Völkl Peregrine 72 – Review
Overview
The Völkl Peregrine 72 is a frontside, on‑piste‑focused all‑mountain carver built for advanced to expert skiers who value precision, high‑speed stability, and authoritative edge hold. With a 72 mm waist, full Titanal layups, and Völkl’s 3D.GLASS, it delivers a damp, composed ride that grips hard snow confidently and encourages clean, carved turns. It rewards good technique and active input—pay it forward and it pays you back with quiet power and accuracy.
Construction & tech
- Multilayer wood core + Full Titanal: Big‑mountain calm on groomers—excellent damping, torsional stiffness, and edge hold.
- 3D.GLASS in tip/tail: Adds rebound and torsional support without making the ski twitchy.
- Tailored Carbon Tips (on higher/“Master” trims): Targeted stiffness and lower swingweight for precise turn initiation.
- Full sidewall (ABS) sandwich: Direct power transfer and durability.
- rMotion (Marker) plate interface: More leverage and grip; adds some weight but boosts precision.
- Sintered P‑Tex 4504 base: Fast, durable base that holds wax well.
- 3D Radius concept: Encourages a variety of turn shapes—short, medium, and longer arcs—without feeling locked into one radius.
On‑snow performance
- Groomers: Hooks up early, locks into the edge, and feels exceptionally calm as speed builds. Loves medium to long arcs but will snap short turns when asked.
- Ice & hardpack: Standout grip. The double Titanal and 3D.GLASS keep chatter to a minimum.
- Afternoon chop: At 72 mm it’s narrow, but mass and metal let it slice through pushed‑around snow. The tail finishes assertively—stay centered.
- Bumps: Capable for experts, but a strong tail punishes backseat skiing. Not a mogul specialist.
- Soft snow: Fine for a dusting on groomers, but 72 mm and a powerful tail limit off‑piste and true soft‑snow versatility.
- Feel: More damp than playful. It will return energy if you drive it; passive skiing yields a flat ride.
Who is it for?
- Aggressive frontside skiers and ex‑racers who prioritize edge precision, stability, and confidence on firm snow.
- Not ideal for cautious intermediates or skiers who prefer skidding to carving.
Length advice
- For stability and all‑round carving: choose around your height (e.g., 173 cm for ~178–182 cm tall).
- For quicker, SL‑like agility: 5–10 cm below your height.
- Strong/heavy or very fast skiers can size up; lighter/less aggressive skiers can size down.
Comparisons
- Head Supershape e‑Magnum (72 mm): The Head is livelier and more “poppy”; the Peregrine 72 is calmer and bites harder on ice.
- Atomic Redster X9 S: The Atomic feels faster edge‑to‑edge with more rebound; the Völkl smooths out chatter better and stays ultra composed.
- Fischer RC4 The Curv (DTX/Pro): Fischer feels more race‑locked‑in; Völkl is a touch more adaptable across turn shapes thanks to rocker and 3D radius.
- Nordica Dobermann Spitfire 70 Pro: The Nordica is the most demanding/race‑leaning; the Peregrine has a slightly broader sweet spot and easier release.
Specs and what they mean
- Rocker profile: Tip & tail rocker with camber underfoot – Quicker initiation and easier release with strong camber grip and energy.
- Sidecut (tip‑waist‑tail): approx. 125/72/103 mm (some trims list 122 mm tip) – Narrow waist for lightning‑fast edge changes; supportive tail for powerful finishes.
- Turn radius (by length): 12.7 m (158), 13.5 m (163), 14.5 m (168), 15.4 m (173), 16.4 m (178) – Short to medium radii; longer sizes feel more stable at speed.
- Weight: approx. 3025–3285 g per ski incl. binding depending on length (around 3205 g at 173 cm reported) – More mass equals more damping and stability.
- Construction: Full Titanal, 3D.GLASS, full sidewall, P‑Tex 4504 base, rMotion plate – Premium grip, transmission, and glide.
- Available lengths: 158/163/168/173/178 cm (some “Master” trims: 168/173/178) – Choose based on stability vs agility priorities.
Key takeaways
- Carving authority: Calm, precise, and extremely grippy on firm snow.
- Demands input: Best for skilled skiers; the tail is strong and decisive.
- Frontside specialist: Outstanding on groomers; limited appeal in soft or deep snow.
- Plate power: rMotion interface boosts edge hold and accuracy, with some added weight.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How does the Völkl Peregrine 72 handle ice?
A: Exceptionally well. Full Titanal, 3D.GLASS, and the narrow 72 mm waist give the Völkl Peregrine 72 review‑worthy edge hold and composure on blue‑ice mornings.
Q: Is the Peregrine 72 good for intermediates?
A: Only for strong, improving intermediates committed to carving. If you prefer a more forgiving feel, consider a softer piste carver or the wider Peregrine sibling.
Q: What length should I choose?
A: Around your height for all‑round carving and stability; 5–10 cm shorter for SL‑like agility; size up if you’re heavy, powerful, or love very high speeds.
Q: What’s different about the Black or Master variants?
A: Trims can vary in tip width (125 vs 122 mm) and materials (e.g., Master with ash core and tailored carbon tips). The Master is stiffer, more energetic, and most demanding.