Launched last year, the blaze was very underwhelming from a brand normally as reliable as Volkl. However, a couple of slight changes has brought this ski firmly back to where it should be for this year. Nor featuring a metal plate and a rubber dampener through the middle of the ski, this is now a buttery smooth all mountain ski perfect for intermediates and advance skiers looking to grow their skiing off piste. Infinitely easy to find the sweet spot under the boot, the ski will sing in deep powder, floating gently from turn to turn. On piste it performs well, a lack of real power stopping it from really ripping, but all round a very high quality ski.