Volkl

V-Werks Katana Ski

Carbon is that magical ingredient you'll find in top-of-the-line skis that not only replaces heavy metal laminates, but increases strength and stiffness, too. A few years ago you couldn't find too many companies offering carbon skis, but Volkl was one of the few. Being one of the pioneers in the field of hard-charging, lightweight, carbon skis, the V-Werks Katana returns with its carbon fiber layup and multi wood core—a combination that results in a 15% weight reduction over the non-carbon Katana of yesteryear—the result of which is a ski that loses some weight without sacrificing an ounce of power or performance, sounds like a fair shake, right?

The Katana was already a powerhouse. Its moderately girthy waist, wide tip and tail, full rocker profile, and consistent and responsive flex put it in a category that toed the line between a freeride ski and an all-mountain slayer. The V-Werks version of the Katana features a full carbon jacket along the core to improve torsional rigidity, reduce weight while keeping the milled wood core thin and low to the ski. All said and done, the Katana morphed from a versatile all-mountain, freeride ski to one destined for big-mountain touring with its addition to the Volkl's V-Werks collection.

Although it has the same weight-saving, performance-enhancing technology of Volkl's other V-Werks skis, the V-Werks Katana is more of a big-mountain touring ski than a performance carver. Its ultralight construction make this ski lighter than the standard Katana; although, the two share the same dimensions and rocker profile. While Volkl offers three skis that are fatter and more rockered than the V-Werks Katana (the, One, Two, and AK-sized Three respectively), the Katana offers a cutting-edge balance of stiffness, floatation, stability, weight, and outright maneuverability.