

I skied this ski on a very cold and hardpacked day.  That allowed me to push it hard.  In doing so, I found that while this ski was designed as a Freeskiers dream, it rocks on the east coast.  That explains it's overwhelming and long lived popularity with a variety of skier ages and types.

In terms of overall Power profile, being that it's a mid-fat, the extra surface area gives it a bit more stored energy in longer radius turns.  Given that the sweet spot is comparatively large, it still wont over-power you;  yet it gives what it gets, increasing the response the harder you push it.

At speed, it's damp, stable, and fun- easily liked by riders and drivers alike.

The Bent 100 also sports Chris Benchetler's personal graphic design, which appeals to just about everyone.  It looks good, and skis good.  I guess that makes it an overall great ski (good + good = great, doesn't it?).

This ski appeals to everyone;  Kids, adults, lower intermediates, super-advanced skiers, rider, drivers parents, kids, free skiers, casual skier... even people looking to play in the park.

In a standard length, this ski is very good, although, initially,  it doesn't feel like it rolls over in carved turns very quickly, until you get a handle on the dual-personality construction.  Once you figure that out, it skis great. 

 
Who should ski this ski?

• Various types of skiers who want a solid mid-fat with plenty of stability at speed.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who want a ski in a comfortable stance and an easy balance point.
• Experienced skiers who prefer a versatile mid-fat for every day skiing.
• Skiers who want size flexibility such that they prefer a size  down or a standard size.
• This is a great ski for the skier who wants to own one ski that powers it's way through everything on the east coast.
•   This ski will ski best with moderate to stiffer flexing ski boots (110-140 flex), as long as they are stiff laterally- That's why you can find skiers on this in everything from a Full-Tilt to a full-on race boot.
   
  

FUN

RELIABLE

PLAYFUL

Ripstick 88

Size tested: 182
Dimensions: 130-90-108
Turning Radius: 16.8 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Amphibio Technology
• Tubelight Woodcore
• Flax FIber
• UD Carbon
• SST - Slanted Sidewall Technology

Previous iterations of the Ripstick 88 were best defined as "mellow".  The ski was light, soft, and damp, best for people who didn't like speed, and just wanted something easy to ski on.

This latest version of the 88 is vastly improved over it's predecessors.  It's livelier, more stable, and has a livelier personality.  It's has better edge grip, and is downright fun. 

Good changes for this model.

This ski appeals to everyone;  Larger 'tweens, teenagers, adults, lower intermediates, super-advanced skiers, riders, drivers, free skiers, and casual skiers.

Who should ski this ski?

• Various types of skiers who want a solid eastern ski with a sure-footed, lively feel.
•   This ski will ski best with moderate to stiffer flexing ski boots (110-140 flex), as long as they are stiff laterally.
   
  

Ripstick 96

Size tested: 189
Dimensions: 134-97-115
Turning Radius: 18.8 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Amphibio Technology
• Tubelight Woodcore
• Flax FIber
• UD Carbon
• SST - Slanted Sidewall Technology

Now in it's 3rd generation as a freeride ski, the latest iteration is the most fun yet.

Amphibio technology returns in this ski. 

Amphibio is a hybrid rocker design, where the inside edge of your skis have full camber, and the outside edge is rockered. 

The advantage is that you're unlikely to catch an inside ski, and have it go outrigger on you.

Most riders who ski with their feet closer together, seem to love this technology, as do Drivers, since it requires less of a leader-follower (a situation in carving where biomechanics require the inside ski to be several inches in front of the outside ski during the turn. 

The downside is that you can't switch skis to equalize the wear on your edges. 

That said, since this isn't a racing ski, the edge wear isn't as extreme as it would be with a ski that's skied on hardpack/ice all the time.

Like it's predecessors, the Ripstick has no metal, which makes it lively and quick- also very versatile in multiple turn shapes.  The engineering of the carbon rods make the skis very energetic and light. 

This ski dances in soft snow, and holds very well on hardpack due to the UD Carbon inserts and flax fiber in the tips.

Stability at speed was the weakness of previous generations of this ski, but the added carbon and flax make this ski the dance partner that flies. 

As a fringe benefit, this ski is light enough, and is quite popular as, a resort touring ski.  Set up with convertible/hybrid touring/alpine bindings, this ski is your single quiver ski for multiple uses.

In terms of personal experience with this ski, I've skied all 3 generations. The first generation was more of a soft snow ski; not very stable at speed on hardpack, but soft and floaty in anything softer than groomed snow.

The second generation had a bit more pop with the improvement of the carbon tubes, yet still had it's limits on hardpack. 

This 3rd generation ski is significantly more stable, yet retains it's dance-y feel.  It's a significant improvement over Gen 2.

Another important point about this model line, is that the method of measurement for these is material length, instead of height.  That means, the length measurement for this ski adds back the bend in the tip.  For example, if you stand up a 189, then drop a line straight to the floor from the end of the tip, the height measurement is closer to 185cm.  Therefore, these skis ski shorter than marked. 

This ski appeals to everyone;  Larger 'tweens, teenagers, adults, lower intermediates, super-advanced skiers, rider, drivers, free skiers, and casual skiers.

Given the way the length is measured on this ski, the normal length it should be skied, is one size up from what one would usually ski.  In other words, to ski the correct downsized length, you should ski this at what one would consider the proper length for your size- again, it skis shorter than the size marked on the ski.

Who should ski this ski?

• Various types of skiers who want a solid mid-fat with a lively feel; a dance partner, so to speak.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who want a ski in a comfortable stance and an easy balance point.
• Experienced skiers who prefer a lively mid-fat for every day skiing.
•   This ski will ski best with moderate to stiffer flexing ski boots (110-140 flex), as long as they are stiff laterally.
   
  

Wingman 86 Ti

Size tested: 184
Dimensions: 131-86-114
Turning Radius: 18.8 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Amphibio Technology
• Laminated Woodcore
• Carbon Rods
• SST - Slanted Sidewall Technology

The Wingman line is the journeyman all-mountain ski from Elan.

The 86 Ti performance difference from the 86 CTI is all about power.  The 86 CTI is a bit softer, and has a "turnier" personality.  It starts turning at slower speeds, and is more playful than it's ti brother.

The ti is more stable at speed, and has a more solid edgegrip.

I'd call the Wingman series traditional hardpack skis, except for the fact that the sweet spot for this ski is different than some old school carvers/drivers might expect. 

This ski prefers a balance point a bit lower on the ski. That requires a Driver-style skier to sit a little lower in the hips.  I've skied with several old school skiers who had difficulty figuring this ski out, until I recommended they sit a bit lower, then roll edge to edge.

This comes out of modern race ski design, because this style provides for less up and down motion, with the ski moving across the body while keeping the torso low and still. 

Riders, using a more upright style, are, by nature, positioned over the back of the arch anyway, so they should be able to adjust to this ski fairly easily- That makes this ski versatile... a true all-mountain ski

Who should ski this ski?

• Hardpack/carving skiers who like a carving ski that's versatile, on the wider side of carving skis..
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who want a ski that's stable at speed.
•   This ski will ski best with stiffer flexing ski boots (120-140 flex).

• Riders and old school carvers will have to drop their hips lower on this ski, or risk getting thrown at higher speed.

My word(s) to describe this brand for the 2024-2025 season is "".  The common thread for their line was that their skis are lively and quick.

Kore 99

Size tested: 177
Dimensions: 126-93-113
Turning Radius: 12.7m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Karuba Poplar Wood Core
• Multilayer Sandwich Carbon Cap
• Tip and Tail Rocker
• Graphene

From the very first turn, it was abundantly clear that this ski was too short for me. In fact, I met two fellow testers at the chair after that first run, and rode it up with them.  They both said they saw me skiing, from the chair, and both instantly said that ski was too short for me. That is a bit surprising to me, as one would expect that skiing one size down should not drastically affect performance. This ski, as a size down, spoke to the design and target market for it-  this is a smear ski, best skied by Riders. 

