Volkl Kenja 88 Design Changes?

[Trailside Trixie]

The 2020 to 2022 definitely didn't feel as secure to me. It is a fine ski but just didn't have the same feeling as the older ones. I skied my 2015 into the ground. I tried to like my 2021s I really did. My last run with them I was at steep magic on a very hard packed day. I took a turn down the steep lip and as I launched into the turn I remember going nope, just don't like these. They widened the sweet spot with this series to appeal to a wider audience. I didn't own my 2021s for very long. People always said my older kenjas were planky but i adored them. Such a great all mountain ski. Doesn't hurt that I'm not a lightweight so "muscling" a burly ski is easier for me than a small, lightweight person. This probably worked against me when I owned the 2021s as well as it was so light of a ski. Can't wait to get on the newer ones.

Thats just me and my experience. A petite person might like the 20 to 2022s. I do know the '23 and 24s are an improvement from the 21s I had.

 

[SnowHot]

@SnowHot lol, yes. I just need "effortless enough," not the most effortless ski on the planet.

I'm old enough now that I don't have anything to prove with the size/length of my skis.

The 2022 Kenya 88 was definitely a big improvement with the Tailored construction.
I think you'll like it.
If you're interested in a 163, I have one here that @floridakeysskibum bought when she was skiing here a year ago and loves it for Tahoe but didn't work for her in other areas. She has switched it up to a 4FRNT MSP 91 and left the 163 Kenja 88 here for us to sell for her.
Just a thought.

 

[Trailside Trixie]

I didn't feel the 2020 to 2022 series was an improvement at all but I loved my 2015 and 2016s so I'm sure that's why. Plus i ski in Vermont and the Berkshires versus out west so I have different expectations of a ski.

I am always looking for a good deal so if anyone hears of a 23 or 24 Kendo/Kenja in a 163, please let me know.

Here's a great deal on a 23 in a 156.

CO Ski | Volkl Kenja 88 Women's Skis - 2023

Volkl Kenja 88 Women's Skis - 2023: Experience 100 Years of Volkl on this incredibly hard charging and stable ski. Now featuring the same Titanal Frame and Carbon tips as seen in the Secret 96/Mantra line, enhance your ride today. Check out more 2023 Volkl Skis at Colorado Ski Shop today!

www.coloradoskishop.com

 

[SnowHot]

The 2022 Kenya 88 was definitely a big improvement with the Tailored construction.
I think you'll like it.
If you're interested in a 163, I have one here that @floridakeysskibum bought when she was skiing here a year ago and loves it for Tahoe but didn't work for her in other areas. She has switched it up to a 4FRNT MSP 91 and left the 163 Kenja 88 here for us to sell for her.
Just a thought.

Oh, the one that FSB left here is a 2024 the purple one.

 

[Trailside Trixie]

Oh, the one that FSB left here is a 2024 the purple one.

Now we're talking. Color me interested.

 

[SnowHot]

Let me get pics and more info in the morning.
This ski is in really good condition.

 

[floridakeysskibum]

Let me get pics and more info in the morning.
This ski is in really good condition.

Yea, I only used it for @ 5 days

 

[Trailside Trixie]

Yea, I only used it for @ 5 days

May I ask what didn't you like about them. We all are so different so I love to hear what people think about a ski.

 

[SnowHot]

May I ask what didn't you like about them. We all are so different so I love to hear what people think about a ski.

First, I didn't get pics today because I had a Tee time and have been out all day. I'll get some for you.

I think I can speak for her on this as she went through a process when she talked through it with me.
She loved them when she was out here a year ago and we had some demos from the Volkl rep to test.
We were spring skiing a lot of open areas and some occasionally slushy bumps but never really got into tight stuff.

When she skied other places such at Taos, Alta and Snowbird in mid winter conditions, she didn't care for how they were in the trees, only for the length. She tends to go shorter than 160 at her size and these are 163.
She still liked them in the open areas and spring conditions here, but that is too limiting for someone traveling to ski and living in Florida.
We set her up with a pair that are shorter and slightly narrower to fill that spot in her quiver.

Its the shorter version of the MSP 91 that we sold the longer version to @teppaz earlier in the season.

@floridakeysskibum did I get that right??

 

[floridakeysskibum]

May I ask what didn't you like about them. We all are so different so I love to hear what people think about a ski.

It’s a great ski. I had a blast with them in tahoe, but I wanted something in the trees and bumps too. I’m 5’1” and the 163 were just too long for that. Maybe the 156 would have been a better option for me.

