Völkl Kendo 88 (2023) Review: Lighter Metal Ski Performance for Advanced Skiers

Introduction

The Völkl Kendo 88 sits in the brand’s all-mountain category, and the 2023 version arrives with a reworked construction that trims weight without giving up the damp, planted feel that metal skis are known for. The headline changes are a refined 3D Titanal frame, a carbon weave added to the tips, and a shape that keeps the ski reactive and edge-hungry across a wide range of turn shapes. For advanced skiers who want high-end power in a package that is less exhausting over a full day, that is a compelling combination.

Who the Völkl Kendo 88 Is For

This ski is aimed at advanced level skiers. It is a carving-oriented all-mountain model, built for people who want the power and strength of a metal ski but who are tired of the fatigue that comes with a full sheet, or even two sheets, of metal underfoot. The construction is shared with the women’s version in the lineup, so the same design thinking carries across the range.

If you like to drive a ski hard, get it on edge quickly and hold that edge all the way through the turn, the Kendo 88 is built for exactly that. Skiers who prefer a softer, more forgiving flex, or who are still building their technique, will likely find it to be a lot of ski.

Where it stands apart is the balance between energy and endurance. The reduced Titanal frame keeps the ski light enough to stay lively late in the day, while the torsional stiffness underfoot keeps the response sharp whenever you ask for it.

Construction and Core Technology

At the centre of the Kendo 88 is a multi-layer wood core, a construction that gives the ski its responsive, energetic character. On top of that core sits the 3D Titanal frame, and for 2023 it has been tailored more specifically to the terrain the ski is designed for.

The metal frame has been reduced toward the tips and tails, which lowers overall weight. To compensate for the material removed from the extremities, a carbon-specific weave has been added to the tips, preserving reactivity and edge feel where it matters most. Underfoot, a Titanal band serves two purposes: it holds the bindings securely in place, and it creates torsional stiffness directly beneath the foot.

The result is a ski with slightly less longitudinal stiffness than before, while keeping its torsional rigidity. In practice that means an easier, less punishing flex pattern that still allows you to get the ski on edge, hold that edge and enjoy the ride.

Main Strengths on the Mountain

The defining strength here is edge performance. The Kendo 88 is a reactive, edgy ski, one that can be put on edge and held there with confidence across just about any terrain you would reasonably take an all-mountain ski into.

A second strength is endurance. Because the metal is shaped into a frame rather than left as a full sheet, the ski is less fatiguing over a long day while still delivering the high-end performance associated with a metal build. The tip and tail shape helps the ski enter a turn cleanly and hold it, and it stays capable in the woods and in the bumps, even though its real home is the piste.

Turn Shape and Versatility

The Kendo 88 uses Völkl’s 3D Radius technology, which varies the sidecut radius along the length of the ski. Underfoot the radius is 13 metres, while the tips and tails measure 21 and 23 metres respectively.

That combination is what makes the ski so flexible in how it can be skied. Shorter, quicker slalom-style turns come easily from the tighter radius underfoot, while long, arcing GS turns are supported by the larger radii at the extremities. For skiers who like to vary turn shapes throughout a run rather than repeat one arc all day, this is a meaningful advantage.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The Kendo 88 is first and foremost a carving ski. It performs best on piste, and while it can handle the woods and the bumps, that is not where it is designed to shine. Skiers who spend most of their time off-piste may want to look at a more freeride-oriented shape.

It is also explicitly aimed at advanced level skiers. The reduced longitudinal stiffness makes it a little more forgiving than a full-metal ski, but it still expects a skilled driver. Lighter or less experienced skiers may find it demanding.

Where the Kendo 88 Performs Best

Groomed terrain is where this ski makes the most sense. Its edge hold, the torsional stiffness underfoot and the variable radius sidecut all point toward carving, whether you are laying down short slalom turns or opening up into long GS arcs.

That said, the tip and tail shape gives it enough versatility to take you into the woods and through moguls within reason. It is a ski that rewards an advanced skier who wants one pair to cover most of a resort day, with the understanding that firm snow and groomers come first.

Buying Advice

If you are an advanced skier looking for a metal ski’s power and strength without the day-long fatigue a full metal sheet can bring, the Kendo 88 deserves a place on your shortlist. The 2023 updates are incremental rather than radical, but they point in a useful direction: lighter, more tailored, and still sharp underfoot.

Think about how much of your season you spend on groomed runs. If carving is the core of your skiing, the Kendo 88’s profile fits well. If your days are mostly spent in deep snow or tight trees, a wider, more freeride-focused ski will likely serve you better. The women’s counterpart in the lineup shares the same construction, so the same design logic applies if you are shopping that side of the range.

Conclusion

The Völkl Kendo 88 for 2023 keeps the qualities that make it stand out in the all-mountain category: a strong edge, a planted feel and genuine high-end performance, while trimming weight and refining the metal frame. For advanced skiers who carve first and explore second, it is a well-rounded and confident choice.