2021 Volkl Blaze 94

Just because the archetype of the All-Mountain East ski is a model that’s equally adept in all conditions doesn’t mean that every AME ski fits this description. The new Völkl Blaze 94 is undeniably biased in favor of soft snow; the only question is whether said snow is in-resort or in the backcountry. Every detail about the Blaze 94 reinforces its predisposition for off-trail pursuits. Its transparent topskin lets the world see where its predominantly wood core is bisected by a channel of foam, a weight savings best appreciated by those who intend to haul their skis uphill. The tapered tips, the rounded but still skin-friendly tails, the lightest-in-class weight and a rockered forebody that allows the skier to pivot into a short-radius turn with impunity all speak to an off-trail attitude. The fact that every Völkl-recommended Marker binding happens to be of the backcountry persuasion is an indication as transparent as the Blaze 94’s cosmetics that Völkl envisions it in an off-the-beaten-path environment. But of course that’s not where our test panel put it through its paces. Our troops treated it like an in-resort, everyday ski with an off-trail family tree, which describes most of the AME category’s membership. In this context, the Blaze 94 impressed with its facility at short turns, aided by a generous front rocker and a tight turning midsection. A Titanal mounting plate underfoot helps quiet the ride while the long-radius tail re-sets the course for the fall line.