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Expert Comparison: Völkl Blaze 86 W Skis · Women's · 2023 vs K2 Mindbender 90C Skis · Women's · 2023

Published on 02/10/2024 · 5 min readCompare Völkl Blaze 86 W Skis · Women's · 2023 and K2 Mindbender 90C Skis · Women's · 2023. Get expert insight below!
Jeffrey Egner, Ski Expert
Phil Chandler, Ski Expert
Mary B, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Jeffrey Egner, Phil Chandler, Mary B, Luke H., Henry Kvietok and others

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Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Völkl Blaze 86 W Skis · Women's · 2023
Out of stock
K2 Mindbender 90C Skis · Women's · 2023
Price
$329.99
40% off
$249.98
50% off
User rating
--
5(4)
Ski type
All Mountain, Freeride
All Mountain
Skill level
Intermediate, Advanced
Intermediate, Advanced
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Tail profile
Partial twin tip
Flat

In the world of women's skis, the Völkl Blaze 86 W and the K2 Mindbender 90C are two standout options for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for versatility and agility, with a focus on providing a lightweight, responsive ride. The Völkl Blaze 86 W is praised for its lively feel and ability to handle a variety of snow conditions, while the K2 Mindbender 90C is lauded for its maneuverability and stability, thanks to its Spectral Braid technology and Carbon Boost. Both skis are great for intermediate to advanced skiers, but the Völkl Blaze 86 W might be a better fit for those who enjoy backcountry skiing, while the K2 Mindbender 90C is a solid choice for those who want a ski that can handle everything from groomers to bumps.

The Völkl Blaze 86 W Skis are designed for women who crave versatility and agility on the slopes. These skis are lightweight, making them easy to handle and maneuver in various snow conditions. They are particularly good for all-mountain cruising, offering forgiving turn initiation and good float in deeper snow.

The Blaze 86 W skis are built with a full tip-to-tail wood core, which provides ease in ascents and a pleasurable descent. This feature also makes them an appealing option for backcountry skiing. The skis are designed with slightly flared out tips and tails, which give them plenty of float in off-piste conditions and the ability to handle some powder.

These skis are lively and lightweight, with good pop for a fun skiing experience. They are agile and quick for edge-to-edge transitions on firm snow. The Blaze 86 W skis are a great fit for women who want a ski that can handle demanding terrain, speed, and long curves.

No titanal makes the new Volkl Blaze 86 a more lively ski with lower weight and more pop. Three side cuts let the ski perform short turns while being able to maintain a long high speed carve. Slightly flaired out tips and tails give the ski plenty of float in off piste conditions and be able to handle some powder. It's lightweight tip to tail wood core also makes it an appealing backcountry option at around 1300 grams per ski.

Jeffrey Egner
Ski Expert

The K2 Mindbender 90C Skis are a lightweight option for intermediate to advanced women skiers. They are built with Spectral Braid technology, which provides maneuverability and stability. The skis also feature Carbon Boost for added rebound and agility, and an Aspen Veneer Core for confident and agile carving.

These skis are versatile for all types of snow conditions and terrain, including groomers, trees, and bumps. They are comfortable and easy to handle, making them a great choice for skiers who want to go beyond groomers.

The Mindbender 90C skis are designed to remain maneuverable and energetic without sacrificing stability. They are light on your feet, delivering a confident, agile carve anywhere on the mountain. These skis are perfect for tight spaces like trees and bumps, and they offer a comfortable ride for intermediate to advanced skiers.

The Mindbender 90C W is a women’s-specific ski for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a lightweight option that’s comfortable going beyond groomers. Built with Spectral Braid technology, the 90C W utilizes torsional control to remain maneuverable and energetic without sacrificing stability. Its Carbon Boost gives these skis added rebound in those agile moments. Aspen Veneer Core keeps you light on your feet, delivering a confident, agile carve anywhere on the mountain.

Phil Chandler
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Völkl Blaze 86 W and the K2 Mindbender 90C skis are designed for women and are part of the 2023 lineup. They are both lightweight options, making them easy to handle and maneuver on the slopes. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and are versatile enough to handle a variety of snow conditions and terrains.

Both skis are praised for their agility and maneuverability, with the ability to handle everything from groomers to bumps. They both offer a confident, agile carve and are designed to be energetic and lively on the slopes. Both skis also have a focus on providing a fun, enjoyable skiing experience, with good pop and a responsive ride.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile and agile, they each have their unique strengths and features that make them suitable for different types of skiers. The Völkl Blaze 86 W skis are particularly good for backcountry skiing, thanks to their lightweight design and full tip-to-tail wood core. They are a great fit for women who want a ski that can handle demanding terrain, speed, and long curves.

On the other hand, the K2 Mindbender 90C skis are built with Spectral Braid technology and Carbon Boost, which provide maneuverability, stability, and added rebound. They are a great choice for skiers who want a lightweight option that's comfortable going beyond groomers.

In terms of persona, the Völkl Blaze 86 W skis are perfect for adventurous women who love backcountry skiing and want a versatile, agile ski. The K2 Mindbender 90C skis are ideal for intermediate to advanced women skiers who want a lightweight, comfortable ski that can handle all types of snow conditions and terrain.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well in a variety of snow conditions and terrains. However, the Völkl Blaze 86 W skis might have a slight edge due to their ability to handle demanding terrain and long curves.

In terms of agility and maneuverability, both skis are praised for their responsive ride and quick edge-to-edge transitions. However, the K2 Mindbender 90C skis, with their Spectral Braid technology and Carbon Boost, might offer a bit more stability and rebound.

For backcountry skiing, the Völkl Blaze 86 W skis are the clear winner, thanks to their lightweight design and full tip-to-tail wood core.

Finally, for comfort and ease of use, the K2 Mindbender 90C skis might have a slight advantage, as they are designed to be comfortable going beyond groomers and are light on your feet.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Blaze 86 W and the K2 Mindbender 90C skis are excellent options for women skiers in the 2023 season. They both offer versatility, agility, and a lightweight design, making them easy to handle and maneuver on the slopes.

The Völkl Blaze 86 W skis are a great fit for adventurous women who love backcountry skiing and want a versatile, agile ski. On the other hand, the K2 Mindbender 90C skis are ideal for intermediate to advanced women skiers who want a lightweight, comfortable ski that can handle all types of snow conditions and terrain.

Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences and skiing style. Whether you're carving down groomers, navigating through trees, or exploring the backcountry, both skis are designed to provide a fun, enjoyable skiing experience. So, get out there and hit the slopes!

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