This thing just crushes whatever is in its path. The 2024 Volkl Katana 108 is incredibly powerful and strong—capable and willing to blast through any type of snow condition or terrain at any speed. Thanks to the construction, shape, and profile, this ski is about as sturdy as it gets, and fits right in to the mid 100’s freeride division as a heavyweight contender for top ski. Mainly suited to big mountain lines at higher speeds, the Katana isn’t terribly versatile, so skiers looking at something like this will likely have a narrower and slightly friendlier option in their quiver for the other days. But if you get on this ski, on the right mountain, on the right day, there’s not much else out there that can touch the performance of the Katana 108.

This ski relies on its previous construction techniques to achieve this effect, with the only changes for 2024 being new graphics. Selfishly, we kind of prefer the older topsheet with more black and silver, but that’s just a personal preference. Volkl uses their Multilayer wood core consisting of poplar and beech to start off, with one full sheet of metal below the core. On top of the core, Volkl uses their older version of the Titanal Frame, so it’s not Tailored like we see in the other Volkl skis in the similar line. As such, it’s a less sophisticated, yet more rugged design. It makes sense that they moved the updates to the narrower skis that had a bigger need for accessibility, keeping the big 108 as sturdy as it has ever been. We still see the carbon tips in the ski, and that just adds to the stiffens and overall power. In the 177, this ski hits the scale at 2230 grams, so it’s definitely on the heavy side of the spectrum.

With a mammoth 146 mm tip and a wide 129 mm tail, the Katana 108 can certainly float on deeper snow. Don’t expect it to be a dancer out there, though, this ski is more of a plow. Rather than staying afloat and being playful, the Katana 108 is all business—point it down the fall line and hold on. The ski does get Volkl’s 3D Radius Sidecut, and that does help a bit to bring this ski back to earth, but it’s still got very long radii, especially in the tips and tails. In the 177, the 18-meter central arc is bolstered by 36 and 32-meter shapes in the tips and tails, so if you want to let this thing run, it’ll be more than happy to oblige. There’s no hookiness or grabbing going on with this ski—it's more apt to just follow the most direct path from top to bottom. Even though it’s on the wide side, it’s still not terribly rockered. There is rocker in the tips and tails with camber underfoot, but the overall profile is decidedly more traditional and directional. This fits in with their freeride line along with the Mantra M6 and 102 when it comes to that point and shoot style and character.

This ski is not for the weak at heart, or the weak of leg. The Katana 108 is an upper-level ski with a singular intent. This ski is built to move. Fast. It’s an ideal choice for big-mountain riders who want something that feels eternally safe and secure underfoot, even in the most rugged of conditions and terrain. If you’re a fan of fast skiing in technical zones, this is worth a square look.