As for sizing, it should be skied full size- or a size above for western/soft snow skiing.

Given those points, the ski is very stable, and has a comfortable stance.  The ski is very light, and powers very well through heavy, chopped up snow. 

This is a great ski for skiing skiing deep snow or  making skillful, smeared turns in the trees.
 

Who should ski this ski?

• This is your classic Rider's ski.  Every Rider I know loves this ski.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who want a ski that they can take into the woods and ride smeary turns through bumpy terrain.
•   This ski will ski best with moderate to stiffer flexing ski boots (115-150 flex).

• Drivers/carving style skiers who are looking for a ski that carves on hardpack may not like this ski- it has a loose feel on hardpack, and has a smeared finish.

My word(s) to describe this brand for the 2024-2025 season is "".  The common thread for their line was that their skis are lively and quick.

Irreverant

Optic 104

Size tested: 185
Dimensions: 132-104-123
Turning Radius: 19m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Aspen Veneer
• Gas Pedal Metal
• Directional Twin
• 5 Cut Sidecut
• Early Rise tip and tail rocker

This is a directional twin. Changes this year include more rocker tip and tail, with a tightened-up camber profile. It retains the depth of camber in last year's model, but over a shorter distance from the center mark (because of more rocker). 
When I first stepped into the bindings for this ski, I said aloud, “Oooooh, this ski is greasy”; It felt  slick and ”spinny” sliding off the binding adjustment ramp, like a good trick ski.  Even as a directional twin, it still has good center balance.

Obviously, that made me think it would be playful, more like a park ski. While it certainly was more playful than other skis in this category, it did not ski like just a park ski- In fact, it didn’t really feel a whole lot like a directional twin when carving, even though it is built as one. 

This ski has multiple personalities, every one of which more fun than the other.

The shorter, yet deeper camber profile gave it plenty of pop, but it also carried speed very well. In the fluff along the edge of a trail it was quick, and reliable- very predictable and sure-footed- big fun dancing on the edge. 
Pick up speed, and let the ski start coming across your body and it became a reliable carver- stable at speed, with very good edge grip for its genre. 

This is the hallmark of the "5 Cut Sidecut"- versatility in multiple turn shapes.

The aspen veneer core has titanal strips running the length of the ski, ending in ski-specific comb shaped inserts, tip and tail.

The top-sheet has a cool, understated look. 

This ski is certainly something that a first or second-generation twin-tip skier, who has “grown out” of them, yet still has loyalty to their those roots, would find “very cool”, and a “non-betrayal”.

Line thoroughly understands that their skis need to appeal to a new generation of skiers, and the skiers who started their ski journey on their twin tips.

In fact, the Line tent had two people handing out skis; a younger, saggy pants, nose ring, dreadlocked, pseudo Rastafarian handing out the park skis, and a guy in his mid-thirties, wearing Carhartt, a sporty goatee, and salt and pepper hair handing out these. The marketing was obvious, yet spot-on.

One final note about this ski; When I returned this ski to the tent, the rep asked me what I thought. My response was, “This ski is like your side-wrestle; it does all the fun stuff that doesn’t happen with your wife, at home.” 
He asked me if he could use that. I, of course, said yes.
This ski could fill the gap between the Chetler and the ARV, in terms of a skier who is a little older than a traditional twin tip skier, or who has found that he likes a twin but wants something significantly more stable at speed. Not to mention, it looks cool. 

Who should ski this ski?

• Experienced skiers who want a super-versatile directional twin.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who to play AND ski fast.
• Experienced skiers who prefer one ski all day, every day in the form of a directional twin tip.
• Skiers who prefer to ski a full length ski or downsize one size below head height
  

•   This ski will ski best with a moderate to stiffer flexing ski boot (115-140 flex)
   
  

SOLID

Spitfire DC 80 Pro FDT

Size tested: 180
Dimensions: 130-80-110
Turning Radius: 17m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Energy Ti double Core
• FDT Race Plate
• Full Camber

The Spitfire 80 Sandiwiches a sheet of Titanaland elastomer between two wood layers.  This gives the ski exceptional vibration dampening and stability without loss of power.  A rare few other manufacturers have mastered the use of elastomers in their core, and those who did created a line of skis that shine as hardpack carving machines- like this ski.

This ski is a classic carver with the racing roots one might expect form the Spitfire line. It’s a bit stiffer than most carvers, but has great edge-hold. Certainly, it it would excel as a non-FIS, beer-league race ski.

It’s also a solid hardpack carving machine, with enough versatility to handle some heavy crud. It’s quite stable at speed, and it handles well overall. It’s a steady and predictable ski- a classic, powerful carver with fantastic edgegrip and stability.
 

Who should ski this ski?

• Hardpack/carving skiers who like a carving ski that's powerful, with versatility as it relates to turn shape and speed.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who want a ski that they can use in a beer league/Non-FIS race then go out and ski the rest of the night with the crew and have fun.
•   This ski will ski best with stiffer flexing ski boots (120-150 flex).

• Riders and old school carvers will have to drop their hips lower on this ski, or risk getting thrown at higher speed.

Steadfast 85 Ti DC FDT

Size tested: 179
Dimensions: 137-85-116
Turning Radius: 15.8m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Energy Ti double Core + Pulse Core
• FDT HP Free Demo Plate
• On Piste Rocker

This ski has a similar personality to the DC 80, with a little more hourglass to its shape. That made it a bit easier in terms of turn shape, speed, and turning on steeper pitches. It’s solid on hardpack, and drives though crud fairly well. It was a bit less stiff than the Spitfire 80, thus less powerful. I consider it to be a less limiting, more versatile carving ski for more varied pitches. 

For skiers who prefer a more shapely, yet powerful ski in trees, the shorter radius turn of this ski makes it a great choice.

This ski was solid and steady underfoot. On hard pack and in crud. “Steadfast” is a good name for this ski, since it's very quiet and very stable.

Who should ski this ski?

• Hardpack/carving skiers who like a carving ski that's powerful, with versatility as it relates to turn shape and speed.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who want a ski that they can use in a beer league/Non-FIS race then go out and ski the rest of the night with the crew and have fun.
• A carving ski with a bit more versatility than most catrvers.
•   This ski will ski best with stiffer flexing ski boots (120-150 flex).

• Riders and old school carvers will have to drop their hips lower on this ski, or risk getting thrown at higher speed.

LIGHTWEIGHT POWER

The theme for this year, across all the big players, is more power and versatility. 

Every new ski from Rossignol, regardless of it's genre, brings less weight and more power such that whatever genre you prefer, any of those skis will make that particular skier happy to have it as their one ski to meet their needs.  Rossignol has mastered how to design skis with the attention to subtle details which accentuate the macro requirements of a ski in every genre- French technology and thoroughness at it's best.

Arcade 84

Size tested: 176
Dimensions: 132-84-120
Turning Radius: 15 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Poplar Core with LCT
• Titanal Beam/Partial length Ti laminate
• Rectangular Sidewall
• V-A-S
• Extended Sidecut
• Subtle tip and tail rocker

The Arcade line is new this year for Rossignol, addressing the need for an all mountain carving ski between the Forza and Experience lines.  Where the EXP has been their journeyman, all-mountain, do-it-all, cash cow, and the Forza fits as a shapely carver, The Arcade is all about power, smoothness and versatility.  Billed as an all mountain ski, bred from race technology for advanced skiers, the Arcade 84 answers the call for more power with solid edgegrip in an all mountain ski. 

