The Volkl Blaze 94 was developed to complement their stiffer, heavier skis in their all-mountain/freeride line up. It’s back for its 2nd season with no changes other than a snazzy new black top sheet graphic. Volkl uses their Hybrid Multilayer wood core on the Blaze 94, which is supported and enhanced by a Titanal Binding Platform that not only helps with binding retention, but also gives the ski a more solid, grippy feel underfoot. The 165-centimeter length weighs just 1455 grams, so the Blaze 94 is certainly on the lighter side of things. In fact, among resort skis (non-touring-specific), it’s one of the lightest in its wide range. It doesn’t have as much rocker as its wider 106 counterpart, but there’s still ample tip and tail rocker. That’s combined with Volkl’s 3D Radius sidecut design, results in a ski that can make a wide variety of shapes and styles, all with a lightweight, maneuverable feel. It’s incredibly nimble in tight terrain, and has an energetic, responsive feel that’s refreshing and fun. It’s also certainly light enough to pair with an AT binding for some backcountry touring adventures, although we’d likely recommend it more for an AT skier located on the east, while the Blaze 106 feels like the better touring option for western skiers.