For ladies looking to get away from the crowds and out into the wild, the Volkl Rise Beyond is your ticket. This lightweight dedicated touring ski is impressively efficient on the ascent, leaving you with plenty of gas in the tank for a hard charging descent.

Why we like it:

It’s incredibly lightweight for efficiency on the ascent, leaving plenty in the tank for charging back down the mountain.

Who it's for:

Advanced skiers looking for a super lightweight touring ski will appreciate the Rise Beyond’s backcountry capabilities.

Highlights:

The Rise Beyond 96 is back unchanged for 2025, and for good reason. This incredibly light ski is made from blending three different types of wood: Beech underfoot for power where it’s needed, and Poplar and Paulownia in the tips and tails for energy and playfulness. Carbon is added to the tips for enhanced stability with minimal weight, further ensuring that this is one of the lightest touring skis out there. Rocker in the tip, along with traditional camber underfoot, provides float and maneuverability in deep snow, and Volkl’s 3D Radius sidecut allows for a variety of turn shapes on the descent.

Things to consider:

The Rise Beyond 96 is a dedicated touring ski, and as such is best kept out of the resort. The traditionally cambered tails of this ski provide a strong finish to the turn, so if you’re a more creative skier who likes a smeary, loose feel, there are better options. The Rise Beyond 96 is best paired with a true lightweight tech binding and touring specific boot in order to get the most out of the ski.

Fit & sizing considerations:

These ski true to size.