Volkl Ski Review

Drawing upon its rich racing heritage and constant R&D, Volkl holds its standards high when it comes to attention to detail and the time and effort put into its ski design. Consequently, Volkl always produces some of the best skis on the market and plenty of its skis are ranked high on our stoke meter this year. Highlights for 2008 include dual layer wood cores in many models, which make for lighter skis that flex more consistently, and Volkl’s new “armed edge” technology, which adds strength and durability for when you hit rocks or bonk rails.

Sumo

Length: 175, 190
Dimensions: 150-125-142
MSRP: $1,000 Stoke: 7.5
The Sumo shouldn’t be your daily driver, it’s much too big and fat for that. The Sumo is for those special deep days where it “gets up to speed likea bat out of Hell” and “effortlessly turns on any kind of terrain.” If you are looking for a pow ski to add to your quiver and have the cash, you can’t go wrong with the Sumo.

Katana

Length: 168, 176, 183, 190, 197
Dimensions: 140-111-130
MSRP: $975 Stoke: 9
New for 2008, this ski is billed by Volkl as a “powder-only weapon.” It is true that the ski “rules powder like an ancient warrior!” but the Katana is, according to testers, much more than a pure pow ride. “The most stable and responsive big mountain ski ever,” raved one. “These things are SICK,” said another, “I skied them in nasty wind crust and they even made that fun.” If you are a big-mountain aficionado, the Katana is one of the best offerings out there.

Gotama

Length: 168, 176, 183, 190
Dimensions: 133-105-124
MSRP: $795 Stoke: 8
With Volkl’s dual-layer sensorwood core for lightness and consistent flex, the Gotama is one of the most versatile and fun skis for 2008. This is a ski that “works well everywhere” and is “fast and lively.” At 105 mm under foot, it’s “big enough to stomp your landings” yet still “supple through tight trees.” If you ski everywhere and want a one-ski quiver, this is a very solid choice for 2008.

Mantra

Length: 170, 177, 184, 191
Dimensions: 133-96-116
MSRP: $795 Stoke: 7.5
If you live on the East Coast but take a trip or two out West each season, the Mantra could be your ski. The ski is “fast and solid on groomers” and “handles hardpack and rough chop with ease.” The footprint of the ski is “fat enough for pow and crud” but also makes the ski “very quick from edge to edge.” It’s a solid offering from Volkl.

Aura

Length: 156, 163, 170, 177
Dimensions: 130-94-113
MSRP: $795 Stoke: 8.5
With two sheets of titanium and a full sensor wood core, this is one of the beefiest – if not the beefiest – women-specific ski in the freeride big-mountain category for 2008. Needless to say, our testers loved it. “Holds an edge everywhere and can handle everything,” raved one. “Rad on the steeps and in the crud,” and “for a ripping chick who likes to blow the boys off the mountain” were a few comments from testers. If you are an expert skier and you want the best tool for the trade, the Aura is it.