VÖLKL has added a new product to its "FREERIDE" category: the "BLAZE" series
INDEX
- Lightweight, perfect shape, and versatile turning arc. The Blaze is highly versatile
- Full coverage of freeskiing
- Freeride and freestyle. A wide range of products and riders who express them
- The versatility that freestylers want
Lightweight, perfect shape, and versatile turning arc.
The Blaze is highly versatile.
This series is aimed at skiers whose main field is backcountry skiing. Despite its wide shape, it's lightweight and easy to use, making it a model that's easy to get the most out of in a variety of conditions.
The series consists of four models: the BLAZE106 with a 106mm waist width, the BLAZE94 with a 94mm waist width, and each has a women's model. The former is primarily designed for backcountry skiing regardless of the season, while the latter is primarily designed for skiing at ski resorts, but can also be used in spring on granular conditions or on long hikes.
BLAZE 106 165, 172, 179, 186cm｜146-106-128mm｜R=36.2/17.2/27.7 (179cm)
In the backcountry, skiers use a variety of techniques, such as carving and sliding, depending on the situation, and combine large and small turns to glide down the slopes. In tricky conditions, they ski short turns at a controllable speed, and when they want to pick up speed, they make large turns that create a pleasant spray.
3D Radius Sidecut which varies the radius on each part of the ski . This feature, first introduced in 2020, features a tight radius in the center to make quick turns easier, while the larger radii on the tip and tail improve turn entry and completion at high speeds. This works
perfectly with the rocker on the tip and tail, allowing for quick edge changes even with a wide shape.
The core is a lightweight combination of beech and poplar. The center is made of Isocore, a lightweight synthetic material. While the lightweight design can be a bit soft, a titanium layer has been inserted in the binding area to reinforce the boot. This provides stability when you're going fast, while remaining lightweight enough for comfortable hiking
Full coverage of freeskiing
Let's take a look back at the brand's history.
VÖLKL began making skis in 1923, accumulating a history of nearly 100 years. It's the only ski brand still developing and producing in Germany. While known for its hardcore alpine skiing image, VÖLKL was one of the first European brands to enter the freeski category. In 1999, the brand released the V Ski, which focused on park and freeride.
In the 2000s, the brand launched a string of iconic skis, including the GOTAMA, MANTRA, and WALL. Among these was the 193cm swallowtailed SANOUK, a ski with a bold and unique design for the time.
In this way, VÖLKL continues to create new products while respecting the development capabilities and traditions cultivated in alpine skiing, creating unique models that are the polar opposite of the image of a staid German brand.
This is the identity of VÖLKL.
Freeride and freestyle.
A wide range of products and riders who express them.
VÖLKL's lineup consists of three categories: Freeride, Freestyle, and Tour. The number of models has increased and expanded in 2021. The table below shows the changes, with the left being the 2020 season and the right being the 2021 season
| Category | Model name |
|---|---|
| FREERIDE | CONFESSION |
| MANTRA 102 | |
| M5 MANTRA | |
| KENDO 92 | |
| KENDO 88 | |
| KANJO | |
| SECRET 92 | |
| YUMI | |
| KATANA V-WERKS | |
| MANTRA V-WERKS | |
| 100 EIGHT | |
| 90 EIGHT | |
| FREESTYLE | REVOLT 121 |
| REVOLT 95 | |
| REVOLT 87 | |
| REVOLT 86 | |
| REVOLT 86 W | |
| BASH 81 | |
| TOURING | VTA 88 LITE |
| VTA 88 | |
| VTA 80 | |
| BMT 109 | |
| BMT 90 |
| Category | Model name |
|---|---|
| ALL MTN FREERIDE | KATANA 108 |
| MANTRA 102 | |
| M5 MANTRA | |
| KENDO 92 | |
| KENDO 88 | |
| KANJO 84 | |
| SECRET 92 | |
| YUMI 84 | |
| KATANA V-WERKS | |
| MANTRA V-WERKS | |
| PURE FREERIDE | BLAZE 106 |
