Individual Review Völkl Flair 81

[Tricia]

The word "flair" may conjure thoughts of style, but Völkl has created these skis to be Fair, Lightweight, Agile, Intelligent, and Reliable.

• Fair -- Constructed mostly from recycled materials and locally sourced wood core
• Lightweight -- Lightweight wood cores and women-specific binding systems
• Agile -- Quick and easy to maneuver, nimble, lively
• Intelligent -- 3D Ridge construction; UVO technology; optimized sidecut, rocker, and flex
• Reliable - Grip, control, confidence, trust

Some ski manufacturers try to reinvent the wheel by fixing something that isn't broken or making a change for the sake of change, but Völkl used the very good men's RTM 81 as a starting platform for the all-new women’s Flair 81. Engineers modified the construction by replacing metal with carbon and going with a lighter Sensorwood core to ensure a unique experience. The full lineup ranges from the Flair 73 for the advancing beginner up to the Flair SC UVO for the expert carving female.

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During the past few years, I have gravitated toward sub-80mm frontside skis, but when I stepped into the Völkl Flair 81, I was not disappointed. The new shape and construction felt more balanced to me than its predecessor, offering a smoother flex along with a rounder turn shape. It gripped the morning's crispy groomers just like you expect a Völkl to do, and the slight tip and tail rocker gave me confidence in the spring crud. I look forward to spending more time on it in the trees and moguls.

• Who is it for? An advanced woman looking for a daily driver.
• Who is it not for? This is not a first ski.
• Insider tip: Don’t be afraid to drive it: the more you give it, the more it responds.

 

[AmyPJ]

Remind me what the predecessor is to the Flair?

 

[Tricia]

That's a tough one because the FLAIR line is completely different than the Essenza line, which had the Bio-logic system.
This is a whole new girlfriend, girlfriend.

 

[AmyPJ]

Meant to please those who liked the Tierra, etc? I'm much more intrigued by Volkl now, since I own and love the Kenjas, and demoed the 90 Eights and LOVED them.

 

[Tricia]

Maybe appealing to someone who liked the Tierra. We'll see when you get a chance to ski mine.

 

[AmyPJ]

Maybe appealing to someone who liked the Tierra. We'll see when you get a chance to ski mine.