SKI CANADA TEST 2022
VOLKL BLAZE 86W * NON-METAL ALL-MOUNTAIN * WOMEN * EDITORS’ CHOICE
BEST FOR: Skiing bell to bell, any day, any conditions
“Ten points!” “I love this ski.” “Sold…to me.” These were the kinds of effusive comments the Blaze brought out of our usually straight-faced testers. Whether it was wiggling through tight trees, floating on 20 cm of fresh or carving down immaculate corduroy, this was a popular ski. The new 86 is the narrowest in the Blaze family that appealed to everyone from intermediates to experts. “It’s good at everything, and makes skiing more fun,” said Paige Stuart, a strong but light skier who finds metal skis a bit too much. The metal-free, mixed-wood core and softness in the tip and tail make the ski forgiving and easy to turn, while a full sidewall keeps them carving in firm snow. Three sidecuts along the edge belie the ski’s tight turn radius. At higher speeds the front and back sidecut engage, offering more like a 20m turn radius. At slower speeds and a more centred stance, it’s more the snappy centre that comes to life. They’re the perfect ski friend for intermediate and advanced skiers: they don’t ask too much of you and are ready for whatever, whenever.
LENGTHS: 146, 152, 159, 166
DIMENSIONS: 129/86/111 @ 159
RADIUS: 12 @ 159
OTHER MODELS: Blaze 106, Blaze 94
SUGGESTED RETAIL: $700