| BLAZE 106 W | |
| BLAZE 94 | |
| BLAZE 94 W | |
| FREESTYLE | REVOLT 121 |
| REVOLT 104 | |
| REVOLT 95 | |
| REVOLT 87 | |
| BASH 86 | |
| BASH 86W | |
| BASH 81 | |
| SKI MOUNTAINEERING | RISE BEYOND 98 |
| RISE HIGH 88 | |
| RISE ABOVE 88 | |
| RISE UP 82 | |
| RISE UP 82W |
Looking at the breakdown, the "FREERIDE" category, which had a lineup of 12 bikes in the 2020 season, has been reorganized for the 2021 season. It has been split into "ALL MTN FREERIDE" and the newly established "PURE FREERIDE". In addition, the "REVOLT 104" has been added to the "FREESTYLE" category, and the "SKI MOUNTAINEERING" category has also been renamed from "TOURING", completely revamping the lineup
They have been making freeski skis for over 20 years, so they cover all categories. They also have a large number of support athletes active in various scenes, and a diverse lineup of international riders
The freeride scene boasts a roster of talented riders, including MARKUS EDER, who won the overall title at the Freeride World Tour (FWT) in the 2019-20 season, and SAM SMOOTHY.
Freeskiing boasts a stellar lineup, including ABM (ALEX BEAULIEU-MARCHAND), a regular at the top of slopestyle; ANDRI RAGETTLI, famed for his big air; and KEVIN ROLLAND, five-time gold medal winner in the X GAMES Superpipe. It's important to note that Japan's Yasunari Yamamoto is also among the top names.
Many riders are not only strong in the competition scene, but are also well-known in the world of expression, including video and photography. These include AHMET DADALI and JEREMY PANCRAS, who are self-directed filmmakers, and IAN MCINTOSH, ANGEL COLLINSON, and TANNER RAINVILLE, who are members of film companies such as TGR, MSP, and L1P.
This versatility is what freestylers want
The REVOLT series is a good choice for skiers who want to freestyle ski anywhere. There's a model with a waist width to suit your desired riding style.
The REVOLT87 is for aggressively attacking kickers and jibs, the REVOLT95 is ideal for free runs in the park, and the REVOLT121 is perfect for backcountry freestyle. Until the 2019-2020 season, there was no 100mm ski in the lineup, but the REVOLT104 has been added to fill that gap.
REVOLT 104 172, 180, 188cm｜132-104-122mm｜R=24.2/19.0/22.2 (180cm)
Skis with a waist width of around 100mm have been a trend for the past few years, whether twin-tip or directional.
Skiers with experience in park riding, in particular, know how to fully enjoy the ski slope in 3D, not just in the park but also by flowing from top to bottom of the slope, finding sections with wall terrain and slope changes on the side of the run. Such skiers have most likely also discovered the joys of powder.
The REVOLT104 is the perfect ski for such skiers.
Like the REVOLT121, the REVOLT104 also features the 3D Radius Sidecut, which is also featured on the BLAZE. This is clearly designed for maneuverability on a variety of slopes. The 104mm waist width is shaped enough for comfortable skiing in powder at the ski resort, and the light weight of less than 2kg, despite its 180cm length, cannot be overlooked. When skiing in the park, the lighter the ski, the easier it is to move in the air, and the skis should be easy to handle when free running
The new REVOLT104 is best explained in detail and easy to understand video by Takumi Toyama, so be sure to check it out. The REVOLT104 is sure to become a new standard model for freestyle skiers
It's also important to note that VÖLKL has been collaborating with binding brand Marker since 2000, and with boot brand Dalbello since 2015. For many years, VÖLKL and Marker have been working together to develop system bindings that integrate skis and bindings, and Marker and Dalbello are promoting the Grip Walk technology, which uses rounded soles to make walking easier. The three brands are comprehensively supporting the evolution of performance
For the full VÖLKL lineup, please see this link
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