2021 Volkl Katana 108

The Katana is all new for 2021, but those who remember the old version will see a lot of characteristics and personality traits have carried through. Much like the revision of the Mantra to the M5 a few years back, the Katana 108 basically gets the same treatment. As the Kendo 88, M5, Mantra 102 (and now, Katana 108) trend continues for Volkl, the titanal frame and burly build shines through. As the skis in the lineup get wider, the rocker and taper increases. Turn radii increases as well, allowing fast skiers to really get the sticks pointed down the fall line. Big, burly, and stiff, with a weight that the catalog says is "TBA" (Mantra 102 is 2140 grams per ski, so Katana 108 will be north of that), the Katana 108 is the kind of ski that has a speed minimum, rather than a maximum. The increased taper versus the Mantra models makes it better suited for soft, fresh, and broken snow. Skiers who liked the unflinching nature of the previous Katana will certainly find a lot to cheer for here with this new 108. As with many of the newer Volkl models, the 3D Radius sidecut is found on the 108, allowing the skier to smoothly and efficiently transition and vary turn shapes and styles. These skis are likely going to be found in wider-open western areas that see a decent amount of snow. Not the quickest turners, we're not sure they're going to find much traction in the eastern deciduous forests, but if a skier has the skills and strength, he or she will be rewarded with possibly the most stable skis on the planet.

Our two contributors to ride the Katana 108 for 2021, Bob St.Pierre and Marcus Shakun, stand at 6'2"+ with some weight and force behind them. Both were on the 184 and had similar experiences in terms of getting this thing charged-up and moving. It comes in a 191 as well, so super-pros have a ski to check out for sure. Unsurprisingly, Marcus scored the Katana 108 5's out of 5 for flotation and stability, as that's the main application for these skis-going fast through deep snow. On the other end, still unsurprisingly, 2's out of 5 for quickness, maneuverability, playfulness, and versatility. When skis tip the scales one way or the other, this is usually indicative of a high-functioning capacity in one area at the sacrifice of another (remember deciduous trees?). "Big mountain charger of the good old days is back!" Marcus exclaims. "She's not for the faint of heart. If you're looking for something to charge through any condition and don't feel that any ski out there is up to your level of awesomeness, meet your match made in heaven!"

Similarly, on the versatility scale Bob St. Pierre noted that this was more of a one-trick pony than a swiss-army knife. Like Marcus, his low scores of 2's out of 5 were bestowed upon quickness, maneuverability, playfulness, and versatility. Bob echoes Marcus on a lot of these fronts, stating that the skis are "not very versatile, quick, playful, nor forgiving. And that's okay. What it's built for, it's amazing at, but versatility is not its bag." With two of our larger and more powerful contributors see the Katana 108 as a no-nonsense ski, please ask yourself if this is the right ski for you.

Like any Yin-Yang out there, the Katana 108 must have positives to go along with it as well, and when put in the right situation to succeed, there's a ton of merits to be had. When deep snow and high speeds are encountered, there's not much that's better suited than the Katana. Our contributors got a pretty good test day at Waterville Valley, New Hampshire this winter, where apparently, the local skiers prefer groomers as opposed to the fresh snow that seemed to be everywhere else. Marcus and Bob took delight in skiing the Katana 108 repeatedly down some steep terrain with about six to eight inches of snow that could be described as "on the heavy side." Bob notes that "the Katana 108 plows through powder and crud like it wasn't even there." Marcus' experience was nearly verbatim: "Loves the long turns and big lines. Skied it in heavy dense snow and it floated to the top and when it got chopped up it blew through it like a fresh groomer." Again, with the caveat, "Have to be on it and a bit of a strong skier to appreciate it." Noted, guys. Big lines, big turns, strong skiers. 'Nuff said.