Like a healthy relationship, the Secret 96 from Völkl provides unwavering stability through whatever the season brings you. The Secret 96 features a tailored Titanal frame, which means the amount of Titanal in each ski is dependent upon the length. The longer the ski, the more metal it has. This ensures you get a ski that fits your build, as opposed to one-size-fits-all.
Staying true to its German heritage, the Secret 96 demands honest, hard work to really put it in its sweet spot—which is at speeds you see on the Autobahn. If you’re someone looking for an easy ski to cruise around blues and greens, we might recommend something else, but if you’re an ex-ski racer who loves to rip top to bottom without ever thinking of touching the brakes, this ski will put you in the fast lane, leaving your friends to eat your spray.
Groomers are a no-brainer, but even if they’re just a means to an off-piste end, the Secret 96 will chew up and spit out whatever you put in front of her—leaving no pocket or stash untouched. Völkl has implemented its 4 Radius Drive design into this race car of a ski, which means it has a new, short radius in the tip of the ski (fourth radius) to help with turn initiation in case you need to deflect a bump, tree or slowpoke in your path. We wouldn’t necessarily call this ski poppy or playful. She likes to keep her edges deep in the snow, but there’s no doubt you’re locked and loaded. The tea is out about the new and improved Secret 96, but don’t just take our word for it. “The Völkl Secret 96 skis are like your favorite pair of jeans. They work well in all conditions, making them easy to manage and fun to ski,” said our tester.