Useful Life - Skis

[BlizzardBabe]

I've been skiing my Volkl Blaze 86 now for 3 seasons as a daily driver - roughly 200 days. I wax every 7 days but tune only once per year (my bad). No issues. BUT, when should I start to consider replacing with a new Blaze 86? I'm tempted to pull the trigger now before Volkl reimagines the ski and just hold them till needed. BUT -- so shallow -- I do not like the current top sheet at all. Reminds me of my parents' 1960's kitchen. Any way to know in advance whether Volkl is planning to change the ski itself and not just the top sheet? Pleeze get creative, Volkl. Fantabulous skis but awful graphics (IMNSHO).

 

[MissySki]

I've been skiing my Volkl Blaze 86 now for 3 seasons as a daily driver - roughly 200 days. I wax every 7 days but tune only once per year (my bad). No issues. BUT, when should I start to consider replacing with a new Blaze 86? I'm tempted to pull the trigger now before Volkl reimagines the ski and just hold them till needed. BUT -- so shallow -- I do not like the current top sheet at all. Reminds me of my parents' 1960's kitchen. Any way to know in advance whether Volkl is planning to change the ski itself and not just the top sheet? Pleeze get creative, Volkl. Fantabulous skis but awful graphics (IMNSHO).

I have to agree, the top sheets are awful! My Blaze 86 is just a grayish black boring as anything look. But I don’t at all like the current look and much prefer the one color if I had to choose. Are there any previous year’s version for sale that you like more to stash away?

 

[beane]

I've been skiing my Volkl Blaze 86 now for 3 seasons as a daily driver - roughly 200 days. I wax every 7 days but tune only once per year (my bad). No issues. BUT, when should I start to consider replacing with a new Blaze 86? I'm tempted to pull the trigger now before Volkl reimagines the ski and just hold them till needed. BUT -- so shallow -- I do not like the current top sheet at all. Reminds me of my parents' 1960's kitchen. Any way to know in advance whether Volkl is planning to change the ski itself and not just the top sheet? Pleeze get creative, Volkl. Fantabulous skis but awful graphics (IMNSHO).

I talked to the Volkl rep at a demo day and he said they have changed it a bit. The 106 is becoming a 104 and there are some changes to construction and tip shape make it a bit more piste oriented. Nothing dramatic it sounds like.

Also:

And:

2024-2025 Volkl Blaze 104 Review: Powder7 Lift Line Blog

The Volkl Blaze roared onto the scene a few seasons ago as a departure from both their freestyle-focused Revolt series and their cult-classic, directional, metal […]

www.powder7.com

 

[VickiK]

Could you get creative with stickers?

 

[Trailside Trixie]

I only get my skis tuned once a season also. I have many pairs of skis and keep them at 3 different places so none really get heavy use so one tune a season is fine for me. I have the boring black Volkl Blazes but I love how they ski. Once I know the manufacturer is changing a ski and it's one I like a lot I'll buy a backup pair. Sometimes they change a ski and not for the better. I ski a ski until I can't tune it any longer. One example are my 2016 Stockli Stormrider Motion 85s. I just had them tuned and was told they have one tune left in them after this one wears off. These will last me all next season. I have a 2020 or so pair of these that I just picked up that are very gently used so this will last me a couple/few years.

 

[santacruz skier]

These are a good deal. Too bad the don’t have 152

Völkl Blaze 86 Skis - Women's 2024

Free Shipping & Lowest Price Guarantee! The Völkl Blaze 86 Skis - Women's 2024 is in stock now.

www.evo.com

 

[skibum4ever]

These are a good deal. Too bad the don’t have 152

Völkl Blaze 86 Skis - Women's 2024

Free Shipping & Lowest Price Guarantee! The Völkl Blaze 86 Skis - Women's 2024 is in stock now.

www.evo.com

Those are so much prettier than mine.

 

[VickiK]

What a great deal.

 

[Trailside Trixie]

Mine too. Mine are the black boring ones.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

I have the black/gray boring ones too. At least they don't clash w/my various outfits, but that's about all I can say for the graphics.