In the world of women's skis, the Völkl Secret 96 and the Salomon Stance W 94 are two powerhouses that have made a significant impact in 2023. Both skis are designed for advanced skiers and offer exceptional performance in various conditions. The Völkl Secret 96 is a versatile ski that can handle a wide range of conditions, from heavy wet snow to fluffy powder days. It's a driver that handles well at speed and is perfect for carving short quick turns or long wide turns. On the other hand, the Salomon Stance W 94 is a frontside-oriented charger that excels on firm snow and carving. It's quick, reactive, and loves to rip on groomers. Both skis are excellent choices, but the best one for you will depend on your skiing style and preferences.

Völkl Secret 96 Skis · Women's · 2023 summary

The Völkl Secret 96 is a ski that's designed for advanced skiers who love to ski in all conditions. It's a versatile ski that can handle a wide range of conditions, from heavy wet snow to fluffy powder days. The Secret 96 is a driver that handles well at speed, thanks to its new Carbon Tips. It has a triple turn radius, allowing you to carve short quick turns or long, wide turns. This ski is perfect for a one-ski quiver, meaning it's the only ski you'll need for any condition or terrain.

The Secret 96 is also a durable ski that can carve and turn through any type of snow. It's wide enough to have float in powder, but narrow enough that it can get on edge. This ski is perfect for an advanced skier ready to drive and charge with this ski. It's not ideal for beginners or those who prefer a more relaxed skiing style. The Secret 96 is a ski that demands to be driven and rewards its pilot with unparalleled precision and stability.

Salomon Stance W 94 Skis · Women's · 2023 summary

The Salomon Stance W 94 is a ski that's designed for aggressive, advanced-intermediate, and expert skiers. It's a frontside-oriented charger that excels at stability at speed and has a great edge to edge hold. The Stance W 94 is also incredibly versatile, performing well in crud and decently well in powder. Despite its stability and performance, the ski feels and skis lighter than it is. It's not overly playful, but it's not a dead feeling either. It's responsive, dynamic, and ready to deliver an exciting ride.

The Stance W 94 is unique in that once on edge, you can shift your weight fore/aft to change the shape of your turn while mid-turn. This feature allows you to change your turn shape depending on your mood or the terrain. However, it's not the most playful ski, and it's not ideal for those who prefer a more relaxed skiing style. The Stance W 94 is a ski that demands to be driven and rewards its pilot with a smooth ride no matter the conditions.

Similarities

Both the Völkl Secret 96 and the Salomon Stance W 94 are designed for advanced skiers who love to charge hard and fast. They both excel at stability at speed and have excellent edge to edge hold. Both skis are versatile and can handle a wide range of conditions, from groomers to powder. They're both designed to be driven and reward their pilots with exceptional performance and stability. Both skis also have unique features that allow them to perform well in various conditions, such as the Secret 96's triple turn radius and the Stance W 94's ability to change turn shape mid-turn.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Völkl Secret 96 is perfect for the advanced skier who loves to ski in all conditions and is looking for a one-ski quiver. It's a versatile ski that can handle everything from heavy wet snow to fluffy powder days. It's a driver that handles well at speed and is perfect for carving short quick turns or long wide turns.

On the other hand, the Salomon Stance W 94 is designed for the aggressive, advanced-intermediate, and expert skier who loves to charge hard on groomers. It's a frontside-oriented charger that excels at stability at speed and has a great edge to edge hold. It's also versatile, performing well in crud and decently well in powder.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, the Völkl Secret 96 takes the lead. Its ability to handle a wide range of conditions, from heavy wet snow to fluffy powder days, makes it a perfect one-ski quiver.

In terms of stability at speed, both skis perform exceptionally well. However, the Salomon Stance W 94's unique ability to change turn shape mid-turn gives it a slight edge in this dimension.

For carving performance, both skis excel at carving short quick turns or long wide turns. However, the Völkl Secret 96's triple turn radius gives it a slight advantage in this dimension.

Finally, for powder performance, while both skis perform decently well in powder, the Völkl Secret 96's wider design gives it a slight advantage in flotation.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Secret 96 and the Salomon Stance W 94 are exceptional skis that cater to advanced skiers who love to charge hard and fast. They both offer excellent stability at speed, great edge to edge hold, and versatility in various conditions. However, the best ski for you will depend on your skiing style and preferences. If you're looking for a versatile ski that can handle all conditions and is perfect for carving short quick turns or long wide turns, the Völkl Secret 96 is the ski for you. On the other hand, if you're an aggressive skier who loves to charge hard on groomers and wants a ski that can change turn shape mid-turn, the Salomon Stance W 94 is the perfect choice. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these skis. They're both designed to deliver an exciting ride and reward their pilots with exceptional performance and stability.