The Volkl Deacon V.Werks is a really unique ski. It takes the shape of the Deacon 84 and enhances the construction with more carbon and a lighter core. This brings the weight down on the entire ski to 2880 g per ski with binding, which is 120 g lighter than the Deacon 84. By using Tailored Carbon Tips and Tails, they’re able to retain or even improve upon the torsional stiffness and responsiveness of the Deacon 84. The price goes up by $300, but you’re getting a lot of technology for the extra cost. Although it’s positioned in Volkl’s Frontside ski collection, the 84 mm waist width is enough to handle some softer snow conditions and with the relatively light feel, some skiers may find they like skiing the Deacon V.Werks as an all-mountain ski!
ROCKER PROFILE
Rocker / Camber / Rocker
CORE MATERIALS
Tailored Carbon Tips and Tails, 3D Ridge
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Groomers, All Mountain
Bob St.Pierre is one of those skiers who was impressed by its versatility. He described a wide range of terrain where he would feel happy taking the Deacon V.Werks. We also saw some high scores from Bob, including 5 out of 5 for stability, quickness/maneuverability, torsional stiffness/edge grip, and overall impression. Those are tremendous scores, and really what we’re looking for in a high-end carving ski like the Deacon V.Werks. “Incredibly responsive and stable. Surprisingly versatile as it does have that mid 80s shape to it, but still turns much like a GS ski. Would take into the gates as well as through the woods and bumps. On the stiff side, but that’s what a V.Werks skier is looking for.” Bob tested the 177 cm length, which he mentioned felt a little short for him, and that he’d prefer the 182 cm length. Marcus Shakun was in the same position, testing the 177 cm, but ultimately deciding he’d be better off on the 182. Marcus was most impressed by its carving performance and even went as far as considering it for himself as a dedicated frontside ski. For reference, Marcus’s narrowest ski in his current quiver, which you can learn all about on our YouTube channel, is 94, so something like the Deacon 84 V.Werks would fit into a dedicated frontside ski for him. “Light and lively! If I had to have a frontside ski, this might be the one. Light on the feet and quick edge to edge. The more active you are the more you will enjoy it. So stable on the hard pack when the wider shovel digs down through the softer snow. The wider shovel also blasts through the soft piles of spring corn. Giving 100 % confidence as you push it.”
Jeff Siegel also tested the 177 cm length, which he didn’t think was significantly too short for him, but did mention he would like to try the 184 as well. Fantastic scores from Jeff. 5 out of 5 for quickness/maneuverability, forgiveness, torsional stiffness/edge grip, versatility, and overall impression. Jeff has a PSIA background with solid fundamentals and strong technique, which works really well with a precise, responsive ski like the Deacon V.Werks. “I was pretty blown away by this ski. It’s a great every day ski because it’s really super versatile. I found it easy-going, yet at the same time, the ski is very stable and smoothly delivers power the more you put into it. Yet it’s still incredibly forgiving for an upper level ski. Great hold and stability. Volkl really got it right with how the construction complement the shape of the ski. An 84-waisted all-mountain ski is not a spot that I have in my quiver, but I was so impressed with this ski that I’m considering getting myself a pair. For myself, I’d get the 182 cm, but I didn’t feel like the 177 was holding me back at all.”
It has a high price tag, but through our testing, the performance of the Deacon V.Werks has proven to be deserving of such a premium price. There’s a lot of technology inside this ski and a lot went into its design. It’s a premium carving experience, yet it also has some all-mountain capabilities and versatility to it. We think it would be a fantastic daily driver ski for a wide range of skiers, both east and west.
