Völkl Flair 81 E (2018)
2018 Hard Snow Ski
Brand: Völkl
Model: Flair 81 E
Overall Score: 3.99 / 5
Specs
Tip / Waist / Tail (mm)
128-81-109
Lengths (cm)
149, 156, 163, 170
Radius (m)
14.7
Waist Width (mm)
75-89
Gender
Female
Level
Expert
Binding Included
Yes
Though the Flair 81 was new (and a medal-winner) last season, Völkl’s German engineers don’t turn off their laptops that easily. This season, they took the already light and strong construction and decided to integrate 3-D Glass, which wraps torsionally rigid and lightweight fiberglass over the sidewall underfoot where you pressure the ski. The result is even better edge grip—and a category-topping overall score. Testers were impressed that a ski without metal could be so damp and smooth—noting it flowed downhill like a river. “Combines the feeling of silkiness and suction,” Barnes said. “Instills confidence at speed.”
Strengths: Balance of Skills/Versatility, Overall Impression
See all of the Official Selections from SKI Magazine’s Ski Test in the Women’s Groomed Category here.