Völkl Blaze 114 — Review

Overview

The Völkl Blaze 114 is a modern freeride powder ski that stays impressively light for its width (roughly 1.9–2.0 kg per ski depending on length). It’s built for deep days, playful slashes, and confident lines in trees and bowls. With tip and tail rocker, camber underfoot, and a multi‑radius sidecut, it feels nimble yet retains enough edge hold to get you back to the lift without drama.

Construction & specs (what they mean)

Rocker profile: Tip & Tail Rocker + camber underfoot. Enhances float, easy pivoting and slarving; camber adds rebound and edge grip on firmer snow.
Dimensions (154-114-136 mm): 114 mm waist for buoyancy; a broad 154 mm tip helps initiate and plane; the 136 mm tail makes release predictable.
Radius: Multi‑radius sidecut. Nominally ~17 m (176), ~18 m (184), ~20 m (192). Shorter radii in tip/tail aid quick turn starts; longer underfoot adds stability in medium arcs.
Weight: About 1895 g (176), 1945–1995 g (184), 2020 g (192) per ski. Light enough for short tours and lively handling; not as bulldozer-stable as heavier metal skis.
Green Core (FSC wood + recycled PET isocore): lively full wood core with sustainability focus; poppy without feeling flimsy.
Titanal binding platform (0.3 mm): metal underfoot boosts power transfer and calmness at speed without adding tip/tail weight.
Tip & tail suspension (TPU inserts): reduces chatter and catches in variable snow.
Full sidewall + sintered base (P‑Tex 2100): direct edge power and durable glide.

On‑snow performance

Powder & soft snow: The Blaze 114 floats easily, rides high, and slashes on command. The light, rockered tips let you change direction with minimal effort.
Trees & bumps: Quick to pivot and composed through zipper lines. The multi‑radius sidecut helps vary turn shapes on the fly, and the low swing weight saves energy.
Chop & variable: There’s decent damping underfoot from the titanal plate, but overall mass is modest. In heavy, tracked chop you’ll need a more active stance than on heavier chargers.
Groomers & firm: Surprisingly competent for a 114‑mm platform. Camber engages confidently and the sidecut finishes turns cleanly. It won’t mimic an ice‑gripping carver, but it’s far from a one‑trick powder pony.

Sizing & setup

Length: 176 cm for lighter or tree‑focused riders; 184 cm as the do‑it‑all length; 192 cm for bigger skiers or higher speeds. Between sizes? Favor shorter for maneuverability/touring, longer for stability/open terrain.
Bindings: Alpine GripWalk or a hybrid touring binding (Shift/Kingpin/DUKE PT) pairs well with its light chassis. Stick close to the recommended mount for the most balanced feel.

Comparisons

Völkl Katana 108: Heavier, more planted in chop; Blaze 114 is lighter, looser, and better for short tours.
Salomon QST 114: A touch more damping and forgiveness in crud; Blaze is quicker and more tour‑friendly.
Atomic Bent 120: Surfy and freestyle‑leaning; Blaze is more directional with better hard‑snow composure.
Black Crows Anima: More mass and straight‑line stability; Blaze feels livelier with a lower swing weight.

Who is it for?

Skiers chasing soft‑snow days who value agility, float, and a lighter build that can double for sidecountry or freeride touring. If you want a fun, nimble 114‑mm platform that still carves back to the lift, the Blaze 114 delivers.

Potential drawbacks

Not as steamroller‑calm at top speed in heavy chop as heavier metal skis.
Width and rocker limit ultimate ice hold versus narrower all‑mountain skis.
Rewards a centered, active stance; back‑seat skiing gets punished.

Key takeaways

Light and lively: rapid direction changes with low fatigue.
Powder specialist: excellent float, pivot, and slashability.
Groomer‑capable for its class: engages and finishes turns cleanly.
Not a bulldozer: in rough chop it prefers finesse over brute force.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Who is the Völkl Blaze 114 for?
A: Freeriders who prioritize float, agility, and low weight. The Völkl Blaze 114 excels in powder, trees, and sidecountry laps while remaining competent on groomers.

Q: How does the Blaze 114 handle on groomers?
A: Better than most 114‑mm skis. Camber and the multi‑radius sidecut provide secure engagement and smooth turn finishes. It’s solid at moderate speeds but not an ice‑carving specialist.

Q: Is the Blaze 114 good for touring?
A: Yes. Its low weight and playful feel make the Völkl Blaze 114 a strong candidate for freeride touring or resort‑to‑sidecountry missions, especially with a hybrid binding.

Q: What size should I choose?
A: Go 176 for lighter riders or tight trees, 184 as the all‑round sweet spot, 192 for bigger skiers or open terrain and speed. Size up with a heavy pack; size down for maneuverability.