2025 Volkl Secret 88

With a new name and look but the same build and shape, the 2025 Volkl Secret 88 is a high-performance all-mountain weapon meant for the stronger skiers on the mountain. We’ve often noted that skis in the ~88 mm range are great for many different applications, but when they’re paired with a strong build like in this Secret 88, they end up being wonderfully capable and confident carving skis. We also find that skiers that are in the advanced and expert range, as well as those with racing backgrounds end up getting along great with the Secret 88 due to its blend of precision, power, grip, and energy. Volkl puts a lot of effort and intensity into the design and build of these skis, and it shows up clearly when the skis hit the snow.

Built with a multi-layer wood core consisting of poplar and beech, these skis get a sturdy start. By placing the denser beech over the sides of the ski under the metal frame and through the middle underfoot zone, Volkl shows their emphasis on stability and grip in those important zones. With a tailored titanal frame, the Secret 88 customizes flex and grip per length, so what you feel in one size will be the same as what you get in another—this goes a long way in creating a consistent feel throughout the ski. The metal frame gets narrower in the tips, at which point the tailored carbon tips enter the chat. This carbon laminate stiffens the reaction time of the initiation phase, lowering swing weight at the same time. As a result, the skis are lightning-fast at getting into the turn and do so with an inordinate level of precision. Tester Devon Laidman notes that these were her “favorite skis of the day. The snow was sticky and bumpy but these skis handled the variable terrain while feeling stable underfoot.”

The shape continues into this next season, offering tremendous versatility and carving power for strong skiers who spend a lot of time in an on-trail format. Volkl’s 3D Radius sidecut is the big culprit when it comes to carving ease, simplicity, and power, making good turns feel like great turns and strong skiers feel like amazing skiers. By adhering to a shorter arc underfoot, you get a slalom-like feel, but by opening it up in the ends of the skis, the skier gets a ton of stability and smoothness. Like most skis in the Volkl range, the Secret 88 has long and low rocker in the tips and tails to make for seamless transitions in and out of the turns. Mar Kuhnel states that “this is a great option for all over the mountain. It has enough surface area to give you some float in deeper snow while maintaining decent grip on hardpack.” What more could you ask of a ski than that?

Volkl’s Secret 88 remains one of the most thrilling and precise skis on the market today. With endless power and amazing versatility, there’s not a whole lot this ski can’t do. While its on-trail prowess is wonderfully smooth and powerful, it’s still got some off-piste chops as well. Most skiers who are in the expert range will find a lot to like here.