2021 Volkl Deacon 79

I have to be honest-I really like this ski. As the sole tester and contributor of these skis for the past three years, I'm continuously surprised that this ski doesn't get more attention than it does. Unchanged for 2021 except for graphics, the Deacon 79 continues to be energetic, quick, and grippy. Built with Volkl's Dual Wood Core, it's not the top of the line build, but when you add a steel laminate as well as Volkl's 3D Ridge technology, it gets a bit burlier. While the wood core isn't as strong or stable as that found in the upper-level Deacons, it is appropriate for the intended skill level and audience. The 3D Ridge is kind of on the way out in terms of Volkl's ski building, as the frame build is starting to take over. I was always a fan of the 3D ridge, most specifically in the 90Eight and the RTM 84/86, but there's a lot of merits to the frame builds that are now found in the Deacon 80/84 as well as the Kendo and Mantra lines. Still, having the bulk of the mass run through the center of the ski is never a bad thing for a front-side carver, as it gives another level of stability that keeps the ski snappy and filled with energy. Not quite the precision over the edges of the frame build, but the central portion of the ski is very damp and stable.

For a lighter ski with a less-aggressive mindset, this 3D Ridge really makes the best of the situation. At 79 mm underfoot, we're getting to the wider part of the front-side realm, as well as the narrower side of the all-mountain arena. As such, it may get lost somewhere in the middle, but there's a lot of skiers out there who fall into the same boat, and they would strongly benefit from a ski like this. The 177 cm length, the longest available, generates a 17.1-meter turn radius, so it's on the short end. As a result, quick turns and energetic carves are right in this ski's wheelhouse. There's a bit of tip and tail rocker to help the ski enter and exit turns, creating a smooth and light swing weight. It all adds up to a ski that, for one reason or another, gets overlooked as a strong performing ski. It punches well above its "level," and gives the skier a ton of energy and snap to work with.

At 6'2" and 220 pounds, Bob St.Pierre (me) isn't necessarily the right size or level of aggressiveness to be the target market for the Deacon 79. But that doesn't stop me from loving the pure fun and energy that comes out of it. I'm certainly too big for the 177, but that didn't cause me to dislike the ski in any way, shape, or form. I really liked how when you put it on edge, it comes right around in the turn. I found myself literally bouncing from turn to turn, using the light weight and high camber of the ski to get me from edge to edge. I was more than impressed with the quickness and maneuverability of the skis as it seemed that they wanted to stay a bit more airborne than the heavier and more substantial Deacons with more metal and a sturdier core, but that's just going to happen with a lighter ski.

Nimble dancers they are, not quite so powerful, but again, that's what Volk's going for. If you stick to the frontside of the mountain and are looking for a fun, poppy, grippy ski that loves to stay in the fall line, you could do a whole lot worse than the Volkl Deacon 79.