Volkl Blaze 94 W

For all intents and purposes, Volkl has got a new winner here with the Blaze 94 W. Built differently than anything else in Volkl’s line – except for the other Blaze skis (106 men’s and women’s, and the 94 men’s) – the 94 W is a light, quick, and responsive ski that has a ton of different applications and attributes. When we’re testing new skis, we’re often on the lookouts for merits and limitations. Thanks to the shape, construction, and profile of the Blaze 94 W, skiers who value light weight, smooth turning, and potential backcountry and touring applications will love the overall character and personality of the all-new Blaze 94. The Hybrid multi-layer wood core is an impressive new way to generate quickness and stability while keeping the ski very light to start. Another new twist is the titanal power plate. This is found underfoot, and while it doesn’t extend to the tips and tails too much farther than the mount zone, it does provide some decent stability and edge grip underfoot. If you stand on it and carve hard, you can certainly feel and will appreciate the plate. Additionally, the 3D Radius sidecut makes it easier for skiers to vary up their turn shapes and styles depending on conditions or terrain. Longer radii found in the tips and tails make for longer turns and smoother skiing in deeper snow, while the shorter radius found underfoot creates a better carve and makes for shorter, harder turns. They didn’t stop there, though, as the skis needed a bit more stability at its extremities. The suspension tips and tails are rubberized inserts that keep the ski quiet and stable when you encounter firmer or more challenging snow conditions. Coming in at 1427 grams per ski at the 165 cm length, it’s hard to overlook the Blaze 94 as a potential touring ski. The light weight combined with the alpine prowess makes it a great candidate for that hybrid ski that can be used both in and out of the resort. Our contributors were pretty stoked on the new build, noting that the friendliness and all-mountain compliance are both very impressive.