Core

 

The RTM 84s have mastered the fine art of creating a ski that is light enough to throw around off piste, whilst maintaining the rigidity and stiffness to carve cleanly on the groomers. Volkl have integrated a new technology within the RTMs, powered by steel; a steel laminate within the ski’s core adds to the longitudinal and torsional stiffness, which increases stability and turn performance.

 

The steel adds extra weight to the Volkls, which is less than ideal if one ventures away from groomed hard snow. However, don’t think the brand known for racing and powder skiing excellence would just accept such a problem. Volkl have revolutionised the whole mantra regarding an issue that has perplexed the ski industry throughout the modern era; weight vs performance.

 

Despite the heavy steel laminate, Volkl marginalise the effect this has on the swing weight of the ski by using Sensorwood, for the rest of the core. This gives the UVOs a playfulness that is unrivalled, by competitor models that can be pushed as hard as the 84s.

 

This ability to satisfy the needs of stronger and more skilled skiers has grown out of a unique technology – only implemented in Volkl’s ski range. On the top sheet, a central ridge, which looks rather like there is a chunk missing from the ski, is constructed from similar materials as are used in Volkl’s Racetigers, which increases torsional stiffness. Thus providing advanced skiers with a lot more ski to work, which Volkl has coined 3D Ridge Construction. However, due to the fact that RTM 84s are not fully constructed with this design, it means the overall ski weight is reduced and the manageability of this model is better suited to advanced intermediate and advanced users, as opposed to those in the racing community who prefer stiffer race skis.

 

Profile

 

Fundamentally the ski is produced with a composite of camber underfoot, providing stability and grip when edging, with tip and tail rocker. Volkl, who are known for their innovation in the ski community, have developed a rocker for the 21st century skier. Our sport has evolved to require ski manufacturers to provide off and on piste performance, all in a single ski. The German manufacturer has begun to meet this demand by developing XTD rocker.

 

A unique design, not only betters this model’s off-piste versatility, by increasing flotation over crud and minimising the opportunity for the tips to get caught in the deep soft stuff, but furthermore eases the difficulty of transitioning between turns and increases overall edge angle – providing an ease of turning that practically begs the skier to throw the skis around in a whole variety of turn shapes. The difference between the Volkl RTM 84 UVOs and other models, is the simple ability to keep up with the skier on top of them.

 

The stable carving that is offered thanks, in part, to the cambered profile underfoot is conditioned by UVO; the flagship of Volkl’s innovation. The UVO, or Ultimate Vibration Object, has only been made available as part of the premier line of Volkl’s range. UVO absorbs tip-flap and minimises chatter when the ski is on rutted snow or is at the peak of its mechanical capacity. All of our review team noted that this provided them with a stable platform that felt as solid underfoot as a race or power/wide ski.

 

Sidewalls

 

Volkl may be known for its ski’s mastery of the park and powder, however they will never be able to escape their racing heritage. Indeed, the Mantras may well be one of the most popular powder skis on the market, but their line of race skis has an unsurmountable talent and appreciation amongst an elite group who ski upon them.

 

This racing heritage has been re-introduced within their RTM range. The 84s are produced with a full sidewall construction, similar to that which is orthodox on almost all race skis like the Racetigers, Head Rebels and Dynastar Omeglass’. The integration of a sidewall, with this swathe of ski quality is correlated directly, as it allows a greater amount of power to be put through the ski and thus increases its stability at high speeds.

 

Shape

 

The tail has truly been worked to perfection by Volkl. A flat tail gives the skis an edge grip when finishing a turn, which is only rarely beaten by similar models in the market.