Volkl V-Werks Katana 112 Review: A Light Touring Ski With Real Power

Introduction

The Volkl V-Werks Katana 112 takes the width and shape that define the Katana line and pairs them with a lighter V-Werks construction built with touring in mind. In the 184 cm length it measures 112 mm underfoot and weighs 1,933 grams, which places it closer to 2,000 grams than to the featherweight end of the touring market.

What makes this ski unusual is how much stiffness and stability it fits into a very thin profile. Away from the central ridge, the ski is remarkably slim, which keeps swing weight low without giving up response underfoot. The result is a fully rockered ski that still feels precise and powerful rather than vague.

That combination makes it a specific tool rather than an all-purpose ski. It is aimed at skiers who want precision and power on the descent and are willing to carry slightly more weight on the way up in exchange for it.

Who This Product Is For

This is a narrow-range ski, and it is worth being honest about that. The V-Werks Katana 112 suits skiers who spend their downhill time in soft snow and technical terrain and who value a light swing weight when the slope gets steep or the turns come quickly.

The fully rockered profile lets the ski swivel and pivot with very little effort, which is a real advantage in tighter terrain and in snow that shifts underfoot. There is very little else on the market with this combination of a full rocker and a stiff, carbon-heavy build, so riders who have been looking for exactly that blend have few alternatives.

It also makes sense for skiers who plan to tour with skins. The ski has skin fixation points and a long, low rocker in the tail, which keeps more of the skin in contact with the snow for better traction on the uphill.

Main Strengths

The core of the design is a multi-layer lightweight wood core that runs through the central portion of the ski. That spine, formed as a 3D Ridge, carries most of the metal in the construction, while the rest of the ski is built from very thin carbon. The carbon laminate over the wood core adds stiffness, and the ridge itself keeps the ski damp when you move into more technical terrain or softer snow.

The payoff is a ski that stays stable for how thin it is. Despite the slim profile away from the centre, the V-Werks Katana 112 is stiff and responsive, and it holds up under pressure rather than folding or feeling vague.

The shape supports that character. A long, low rocker in the shovel with a modest amount of splay, taper that carries into a slightly rounded tail, and a footprint similar to the Katana 108 give the ski a predictable, smooth feel. With full rocker and no camber, the ski pivots freely and stands apart from hooky, catchy designs that rely on camber for grip.

For a ski that delivers this level of precision and power, the weight is reasonable. It is not a super-light touring ski, but it is light enough for the performance it offers.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The full rocker profile is the main trade-off. There is no camber here, and for good reason: adding camber to a ski this stiff would likely make it hooky and catchy. The consequence is that the V-Werks Katana 112 is not built for firm, groomed snow or for skiers who want a strong cambered edge hold on hardpack.

Weight is the second consideration. At 1,933 grams in the 184 cm length, this is not a featherweight touring ski, so skiers chasing the lowest possible uphill weight should look at lighter options and accept the performance they give up.

Finally, the thin profile and full rocker make this a specialist. It is a ski for a fairly narrow range of skiers and conditions, not a one-ski quiver for every day on the mountain.

If your days are mostly soft snow, technical lines, and skin tracks, those trade-offs are easy to live with. If your days are mostly firm snow and high-speed groomers, they are not.

Buying Advice

The 184 cm, 112 mm version is the reference point here, and it is wider than the Katana 108. That extra width is what gives the ski its float and its composure in softer snow, and it is a meaningful part of why the full rocker profile works as well as it does.

Think about where you actually ski before committing. This ski rewards riders who tour for the descent, who want a light swing weight without giving up stiffness, and who spend their time in soft snow and technical terrain. It also rewards riders who will use skins, since the fixation points and the low tail rocker are designed around climbing traction.

If that describes your season, the V-Werks Katana 112 is one of the more distinctive options available. If you split your time evenly between firm groomers and backcountry snow, it is worth being realistic that a fully rockered specialist will not cover both halves of that split equally well.

Conclusion

The Volkl V-Werks Katana 112 is a rare combination: a thin, light-swinging touring ski that remains stiff, damp, and stable. Its 3D Ridge carbon construction and lightweight wood core deliver precision and power without the bulk usually associated with that performance, and its fully rockered shape lets it pivot and swivel in a way few skis can match.

It is not for everyone. It is not a light-and-fast uphill specialist, and it is not a firm-snow carver. For skiers who want a powerful, precise touring ski for soft snow and technical terrain, it is a compelling and genuinely unusual choice.