2025 Volkl Blaze 86

The 2025 Volkl Blaze 86 returns unchanged except for graphics, allowing another group of skiers to benefit from its surprising performance. It’s funny how the Blaze series of skis from Volkl has evolved. It started out with the 106 being hailed as the flagship model and that everyone should gravitate to that ski. Then the 94 started to gain traction, and Volkl personnel, as well as industry professionals started to fall in line with that ski. Then they came out with the 86, and while it doesn’t share the higher-end build as the 94 and 106, skiers began to think that ski held the most impressive balance of performance attributes. These things tend to come full-circle, and we have no issue with that. If you value light weight, ease of use, and endless fun, the Blaze 86 is a must-ski.

Volkl does a great job at building light yet sturdy skis. Starting with Volkl’s Multilayer Woodcore Light, the Blaze 86 contains a snappy and energetic wood core that keeps the weight to a minimum. In the 173, we’re seeing the ski register 1430 grams, so it’s right on the cusp of the mythical 1500-gram mark that we like to use arbitrarily for a touring measurement. Obviously, lighter is better for uphills, but there’s got to be a balance in there somewhere that allows the ski to function properly in a downhill format as well. Volkl also uses their Suspension Tips and Tails in the ski, placing rubberized material in the very ends of the ski to smooth out any bumps and keep chatter to an absolute minimum. While the ski doesn’t contain the Titanal Binding Platform of the 94 and the 106, it does have an extra fiberglass layer in that zone, keeping the energy and torsional stiffness intact while creating some additional material for tech bindings to grab on to. Tester Greg Morrill seemed to really enjoy this 86, stating that it’s “Very light and quick. It was great in the soft bumps! It had surprisingly good edge grip on the crew hard sheets I encountered.”

While most skiers in the world often associate Volkl with precision in construction, it’s actually their innovative shaping that makes the Blaze 86 stand out in its respective group. In terms of shape and profile, the Blaze 86 has very long and low rocker in both the tips and tails. More accurately, the ski has rocker extending from the binding platform both forward and back. The whole front third and rear third are rockered, making this a floaty ski for the width as well as a smooth initiator and completer of turns. For this price point of ski, it’s great to see Volkl’s 3D Radius Sidecut involved here. While some skiers may think that this type of technology is more reserved for the upper echelons of skiers, it actually has more in line with skiers of the intermediate range. Without thinking too hard about it, skiers at this level are constantly trying to change the radius of their turn, mid carve. The 3D Radius allows skiers to do that with more ease and confidence, leading to greater success and more fun out there on the hill. The Blaze 86 generates a 15-meter arc underfoot, bookended by 28-meters in the tip and 23-meters in the tail. This makes smoother turns at higher speeds and grippier, shorter carves at lower speeds. At 86 mm underfoot, this ski is highly versatile, ranging from front side carving prowess to backcountry access, and beyond. Greg continues to note that “In soft conditions they could handle anything including woods and moguls. The lightness and quickness give you the confidence to go anywhere.”

This Blaze 86 has a monster range. Unfortunately, it does tend to get overlooked. While best used by intermediate to advanced skiers, there’s a big world out there in which many more skiers may align with this endlessly well-rounded ski. As a resort-specific option with an alpine binding, budget conscious skiers will get a whole lot for their money. If you’re looking to get out and start touring, but aren’t quite sure where to start, this is a fantastic entry level ski that can be paired with a wide variety of binding options. Amazingly, as these Blaze skis continue to branch out in terms of width, more and more skiers get drawn into this web of awesomeness. It’s tough to ask for much more for a ski of this caliber.