2026 Volkl Shine 78

The Volkl Shine 78 is a new model for 2026, bringing strong and smooth carving performance to the intermediate realm. Skis in the intermediate range get a bad reputation as they’re generally aimed at a lower ski level, but the Shine 78 has a lot of sophistication and technology that bring the quality and overall feel of this ski to a higher level. Skiers who spend most or all of their time in an on-piste and groomer format will love the crisp turning and easy carving of the Shine 78 as it uses a lot of Volkl’s upper-end design and build filtered into the Shine mold. This ski will work great for anyone looking to advance and progress in an on-trail format with a wider-bodied platform for balance.

Built with a blend of poplar and beech in the wood core, the Shine 78 has a sturdy start. They then use a steel band in this ski to dampen vibrations and produce power. By applying a laminate of fiberglass in a three-dimensional manner, Volkl adds energy and electricity to the ski while keeping the weight down. Along the sides of the ski, Shine 78 uses Volkl’s fiberglass frame which puts even more energy and pop along the edges. When you load the ski, the glass frame delivers fantastic rebound to the tail end of the turn. Tester Bryce Zicarelli states that it’s “Really stable, holds an edge well throughout the stages of the turn.” She gave the ski top marks of 9’s out of 10 for torsional stiffness, edge hold, and quickness.

Shaped like a front side ski, this wider-bodied carver also has some softer snow applications as well. For the most part, many Shine 78 skiers will spend nearly 100% of their time on groomers, but those groomers don’t always stay smooth—that’s where the extra width comes in handy. This ski uses measurements of 127/78/106 mm to create a 3D Radius sidecut of 15.1 meters in the tips, 11 meters underfoot, and 22.5 meters in the tail. By having a longer radius in the tail, it makes the release phase a lot easier to access. This creates a smooth and predictable character with a hook and catch-free feeling. Volkl uses a flatter profile overall with longer tip and tail rocker to create a smoother overall feel. The build adds energy, rather than dramatically high camber. Alli Ruschp calls it “Fun and nimble! I was very comfortable on this ski, it was easy to turn and a smooth ride. Quick turns, and felt stable!”

Those attributes and that feedback is taken from advanced and proficient skiers. This tells us that the Shine 78 has the ability to punch above its level even while the skis are more accurately targeted at the intermediate on-trail crowd. The width and easy turning makes them a breeze in the bumps while cut up corduroy will slide under the skis wider waist and create a smoother overall feel.