"BLAZE" demonstrates its performance in the backcountry. Why? | VÖLKL

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, exquisitely shaped, and effortlessly maneuverable turns.
The high versatility of "BLAZE"

This series is aimed at skiers whose main field of activity is backcountry skiing. Despite its wide shape, it is lightweight and is a model that makes it easy to get the most out of its skiing performance in a variety of conditions. The

series consists of four models: the "BLAZE106" with a waist width of 106mm, the "BLAZE94" with a waist width of 94mm, and women's models for each. The former is mainly for backcountry skiing regardless of the season, while the latter is mainly for skiing on ski resorts, but can also be used for granular snow conditions in the spring mountains and for long hikes.

In the backcountry, skiers use a variety of techniques, such as carving and sliding, depending on the conditions, and descend the slopes with a mix of large and small turns. In difficult conditions, they ski at a controllable speed with short turns, and when they pick up speed, they make big turns to create a satisfying spray. The ability to perform these turns is largely due to the " 3D Radius Sidecut ," which varies the radius in different parts of the ski . This feature, first introduced in the 2020 season, makes quick turns easy with a tight radius in the center, while the larger radius in the tip and tail refines the entry and finish of turns at high speeds. It also works exceptionally well with the rocker in 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 another look at the brand's history.

VÖLKL has been making skis since 1923, accumulating a history of approximately 100 years. It is still the only ski brand that develops and produces its products in Germany. While it has a strong image as a serious brand with a strong presence in alpine competitions, it was one of the first European brands to enter the freeski category. In 1999, it released the "V-ski," which focuses on park and freeride.

In the 2000s, it successively introduced iconic skis to the scene such as "GOTAMA," "MANTRA," and "WALL." Among them was the "SANOUK," a ski with a swallowtail and a single size of 193cm, which was a bold and unique design for its time.
In this way, VÖLKL continues to create new things while respecting the development capabilities and traditions cultivated in alpine competitions, and producing unique models that are the complete opposite of the image of a solid German brand.
This is the identity of VÖLKL.

Freeride and freestyle.
A wide range of models 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

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

In the freeride scene, the list includes top riders such as Markus Eder, who won the overall title in the 2019-20 Freeride World Tour (FWT), and Sam Smoothy. In

freeskiing, the list includes Alex Beaulieu-Marchand (ABM), a regular top finisher in slopestyle, Andri Ragettli, who made a name for himself in big air, and Kevin Rolland, a five-time gold medalist in X Games superpipe. It's also important not to forget that Japan's Taisei Yamamoto is among them.

Many of these riders are not only strong in the competitive scene, but are also well-known in the world of visual expression such as video and photography. This group includes Ahmet Dadali and Jeremy Pancras, who create their own films, as well as Ian McIntosh, Angel Collinson, and Tanner Rainville, who participate in film companies such as TGR, MSP, and L1P.

This versatility is what freestylers want

For skiers who want to ski freestyle anywhere, the "REVOLT" series is a great choice. There are models to suit your desired riding style depending on the waist width.
If you're going to be tackling kickers and jibs hard, there's the "REVOLT87"; if you're freeriding in the park, there's the "REVOLT95"; and if you're looking to embody backcountry freestyle, there's the "REVOLT121". Until the 19-20 season, there was a gap in the 100mm range, but the "REVOLT104" has been added to the lineup to fill that gap.

Skis with a waist width of around 100mm, whether twin-tip or directional, have been a trend for the past few years.
Especially for skiers with park riding experience, they know how to fully enjoy the ski resort in 3D, not just with park features, but also by gliding from top to bottom of the slope, finding sections such as wall terrain and changes in slope along the sides of the course. Nine times out of ten such skiers have also discovered the fun of powder skiing. 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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