This ski is definitely an upgrade from the old Experience line, in terms of the power carving experience.  It still has that same Rossi balance point as the EXP, but it’s a more powerful ski with a sweet spot to match.

The theme for this year, across ski manufacturers is no longer boring, unexciting skis with a smeared finish.  This ski crushed it in that theme- it turns on a dime, with power, and opens up to big GS and near super G turns like a champ. Solid as a hardpack ski, it skied better than expected in cruddy conditions.  The proviso being that it’s stiffer construction in the mid-body with narrowed tips and tails (as compared to the EXP) making this a solid hard charger, driving through fluff and crud like it isn't there, while remaining "turny" enough to not require you to over -work yourself in shorter turns- thanks to the central vertical power rail, added to the wood core as part of it's line control technology (LCT) and a prtial sheet of Ti underfoot . 

Another thing that jumped out at me about this ski, is that it's very light compared to most carving skis.  This ski isn't a bulky beast by any means- It's race bred, without the swing weight or sluggishness of a heavier ski, yet it still powers through everything like it's beefier big brother skis in the racing genre.
 
Who should ski this ski?

• Experienced skiers who want a quick edge-to-edge, versatile carver for varied east coast conditions.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who want the joy of a powerful and responsive ski without the weight of a racing ski.
• Experienced skiers who prefer to ski one ski all day, every day.
• Skiers who prefer to ski a full length ski or downsize one size below head height
  
• This is a great ski for the skier who wants to own one ski that does it all- especially on the east coast.
•   This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex)
   
  

Arcade 88

Size tested: 186
Dimensions: 135-88-124
Turning Radius: 16 m
 
 

Significant technologies:



• Poplar PEFC Core With LCT
• Full Titanal layer
• Rectangular Sidewall
• V-A-S
• Extended Sidecut
• Subtle tip and tail rocker

I had the great fortune of being able to test the Arcade line in both soft, cruddy conditions, and traditional New England hardpack.  Ironically, I skied the Arcade 84, in soft/cruddy New England conditions where one would expect it would not excel, and it did. I then got on the 88 on hardpack, where it was firm and more “New England like" and this ski excelled in those conditions as well.
This is a great ski- It requires a traditional stance. It is more powerful than the EXPERIENCE series, with a friendlier sweet spot than the EXP 86/88. It is sure footed, consistent, and versatile. This ski is more stable than the EXP 86 (which is no slouch) and has a bit more forgiving sweet-spot. Any bigger and the ski would’ve been boring. Rossi got it right here, as this ski seems to please both the riders and the drivers. 

I also got on an Arcade 88 in a 184 and was pleased, since I skied a shorter Arcade 84 and was relieved to find this ski will work for a wide variety of genre-bending skiers. Yay Rossi!
Both skis carve well, and power through muck without complaint. These are great New England skis, and great single-quiver workhorses.
Who should ski this ski?

• Experienced skiers who want a more versatile carver for varied east coast conditions.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers who want the joy of a powerful yet damp ski without the weight of a racing ski.
• Experienced skiers who prefer to ski one ski all day, every day.
• Skiers who prefer to ski a full size ski or downsize one size below head height
• This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex)
   
  

Sender Soul 102

Size tested: 180
Dimensions: 135-102-125
Turning Radius: 17 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Poplar PEFC Core
• Titanal Beam
• Rectangular Sidewall
• V-A-S
• Extended Sidecut
• Twin rocker

Rossi 's new lines are clean and good looking.  They've retired a few EXP models, keeping the ones that fulfill the need for that particular genre ski, and have refined or created other models to meet the need for more power.  The Sender Soul 102 allows Rossignol to recapture the market for the Soul 7, while improving it's power and performance such that it's much friendlier for east coast hardpack.  The two models are significantly different, with this ski answering the need for a harder charging ski with enough float and more of a directional twin tip feel to keep soft snow skiers happy.

Unlike other vendors, The 102 does not ski such that it loses the ability to carve like its narrower cousins.  In fact, the question was raised as to whether or not the 102 is too stiff a ski in its waist width- but the twin rocker addresses that concern handily. This ski lacks nothing in terms of performance, and the preferences of the mid-fat genre skier- it will ski very well for “that guy” who wants to ski a mid-fat ski, every day, in New England.

From a performance perspective, the ski feels like a traditional ski- tighter sweet spot, slightly lower stance, powerful tail, a la traditional Rossignol values. It holds like it’s on rails, powers through the turn, and is both nimble in short turns and stable at speed. I enjoyed the ski very much. It, most certainly, could be skied as an east coast daily driver.
Who should ski this ski?

• Experienced skiers who want a more versatile mid-fat for varied east coast conditions.
• Confident skiers who want the joy of a directional twin that can be driven like a carving ski.
• This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (115-140 flex)
   
  

Forza On-Piste 60D V-Ti Konect

Size tested: 179
Dimensions: 130-75-110
Turning Radius: 14 m
 
 

Significant technologies:



• Poplar PEFC Core
• V-Titanal Beam, Carbon Alloy Matrix
• Rectangular Sidewall
• Mini-cap
• Piste-Rocker

Smooth.

Incredibly easy to ski, super damp and stable; this ski is a smile generating, G-Force machine. 

This ski rolls over effortlessly, has a huge sweet spot, and is so quiet that I let this ski rip; letting it accelerate as fast as I could push it, yet never felt like I got thrown off my center, or like I was fighting control at any point.  This ski was super comfortable to ski.

This is a frontside carver for skiers who know how to roll their ankles rather than step- Just roll this ski edge to edge and enjoy the ride.
Who should ski this ski?

• Intermediate to advanced skiers who can keep both feet on the snow and roll edge to edge.
• Confident skiers who want the joy of a solid footed, super shaped carving ski.
• Skiers who want to feel like carving is fun again.

• This ski will ski best with a moderate to stiff flexing ski boot (115-130 flex).  It's all about rolling the ankles so the true necessity of this ski is a boot which is laterally stiff.
   

Here's more about my experience with this ski:

When I slid over to the Rossignol tent, it was a bluebird mid-afternoon that wasn't very cold... Perfect skiing weather.  I skied several skis prior to that where I was in review mode, looking to ski specific things that had specific performance characteristics, with the mindset of taking notes.   I pulled up to Rossi having decided to have an open mind and no agenda.  I asked the rep what he recommended.  We chatted a bit about what I had skied that day, and knowing that I'm an experienced tester, he walked over to the rack and grabbed these.  He gave me a quick rundown on what they were, and I told him I had not skied them before.  I skated away form the tent looking to ski a moderately sloped open trail to get a feel for them.  One never knows what to expect when they get on a carver with a lot of shape, so I wanted to get a feel for them before I pushed them into high gear.  Two turns in, after I slid off the lift, I could tell immediately that I could have the confidence in these skis to forget about over-thinking them, then relaxed and let them do their thing. 

After run one, I was relaxed and having fun, so I took them up again.  This time I put them through their paces, rolling them quickly edge-to-edge, then opening them up into longer radius turns.  I continued to dance between long and short turns, varying speeds, looking to find different features in the terrain to see what they could do.  They remained stable and easy to ski no matter what I did with them. 

On to run number 3. 

This time, with a smile on my face, my approach was to push the G-forces as far as I could handle.  I pushed off the lift gathering speed right off the ramp.  I skated and pushed them up to speed, laying out the most extreme edge angles I could generate, trying to see if they would get squirrelly.  Before I knew it, I was sailing off a knoll, mid-turn, without a care in the world.  I landed the ski without missing a beat, before I even realized what happened. 

These skis performed so intuitively I forgot they were super shaped carvers. 

I returned these skis after 6 runs, thighs burning, snow on both hips, and a huge smile on my face.  These skis actually make me a better skier.  I was able to drag my hip in every turn, where that should not be possible for a guy my size.  I loved every run on these skis. 

