Völkl Rise Beyond 96 W — Review

The Völkl Rise Beyond 96 W is a women’s powder‑touring ski that keeps ascents effortless and delivers confident, precise descents in soft and mixed snow. With tip rocker, traditional camber underfoot, and a flat/cambered tail, it’s tuned for efficient skinning and composed downhill behavior. Völkl’s 3D Radius sidecut lets you switch turn shapes without drama.

Key takeaways

Featherweight on the climb
: 1122–1320 g per ski keeps energy high on big days and long approaches.
Supportive, precise tail
: flat/cambered tail aids kick turns, traverses, and strong finishes to your turns.
Versatile turn shapes
: 3D Radius makes short, medium, and long arcs feel intuitive.
Best in soft and mixed snow
: floats and pivots well; it has a speed ceiling on firm, choppy conditions.
True touring build
: light core, full‑cap, and Carbon.Tip boost efficiency but offer less damping than heavier free‑tour skis.

Uphill performance

This ski’s calling card is efficiency. The low mass reduces fatigue on vert-heavy days, while the 96‑mm waist tracks predictably on steep traverses. The Smart Skinclip system (attach skins at tip or tail) and a supportive flat tail make transitions and kick turns easy. Compared with heavier options (e.g., Salomon QST Echo 96), the Rise Beyond 96 W climbs noticeably easier over long tours.

Downhill: soft snow, mixed, and firm

Powder & soft snow: The 138‑mm shovel and tip rocker provide solid float for a 96‑mm platform. The tail stays engaged and supportive, inspiring confidence in steeps and through the end of the turn.
Mixed/variable: 3D Radius helps you change rhythm on the fly. The ski feels lively and direct, with good edge hold from the underfoot camber.
Firm/rough: As a very light build, damping is limited. On refrozen or choppy hardpack, manage speed and stay centered; it will chatter sooner than heavier, damper skis (e.g., Blizzard Zero G 95 W, Camox Freebird).

Construction and design

Multilayer Woodcore Light: hybrid, lightweight core reduces fatigue and keeps the ride snappy.
Carbon.Tip: lowers swing weight for quick edge‑to‑edge and easy kick turns.
Full‑cap: trims grams and resists chipping; trades some damping versus sidewall builds.
P‑TEX 2100 sintered base: durable, serviceable glide; regular waxing recommended for best speed.
3D Radius sidecut: longer radii in tip/tail add stability; a shorter center radius quickens turn initiation.

Sizing and bindings

Length: For general touring, choose around your height; go shorter for tight trees/tech lines, longer for more float and high‑speed composure.
Bindings: Pairs naturally with Marker Alpinist for minimal weight. For more downhill authority, consider Kingpin/Kingpin M‑Werks. Match with a supportive touring boot for best edge hold.

Comparisons

Blizzard Zero G 95 W: stiffer and more composed on ice, but more demanding; similar low weight.
Atomic Backland 98 W: similarly light with more rocker and a looser feel in soft snow; a touch less precision on boilerplate.
Salomon QST Echo 96: heavier and noticeably more damp/stable downhill, but less efficient on long climbs.
K2 Wayback 96 W: light and forgiving; the Völkl is crisper on edge and more precise, the K2 is a bit smoother in chop.
Black Crows Camox Freebird: more downhill‑oriented and damp, but pays a penalty on the skintrack.

Specs and what they mean

Rocker profile (tip rocker, camber underfoot, flat/camber tail): easy initiation and float up front with reliable grip and support from the cambered mid/tail—great for traverses and kick turns.
Dimensions (138/96/119 mm): wide shovel for float, versatile 96‑mm waist for touring efficiency and edge‑to‑edge quickness, and a slightly narrower tail for secure finishes.
Weight per ski (156–177 cm: 1122–1320 g): ultralight for big vert; lighter weight also means less vibration damping at speed.
3D Radius (e.g., 170 cm: 22/16/20 m): blended radii let you make different turn shapes without fighting the sidecut.
Lengths (156/163/170/177 cm): a broad size run to match different riders and objectives.
Base & build (P‑TEX 2100, full‑cap): easy‑to‑maintain base; cap construction keeps weight down and feel lively.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Who is the Völkl Rise Beyond 96 W for?
A: Ski tourers who prioritize uphill efficiency and want a precise, confidence‑inspiring ride in powder and mixed snow. If you want resort‑speed stability or heavy damping, look at a beefier free‑tour ski.

Q: How does it handle firm and icy snow?
A: The camber and supportive tail hold an edge, but the light build has a speed limit. Stay centered, keep turns clean, and consider a slightly longer length if you see a lot of hardpack.

Q: Which bindings pair best?
A: For pure touring, the Marker Alpinist is an ideal match. For more downhill power, the Kingpin/Kingpin M‑Werks adds retention and damping without overwhelming the ski.

Q: What length should I choose?
A: Around body height for all‑round touring; size down for technical terrain and trees; size up for float and more high‑speed stability.

Bottom line

If your priority is a light, trustworthy women’s touring ski for powder and mixed conditions, the Völkl Rise Beyond 96 W is a standout. It’s not the most damp or the most stable on boilerplate, but its uphill ease, intuitive sidecut, and supportive tail make it a superb backcountry partner.