Expert Comparison: Völkl Kenja 88 Skis · Women's · 2023 vs Blizzard Sheeva 9 Skis · Women's · 2023
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $418.93 40% off | $389.97 40% off |
User rating | 5(1) | -- |
Ski type | All Mountain, Freeride | Freeride, All Mountain |
Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
Tail profile | Partial twin tip | Partial twin tip |
In the world of women's skis, the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Blizzard Sheeva 9 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced female skiers who love to conquer the whole mountain with speed and precision. The Völkl Kenja 88 is a hard-charging ski that excels on groomers and hardpack, while the Blizzard Sheeva 9 is a versatile all-mountain ski that shines in a variety of conditions. Both skis offer stability, speed, and playfulness, but they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses. The Kenja 88 is praised for its 3D radius sidecut and Titanal Frame, while the Sheeva 9 is loved for its Carbon Flipcore D.R.T Technology and women-specific design. In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style.
The Völkl Kenja 88 Skis are designed for lady shredders who crave speed, stability, and playfulness on the mountain. With an 88mm underfoot, these skis offer snappy edge-to-edge transitions and dominate on hardpack, making them perfect for East Coast skiers or those who prefer groomers. The 3D radius sidecut allows for changing turn radii based on speed and edge angle, providing versatility in different skiing conditions.
The Kenja 88 also features a rocker tip and tail, which gives the ski float in variable snow and woods. The Tailored Carbon Tips and Tailored Titanal Frame add stability without sacrificing playfulness, making this ski a top choice for all-mountain skiing. The ski's redesigned geometry and increased tip rocker make it a top choice for all-mountain skiing.
The Völkl Kenja 88 Skis are recognized as Outside Mag's lady's front side ski of the year and are rated as the top women's ski for the 22-23 season. They are designed for advanced skiers who want a versatile ski that can handle any terrain.
This is a great ski to consider. It really shines on hardpack/groomers but it can go off trail too! The key feature with these is the 3D radius technology- you get multiple radii with one ski so you can do short and tight turns or long ones with just the one ski! Volkl added some metal to the ski - enough to keep it stable when going fast and making those GS turns but not too much so it's still easily maneuverable in moguls/trees.
This is a great ski to consider. It really shines on hardpack/groomers but it can go off trail too! The key feature with these is the 3D radius technology- you get multiple radii with one ski so you can do short and tight turns or long ones with just the one ski! Volkl added some metal to the ski - enough to keep it stable when going fast and making those GS turns but not too much so it's still easily maneuverable in moguls/trees.
Völkl Kenja 88 Skis · Women's · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
The Blizzard Sheeva 9 Skis are a versatile all-mountain ski that can handle everything the mountain throws at it. With a smooth rocker-camber-rocker profile, these skis are responsive and stable, yet super playful in softer snow conditions and on any type of terrain. The Sheeva 9 is the narrowest of the Sheeva line, making it easier to control and ideal for advanced freeride skiing.
The Sheeva 9 features Carbon Flipcore D.R.T Technology, which is combined with a women's specific design to provide the perfect balance of reduced weight and increased performance. This ski is designed to be a one-ski quiver, perfect for the progressive female all-mountain freeride skier.
The Sheeva 9 is also equipped with titanal underfoot, providing excellent edge hold and stability at high speeds. Despite being narrower than other skis, the Sheeva 9 can hold its own in deeper snow, making it a versatile choice for a variety of conditions.
The Blizzard Sheeva 9 is my favorite ski in my quiver and the one I most often take out with me to the mountain. This is both when I'm home on the East Coast, as well as the ski I travel with on trips to Colorado & Utah. It is lightweight, easy to turn, and carves surprisingly well for its shape. It can handle a variety of conditions well and floats decently in some powder. It's a great ski for moguls, trees, and to slash through crud. It is a more aggressive ski than the Blizzard 88, so would recommend it for an advanced to expert skier vs beginner/intermediate.
