Volkl Katana V-Werks Ski Review

Last year Volkl introduced it's light-weight V-Werks series of skis with the V-Werks RTM 84 and Code Speedwall. If you like to carve and stick to groomers the 2013 V-Werks skis are a killer, but what about the guy/gal that skis hard off trail or wants a wide ski? Well for 2014 Volkl adds it's V-Werks technology to the Katana.

You may get a little sticker shock when looking at the sexy Carbon Fiber V-Werks Katana with it's bright High-Lighter yellow sidewall, but I bet any person looking at a carbon fiber road bike for the first time had a bit of sticker shock too. Volkl has been making an effort to make skis lighter without sacrificing perfromance. Honestly I don't think the phrase 'sacrificing performance' is in Volkl's vocabulary, but improving performance sure is.

The V-Werks Katana is a whole 2 pounds lighter than the Katana and a hell of a lot more lively! If you thought the regular Katana from previous years felt planky, boring or didn't hook up easily enough in a turn, the V-Werks Katana is the complete opposite of all that.

Last season I spent the better part of two days on these skis. The first time I skied the V-Werks Katana was at Mount Snow last February right after SIA. Eric, Justin and I each grabbed a pair of 184's and headed up the Summit Express lift to nuke down a couple steeper blue trails with some massive whales on them from snowmaking. Usually when you're really hauling on a pair of 'Faster' skis and you drive a super sharp turn the tips dive in crudier or softer snow, not these bad boys, they stayed right on top with their 143mm tip and full rocker.

Having a light weight wide waisted full rocker ski in the trees and bumps is AWESOME! A two pound weight reduction doesn't sound like a lot, but when you're trying to ski your best and maybe show off a bit it sure does help you get props during your run and apres skiing.  

Pros: Lighter, more lively and faster than any ski in it's class hands down.

Cons: Because the V-Werks Katana likes and wants to go fast and is super responsive, it's a lot of work to ski on, more so than other skis in it's class.

Bottom Line:  The V-Werks Katana is a true expert level ski, if you like to ski like a bat out of hell and have a ski that can handle whatever you can throw at it at any speed or snow condition, this is what you want to get.  Race Ski - Weight + Full Rocker + Waist Width = V-Werks Katana