I abused these for 60 days in all conditions, many they did not belong in. My review is: they are adequate. I like the long effective edge and the subtle rocker, but frequently found myself stuffing the tips into even the smallest rolls in the snow because there's not much tip rise.
Compared to the Mythic or impressive MTour 99 which replaced them, I did not find the Volkls particularly damp or stable.
In my experience they were an acceptable lightweight carbon ski that floats on the uphill, that neither wowed or disappointed me. The construction is excellent, they look great despite the abuse
Volkl Rise Beyond 96 Ski
Volkl has a reputation for making skis that can perform in just about any terrain for any level of skier and the Rise Beyond 96 Ski is no exception. The improved model from the previous season, the shape is a touch narrower underfoot by 2mm and features a tighter turn radius for snappier turn initiation. But don't worry, the innovative 3D radius sidecut remains, which helps the ski show off its hourglass figure, as well as switch seamlessly from long turns to short. As a result, this delivers agility and maneuverability that is surprising for a 96mm waisted ski - great for the skiers who like to make great turns, no matter the speed. Volkl has also kept its Tourlite Hybrid Woodcore since it has been proven to help balance the stiffness to pop ratio. Tip rocker upfront and camber underfoot make this a great ski to handle variable conditions and power through turns like a warm knife cutting butter. Whether you're joyously arcing big turns in a powder field or carefully making your way down a chundery couloir, the Volkl Rise Beyond 96 will be your faithful companion.
- The 3D Radius Sidecut gives the ski multiple turning radii from long to short and allows effortless adjustment to your turn shape.
- Volkl's Smart Skinclip lets you remove your skins from either the tip or tail.
- Tourlite Hybrid wood core utilizes a blend of poplar, beech, and paulownia wood for a touring-specific ski.
- Great tip rocker and underfoot camber give this ski a great balance between float and edge hold!
- A friendly, fun, and fantastic all-around ski for any level of skier.
Update 2022/23: A new paint job has been applied to the Rise Beyond.
| Specifications | |
| Lengths (cm) | 156, 163, 170, 177, 184 |
|
Weight |
1180g [163] 1260g [170] 1300g [177] 1360g [184] |
| Weight (pair) | 2360g [163] 2520g [170] 2600g [177] 2720g [184] |
|
|
138-96-119 |
|
Turn |
17-12-16m [156] 19-14-18m [163] 22-16-20m [170] 24-17-22m [177] 27-19-24m [184] |
|
Skin |
Smart Skinclip system: notched tail and a square recession on the tip for a skin clip |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Tip rocker, underfoot camber, semi-flat tail |
|
|
Angular tapered tip, triple-radius sidecut, pintail for pack loop insertion |
|
|
Full vertical sidewall, Tourlite Hybrid Woodcore |
|
|
Paulownia and poplar with beech wood underfoot |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Everyday touring and epic winter adventures |
| Notes | A top-choice ski for anything from variable conditions to powder |
| Bottom Line | An amazingly versatile and maneuverable ski! |
| Compare to other High-fat Skis | |
Related Products
Questions & Reviews
Comment on this review:
3/2/2024
I’m looking for a ski that will tour (light) but can also ski in bounds on icier and mogul days. Is this reasonable? I have Völkl v werks katana which I love, my daughter has the Völkl bmt 90 and loves those and uses them as a quiver killer inbounds and touring. I’m curious if either this 96 rise beyond vs bmt 90 would pair well with my Katana’s for icier, mogully, mankier days inbounds and still tour well? I’d like to demo but have not had that chance yet.
3/4/2024
David,
The Rise Beyond and BMT 90 are both fairly damp for a touring ski so they would work well for a crossover, acknowledging that lightweight touring skis in general won't handle ice and crud as well as a heavy, damp alpine ski. The BMT is a bit heavier, while the Rise Beyond is a bit more focused on touring.
The Rise Beyond and BMT 90 are both fairly damp for a touring ski so they would work well for a crossover, acknowledging that lightweight touring skis in general won't handle ice and crud as well as a heavy, damp alpine ski. The BMT is a bit heavier, while the Rise Beyond is a bit more focused on touring.
