Question: Volkl Blaze 86?

[MissySki]

Interestingly, I haven't liked the 94 as much as the 86.. last time I demoed them. Perhaps the conditions weren't right when I tried them, I can't really recall when it was and what length I was on at the time.
Perhaps I'll have to give them another go with next year's updates.

 

[Pequenita]

Interestingly, I haven't liked the 94 as much as the 86.. last time I demoed them. Perhaps the conditions weren't right when I tried them, I can't really recall when it was and what length I was on at the time.
Perhaps I'll have to give them another go with next year's updates.

I skied mine when it was snowing close to 2 inches/hour at Alta (not an exaggeration). I *bounced* in the snow, which was amazing. For me, this length, width, and construction are a solid powder ski, and I've been fortunate to ski them in multiple powder days with good results.

I also ski them on mushier days. The two skis I was on this season were my slalom skis and these - about a 27mm waist width difference.

 

[MissySki]

I skied mine when it was snowing close to 2 inches/hour at Alta (not an exaggeration). I *bounced* in the snow, which was amazing. For me, this length, width, and construction are a solid powder ski, and I've been fortunate to ski them in multiple powder days with good results.

I also ski them on mushier days. The two skis I was on this season were my slalom skis and these - about a 27mm waist width difference.

I definitely wasn’t on them on a powder day. But I was able to bounce around on the 86s on powder days out West, so good to hear the 94s do that nicely too.

 

[ilovepugs]

Well my new skis arrived and I may or may not have reflexively, instinctively, lovingly pet them after unboxing them. I didn't mind the topsheets at all, they're a nice teal.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Well my new skis arrived and I may or may not have reflexively, instinctively, lovingly pet them after unboxing them. I didn't mind the topsheets at all, they're a nice teal.

My Blaze 94's arrived yesterday. They are propped up against the wall in my office where I can gaze at them for a while. The 2023 blue topsheet is actually a lovely, deep ocean blue. Much nicer than the "meh" gray of my 2021 86's.

 

[Skivt2]

I spent the main part of the season on 86’s and loved them so much that I bought 2 more. i had the 94’s but did not ski them much. But once spring hit I switched and found them to be amazing! So I just bought another pair for $300.00

 

[BlizzardBabe]

I like the new topsheet on the 2025 86's. I see them in my future . . .

 

[contesstant]

I like the new topsheet on the 2025 86's. I see them in my future . . .

I'll be selling mine in the fall.

 

[skinnyfootskis]

I like the new topsheet on the 2025 86's. I see them in my future . . .

What colors?

 

[BlizzardBabe]

2025 Volkl Blaze 86 W 173cm Used Demo Skis w Bindings - Powder7

2025 Volkl Blaze 86 W 173cm Skis are now on sale with fast shipping from our Golden, CO ski shop. The Volkl Blaze 86 offers an ideal combination of smoo...

www.powder7.com

 

[ilovepugs]

If anyone is still thinking of picking up a pair, SkiEssentials currently is selling them with bindings included for $350 - limited time only since they’re having a flash sale. All sizes available. “Men’s” version in red is identically priced.

 

[Trailside Trixie]

Great deal. Both topsheets are awesome. I have the boring black topsheet but great ski regardless.

 

[VickiK]

So tempting! But I want to try them out first.

 

[santacruz skier]

What was it about the system bindings that some didn’t care for? Heavy maybe?

 

[diymom]

I have the system bindings and am fine with them. You might be thinking about @MissySki who is sensitive to binding delta and made sure to put the newer demo squires on hers.

 

[VickiK]

@santacruz skier , good question. Maybe the weight or maybe the quality/durability of the materials (plastic, metal, etc.)?

I've never had a problem with system bindings. I've had them on 3 pairs of skis. They're easy to install yourself on the plate that's already mounted on the ski and easy to adjust to your boots. They don't seem particularly heavy to me. Different from demo bindings which are quite hefty.

 

[santacruz skier]

paging @SnowHot ..... maybe she has something to add about the system bindings. Think I had them on some K2's a long time ago.

 

[MissySki]

I don’t know anything about the system binding option.. I just like the Squire demo due to ramp angle. Lucky for me they are a very light demo binding though.

 

[Jilly]

I've had Look system bindings on all my Rossi Hero's. On the narrow skis you need a little height so you don't "boot out" at high edge angles.

I had the normal Squires on my Nordica's SA's. They didn't seem different in action. Just the difference in waist widths.

86 isn't all that narrow.

 

[marzNC]

What was it about the system bindings that some didn’t care for? Heavy maybe?

I tend to keep skis a long time. The extra weight of system bindings doesn't make a difference when skiing, but I'd rather not deal with the extra weight when carrying skis around between a parking lot and a base lodge. Also noticeable for the short in-bounds hikes that I'd do once in a while.

When I bought demo skis from Le Ski Mastery, I opted to switch out the demo bindings even though the discount would've been higher for the demo bindings. Have had those skis for six years so far.