Blaze 104 w review

Overview

The Volkl Blaze 104 w is the wide freeride-leaning women's entry in Volkl's Blaze line — 104 mm waist, Multilayer Green Wood Core (recycled-plastic infused for sustainability), Titanal Binding Platform, Suspension Tips & Tails and 4 Radius Drive sidecut. It is the lightest 104 mm women's freeride at this construction class and aims to bridge serious off-piste capability with light swing weight.

On-snow performance

The Blaze 104 w floats confidently in soft snow thanks to the 104 mm waist and shaped tip-tail rocker — it is more forgiving in chopped powder than a Mantra-class titanal-framed ski while keeping enough underfoot stability via the Titanal Binding Platform. On piste it carves cleanly enough for mid-radius arcs but doesn't lock down like a full titanal frame ski at high edge angles. The Suspension Tips & Tails (TPU bumpers) noticeably calm vibrations in chop.

Construction & specs explained

Multilayer Green Wood Core (with recycled-plastic component for sustainability), Titanal Binding Platform (partial frame under foot, not full sheet), Suspension Tips & Tails (TPU elastic bumpers), Full Sidewall, 4 Radius Drive sidecut, Tip & Tail Rocker. Sidecut 143 / 104 / 128 mm (shared chassis with men's Blaze 104). Radius approximately 17 m at 165 cm. Weight approximately 1750 g per ski. Lengths 165 / 172 / 179 cm.

Who it's for & comparisons

A confident-intermediate to advanced woman who skis the freeride-leaning all-mountain mix and wants serious soft-snow capability without Mantra-class weight. Compared to the Volkl Blaze 94 w it adds 10 mm of waist and real powder float at the cost of some piste agility. Against the Volkl Mantra 102 w it is lighter and more forgiving but gives up high-speed authority — the Mantra 102 w is the choice for aggressive freeride. Cross-brand, the Head Kore 104 Ti W is a similar Ti-W freeride width; the Blaze 104 w is the lighter, more pivot-friendly option.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• 104 mm waist genuinely floats in fresh snow.
• Titanal Binding Platform stabilizes underfoot without overloading the chassis.
• Suspension Tips & Tails damp chop visibly.
• Light at ~1750 g per ski — manageable swing weight.
• 4 Radius Drive sidecut gives turn-shape versatility.

Cons

• Partial Titanal limits high-edge-angle authority vs full Ti frame.
• 104 mm waist trades piste agility for off-piste utility.
• Women-specific length range (165-179 cm) limits taller skiers.
• More expensive than non-Titanal freeride options at this waist.

Verdict: The Blaze 104 w is the best Volkl women's pick for the off-piste-leaning skier who wants weight savings over the Mantra 102 w. Step up to the Mantra 102 w for committed freeride; step down to the Blaze 94 w for more piste manners.