If you've never liked a carving ski, this ski will change your mind. 

Smile factor: five thousand.

Sender 94 Open

Size tested: 186
Dimensions: 128-95-118
Turning Radius: 22 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Twin rocker
• Paulownia Wood Core
• Titanal Beam
• Rectangular Full Sidewall
• Progressive sidecut

When I arrived back at the Rossi tent to turn in The Forza, There was a different rep there to meet me.  I, again, let the rep pick the ski for me.  The claim by the “man in the booth” is that this ski is super-fast edge to edge and that I should be wary of that.  I think he was looking at my size and figured I can’t buy a turn with a fistful of fifties… I can’t blame him there, as I'm not your typical skiers physique, with the build of a defensive lineman (I was a weak side defensive end in college, for those who know what that means).  After a few turns, I quickly realized there was nothing to worry about on this ski. This was one of my favorite skis of the demo. It’s VERY versatile; it transitioned nicely from carving to short turns on hardpack, then from firm to soft snow,.  I was confident that it could go anywhere and still have fun. Great ski, another happy surprise. This ski skied noticeably shorter than a typical 186- In fact, it's the only ski at the demo where I wished there was more snow in the trees.   

The progressive sidecut made switching from medium radius carved turns, to quick smeary direction changes, easy and intuitive.  It holds very well at higher speed, longer radius turns, and handles steep terrain like a champ.

This is another ski which is more than capable as a single ski for all day, every day. 

Who should ski this ski?

• Intermediate to advanced skiers who are looking for a fun, playful ski they can take anywhere, in any conditions.
• Drivers or Riders who want a ski that's stable and versatile in varied conditions. 

• This ski will ski best with a moderate to stiff flexing ski boot (115-130 flex). You can drive this ski hard with a stiffer boot, or just point it and go while rolling your ankles.
   
  

Experience 86 Basalt Konect

Size tested: 185
Dimensions: 132-86-120
Turning Radius: 18 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• All Trail rocker
• Paulownia Wood Core
• Basalt Fiber v2
• Rectangular Full Sidewall
• Progressive sidecut

This time, I walked up to the tent asking to try this ski.  I had skied other experience models over the years, and found them to be solid skis, with a traditional feel.

Anyway, here we go again- This ski was another pleasant surprise; it rolls over easily, skis steeps well and also carves multiple turn shapes, very well- although, the sweet spot is not as big as the Forza, or even the Sender… But that’s ok. That added liveliness makes this a great go anywhere ski. It’s a little heavy underfoot, but it’s responsiveness and the way it rolled over very easily, made up for that, in spades.   
I think it's also worth mentioning that the graphics on this ski make it clear who the target market is.  Although, I will say I've sold this ski to a far larger demographic than the perceived target market for it. 

It’s truly a great ski, that's easy to get lost in the flood.  It performs great, and can be skied by skiers from multiple genres, with vastly different skiing styles. It's clearly in a paint scheme for people who have no desire to stand out in the crowd, but this ski stands alone in it's versatility for so many different types of skiers.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Rossi line of skis- The center mark (mounting point) on their line of skis is in a much more aggressive place than most other manufacturers, yet they ski just as, if not more, consistently than most brands on the market, from one model to another.

Long story short, they’re doing something right, because these skis are, in my mind, some of the most appropriate for “the masses”, because of their versatility.

It's a great ski line, front to back.

Who should ski this ski?

• Intermediate to advanced skiers who are looking for a versatile ski they can take anywhere, in any conditions.
• Drivers or Riders who want a ski that's stable, consistent and versatile in varied conditions. 

• This ski will ski best with a moderate to stiff flexing ski boot (115-130 flex). You can drive this ski hard with a stiffer boot, or point it and go while rolling your ankles.
   
  

TRADITIONAL

Salomon QST 98

Size tested: 188
Dimensions: 138-98-119
Turning Radius: 18 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• All Trail rocker
• Poplar with Ti
• Cork Damplifier
• Full Sandwich Sidewall
• C/FX Carbon and Flax Weave

To be clear, before I dig into this review, I skied this ski far too long for the east coast (188cm).

Regardless of that, 4 to 8cm should not have made as big of a difference as one might think, but it did.

I skied these skis on a bluebird, chilly, firm day.  Two turns in I realized I was working way too hard.  I tried shorter radius turns, longer radius turns, then finally realized the way to ski this is meant to be "ridden" primarily as a smear ski.  This is entirely contradictory to my skiing style, because the sweet spot wanted you to almost stand up straight on it.  That said, I can still throw them sideways with the best of 'em. 

Either way, I still wished I chose the next size down.

Anyway, by the time I got to the second run, I finally decided to just point and go with these skis- They're too much of a plank to drive them through sustained, turn to turn carves-  They're not made for that kind of skiing.  They're your true Rider ski; just stand  up straight, point 'em downhill, and throw in a smear, here and there, to control your speed.

After that, I was going to turn them in and get something different, when I ran into some friends who asked me to join them for a run.  So, we went over to an intermediate super-highway, vis-a-vis, not very steep trail, for a a carving test. 

The cork makes these skis damp, so speed is not a problem.  Beyond that, they were excruciatingly slow rolling them edge to edge-   Finishing a turn and starting another felt like forever.  .

It's quite clear that, as an east coast ski, one would have to ski it pretty short.  It's stiff, it's slow to roll over, and it's designed to smear in deeper snow at speed.  It's not a carver, and it should be treated as one.

*Here comes the controversial subject I mentioned in the preface to this year's review....

I asked myself why anyone would want to ski this on hardpack, until I realized this is the ultimate ski for the people that traditionalists on the east coast complain about- You can't learn how to carve a traditional turn on hardpack with it because it's stiffer than a 2X4, and it's so quiet and stable that anyone with moderately good balance can stand straight up on it and point it down hill, far faster than their ability and experience should allow them to.  It's stability, large sweet spot, and difficulty to carve "driver" turns on, actually forces that issue.  If you buy this ski as an intermediate skier, you'll be straightlining like an expert in no time at all. 

This is the ski that defines a "Rider". 

I guess that explains its popularity... This ski has been an in-line model for 8+ years, with few changes other than the graphics (BTW, this years version is purple and is in the sale section of the Salomon site).

If it remains an inline ski for another year, I'll ski it a size shorter and reprise this review.

Who should ski this ski?

• Advanced skiers, skiing deeper,  western snow, in big mountains. 
• Riders who want a ski that's stable, such that you can ski it shorter than intended.

• In my mind, the boot doesn't make much of a difference with this ski in soft snow, as long as it's stiff laterally.  In softer snow, and firm hardpack, a moderate to stiff boot may excel on this ski.
   
  

Salomon Stance 96

Size tested: 182
Dimensions: 126-94-108
Turning Radius: 20m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Tip and Trail rocker
• Karuba/Poplar
• Dual layers of Ti, sandwiching the wood core
• Full Sandwich Sidewall

This is the flagship of the Stance line-  With a more traditional sandwich construction, this ski has a very traditional feel.

If you’re looking to carve turns, with an old school, traditional sweet spot, this is your ski line. 
This ski requires a traditional foot pressure of big toe/pinky toe, then rolling back to the heel and using the power stored in the tail to reset and start the turn all over again (rinse, repeat) skiing style. These skis are a bit more of a workout than most, and former racers would like them. 
In terms of skidded/smeared finish, these require more touch than some other skis. 
All-in-all, it was solid, stable, and sure footed, but it’s a traditional skiing  beast…. You’d better know how to drive a ski and finish a turn if this is your ski, or have exceptional balance if your intent is to ski upright and straightline- the sweet spot demands a little more attention than some skis which are geared solely towards Riders.

