In today’s world of high model turnover, ski designers have to be thinking several moves ahead. What can be done in year two or three to re-new interest in the model? Changing cosmetics is standard operating procedure; it doesn’t really count as model renewal. To be touted as new, with all the additional attention that entails, requires some technical twist.

Völkl has found the ideal upgrade for its 3D.Ridge construction, itself a relatively recent innovation that trimmed away significant swaths of ski core material to make several key models, like the RTM 81, lighter and more flexible. Called 3D.Glass, it’s essentially the bottom half of a torsion box. Just adding a glass laminate to a ski would probably have helped, but Völkl went a step further and therein lies the trick that makes the addition of 3D.Glass instantly evident: in the center, the glass layer runs up and over the top of the sidewall, essentially demi-capping the core from the bottom up.

Here’s what it does: boosts the torsional rigidity of the 3D.Ridge and therefore the ski’s gripping power; and it makes the ski livelier, as glass has a spring-like quality that snaps back when compressed. The RTM 81 has always played second fiddle to its big bro, the RTM 84. The addition of 3D.Glass has transformed the 81 into a dynamo that actually outscored the 84 on Power parameters.

Here’s why it’s such a coup: Volkl didn’t try to reinvent the wheel or muck around with a new material. The idea involved a well-known material their engineers and production line know how to work with. Glass is also relatively inexpensive, compared to Titanal or high-grade carbon, so 3D.Glass didn’t involve a complete repositioning of the line at higher price points.

All in all 3D.Glass is a home run upgrade that won’t cost the consumer a penny. The 2018 RTM 81 is super fun testament to its effectiveness.