If any of you out there have read my previous posts, you already know I am not a fan of super stiff skis, especially ones that feature metal laminate in the core. I do have to say that my opinion certainly changed as soon as I jumped on the 2016 Volkl Kendo skis. It is now clear to me that with the right rocker profile and shape, a ski with two layers of metal can be a blast. At the SIA on snow demo in early February, I had a chance to take out the new version of the Kendo and I honestly did not want to return these skis. A healthier dose of rocker in the tip and the addition of tail rocker have made this ski much more user friendly.
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As I sit here reading through the 2016 Volkl Catalog, a lot of what they are telling us about the new Kendo is that it is more playful in soft snow. This is attributed to a wider waist (just 1mm) and the rocker in the tip and tail. While I am sure it is true that the ski performs better in soft snow, I did not get the chance to ski it in those types of conditions but I did find the new design helpful in other areas. For me, not being a huge guy or a phenomenal skier the skis with flat tails and two sheets of metal usually do not agree with me, especially because I spend most of my time in trees and bumps. I really found that the tail rocker allowed me to release my tails a bit easier in the tight spaces, where I would normally be crossing a ski that stiff. I also kind of liked the metal feel with the rocker in that it allowed me to charge in and out of the smaller more manageable bumps and of course rip super fast out of the bump section.
What goes without saying is the Kendo’s performance on really steep and fast runs. I can honestly say I feel no hesitation in letting this ski rip at 50 mph, where on other models I might be timid to top out speed. There is absolutely zero loss of stability and certainly no chatter. The Kendo can be used east coast to west coast which is part of what makes it one of the more versatile skis on the market. This would be a wider ski for someone out east or a skinnier, carving option for folks out west.
If you would like to read more about what Volkl has in store for 2016, take a look at the Fast Forward: 2016 Volkl Skis Blog Post!