Answer this question:
1/29/2024
It's looking like my current black crows camox freebirds are not going to make it through the season and I am in search replacement to fill the same spot in my quiver. I skied the camox with both the dynafit hoji as well the technica zero g peak carbon and hoping to find a replacement that is similarly fun on the descent with a burlier boat but also drivable with technicas when conditions aren't too crazy. These volkls seem similar to the camox with the wide shovel. Also eyeing the dynastar m tour 99s and the atomic backland 95s and am curious of any recommendations and how these would compare to my current setup.
1/30/2024
Hi Conor,
These are great skis! They certainly have a wide shovel. They are a ski that will pull you into a turn and really like to carve out energetic, shorter to medium radius turns on firm, corn, or in powder. They float well for their width as well due to how wide the shovel is.
The M-Tour won't be quite as turny as the Volkl in terms of skiing its sidecut. However, it is still easy to initiate due to its significantly rockered tips. I think the M-Tour is a little bit more powder and steep-oriented, whereas the Volkl would be a bit more fun on firmer snow, at lower speeds, and especially on corn.
The new Backland 95 is a very good ski as well - reliable, light, and easy to ski for someone with decent technique. It is a strong ski and can hold up at speed quite well, and has great predictable edge hold. A super fun ski to carve that is also versatile in steep, technical terrain.
All three of these skis are going to be a bit stiffer than the Camox, with the Volkl probably the most similar.
These are great skis! They certainly have a wide shovel. They are a ski that will pull you into a turn and really like to carve out energetic, shorter to medium radius turns on firm, corn, or in powder. They float well for their width as well due to how wide the shovel is.
The M-Tour won't be quite as turny as the Volkl in terms of skiing its sidecut. However, it is still easy to initiate due to its significantly rockered tips. I think the M-Tour is a little bit more powder and steep-oriented, whereas the Volkl would be a bit more fun on firmer snow, at lower speeds, and especially on corn.
The new Backland 95 is a very good ski as well - reliable, light, and easy to ski for someone with decent technique. It is a strong ski and can hold up at speed quite well, and has great predictable edge hold. A super fun ski to carve that is also versatile in steep, technical terrain.
All three of these skis are going to be a bit stiffer than the Camox, with the Volkl probably the most similar.
Answer this question:
This is a great all-around touring ski, so if you're looking for a quiver of one, this is it! It's reasonably light, edges well on hardpack, and floats better in powder than you might expect. It's also a very friendly ski that doesn't require much adjustment coming from traditional alpine resort skis. The only downside is that it might keep you from "needing" to buy more skis.
Comment on this review:
9/11/2022
How would you compare them to Atomic Backland 95? I am a looking for a new pair of skis (I have basically entry level Hagan Ride with 83mm under the foot, 177cm long and approx. 2500g for a pair) and I would like to have something more powerfull/versatile, especially in different conditions (from powder to “ice”). I am an intermediate/advanced skier and the bigest problem with skimo I have now is fatique, that is paradoxically bigger when going down, so I am also looking for more “support” downhill. Also, what lenght would you recommend? I was thinking of 184 (I am 183). Thank you.
9/12/2022
Miroslav, Both skis are a good all-around / Quiver of one skis. Both will handle icy and mixed conditions well. The Volkl will definitely be superior in powder. With their wide and soft tip, they float like a wider ski. I would still suggest the 177cm, they will have lots more float/support than your current ski. The less weight and shorter length will make the Up easier. For reliving the fatigue on the down, that is probably another problem.
Answer this question:
3/17/2022
I'm considering a few skis for an all-purpose, light, fun, quiver-killer for backcountry and resort uphill skiing all around Colorado (open bowls and trees, mostly, and would like to ski more couloirs).
For some background. I'm 5'8" (about 175 cm), 145 lb., advanced-level, moderatley aggressive but not expert skier. I ski Volkl Mantra M5s (170 cm) in-bounds and love them. I skied Black Diamond Helio 105's (165 cm) in- and out-of-bounds for 2 seasons and loved them. Then I sized up to the Helio 105's at 175 cm and don't enjoy skiing them. So I'm looking for a change. Here are my candidates:
1. These Volkl Rise Beyond 96 (170 cm). These look really good but I haven't seen many reviews (aside from a handful of positive pro reviews) or see anyone skiing them. They seem to be flying under the radar, for better or worse, I'm not sure which or why.
