Gear reviews | Völkl VTA 108

First impression

With a length of 189 cm and a center width of 108 mm, the VTA 108 is a full-fledged freeride ski. In terms of weight, however, you immediately notice that Vökl has tightened its belt and slimmed the VTA down to a slim 1700 g (per ski without bindings). In recent years, attempts have often been made to redesign freeride skis into lighter freetourers with sophisticated material mixes. Vökl has turned the tables and simply given the established touring skis in the VTA series freeride dimensions.

At second glance, the angular shape and structured surface of the VTA 108 are striking. The latter is called ICE.OFF Topsheet and is designed to ensure that 20-30% less ice and snow sticks to the ski thanks to its structure and material. The VTA 108 has a taper shape with classic camber under the binding and a slight tip rocker. The ski is built with the TOURLITE wood core, which is also used in the classic touring models of the VTA series. Carbon is used in the shovel to save even more weight and ensure stability at the same time.

The matching VTA 108 skins can be mounted quickly and easily at the hole in the ski tip, known as the "ski pin". The 70/30% mohair/nylon skins make a solid first impression. It is noticeable that the skins are cut in a trapezoidal shape at the back and front. This shape contributes to the low total weight of approx. 500 g (pair of skins plus bag) for a skin of this size.

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Test

The Völkl VTA 108 in length 189 cm with a Marker Kingpin 13 was tested by an 83 kg and 182 cm tall man. The ski was used on around 20 days in the 17/18 season on tour, for off-piste skiing and also on the piste. In the terrain, the conditions varied from deep powder to slushy spring snow.

Downhill

With the dimensions of the VTA 108 in combination with its low weight, one could perhaps assume that it would have a rather spongy ride. However, the ski impresses right from the start with its stability and balanced handling. The recommended mounting point is slightly further forward than on comparable freeride skis, which means that tight turns can be controlled precisely. The edge hold is good in both long and short turns. Due to the large radius (24.5 m) and flat tails, fast, long turns are easier to make than short turns.

The VTA 108 feels most comfortable in rather hard conditions or in medium-deep powder. This is where it really comes into its own. In very deep powder, the recommended mounting point and the only slight rocker dampen the fun somewhat, in soft, slushy snow the hard tail and the lack of tail rocker.

The VTA 108 cleverly combines proven technologies, but no new, groundbreaking technology from space research has been installed. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the great riding characteristics with low weight must also come with some kind of disadvantage. Although it is difficult to objectively assess the durability of a ski that is used off-piste, the test gave the impression that some of the quirks that occurred would not have been as severe with classic, heavier freeride skis as was the case with the VTA 108.

Ascent

The combination of very light skis and skins is of course immediately noticeable on the ascent. In total (two skis plus two skins), the VTA set is significantly more than half a kilo lighter than skis of a comparable size. The good edge hold is noticeable not only on the descent but also on the ascent. When traversing, you feel safe on the long and relatively straight edges of the VTA.

It was not possible to assess whether the ICE.OFF Top Sheet actually causes 20-30% less snow to stick to the ski on the ascent. There was neither a conspicuous amount nor a conspicuous amount of snow and ice sticking to the ski. The mechanism for attaching the skins to the ski works well and quickly.

The trapezoidal cut of the skins at the front was not convincing on the ascent. Due to the cut, the skin already leaves the ski edge on the running surface and not, as is usually the case, in the area of the rocker or completely at the tip. As a result, snow collected several times under the skin at the point where the skin leaves the edge on the running surface. The well-intentioned weight saving on the skin due to the cut causes significantly more friction and therefore effort on the ascent.

The skin bag of the VTA 108 skins deserves a positive mention at this point. Here, the skins have not been optimized for minimum pack size, as is unfortunately often the case, which means that you can get the skins into the bag quickly and easily at the summit.

Conclusion

With the VTA 108, Völkl comes relatively close to the holy grail of freeride skis. The ski is characterized by very good downhill properties with very low weight (for the dimensions of the ski). The handling characteristics of the VTA are more in the big mountain than in the backcountry freeride area. In terms of durability and the practicality of the skin, the VTA showed slight weaknesses.

Advantages/disadvantages
+ Downhill performance
+ Weight
- Durability (subjective impression) when used as a freeride ski on variants
- Cut of the corresponding skin

Details