Völkl Blaze 104 — Review

The Völkl Blaze 104 blends light weight, quick handling, and real edge hold into a versatile freeride all‑mountain package. With tip and tail rocker, traditional camber underfoot, and a 4‑radius sidecut, it initiates easily in tight spaces yet remains composed when you open it up. If you want one ski for soft snow, trees, mixed conditions, and the occasional groomer — with the option to mount a hybrid touring binding — the Blaze 104 is a standout.

On‑snow performance

Powder & soft snow: 104 mm underfoot plus rocker = easy float and a surfy, pivot‑friendly feel. Not as loose as an Atomic Bent 110, but with better edge connection when needed.
Crud & chop: Suspension Tip/Tail calms vibration impressively for the weight. At truly high speeds, heavier skis like the Salomon QST 106 or Nordica Enforcer 104 Free feel more planted.
Groomers: Camber and full sidewalls deliver solid grip; the multi‑radius makes short‑to‑medium turns intuitive. Heavier chargers still win for maximum carve power and dampness.
Bumps & trees: Light, quick to pivot, and forgiving — this is where the Blaze 104 shines brightest.

Construction & tech

Green Core (multilayer wood): keeps mass low and ride lively.
3D Glass + Titanal Binding Platform: adds torsional support and screw retention underfoot, with useful damping minus the weight of full metal sheets.
Suspension Tip & Tail: TPU inserts reduce chatter and keep turn entry catch‑free.
Sintered P‑Tex base (2100): durable and fast when waxed.

Specs at a glance

Rocker profile: tip & tail rocker with camber underfoot — quicker initiation, float, and reliable edge hold.
Dimensions: 143‑104‑128 mm — a sweet spot between float and agility.
Weight (per ski): ~1620–1875 g by length — light enough for crossover/touring builds.
Multi‑radius (4R): varies by length; e.g., 179 cm: 20/40/16.8/22 m — supports both quick slashes and longer arcs.
Lengths: 158, 165, 172, 179, 186 cm — size for stability vs. maneuverability.

Comparisons

Salomon QST 106: more damping and high‑speed calm; Blaze is lighter and quicker in trees and bumps.
Nordica Enforcer 104 Free: a stronger charger; the Blaze asks less energy, better for mixed days and sidecountry laps.
Atomic Bent 110: looser and more surfy in deep snow; the Blaze offers superior edge grip and crossover touring appeal.

Setup & sizing

Mount: start on the factory line for the intended balance.
Bindings: alpine (Salomon Strive/Marker Griffon) or hybrid touring (Salomon/Atomic Shift) for a capable 1‑ski quiver.
Size: roughly chin to head height; choose longer for stability/float, shorter for quickness in tight terrain.

Pros

Light and nimble, yet confidence‑building underfoot.
Versatile from groomers to soft snow; excellent in trees and bumps.
Crossover‑friendly weight for hybrid touring setups.

Cons

Less damp than heavier chargers at very high speed.
104 mm is a do‑it‑all width; not the deepest‑powder specialist nor a trench‑laying carver.

Key takeaways

Agile freeride all‑mountain with real edge hold.
4‑radius shaping enables both quick and long turns.
Smart damping in tip/tail keeps a light ski composed.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is the Völkl Blaze 104 good for touring?
A: Yes. Its low weight and Titanal binding platform pair well with hybrid bindings like the Shift. For big vert, a pure touring ski is lighter, but as a one‑ski freeride/touring compromise, the Blaze 104 works great.

Q: How does it carve on groomers?
A: Camber and sidewalls provide dependable grip and energy in short‑to‑medium turns. It won’t match the damp power of a full‑metal charger, but it’s impressively composed for a 104‑mm playful ski.

Q: What length should I choose?
A: Aim near your height for all‑mountain. Size up for stability and float, or down for maximum maneuverability in trees and moguls.