2. Black Diamond Helio 104 (166 cm). I loved the 105's in 165 cm. Why not go back to what's worked before? And maybe the new model is even better?
3. Black Diamond Helio 95 (169 cm). These look good too, maybe better for me than the 105's.
4. Blizzard Zero G 95 (171 cm). I've read a ton of positive reviews on these, a lot of people have been skiing these a lot of places for a while and love them.
I plan to mount Marker Alpinist bindings to whatever ski I get. I've skied those for a few seasons and really like them.
What do you recommend?
Many thanks!
For some background. I'm 5'8" (about 175 cm), 145 lb., advanced-level, moderatley aggressive but not expert skier. I ski Volkl Mantra M5s (170 cm) in-bounds and love them. I skied Black Diamond Helio 105's (165 cm) in- and out-of-bounds for 2 seasons and loved them. Then I sized up to the Helio 105's at 175 cm and don't enjoy skiing them. So I'm looking for a change. Here are my candidates:
1. These Volkl Rise Beyond 96 (170 cm). These look really good but I haven't seen many reviews (aside from a handful of positive pro reviews) or see anyone skiing them. They seem to be flying under the radar, for better or worse, I'm not sure which or why.
2. Black Diamond Helio 104 (166 cm). I loved the 105's in 165 cm. Why not go back to what's worked before? And maybe the new model is even better?
3. Black Diamond Helio 95 (169 cm). These look good too, maybe better for me than the 105's.
4. Blizzard Zero G 95 (171 cm). I've read a ton of positive reviews on these, a lot of people have been skiing these a lot of places for a while and love them.
I plan to mount Marker Alpinist bindings to whatever ski I get. I've skied those for a few seasons and really like them.
What do you recommend?
Many thanks!
3/18/2022
Hi Evan,
Let’s talk skis!
You are totally correct, the Volkl Rise Beyond 96 has been flying under the radar. The 3D sidecut makes these skis friendly to a wide range of skiers. They are surfy in powder, while still being good fun on corduroy, and surprisingly damp for their weight. Based on your ski history, this would be a great option.
On to the Helios. In my mind, the 104 is more of a powder ski. It will be a little less versatile across all seasons, especially firm spring snow. The new ski will still be nice and damp, with a short turn radius and pretty stable feel. The 95 will have a lot of the same characteristics in a more versatile package.
Finally, the Blizzard Zero G 95. This ski is stiff and relatively unforgiving, requiring input from the skier. It is lighter weight than the prior skis discussed, but it will be less damp in variable snow conditions.
Let’s talk skis!
You are totally correct, the Volkl Rise Beyond 96 has been flying under the radar. The 3D sidecut makes these skis friendly to a wide range of skiers. They are surfy in powder, while still being good fun on corduroy, and surprisingly damp for their weight. Based on your ski history, this would be a great option.
On to the Helios. In my mind, the 104 is more of a powder ski. It will be a little less versatile across all seasons, especially firm spring snow. The new ski will still be nice and damp, with a short turn radius and pretty stable feel. The 95 will have a lot of the same characteristics in a more versatile package.
Finally, the Blizzard Zero G 95. This ski is stiff and relatively unforgiving, requiring input from the skier. It is lighter weight than the prior skis discussed, but it will be less damp in variable snow conditions.
Answer this question:
3/14/2022
I have the earlier Völkl VTA 98. Is this ski much improved on that or is a subtle update?
3/14/2022
Hi Brian, the Rise series is very different than the VTA. These don't have that tinny feel and are much more stable. The flex and multi-radius sidecut feel nicely integrated. It took a few tries, but Volkl has made some great backcountry skis ;)
9/11/2022
How would you compare them to Atomic Backland 95? I am a looking for a new pair of skis (I have basically entry level Hagan Ride with 83mm under the foot, 177cm long and approx. 2500g for a pair) and I would like to have something more powerfull/versatile, especially in different conditions (from powder to “ice”). I am an intermediate/advanced skier and the bigest problem with skimo I have now is fatique, that is paradoxically bigger when going down, so I am also looking for more “support” downhill. Also, what lenght would you recommend? I was thinking of 184 (I am 183). Thank you.
Answer this question:
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