Volkl BMT 94 - how good is it?

[Sklimber]

So that puts the rearward toe holes at 136mm from boot center line?

[jackattack]

Cool. Thanks!

[ezgzy]

Hit the jackpot at a local consignment store today. One tele mount each, bases are in great shape


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[skis_the_trees]

Has anybody been on the Volkl Rise series of skis (i.e. Rise Beyond 96mm, only 1373g in a 184cm) to compare to the BMT 94 or BMT 90?

Or even perhaps the Blaze? I recognize the Blaze is a frontside ski for intermediate skiers, but perhaps that makes it work OK with randonerd boots in the backcountry.

[chicken feathers]

I have blaze 94’s as a touring ski. Seems like the best use of that ski imo. Mine are currently mounted tele, but I plan on keeping them and putting a low tech alpine binding on eventually.

[redbarnPD]

Blaze 106 (179) is great, light enough-ish, a little too-quick turning, but solid powder ski that doesn't totally fall apart when the snow is imperfect.
Rise Beyond 96 (177) is meh. Crazy light @ 1298 grams, OK in boot-top due to super wide shovel, but just pretty weak overall. Soft, way too eager to turn, not good if the snow is less than perfect. Fine paired with an equally weak boot, but I won't take it anywhere spicy.
For reference, my all time favorite BC ski for "fun" is the Volkl Katana V-werks 112. It rips, and noodles, better than anything, although heavy-ish. Other solid daily driver is the Fischer Transalp 105 CTI - way better than the old Hannibals, skis strong and 1545 grams. I still havent found a 88-96 light ski I like much...

[dub_xion]

Hi, so I am continuing to puzzle about the variation of rec mount points. I had some of the 1st-gen graphic (all black with red tip on one ski) in a 176, and enjoyed it at about -1.5cm back per Wildsnow (RIP) recs. Now I have got the later-gen graphic (white, black, red), also 176, and I initially mounted at -2cm and it was definitely too far back. Was able to manage a -0.5cm mount and feels a ton better, but definitely have to ski tip-heavy when edging on hardpack/refrozen. So now I am curious if the rec midsole mark changed somewhere between that first-gen graphic and later graphics. This might also explain differences of opinion in mount point on this thread. I went out and measured just now 781mm straight pull tail to midsole mark on the ski. Just wondering if anyone out there has a fiirst-gen graphic 176cm and can do a quick measure? Thanks!

[oltrepiave]

Since they appear to be "similar"-ish on paper but I haven't found any decent info on the web, has anyone ever used the old 100eight? I've seen many used pairs and I do like the straight shape and the weight-length ratio. Kinda concerned about mount point though

[chicken feathers]

^ I skied the first season 100eights for a few seasons. Really liked that ski. Long low rocker and a good radius. They had durability issues and I epoxied mine back together 4-5 times over the years.

I skied them telemark at recommended for a bit, and then mounted alpine at +1 which I liked more. The mount points, especially the rear most one probably seem really rearwards compared to newer skis as it’s a 10 or 11 year old Volkl design at this point. I’d say they have a large sweet spot though.

[dub_xion]

Also great is the Nunataq, full rocker, similar weight...(edit- actually a bit lighter than the 100eight! https://wildsnow.com/5879/volkl-nunataq-ski-review/) Kind of a light Gotama. I enjoyed mine for sure. They come up on ebay/CL now and again.

[oltrepiave]

The 100eights I found are the latest version (blue-ish top sheet). They would be my first 0-camber ski ever and I generally prefer softish non directional skis but you guys are making me curious.

Would I get away with a forward mount (approx 5/6 cm from true center)? Does it even make sense on this kind of ski?

[chicken feathers]

That would put you 4-5cm in front of the forward line. Also, the 3D ridge construction used on the eights/bmt/vwerks may limit you on mounting that far forward as the binding footprint is only so big and based around the recommended lines.

Don’t know if that mount would make sense. But I’ll say I found them to be very intuitive. I’d characterize them as a loose directional ski.

[oltrepiave]

You're right I forgot about that 3d ridge thing. Thanks so much for the info though.
How did you find the tails back when you were using them? Easy to release? They seem (totally?) flat on paper/photos.

[chicken feathers]

Tails are not as loose as a modern freeride ski, though they are easy enough to pivot, stivot, drift, etc.

The tip and tail splay isn’t huge on these skis, but the rocker lines run deep. So, how you weight and drive the ski influences how the readily the tails release. In other words, a big sweet spot. So, it’s a directionally biased ski, but a loose one. Very well matched to the variations of natural snow.

I think it’s still a relevant ski. 4-frnt, Heritage Labs, Volkl, and others continue to make skis with similar rocker profiles.

[skis_the_trees]

So now I am curious if the rec midsole mark changed somewhere between that first-gen graphic and later graphics. This might also explain differences of opinion in mount point on this thread. I went out and measured just now 781mm straight pull tail to midsole mark on the ski. Just wondering if anyone out there has a fiirst-gen graphic 176cm and can do a quick measure? Thanks!

I just measured the 1st gen graphic. Straight pull from the tall and inside the small skin clip notch measured 778mm.



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[Benneke10]

I had a pair of 100eights, I thought they were great skis. I got them used from TGR and didn't move the bindings, I was around +1cm. They would have been better a few more cm forward. They don't have the dampness of the more expensive Volkl skis, but they pivot amazingly well and can charge in the right conditions.

[dub_xion]

I just measured the 1st gen graphic. Straight pull from the tall and inside the small skin clip notch measured 778mm. Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

Thanks for checking! There goes that theory. More probable theory is around my susceptability to suggestion and a few years apart between being on them.