In my mind, The Stance line is, truly, old school. There are far forgiving to turn skis in the world. But that's ok- The Stance is another model in The Salomon line that has been around for a long time.  It is a workhorse that has withstood the test of time, because it's reliable and powerful. 
In short, if you are a larger, stronger person, possibly a former racer, and you ski 15+ days a year, this is your ski line. 

Who should ski this ski?

• Advanced skiers, who prefer a traditional feel and a good workout.
• Riders who want a ski that's stable, such that you can ski it shorter than intended.

• This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex)
   
  

SMOOTH

*What's the most common question salespeople get when they sell this ski...?

That's easy, "Why does it  cost so much?"

Ok- this is directly from the rep-

(Paraphrasing as I didn't record our conversation)

Stockli is the "last" hand assembled ski.  Each step takes one to five days to complete.  Each laminate is added by hand, and every step is meticulously performed for quality control.  There are no "factory blem" Stocklis-  Customers only see the best.  Stockli builds about 50,000 skis a year, as opposed to 500,000 like some bigger manufacturers.  The wood is also carefully grown in protected forests, and harvested in such a way that it's environmentally friendly and the specifics of the wood are tightly controlled for consistency.  Stockli also uses proprietary polymer micro-beads in its glues, which make the skis exceptionally smooth. 

-I have not verified the veracity of these comments- I'm just repeating them-

So, does all that mean the skis are worth the extra money?

Well, if you want a ski that can ski anywhere, never get nervous, and last longer than many other ski brands, I'd say yes.  Most definitely.

More below...

Montero ar

Size tested: 184
Dimensions: 128-84-114
Turning Radius: 17.3 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Full Torsion Control
• Adaptive Contact Length
• Polyamid Topsheet
• Mild tip and tail rocker

I've skied this ski in two lengths; the 180 and the 175.

I did that to get a feel for downsizing with this particular ski, as many east coast skiers are reticent to ski a ski at it's proper length.

These are my notes for the 175:

Stable, quiet… very quick edge to edge- a true frontside carver. This is the ski I was able to carry the most speed on while carving, in today’s testing. Be careful, make sure you’re centered on a knoll, or you’ll be cleaning snow out of the back of your shirt and ski pants. Another classic, higher performance, Stöckli. Don’t get back on this ski, or you’ll hook yourself right into the trees.

Many fellow testers compared this ski with the Rossignol Forza, thinking the skis were comparable.

I disagree-

I'll explain why as I continue below.

These are my notes for the 180 (The proper length for my size on the east coast).

I skied the 180 0n a bluebird day, late- so, the snow was firm, with piles of man-made scrape thrown in for good measure. 

Having skied this ski once, in the shorter length the year before, I knew it would be stable and consistent.  With that in mind, I decided to not hold back, and really push it as hard as possible. 

After one run to dial it in, I pointed them downhill and and started rolling them over.  It accelerated smoothly, so I added in a touch of counter rotation and drove off the tails to push up the acceleration. 
The first thing I noticed was the ski was much more consistent at the correct size.  The balance between power and ease of skiing was much more appropriate, inasmuch as the ski gave back exactly what I put into it.  The ski was intuitive, smooth, and easy to ski on.  That makes it a good ski for a wider variety of skiers- younger skiers will love how hard they can push it, older skiers will love how easy it skis without being scary or hard to handle. 

For the next run, I ran it up to speed, rolled it over for short turns, accelerated it back to GS turns, then bounced back and forth in short and long turns with ease.  It never threw me, or got nervous, or washed out. 
On the next run, I just rolled with the terrain and opened them up as fast as I could make them go.  Two runs in and I had 100% confidence in this ski. I powered it forward without any thought to being careful about obstacles, snow conditions, or changes in terrain, and found myself sailing over a knoll, mid turn, and landing  like I never left the ground, continuing the run without a worry in the world. 

I was about to return the ski when I bumped into a group of co-workers, who suggested we all take a run together.  Several in the group just decided to point and go, so I ran the skis flatter and let them build up speed to keep up.  There were patches of ice, inconsistent piles of scraped off corn, mashed potatoes... and just about every snow condition that one can expect late in the day, early February in New England.  As I was poling my way back to drop off the skis, I marveled at how well these skis skied.  My first impression of these skis was a distant memory, at best.  In the year since I'd skied them last, The Stockli design team added an "S" shaped cut into the metal in the tip and tail of the skis.  This simple change took the buck right out of this horse.  This made the ski more fluid, more consistent, and much more fun. 

In summary, they are smooth, stable, and surprisingly easy to ski on.

Who should ski this ski?

• Intermediate to advanced skiers who want a super smooth, super versatile ski.   
• Strong, experienced skiers, with good balance.
• Experienced skiers who like to ski the whole mountain and prefer a narrower waisted ski.  That said, this ski will handle anything you throw at it. It's the perfect single-ski quiver machine for people who prefer an 80 to 86mm waisted ski..

• This is a great ski for the skier who loves medium to long radius turns, with the skill set to turn it short.
• Good all-mountain skiers who ski everything, everywhere.
• Sidenote- Solid intermediate skiers should not be afraid to ski this ski.  If your goal is to improve your skillset, this is the ski to do it on, because of its versatility (yes, this is a theme with Stockli skis).

•   This ski will ski best with a Moderate to stiffer flexing ski boot (115-130 flex) 
   
  

Stormrider 88

Size tested: 184
Dimensions: 128-88-114
Turning Radius: 20.6 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Titanal Technology Pro
• Titec Pro Topsheet
• Sandwich Construction
• Mild tip and tail rocker

Skied in full length, this is, essentially, a GS ski.

I skied this in a 184, and it loves to go fast in long radius turns.  As an eastern, hardpack, ski, it's a workhorse.  If you like to carve short to medium radius turns, this is not your tool of choice. 

That said, it is certainly a ski tat can be skied a size down. 

I've tested this ski twice.

The first day I skied this mid afternoon, after a night of moderately heavy, eastern powder.

It powered through crud like it wasn't there, never once throwing me off balance or wanting to slow down. 

The second day, was classic New England bullet-proof hardpack; very firm, windy...  dust on crust, so firm that an Ice axe would have difficulty gaining purchase.  This ski held on tight, and wanted me to push it as fast as I could. 

This ski is not your father's casual weekend, skid-around-the-mountain all-day toy- This ski is the real deal- If you want to go fast, with power and stability, this is your ski.

Who should ski this ski?

• Advanced skiers who want a super smooth, stable, go fast and straight all day ski. 
• Strong, experienced skiers, who know how to drive a ski, and work a ski from tip to tail to make it carve medium radius turns..

• This is a great ski for the skier who loves medium to long radius turns, with the skill set to ski a race ski, or to straight-line through anything..
• Good all-mountain skiers who ski everything, everywhere.



•   This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex) 
   
  

Stormrider 95

Size tested: 184
Dimensions: 132-95-120
Turning Radius: 18.5 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Full Titanal laminate
• Titec Pro Topsheet
• Full Polywall Sidewall
• Mild tip and tail rocker

This is a BIG smile factor ski.

If you're idea of fun is a ski that can do anything, you've found it.

Last year I skied this in a 188. That’s a lot of ski for east coast skiing, and quite unnecessary, even at my size and strength. The 182/184 is, clearly, more appropriate for east coast hard pack and crud. Although, I did get a good enough read on this ski to know that for big mountain skiing, the 188 would be a ton-o-fun!

