2022 Volkl Yumi 84

The Völkl Yumi 84 is what we in the retail trade refer to a “step-up” ski. It isn’t a top-of-the-line charger but neither is it as frail as fettuccine, like so many entry-level package skis.  It’s called a step-up ski because it’s bound to be an improvement over whatever is serving this skier at the moment, be a rental ski, a hand-me-down, a buying mistake or something fished out of a bargain bin at a ski swap. Equipped with an all-wood core and partial topsheet of Titanal, the Yumi 84 has the intestinal fortitude to cope with life on groomers, where its gift for short-radius turns encourages intermediates to get their act together. At 84mm underfoot, the Yumi 84 is fat for a Frontside ski, so it can manage its business in a foot of fluff without becoming verklemmt. As befits a mid-market model, the Yumi prefers everything in moderation: speed that’s not too fast, groomers that aren’t too hard, loose snow that isn’t too heavy. Its 3D Radius sidecut is adept at any turn shape, but is biased towards short-radius turns. The need to have a transitional ski as one’s skills develop isn’t restricted to youth. For its gentle demeanor and relatively soft flex, we award the Völkl Yumi a Silver Skier Selection.