First, I didn't get pics today because I had a Tee time and have been out all day. I'll get some for you.

I think I can speak for her on this as she went through a process when she talked through it with me.
She loved them when she was out here a year ago and we had some demos from the Volkl rep to test.
We were spring skiing a lot of open areas and some occasionally slushy bumps but never really got into tight stuff.

When she skied other places such at Taos, Alta and Snowbird in mid winter conditions, she didn't care for how they were in the trees, only for the length. She tends to go shorter than 160 at her size and these are 163.
She still liked them in the open areas and spring conditions here, but that is too limiting for someone traveling to ski and living in Florida.
We set her up with a pair that are shorter and slightly narrower to fill that spot in her quiver.

Its the shorter version of the MSP 91 that we sold the longer version to @teppaz earlier in the season.

@floridakeysskibum did I get that right??

perfect!

 

[Trailside Trixie]

@SnowHot No worries, hope you had a good day today. Whenever you get the time is cool.

@BlizzardBabe i completely get it. I'm a few inches taller and 163 is just my size. I used my older kenja for everything. I promise, if it works out, to give it a great home.

@Pequenita I'm sorry, didn't intend to hijack the thread. If you are interested in the ones snowhot has, then I'll back away quietly. If not you've gotten some great suggestions. Maybe worth buying a 156 kenja since you know you already are a kenja fan. I think the newer kenja has the same construction as the secret 96 so it's still kenja like but is easier to ski than kenjas of the past. I have a 2022 Secret 96 and I freaking love them.

 

[Pequenita]

No worries, @Trailside Trixie - if you want those skis, go for it. I had the chance to ski them last year and declined because I'm not looking for a longer Kenja! Just mulling over the 149s and 156s!

 

[VickiK]

It’s a great ski. I had a blast with them in tahoe, but I wanted something in the trees and bumps too. I’m 5’1” and the 163 were just too long for that. Maybe the 156 would have been a better option for me.

One ski to rule them all. Well, maybe two or three...

 

[VickiK]

Hey, it'd be nice to have one ski that is so versatile as to cover all conditions, but I know it's unrealistic.

 

[Trailside Trixie]

Hey, it'd be nice to have one ski that is so versatile as to cover all conditions, but I know it's unrealistic.

I'm one who llikes to have several skis but the said I've a few that are phenomenally versatile.

Volkl kenja

Stockli stormrider 88 motions

Renoun Z90 (altho to me they have more of a hard snow bias so I find it a bit rigid for big spring bumps.

Head Wild Joy

Nordica Santa Ana 93

Volkl Secret 96

This is just my take but I've had these in everything and they hang very well on all counts (ice, death cookies, hard pack, slush, a few inches of powder), etc.

Honorable mentions

Dynastar omeglass speed fluid X

Head super Joy

These are narrow 67/75 underfoot but despite this they are pretty versatile. Not nearly as much as the other ones I listed but they always suprise me

 

[Trailside Trixie]

Let me get pics and more info in the morning.
This ski is in really good condition.

I'm looking forward to seeing pictures and getting more information when you have the chance.

 

[teppaz]

Its the shorter version of the MSP 91 that we sold the longer version to @teppaz earlier in the season.

And I've been very happy with it!

 

[teppaz]

And I've been very happy with it!

By the way I’m also a big fan of the early-gen Kenja. I used to have the 2014 version in 170 and I loved how steadfast it was. The 4FRNT at the same length has some of the same qualities (super steady in crud for instance) but is a lot more maneuverable. It’s one of those skis where I just go “oof” when I have to carry it but it doesn’t ski heavy. Same as with the Rossis experience 86 Ti — a bear to carry because of the system bindings but awesome in bumps.

 

[mustski]

Yup. I find it the same with both my Secrets and my Rossi 82ti. As long as it doesn't ski heavy, I'm ok. The drag on the chair doesn't bother me but it does bother some.

 

[Trailside Trixie]

By the way I’m also a big fan of the early-gen Kenja. I used to have the 2014 version in 170 and I loved how steadfast it was. The 4FRNT at the same length has some of the same qualities (super steady in crud for instance) but is a lot more maneuverable. It’s one of those skis where I just go “oof” when I have to carry it but it doesn’t ski heavy. Same as with the Rossis experience 86 Ti — a bear to carry because of the system bindings but awesome in bumps.

That's really great to know as i would have married my 2015 Kenjas if i could. Even my 2016s were pretty spectacular even at 90 underfoot. In my opinion it was the perfect all mountain ski. I'm going to look up your ski because if it has some of those beloved early Kenja qualities then I want to know about it.