2021 Volkl Blaze 106 W

The all-new Blaze 106 W from Volkl represents a new wave in freeride and soft snow skiing from a company that's typically known for their edge hold and firm snow capabilities. They nail it pretty well with these new Blaze skis, and the 106 W is the wide ladies offering in the line. Built the same way as the men's as well as the narrower 94's, the 106 W is offered in shorter sizes and a different graphic. Other than that, they're the same as the men's skis in all ways. There's a lot of new technologies and builds involved in these sweet new skis, starting with the hybrid multi-layer wood core. By using lighter wood, Volkl's intention is to make the ski floatier. The softer the snow, the softer the ski. Heavy and stiff skis will likely sink in deeper snow, while the lighter and more flexible skis will stay on top. This is especially true for lighter skiers, but they do hold up to harder use as well. Additionally, the Blaze 106 opens up a whole new set of opportunities for backcountry skiing and touring. They make a great dual-use ski for both resort skiing as well as off-piste adventures. If you are looking to mix up your turn shapes and styles, the 3D Radius Sidecut is a perfect addition to these skis. It allows for straighter turns in the tips and tails and shorter-swing turns when you're pressuring the middle. It sounds complicated, but it's a very natural feeling, allowing the skier to switch it up depending on conditions and terrain. Underfoot, the titanal power plate is a functional laminate of metal, both in terms of binding retention as well as stability and dampness. It doesn't add a lot of weight and since it's located underfoot, the skis maintain their light swing weight and easy maneuverability. The cherries on top (and bottom) are the suspension tips and tails-rubber inserts that keep the ends of the skis quiet and vibe-free. Lady powder skiers are going to love the solid feel with the light weight of the Blaze 106 W. We got two contributors out there on the 106 this year, and they were both extremely impressed with this new offering from Volkl.

Kristi Brown basically hijacked a pair from our demo fleet but since she put it to good use and got us a lot of content out of it, we'll let it slide. In her words, "Get ready for a magic carpet ride as Volkl has added a new ski experience with the Blaze 106. The new construction lends to a lighter weight ski without diminishing performance. Be prepared to float with ease and lay an edge without breaking a sweat. The softer tip and tail opens the terrain game with more versatility and energy. AND I LOVE THE COLOR!!! With a peek of construction shining through to remind you of the ski's ability." They are pretty darn sweet looking, we agree!

Allison Ruschp spent a good chunk of change on the Blaze 106 as well. She found both the 94 and the 106 to be right up her alley in terms of all-around performance and soft-snow versatility. Perhaps a bit on the long side, she nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed the 172 cm test length. Alli notes that she was "Excited for a new line from Volkl! I highly enjoyed skiing these, the new constructions lead to a more versatile ski. For those that found the Aura a little too much, this is the perfect ski for them! It's light weight and easy to maneuver. From skiing through the trees, the crud, and/or floating in the powder they excel! On groomed trails, it's peppy and easy to carve a turn. When it gets on ice, I'd prefer a ski with a little more weight and oomph but 90% of conditions the Blaze 106 will perform smoothly. Seeing the construction adds to the appeal, love the wood showing through, proud of its core!" Sounds like a great experience from Alli here on the 106, and we're looking forward to having more skiers get on this ski in the future.

Skiers who value lightness in their skis but not at the expense of performance will find a friend in the all-new Volkl Blaze 106 W. Versatile enough for both resort and out-of-bounds adventures, this soft-snow specialist will leave a lot of skiers smiling and wanting more snow to feast upon.