Ski test : Völkl Rise Beyond 96

Our test

Size tested : 177 cm

The Völkl Rise Beyond 96 in a few words? A very easy ski, quite light, not very mechanized, in other words, a heavy-built skier will deform it a lot and can lose balance on it. But around 70kg it’s very pleasant even if it completely oversteers. This can be a surprising characteristic or even unsettling on hard snow, but off-piste it is extremely practical because the Völkl Rise Beyond 96 pivots immediately and lets you turn short turns in the forest, in narrow gullies, without losing much energy.

It doesn’t vibrate, even if it makes a particular sound. It enters a skidding turn instantly and intuitively. The grip on slopes and very hard snow is present but up to a certain extent. Heavier built skiers need technique to put pressure on it and keep it from slipping.

Overall, to get the best out of the Völkl Rise Beyond 96, you must ski in the middle of the boot. If you load the front, it becomes hesitant and on the rear it constantly oversteers. In the centre of the boot all goes well even for lightweight skiers carrying a backpack.

Note, the top sheet seems very tough, but it scuffs at the rear with edge knocks. It glides well. It is light on the way up, it has good grip on slopes because it is not too tailored. Its touch on the snow is interesting, there is a certain softness. Nice tip design.

The Völkl Rise Beyond 96 performs at its best at relatively low speeds. You shouldn’t push it too much. It’s a good ski that is very easy to pivot, oversteers, and suitable for medium builds.

Technical specifications

SIDECUTS : 138 – 96 – 119 (all sizes) WEIGHT (of a ski without binding) : 1290 g / 170 cm RADIUS : 17 m / 177 cm. ROCKER (front) : Yes ROCKER (back) : No CAMBER : classic  AVAILABLE SIZES : 156 cm – 163 cm – 170 cm – 177 cm – 184 cm PRICE : 649€

  • Overall stability 80% 80%
  • Sequencing 80% 80%
  • Floatability 80% 80%
  • Sequencing on bumpy terrain 75% 75%
  • Difficult snow 80% 80%
  • Climbing ease 80% 80%
  • PISTE Pivoting and curve initiation ease 80% 80%
  • PISTE Carving 50% 50%
  • PISTE Skidding turns 75% 75%

Ski test realized in partnership with our friends of Test4outside.com. Discover other ski tests on Test4outside.com
The logistics and access to the snow were facilitated by the support of Vaujany, Oz-en-Oisans and Espace Montagne Grenoble. Thanks to them !