The Blizzard Sheeva 9 is my favorite ski in my quiver and the one I most often take out with me to the mountain. This is both when I'm home on the East Coast, as well as the ski I travel with on trips to Colorado & Utah. It is lightweight, easy to turn, and carves surprisingly well for its shape. It can handle a variety of conditions well and floats decently in some powder. It's a great ski for moguls, trees, and to slash through crud. It is a more aggressive ski than the Blizzard 88, so would recommend it for an advanced to expert skier vs beginner/intermediate.
Blizzard Sheeva 9 Skis · Women's · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Blizzard Sheeva 9 are designed for advanced female skiers who love to ski the whole mountain with speed and precision. They are both all-mountain skis that can handle a variety of conditions, from groomers to variable snow. Both skis are praised for their stability, speed, and playfulness, making them great choices for lady shredders.
Both skis also feature unique technologies that enhance their performance. The Kenja 88 has a 3D radius sidecut and a Titanal Frame, while the Sheeva 9 features Carbon Flipcore D.R.T Technology and a women-specific design. These features provide the perfect balance of reduced weight and increased performance, making both skis responsive and stable yet super playful in softer snow conditions and on any type of terrain.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are designed for advanced female skiers, they each have their unique strengths and are suited for different types of skiers. The Völkl Kenja 88 is a hard-charging ski that excels on groomers and hardpack. It's perfect for East Coast skiers or those who prefer groomers. The 3D radius sidecut allows for changing turn radii based on speed and edge angle, providing versatility in different skiing conditions. This ski is ideal for skiers who love to ski the whole mountain with speed and precision.
On the other hand, the Blizzard Sheeva 9 is a versatile all-mountain ski that shines in a variety of conditions. It's the narrowest of the Sheeva line, making it easier to control and ideal for advanced freeride skiing. The Sheeva 9 is also equipped with titanal underfoot, providing excellent edge hold and stability at high speeds. Despite being narrower than other skis, the Sheeva 9 can hold its own in deeper snow, making it a versatile choice for a variety of conditions. This ski is perfect for skiers who want a one-ski quiver that can handle everything the mountain throws at it.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When comparing the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Blizzard Sheeva 9, it's clear that both skis excel in different areas.
Versatility: The Blizzard Sheeva 9 takes the win in this category. Its ability to handle a variety of conditions, from groomers to deeper snow, makes it a versatile choice for a one-ski quiver.
Performance on Groomers: The Völkl Kenja 88 shines on groomers and hardpack, making it the winner in this category. Its 3D radius sidecut and Titanal Frame provide excellent stability and edge hold, allowing it to dominate on groomers.
Playfulness: Both skis are praised for their playfulness, but the Blizzard Sheeva 9's Carbon Flipcore D.R.T Technology and women-specific design give it a slight edge in this category.
Stability: Both skis offer excellent stability, but the Völkl Kenja 88's Titanal Frame and the Blizzard Sheeva 9's titanal underfoot make them equally matched in this category.
In conclusion, the choice between the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Blizzard Sheeva 9 comes down to personal preference and skiing style. Both skis are top contenders in the world of women's skis, offering advanced female skiers a high-performing, versatile, and playful option for the 2023 season.
Conclusions
In the end, both the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Blizzard Sheeva 9 are excellent choices for advanced female skiers. The Kenja 88 is a hard-charging ski that excels on groomers and hardpack, while the Sheeva 9 is a versatile all-mountain ski that shines in a variety of conditions. Both skis offer stability, speed, and playfulness, but they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses.
The choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style. If you're an East Coast skier who loves groomers and hardpack, the Kenja 88 might be the better choice for you. If you're looking for a versatile all-mountain ski that can handle everything the mountain throws at it, the Sheeva 9 might be the one for you.
No matter which ski you choose, you're sure to have a blast on the mountain. Happy shredding!