The day I sked the  were perfect for testing this ski.  I did an extra couple runs on these skis, because I really didn’t want to hand them back in. They were the perfect skis, for the perfect day for testing; messy, clumpy, tracked up New England hard pack trails after 4” of classic New England cement, with large patches of broiler plate in between. The ‘95 tracked effortlessly through everything, made very versatile conversions form short turns, to long, then short again. They held exceptionally well, and quite efficiently, without unnecessary energy expenditure. In fact, they were much easier to ski on than expected, because they were so smooth, and intuitive.  They didn’t unnecessarily tax you of energy required to fight the ski.  Just let ‘em run and they do all the work for you. In fact, they were so smooth, I took them down a tracked up, fairly steep pitch, in full GS turns trying to make them stutter, and they never did. 

In summary, they are smooth, stable, and surprisingly easy to ski on.

Who should ski this ski?

• Intermediate to advanced skiers who want a super smooth, super versatile ski. 
• Strong, experienced skiers, who know how to finish turns, finesse a smear, and drive the edge of a ski.
• Experienced skiers who like to ski the whole mountain.  That said, this ski will still rock as a hardpack ski.  It's the perfect single-ski quiver machine.

• This is a great ski for the skier who loves medium to long radius turns, with the skill set to turn it short.
• Good all-mountain skiers who ski everything, everywhere.
• Sidenote- Solid intermediate skiers should not be afraid to ski this ski.  If your goal is to improve your skillset, this is the ski to do it on, because of its versatility.

•   This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex) 
   
  

INTUITIVE

Mantra M7

Size tested: 184
Dimensions: 139-96-121
Turning Radius: (26 m) (41 m) (17.9 m), (23 m)
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Tip and tail rocker
• Carbon tips
• Tailored Titanal Frame
• 4D SIdecut
• Subtle tip and tail rocker

Volkl has made a determined effort to ensure consistency in their skis, no matter what length you ski. The M7 breaks new ground in that effort. 
In the past, a ski company would design a ski in a particular size, then make other sizes the same way.

For a particular model, the shorter skis in a model line were typically difficult to flex.

For that same model in longer sizes, the flex became more manageable, and the turning radius increased as the ski got longer.

In fact, some companies would change their sidecut with different ski sizes, so that skis in different lengths  would still turn the advertised turn radius. 
 

Volkl has overcome this with some inventive engineering. Their skis rely both upon sidecut shape, and tailored titanal inserts to manage stiffness and provide Volkl's proprietary “4 Radius” turn shapes in every size.  In other words, Volkl can keep flex and turn shape consistent with only subtle differences in the 4R (radius) values as you go from shorter to longer lengths. It’s my feeling that those very subtle differences are irrelevant- the differences are nearly imperceptible. 
The relevant point is that each ski length is tuned to perform the same way. 
 

In terms of construction, Volkl uses carbon tip inserts to effectively filter out unwanted frequencies of vibration in the tip, which adversly affect stability and edge grip, without adding swing weight. 
 
The Titanal framing is also tailored to work with the multi-layer wood core in such as way that it provides the correct edge grip and power profile for each size, as well. Long story short, each size performs like its bigger or smaller brother. That may sound like it’s a no brainer, but it really isn’t. It takes some serious German engineering to pull this off, and Volkl has just about perfected it. Volkl has built on the experience and lessons learned from the evolution of previous M# models, and the M7 skis like the culmination of those efforts. 
 
Personally, I love the versatility of this ski. The thing that really rocked my boat was that this ski is relatively easy to ski, for a ski at this level of performance. Comparing it to the M6, The M7 is a more intuitive ski; Skis of this level can require significant amounts of energy to maneuver in tighter turns, and while making quick direction changes- The M7 followed my thoughts like I was plugged into it. This is a ski I could ski all day, every day, in everything from tight trees at Burke or Jay, to the open super-highways of Stratton or Okemo, and end any day with a smile. 

This is, truly a five star ski. I give it a 5 out of 5. 
 
Who should ski this ski?

• Experienced skiers who want a more versatile ski for varied east coast conditions.
• Confident, hard charging, skiers for deeper snow conditions.
• Experienced skiers who prefer to ski one ski all day, every day.
• Experienced skiers who like to play in the trees, or spring bumps
• Skiers who prefer to downsize one size below head height

• This is a great ski for the skier who wants to own one ski that does it all- especially on the east coast.
•   This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex)
   
   

For more about my experience with this ski, see my blurb below:
 

My Ode to The Mantra-
 
There once was a Ski called the Mantra.

She looked like this:

Peregrine 76

(Non-Master)

Size tested: 176
Dimensions: 124-76-104
Turning Radius: 17.6 m
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Carbon tips
• Full Titanal
• 3D Glass
• Full ABS Sidewall
• Race Plate/Integrated R-Motion 3 GW binding
• Shortened tip and tail rocker

At a glance, there's more going on with this ski under the "Significant Technologies" header (above).  That's because, as I mentioned in the description for the Peregrine 82, Volkl, often, includes several type of skis under one category.  Apparently, the intent is to accommodate a singe genre of skiing under one marketing demographic, while using multiple types of skis to fit into the sub-headings.

That said, this ski doesn't resemble the lowride look of the Peregrine 82, or the Deacons.  This ski has a traditional sidewall, a more traditional Titanal laminate, and Volkl's ceramic glass to add rebound to the ski.

Yet, standard to Volkl’s skis, the tailored carbon tips remain in the construction of this skill, where they act in concert with the 3D glass to accentuate performance without the ski getting twitchy.

The rocker profile is such that it allows more camber over the length of the ski (for short turn power) without being catchy.  The amount of rocker is significantly shorter, giving the ski more effective edge for short turns. 

For a ski that has a 17.6m radius designation, it sure feels like a 10-14m radius-  That's what more camber and a narrower waist do for you.

Volkl classifies this ski as a Long, medium, and short turning ski, but I can't say I loved this ski for it's long radius turning ability.  In short turns, this ski was quick and agile- effortlessly making slalom turns like a true slalom ski, then extending to medium radius turns like one might expect from a short to medium slalom racer.  As for long turns, it excels in more of a "J-Turn", which means it makes a quick turn, allows you run it fairly straight for several yards through the transition, then initiates another short, J-shaped turn. 

When I went to test my shorter turning skis, I went looking to try The Racetiger SL,  since conditions were perfect for it. They didn’t have ANY Racetigers at this demo. So, the rep recommended the Peregrine 72 or 76 as a non-sanctioned/high school club race slalom ski. Given the fact that most of the kids looking for a ski like this want a “one size fits all” ski, I went with the wider width (76). 
This ski did not disappoint. It delivers a solid, consistent, and grippy slalom turn which fits the bill perfectly. I found myself quite impressed by its performance. Great ski- I’d put my own kid on it without hesitation.

This ski is, certainly, stiff enough to be skied by skiers who prefer to downsize. However, I do not recommend downsizing more than 1 size from head height. In fact, if you're free-skiing on this ski or using it as a multi-even youth racer, downsizing makes no sense.  It turns more than fast enough to handle any slalom course or bump run, so I wouldn't want to sacrifice the effective edge.  Long story short, it you're a lightweight skier, you can get away with downsizing and not sacrifice any performance.  I am, by no means, lightweight, but I skied this ski much shorter than the 181cm ski I would've preferred, and it held up very well. 

This ski is definitely a Driver's ski.  Straightlining is not it's forte.  .

Who should ski this ski?

• Intermediate to advanced skiers who want a short turning and powerful carving ski, including (but not limited to) former racers, non-FIS sanctioned racers, and skiers who prefer a powerful quick-turner.
• Strong, experienced skiers, who know how to finish turns, finesse a smear, and drive the edge of a ski.
• Experienced skiers who like to ski on groomed snow and hardpack.

• This is a great ski for the skier who loves short turns.
• Good all-mountain skiers who excel in moguls enjoy this ski, but I wouldn't recommend pounding through bumps all day on this ski, because of the full-length Titanal.

