2027 Volkl Peregrine 80

For 2027, the Volkl Peregrine 80 gets a slight graphic update but otherwise returns unchanged. These skis continue to be some of the quickest, most energetic skis out there, functioning well as an on-trail ski with good carving paired with smooth and agile off-piste performance. We’ve found these to be excellent mogul skis, and they make great mogul turns even when not in bumps. The quickness of the ski is a high point here, with fast edge to edge transitions and zippy carving capacity. This ski works great for intermediate through expert level skiers. It has an uncommon amount of energy and edge grip and we always have a good time on the Peregrine 80.

While all ski companies have ski builders, we always felt that Volkl has "engineers" and that level of proficiency is notable in a ski like the Peregrine 80. Built with Volkl’s multilayer wood core consisting of poplar and beech, the Peregrine 80 gets a sturdy start. One of the interesting parts here is that Volkl uses the beech closer to the edges and the poplar in the middle. This shows a commitment to edge grip and carving control while keeping the central spine of the ski lighter and more manageable. Under the core, the skis get a full length titanal band that keeps the ski smooth and quiet. Since it’s not full width, it keeps the weight down slightly. Instead of the titanal frame of the wider 82, the 80 uses fiberglass that adds to the energy and pep of the ski. By using fiberglass in wider and narrower zones, the ski can be optimized for pop and zest in various lengths. Like the 82, the 80 uses Tailored Carbon Tips to increase the ski's initiation speed while keeping the swing weight down. In the 177, the ski sits on the scale at 1990 grams without the binding. They do use the Lowride 12 TCX system, which is an amazing setup. The rails are built into the core of the ski so you’re getting amazing energy transfer from your boot to the snow. Tester Jonas Engle states that "In juxtaposition to the stiffer, heavier peregrine 82’s in the same length, these were more responsive, forgiving, and versatile while hardly losing any of the high-speed edge hold. While they lack some terrain versatility, if you’re going to buy a specialized, hard charging carving ski, these are close to the top of their class."

The innovation continues beyond the construction and into the shape and profile. Peregrine’s stats of 126/80/109 are on the straighter side but by using Volkl’s 3D Radius, the Peregrine gets a longer arc in the tips and tails while keeping the central section of the ski shorter with a 15-meter radius. The longer parts, consisting of 27-meters in the front and 23-meters in the back allow skiers to achieve higher speeds with greater smoothness. The rocker profile helps here, too, as the longer and lower rocker keeps the ski closer to the snow and more amenable to achieving these attributes. When the ski is flatter overall, it’s easier to get from edge to edge, resulting in a lightning quick turn style and a smeary/skiddy character that works great for bumps and short-swing turns. Tester Matthew McManus states that "This was a fun ski. Very energetic and once tipped on edge, the tip just grabbed and tracked into great turns, with lots of energy out of the tail. It definitely rewarded a more forward balance and wasn’t one that felt like you could ski without putting some effort into it. That said, with that effort you get a wonderful “slalom adjacent” turn."

We always find quick fun on the Peregrine 80. The skier type here is more based on preference rather than ability. Application matters, too. More skiers looking for shorter turns and bump performance will fit better with the 80. It’s a great option for intermediates through experts who want something that excels on groomers and other maintained zones. They get from edge to edge so darn quick and provide short-turn fans a wonderful platform to stand on.