2022 Volkl Blaze 106 W

The Volkl Blaze 106 W is back for another season with just a refreshed topsheet graphic. This lightweight freeride tips the scales at just 1592 g in the 165 cm length and is designed both for soft snow in-bounds skiing and backcountry adventures, depending on what you choose for a binding. The Blaze 106 features relatively long tip and tail rocker, but there isn’t a tremendous amount of splay, meaning you can achieve a long effective edge when you need the grip. Despite the lightweight feel, Volkl has retained a smooth, relatively damp feel thanks to their Hybrid Multi-Layer wood core, Titanal Binding Platform, and Suspension Tips and Tails (rubber inlays in the tips and tails).

Ann MacDonald tested the 172 cm length in the Blaze 106. She thought it skied a little short, but also didn’t specifically mention she wanted a longer length. Ann’s scores for the Blaze 106 W really caught our eye. Full 4 out of 5 scores from Ann for all of our criteria! That’s typically indicative of a well-rounded ski that can do a lot of different things. “Light and lively. Really easy turning for a wide ski so it would be great in the trees on a powder day! Tip can get a little “hooky” if not on edge. Really big shovel for its size but lots of float! I think a powder day off-piste would be the best for this ski but fun in the slush bumps because of its maneuverability. I like a heavier ski usually for crud but this had enough stiffness to handle it. Because of its lightness it would be a good touring set up too. Maybe a good one ski quiver if you were looking to travel!” We love the idea that the Blaze 106 would be a good choice for someone traveling. It can work on a powder day, but it can work in every other snow conditions as well, despite the wider 106 mm footprint. Carly Monahan opted for the 158 cm length, which is the shortest available size in the Blaze 106 W. More impressive scores from Carly, with flotation, quickness/maneuverability, playfulness, forgiveness, and overall impression all earning 5 out of 5 scores. The rest of our criteria? Right behind at 4 out of 5. “Consider me a Blaze fan. If I were adding a new ski to my quiver, I would probably opt for the Blaze 94 instead of the 106, since I'm not typically skiing super deep pow and would want a bit more frontside utility. But, that said, I was super impressed by how effortless and playful the Blaze 106W was! This is a LIGHT ski, but as anyone would expect of a Volkl, it's got great edge grip and dampness. For its width, it's super maneuverable and quick.”

Kristi Brown spent a lot of time on the Blaze 106 W this season. In addition to getting on a pair during our test, she also owns a pair of her own, so her feedback is extra valuable. More impressive scores from Kristi too. Almost straight 5 out of 5 across the board, with just stability dropping to 4 out of 5. Kristi has been skiing the 172 cm length, which she feels is perfect for her height, weight, and ability level. “People always ask me what is my go-to ski and this season from mid-January on the Blaze 106 is my daily driver! Yes, hard to believe a 106 width lightweight go to ski in the east BUT SHE DOES IT ALL! The Blaze has started a new conversation about the many merits of this lightweight woodcore 3D radius ski pleaser! Super versatile, easy to initiate, holds on hard pack, floats through powder and maneuvers in challenging terrain with an air of ease and confidence. Not to mention Fun & Forgiving! I grew up skiing on big, damp gs skis and never ever thought I would be choosing a lightweight wood core ski as my daily driver but at the beginning & end of the day ~ the difference is amazing!“

While the 106 mm waist width puts it squarely in our freeride category, we’re impressed with the level of versatility our testers experienced. It’s still not going to be tremendously quick edge to edge, and of course a dedicated carving ski will feel more responsive and more powerful linking carves, but the lightweight, maneuverable nature of the Blaze 106 W in soft snow and tight terrain is a refreshing feel and it can still handle some firmer snow conditions. We see a lot of skiers choosing the Blaze and matching it with an alpine touring binding, which we think is a pretty perfect application, but there’s also nothing wrong with just slapping an alpine binding on it and enjoying it within resort boundaries.