• This ski will not excel in deep snow.
• This ski will not be friendly to casual mogul and/or tree skiers, especially those who spend more than 20% of their day in those conditions. 
• That said, if you are a zipper line bump skier, who likes a faster, stiffer, narrower waisted ski you'll be pleasantly surprised by this ski.

•   This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex)
   
   

As for my specific experience with this ski, I skied it alone, on a steep and firm trail directly under a lift, skiing around the lift towers and occasional hazard sticks to get a feel for it.  Again, like the other Volkl skis I'd skied at the demos, the ski turned intuitively.  Although, it does prefer a traditional hands forward, lower to the ground, slalom stance. 

Peregrine 80

Size tested: 177
Dimensions: 126-80-109
Turning Radius: (27 m) (15 m), (23 m)
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Carbon tips
• Tailored Titanal Frame
• 3D Sidecut
• Subtle tip and tail rocker
• Multi-Layer Wood Core

The Peregrine is a new ski line for Volkl, stepping in where some versions of the Deacon fall out of their line. 

Standard to Volkl’s skis, the carbon tips are tailored to effectively filter out the relevant frequencies of vibration that affect stability and edge grip, and provide flex tuning that stiffens the tip, just enough, without adding weight.

The Titanal framing is also tailored to provide the correct edge grip and power profile for each size.

The 3D sidecut adds versatility to the ski, such that it adds stability and edge grip in varied turn shapes and relative speeds.

If you'r read my review of the Peregrine 82, you'll think you're reading the same review...

The skis are definitely brothers, cut from the same cloth.

The low ride design makes them both quicker edge-to-edge, requiring less angle to get them to turn.  They both store power like no other and return it to you on-demand.  Both skis hold a roller coaster flying through a 3G turn.

The difference is in the width, but it's more than just the width. 

You may read this and say the turning radius is the same and the dimensions are the same with the exception of the 2mm difference.  How can they be THAT different?

...And you'd be right to ask.

So, let me explain-

Those two millimeters make the Peregrine 80 feel more like a slalom ski.  While it's certainly wider than a traditional slalom ski, it's quick and lively turns try to convince you otherwise. 

Just touch your pinky to on your inside ski, and your big toe on the outside ski, and the difference jumps out at you.  The narrower width gives it the versatlity to excel in quicker turns with a livelier feel than the Peregrine 82.

Would this ski excel in a slalom race course?

Probably not.

But it WILL allow you to take a more direct line of attack through a modified NASTAR or beer league race course, and shave seconds off your time.

As an all around the mountain, east coast gripper and ripper, this ski hammers through bumps, drives effortlessly through crud, and makes ice patches disappear.   

This ski is, certainly, stiff enough to be skied by skiers who prefer to downsize. In fact, I skied it in a 177 when my preferred size is a 182.  This ski has significant power- but in the shorter length, it dances.  It feels and responds with quickness and grace.  Its solid edgegrip and consistent power remain intuitive and predictable from one turn to the next.  It's not likely to buck you, as the sweet spot is just big enough to make it forgiving such that it keeps you in the drivers seat, instead of the other way around. 

This ski is definitely a Driver's dream ski, like it's chubbier brother.  For people who like to drive a ski down the fall line, and ski a narrow line, this ski is your dream ski.

However, Riders probably wont love it, since they prefer wider skis.  That said, the sweet spot is big enough that a more upright skier would enjoy its nimbleness without fear of being launched, if theymski it full sized.

This is, truly a five-star ski. I give it a 5 out of 5. For the skier who wants to own one that does it all, on groomers, especially on the east coast, this ski fits the bill. It's fast, it's fun, and it's lively but intuitively controllable nature make it enjoyable without the demands of a race ski.
 
Who should ski this ski?

• Experienced skiers who want an exciting and powerful carving ski, including (but not limited to) former racers, non-FIS sanctioned racers, and skiers who prefer a very lively, powerful, and stable ski.
• Strong, experienced skiers, like quick edge changes.
• Experienced skiers who like to ski on groomed snow and hardpack- and prefer a ski that drives through crud rather than floating above it.
• Skiers who prefer to downsize one size below head height.

• This is a great ski for the skier who wants to own one ski for hard pack and groomed snow and like to move quickly down the fall line- especially on the east coast. 

• This ski will not excel in deep snow.  However, in anything up to 6-8 inches of east coast wet cement, it wil power through with grace.
• This ski will not be friendly to casual mogul and/or tree skiers, especially those who spend more than 10% of their day in those conditions, since one would be over-working it to skid your way through a mogul field.
• That said, if you are a zipper line bump skier, who likes a faster, stiffer ski (there are a lot of us out there), you'll be pleasantly surprised by this ski.  It prefers to stay in the fall line, as opposed to winding its way through. 

•   This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex)
   
   

I

Peregrine 82

Size tested: 177
Dimensions: 128-82-111
Turning Radius: (29 m) (16 m), (25 m)
 
 

Significant technologies:

• Carbon tips
• Tailored Titanal Frame
• 3D SIdecut
• Subtle tip and tail rocker

The Peregrine is a new ski line for Volkl, stepping in where some versions of the Deacon fall out of their line. 

Versions of the Deacon included detuned racing versions, all-mountain cruisers, and versions for less aggressive skiers.  This version falls into the line where last year's Deacon 82 and 84 no longer exist.  That said, the Peregrine isn’t a replacement for the Deacon 82/84, it’s something very much more. 

Standard to Volkl’s skis, the carbon tips are tailored to effectively filter out the relevant frequencies of vibration that affect stability and edge grip, and provide flex tuning that stiffens the tip, just enough, without adding weight.

The Titanal framing is also tailored to provide the correct edge grip and power profile for each size.

The 3D sidecut adds versatility to the ski, such that it adds stability and edge grip in varied turn shapes and relative speeds. My guess is that this ski uses a 3D rather than 4D sidecut because the sweet spot needs to be a bit tighter to maintain it's power profile, and it's not really designed to smear. It's design is geared more towards powerful carving, so the 3D sidecut gives it all the versatility it needs.

This ski is, certainly, stiff enough to be skied by skiers who prefer to downsize. However, I do not recommend downsizing more than 1 size from head height. This ski has significant power- you will need enough effective edge for grip, and enough length, to maintain balance on its powerful sweet spot. 
In short, The Peregrine 82 is no casual skier’s ski. 

This ski is definitely a Driver's dream ski.  However, Riders wont love it, since they prefer straightlining to carved turns.

This ski would fit very well as a beer league or non-FIS high school race ski for strong skiers. It's also a solid carver for a strong or skilled skier who wants something more exciting- like a Ferrari over a Ford.

It fills a gap left by the detuned racing carvers that were once featured in Volkl's line (circa 2017-ish) that once featured race bindings and the EVO vibration dampener.  The exception being that the term "detuned" does not do this ski justice.  There's nothing "de" about this ski- It's a finely tuned race car with all the excitement to go along with it.

This is, truly a five-star ski. I give it a 5 out of 5. For the skier who wants to own one that does it all, on groomers, especially on the east coast, this ski fits the bill. It's fast, it's fun, and it's lively but intuitively controllable nature make it fun without the demands of a race ski.
 
Who should ski this ski?

• Experienced skiers who want an exciting and powerful carving ski, including (but not limited to) former racers, non-FIS sanctioned racers, and skiers who prefer a very powerful and stable ski.
• Strong, experienced skiers, who know how to finish turns and drive the edge of a ski.
• Experienced skiers who like to ski on groomed snow and hardpack.
• Skiers who prefer to downsize one size below head height

• This is a great ski for the skier who wants to own one ski for hard pack and groomed snow- especially on the east coast.

• This ski will not excel in deep snow.
• This ski will not be friendly to casual mogul and/or tree skiers, especially those who spend more than 10% of their day in those conditions. 
• That said, if you are a zipper line bump skier, who likes a faster, stiffer ski (there are a lot of us out there), you'll be pleasantly surprised by this ski.

