2025 Volkl Blaze 86 W

The 2025 Volkl Blaze 86 W returns unchanged except for new graphics, which is great news for ladies who want an approachable all-mountain ski with agility and poise. While two of the wider options in the series received upgrades, the 86 W keeps its same recipe and for good reason. While it doesn’t share the same higher-end build as the 94 and 104 W, many found that this ski blended just the right amount of complimentary characteristics, making it accessible, well-rounded and versatile for a large array of skiers. Gaining more and more popularity over the years, Volkl kept the 86 W as it is, providing skiers with a lightweight, agile, and supremely applicable all-mountain ski.

As we’ve seen with Volkl’s approach to construction, they do a great job achieving the ideal strength to weight ratio. Utilizing simple yet high-quality materials, this ski features Volkl’s Multilayer Woodcore Light, which contains a snappy and energetic wood core that keeps the weight to a minimum. In the 152, we’re weighing in at 1290 grams, which is nice and light. As far as weight markers are concerned, anything below 1500 grams is considered light enough for touring and this ski is a perfect candidate for a hybrid option. Balancing out the agile nature, Volkl incorporates their Suspension technology in the tips and tails. This approach places rubberized material in the very ends of the ski to smooth out and absorb any unwanted vibrations. This application is particularly noticeable in the performance as the ski feels incredibly consistent from tip to tail, regardless of the snow conditions. Where we see metal laminate directly underfoot in the upgraded models, the 86 W uses an extra layer of fiberglass in that zone instead. This keeps the energy and torsional stiffness intact while simultaneously adding material for tech bindings to latch onto.

Looking at the shape, it exudes versatility and all-mountain capabilities. With long, low rocker in both the tips and tails, it makes up for the majority of forebody and aft of the ski. This is significant for a ski this width, providing surprisingly good flotation and smooth turn initiation and finish. We also see Volkl’s 3D radius sidecut incorporated here, which ramps up the performance ceiling quite a bit. This shaping technique allows skiers the ability to easily change the radius of their turn mid-carve with confidence and control. This is an all-around great application as it encourages high-performance technique for advanced skiers and effortless fun for intermediates. In the 152, it generates an 11-meter arc underfoot, bookended by 20-meters in the tip and 17-meters in the tail. This allows for both smoothness at speed and quickness at lower speeds.

The Volkl Blaze 86 W has such a wide range of capabilities, appealing to varying ability levels and styles. Whether you’re looking for an easy cruising ski or a lightweight, versatile tool for all-mountain applications, this ski will suit all of your needs. A worthy candidate for a hybrid touring/resort ski, the 86 W works in that capacity as well.