Völkl Blaze 114 Review: Specs, Sizing and Verdict
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The quick verdict: The light option that does not ski like a compromise: under 2 kg per ski, huge float, and Völkl’s 3D Radius sidecut makes it the most maneuverable 114 we researched. ~$900
Overview
Völkl’s Blaze line is built on a different premise from the brand’s heavy-metal Mantra family: take weight out, keep control in. The Blaze 114 is the widest of the series and the one aimed at powder. The core is Völkl’s hybrid wood layup with a narrow 0.3 mm titanal band above the sidewall in the middle of the ski, so there is metal where edge pressure happens and none in the tip and tail where it would add swing weight. The signature piece is the 3D Radius sidecut, three blended radii that pair a tight ~18 m section underfoot with longer, more open curves at shovel and tail. On snow, reviewers translate that into a wide ski that turns like a much narrower one.
Where It Shines
- Float is the headline: SkiEssentials testers scored it a straight 10 out of 10, one calling it the most versatile ski in the 115 class
- Remarkably nimble for its width; the tight central radius makes tree skiing and tight couloirs feel easy
- Light enough that a hybrid binding turns it into a legitimate powder touring ski
- Rated for a wide ability range: Völkl pitches it from progressing intermediates to experts
Tradeoffs to Know
- Firm-snow manners are the cost: testers report chatter on ice and one scored edge grip just 4 out of 10
- Not the most powerful ski at speed; hard chargers will overpower it in heavy chop
- The 154 mm shovel is huge, which aids float but feels like a lot of ski in a firm bump line
Who It’s For
Skiers who count grams but still want real float: powder-day resort skiers with long traverses, sidecountry users, and anyone building one setup for lift-served mornings and skin-track afternoons.
Key Specs by Length
Lengths and construction details come from the Blaze 114 pages on volkl.com, with weights cross-checked against retailer listings.
| Length | Sidecut (mm) | Weight (per ski, approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 166 cm | ~152/114/134 | ~1,760 g | Lighter skiers |
| 176 cm | ~153/114/135 | ~1,830 g | Most skiers to ~5'10" |
| 184 cm | 154/114/136 | ~1,900 g | The reference length |
| 192 cm | ~155/114/137 | ~1,970 g | Tall skiers, open terrain |
Sizing and Setup
The 3D Radius design means the Blaze skis shorter than its stated length in turns but holds its float, so most buyers should take their normal freeride length rather than sizing down. Völkl notes the 192 cm still runs the tight ~18 m working radius, unusual in a ski that long. Mount it with a 115-125 mm brake; for touring use, a hybrid binding keeps the full setup around 3 kg per foot with skins. Völkl’s warranty is the standard two years, and if you head beyond the ropes with it, carry proper avalanche safety gear.
Who Should Skip It
Skiers who prioritize high-speed stability over agility, who belong on the Blizzard Rustler 11, and pure resort skiers who never tour, for whom the Salomon S/Lab QST Blank is damper for the same money. If you like Völkl’s engineering but need a narrower daily ski, the M7 Mantra is the benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Völkl Blaze 114 a touring ski?
It is a resort ski light enough to tour. Völkl markets it for freeride touring, and at roughly 1,900 g per ski in the 184 it compares with many dedicated backcountry boards, but there are lighter choices if ascent speed is the priority.
What is 3D Radius sidecut?
Völkl grinds three blended radii into the edge: short underfoot, long at tip and tail. The short section makes turn initiation quick, while the open ends keep the ski from hooking in powder and crud.
Blaze 114 or Blaze 104?
The 104 is the better one-ski answer for mixed resort weeks. The 114 is for snow that falls regularly: if your season includes ten or more real powder days, the extra width earns its place.
How It Compares
See how it stacks up in our full guide: The Best Powder Skis of 2026/27. Other picks from that list: Atomic Bent 110 · Blizzard Rustler 11 · Salomon S/Lab QST Blank.