•   This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex)
   
   

For more about my experience with this ski, see my blurb below:

I was ready to call it a day after a long day of testing, and having just come off a different carving ski. Most of the testers had already called it a day and headed into the lodge, when I walked by the Volkl tent and noticed the brightly colored Peregrine. With a bright blue -almost periwinkle- primary part of the color scheme, and then orange highlights (lets not forget the matching bindings), the ski really jumps out at you. It's a gorgeous ski that stands out while on display in a sea of other skis. 

Earlier in the day I had a conversation with another tester on the lift, so I stopped to ask the rep about it, as a last minute thought-  thinking that I wanted to add this ski to my testing agenda for the next day. 

With a similar low-ride construction to the Deacons, there are a few differences which jump out to the experienced eye; tip and tail have raised areas which stiffen the ski, and the tip has the addition of the distinct black web pattern of Volkl’s carbon tip technology. This ski has a recognizable lower profile construction, but it it beefier than the Deacons of previous years. 

I asked a few questions, then informed the rep that I was heading in. He recommended I try it that day, because, he wanted to emphasize how well the ski would perform in the scraped off conditions of a high traffic ski day, so I relented. He used car analogies to describe this ski; I asked him how he would classify this ski against previous/other models that fit into this genre; "So is this your Mercedes... or is it more like a Porsche...?" His response; “This ski is completely different- It's more of your F1 race car.” - It was clear he wanted to make sure people classified this differently than the previous Deacons in this width, or other carving skis.

He was right- this was much better.
The length I typically ski was not available, so I took out the 177, which was the longest size available at that time. One size down is rarely a sticking point when trying most skis, for me.

Five minutes later, I was off the lift and ready to go, not putting much thought into the skis attached to my boots. Lost in thought, reviewing the days events in my mind as I slid off the lift, I glided onto the trail under the lift and started my run. A few turns in, I, quite literally, cried out, “HOLY S#*T!”, as I was merely expecting a more “suped up” version of a Deacon (we all fall victim to preconceptions sometimes). 
That description in my mind was... insufficient. 
In short, this ski is a rocket ship. It is not the oversized sweet spot, cruising machine, the previous Deacon 82/84 was, and it should not be compared to that ski. This is a different ski, altogether. It accelerated out of every turn; so smoothly that it took a minute to realize how fast I was going. This ski is powerful, easily held like it was on rails (no more smeary finishes with this ski), and had me effortlessly breaking the speed limit by the 3rd or 4th turn. This ski, most certainly, has roots that come out of the race camp.

This ski brings excitement back to the carving ski genre. The first thought that came into my mind is that a heavy set, out of shape, weekend warrior, ski with the kids, LR4 driving, never buckles his boots after skiing, never in the gym, casual skier, is gonna be in for a big surprise.

...and it's about time. 

These skis have an improved sweet spot, bringing back a more traditional power profile, without being difficult to ski- The balance and stance are quite intuitive, as if the ski whispers in your ear to Let 'er rip!
This ski has phenomenal natural power, moving away from the superhighway cruising skis that overtook the carving genre of recent years. 



I thoroughly enjoyed this ski- I'm glad the rep suggested that I take it out before I ended my day- it certainly left a good and lasting impression on me.

In short, that impression is that this is a REAL carving ski.  It would seem that this year's demos featured several skis from multiple brands/vendors who decided to move away from the dead, over-sized sweet spot, feather bed, ten-ply, yawn machines of recent years.

If you were one of those people who once though carving skis were boring, you need to rethink that, and try this ski.  The vendors have taken those concerns to heart, and returned the carving ski to it's once and future glory.

V.WERKS 100

Size tested: 179
Dimensions: 124-76-104
Turning Radius: (R 36) (R17) (R28)

Price: $2,499.99

Significant technologies:

• Recycled Steel Edges
• Full Titanal
• 3D Milled FSC Wood Core
• Flax Fiber web tips
• Tip and Tail Rocker

Volkl has been making a v.werks version of their higher end models since, at least as far as I can remember, the AC 50 Unlimited.   

In a nutshell, the v.werks versions are akin to the standard versions on steroids. 

Volkl improves the power and edgegrip of these versions, while using lighter and more cutting edge materials (often, leaning towards more environmentally friendly materials, as well). 

For 2025, Volkl has:

Katana v.werks (2025)

Peregrine v.werks (2025)

v.werks 100 (2025)

In terms of previous years inventory, you can find (as of this writing):

Deacon v.werks (2024)

Katana v.werks (2023)

Mantra v.werks (2023)

By far, the most expensive of the lot, is the v.werks 100, as listed on the Volkl website.

"Is the price worth it?", you may ask...

Let's discuss.

Volkl designed this ski with an environmentally conscious mind-set.  They use Flax fiber in the tips as opposed to the carbon webbing featured in it's other models.
The wood core is made from FSC certified poplar and beech.  For those of you wondering was "FSC" is, it's an organization that promotes responsible forest management and sustainable lumber production, with an eye on local community rights and the protection of other species in the region.

While using a full sheet of Titanal instead of titanal frames in the tip and tail, they use carbon wings to reduce swing weight and give it the torsional rigidity required to give this ski superior edge grip.  Lastly, they use P-Tex 4504, which is a high end base material that's harder, and infused with additives to improve glide and wax absorption.  High end bases like this are usually found in race skis only.

The v.werks 100 isn't the big brother to another ski in the line; it's like a redesigned version of the Blaze, which is more capable as a single quiver ski. 

The ski did everything as advertised; it certainly skis like a “suped-up” version of The Blaze, keeping in mind that it's still a ski that's 100mm width underfoot. 

This ski is akin to a Land Rover with the heart of a Porsche-  More power, better edge grip (noticeably stiffer torsionally), yet very light.  It can certainly double as a resort touring ski- with a pair of Dukes to accommodate both uphill and downhill performance.   

Who should ski this ski?

• Intermediate to advanced skiers, who like to "point and go", or want a single ski to double up as a hybrid touring rig.
• Experienced skiers who like to ski on soft snow and groomed trails.
• Experienced skiers who ski with enough finesses to handle carved and smeared turns from one turn to the next.

• This ski is truly unique to the line.  While I compare it to a Blaze, it's not a blaze... That's just what it most closely resembles in terms of who should ski it.  The difference is, this ski is made for "higher end" skiers, both in terms of ability and ability to afford such a ski.

This ski will ski best with a stiffer flexing ski boot (120-140 flex). 

As for my specific experience with this ski, I skied it alone, on a steep and firm trail directly under a lift, just like the Peregrine 76.  I wouldn't normally have skied this ski, but the rep, who I've known for many years, offered it to me while I waited for another ski to be returned. 

That said, I appreciate his trust. 

This is NOT the ski to go diving into the woods with, and return it to the tent with core shots in it. 

Needless to say, I was cognizant of where I skied with it, and only skied it for two runs.

It skied very well, noting that it's obviously a 100mm ski underfoot, as the edge grip is a bit more smeary than a 76, or even an 82 mm ski on ice coast snow.  That's as it should be, of course, given it's design.   

After that, I took it on a different trail with a little scrapy slough built up on the sides, and it skied great.  It prefers to be a hard charger as opposed to a pure Driver's ski, but it will carve just fine.  However, you will feel like you had a workout after a couple runs of trying to carve short to medium radius turns with it on hard pack.  This ski wants to run, and is stable enough to handle being pushed way beyond the speed limit.

In the end, it really was a nice ski.  From a personal perspective, I guess my blue collar roots just can't fathom spending that much money for a ski, then having an aneurism for needing a base fill after hitting some snow snake buried under the surface cover.