2021 Volkl Deacon 76
1

Ski Stats

Sidecut 122/76/103
Radius 18.3m @ 176cm
Lengths 171,176,181
Weight 2270g @ 176cm
MSRP $1065
FIND
Power Score:

Finesse Score:

3
0
1
What a proud papa the Völkl Deacon 76 must be. When it slipped quietly into Völkl’s line two years ago to replace the creaky Code collection, all the ballyhoo was rightfully concentrated on the M5 Mantra. There was no hint at the time of the little Deacons in utero in R&D, gearing up to replace the redoubtable RTM 84 and RTM 81, veteran Frontside carvers that had come to the end of their dual-track lines. The new kids turned out to be real firecrackers, fulfilling every father’s dream of out-performing his expectations. But as often seems to be the case with kids, they don’t want to do things Dad’s way. Where the Deacon 76 is quiet and unhurried, the Deacon 84 and 80 are bundles of energy. The Deacon 76 likes to luxuriate in a long turn that never loses snow contact; the kinder prefer a catch-and-release approach that involves pouncing across the fall line. The junior Deacons exude the tireless will to play of a Jack Russell terrier, while the Deacon 76 prides itself on energy conservation.

What a proud papa the Völkl Deacon 76 must be. When it slipped quietly into Völkl’s line two years ago to replace the creaky Code collection, all the ballyhoo was rightfully concentrated on the M5 Mantra. There was no hint at the time of the little Deacons in utero in R&D, gearing up to replace the redoubtable RTM 84 and RTM 81, veteran Frontside carvers that had come to the end of their dual-track lines. The new kids turned out to be real firecrackers, fulfilling every father’s dream of out-performing his expectations.

But as often seems to be the case with kids, they don’t want to do things Dad’s way. Where the Deacon 76 is quiet and unhurried, the Deacon 84 and 80 are bundles of energy. The Deacon 76 likes to luxuriate in a long turn that never loses snow contact; the kinder prefer a catch-and-release approach that involves pouncing across the fall line. The junior Deacons exude the tireless will to play of a Jack Russell terrier, while the Deacon 76 prides itself on energy conservation.

If the Deacon 76 skis like a classic gentleman’s cruiser, it’s because it’s built like one. Volkl has always known how to coddle aging cruisers, a tradition the Deacon 76 devoutly upholds. In addition to the customary wood core encased in two sheets of Titanal, the Deacon 76 is divinely possessed with 3D.Glass and UVO 3D, a shock-damping device in the shovel that dynamically absorbs disruptive vibrations on both the lateral and longitudinal axes. To keep this rich amalgam bendable, the bottom layer of 3D.Glass is only 2D underfoot, so the camber-creating fiberglass is more pliable.

Any ski this well built can travel anywhere you care to point it, but like a Mercedes that was built for the Autobahn, it would just as soon skip any terrain that requires 4-wheel drive. Its preference for groomers is signaled by its relatively tall Marker binding that comes with it – the added leverage it provides on prepared slopes doesn’t play as well off-piste. But if you’re cruising groomers, the extra standheight works in your favor, magnifying the skier’s force.

For keeping alive the free-flowing spirit of the gentlemen’s cruiser, we again award the Deacon 76 a Silver Skier Selection.

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