A lot of skis that favor long-radius turns do so because they couldn’t be bent into a tight arc under any amount of force.  The Völkl Code Speedwall L UVO lets you make a short turn if that’s what you want, even though it’s natural bent is to linger in turns that are on the long side.

The Code L doesn’t exude the power and raw energy of a race ski.  It’s a more genteel carver, with a forebody that belies its aggressive exterior, adorned with the UVO shock-dampening device, by bowing at the first hint of pressure.  This makes for a very easy-to-guide ski, despite its propensity for long-radius turns.

The proliferation of fat skis has upended the world of ski categories as we characterized them 20 years ago. The Code L is what we would have called a Cruiser in the misty past, made for the man who prefers long turns because short ones entail a lot more unnecessary thrashing about.  It’s quite possible to get from top to bottom on a groomed run without exhausting all of one’s natural resources, and the Code L facilitates just such a voyage.