Volkl Confession 117 Skis Review

With all the different varieties of skis out there, how do you know which offers the performance, durability, and price range you need?

To help you make the best decision, today we’re evaluating the Volkl Confession 117 Skis. According to tester feedback, they are stable, lightweight, and offer the dampness needed to ensure you won’t feel much chatter while racing down the slopes.

These bad boys are powder skis pure and simple — if you’re looking for something more like an All Mountain pair, you’re not going to have such a good experience. Some skiers found this set underperformed on groomers or warned they were definitely not for beginners.

Does that rule them out for you? Before you make your final decision, let’s take a closer look at the Volkl Confession 117 Skis.

Volkl Confession 117 Skis: The Details

In a Nutshell

• Lengths: 179, 186, 193 cm.
• Sidecut: 144/117/133 mm.
• Profile: Rocker/camber/rocker.
• Turn Radius: 23.8 meters.
• Level: Expert.
• Type: Powder.

Features

Profile

Volkl’s Confession 117 Skis have a rocker/camber/rocker profile. This means the tips and tails are slightly upturned to ensure they won’t dig into the snow.

The middle of each ski is raised (or cambered), so that any weight placed onto its design is evenly distributed, flattening out its build to ensure maximum contact with the snow.

As such, this profile is specifically designed to enhance your stability on the mountain — just what you need for powering through powder.

Core

The core of each Confession 117 ski is composed of different layered woods. Specifically, beech and poplar wood are combined to make the skis both durable and lightweight.

This multi-layer core works especially well in the center of the ski, where the binding is placed. The binding point is where the ski must be strongest – and this core ensures that.

Laminates

Volkl includes two different laminates in this ski set: Titanal bands and carbon stringers.

The Titanal bands, despite what you may think, include no titanium. They are made of 85% aluminum, along with zinc, magnesium, and copper.

They run down the center of each ski to help with dampness, as well as to lighten their overall weight.

The carbon stringers, more accurate to their name, are a band of carbon that runs through each ski. This contributes to the durability, agility, and the skis’ responsiveness to your movements.

As such, even when you’re charging down the mountain or running into a snowbank, these stringers ensure your Volkl Confessions can react quickly and remain in perfect condition.

Sidewalls

These skis include full vertical sidewalls, which guarantee maximum stability, great edge grip, and balance – no matter the terrain.

This construction also makes for a much smoother ride, as this combination of features gives you better control.

You don’t have to worry about feeling wobbly or insecure with these sidewalls.

Shape

These Volkl skis have a moderate taper shape; specifically, the tips are tapered for the best all-mountain experience.

It makes the skis precise on trails, in the park, and off-piste. No matter if you’re turning, maneuvering around moguls, or just trying to avoid the other skiers on the slopes, this shape will help you make quick and exact movements through the snow.

Base

The base of the Confession 117 skis are called P-TEX 2100. It’s made of a sintered, high-density and high molecular polyethylene base, which is a result of placing P-tex pellets under pressure and thereby fusing them together.

This construction makes for a very durable set, which glides well across many different terrains. It also absorbs ski wax extremely well, meaning you don’t have to use as much.

Volkl: The Brand

Founded in 1923 by Franz Volkl in Straubing, Germany, Volkl started off only manufacturing skis but has since expanded their product line. They now sell snowboards, outerwear, and even tennis gear.

They have also created a few innovations over the years, including the first motion system binding and the first construction specific for women in 1970.

In 2015, they bought the ski boot company Dalbello, adding another branch to their venture. They now have a U.S. branch in New Hampshire.

Volkl Confession 117 Skis Review

The Positives

Stable

Stability in your powder skis is one of the most important aspects to consider before buying. According to testers, these Confession 117s are plenty stable.

The rocker/camber/rocker profile, the sidewalls, and the laminates all contribute to ensuring these skis are very responsive to your movement.

Not only do stable skis help keep you upright in the snow, but it also helps build the confidence skiers need to perfect their skills. So while the stability of these skis makes it easier on your body, it also makes skiing easier on your nerves as well!

Whether you’re going down the side of a mountain or just gliding over slopes at a resort, you need secure equipment on your feet; you’re guaranteed that with these Volkls.

Damp

Testers loved the dampness in this set. When riding through the snow, you don’t want to feel every rock or pivot you ski over.

The Titanal bands, the sidewalls, and the core of this set work together to provide a very smooth ride. And if you can rely on your skis to be smooth, you won’t have to fear while out on a variety of snow conditions.

Damp skis tend to be safer and easier to ride when taking on rougher or cruddier conditions, opening up these Volkl skis to being super versatile for powder-like conditions.

Skis that are damp also means you won’t have to push your body so hard out on the slopes. After a long day of skiing, your knees will thank you for the extra dampness.

Lightweight

Multiple testers loved the lightweight build of these Confession 117 skis. Volkl ensured that every stage of construction used lightweight materials without removing the stability or sturdiness.

The wood core is made of lightweight woods, the laminates are both lightweight materials, and the base is made of a lightweight but durable substance. You don’t have to worry about your feet feeling heavy once these are strapped on.

Carrying these Volkl skis won’t put a strain on your body whether they’re on or off your feet, and lightweight skis make it all the easier for speed demons to fly down the slopes without worry.

Great in Powder

There’s no doubt about it — the Volkl 117s were born for powder. The tips never dug into the snow and the skis are lightweight enough to float easily.

Not one person had an issue with their skis sinking, even on the fluffiest of powder. As such, if you prefer freshly fallen snow or want to take on more wild conditions, this set will perform at its best.

These are great skis for pushing the boundaries, making carving a breeze even at high speeds. And while they’re awesome on powder, expect these skis to dominate when handling cruddy conditions too!

>>> The best powder skis of 2019

Durable

Speaking of tackling crud, these skis love to be taken on rougher conditions.

Even with the lightweight, flexible build of these skis, they still stand as a long-lasting durable pair. They’re basically designed to take on cruddy terrain so these skis are sure to stay sturdy.

If you’re looking for a long-lasting, versatile pair of skis, the Volkl Confessions 117 may be an ideal companion for a number of days on the slopes in changing conditions.

They handle aggression with little to no issues, making these a great choice for heavier or harder skiers too! The carbon stringers are designed to absorb shocks, so you know these skis are ready to stand up to the challenge.

Great at High Speeds

Thanks to the positives mentioned above, these skis are perfect for those who like to go fast on the slopes.

This is due to its lightweight and durable build, keeping the skis stable and the rider confident as they feel the need for speed.

Turning remains stable, the ride remains damp, and testers enjoyed pushing these skis fast due to how reliable they are. Since it doesn’t back down from crud or chatter, you won’t have to worry about certain conditions slowing you down.

If you like to take a more aggressive approach on your downhill skiing, the Volkl Confessions will surely keep up.

The Negatives

Not for Beginners

While these skis were made to be responsive and easy to use, you must have the skills built up to leverage them properly.

Anyone with skills below an expert level will not have a good time on this set. They need an aggressive rider — one who knows how to manipulate and control a pair of skis through any situation.

As such, the Volkl Confession 117 model is not for beginners. They will overpower even an intermediate or advanced skier – and that doesn’t make for a fun time on the slopes.

Luckily, there are plenty of options for those with less experience. So it’s best to work your way up to these before giving them a try.

Not Good on Groomers

Testers also noted that these skis underperformed on groomers. They tend to drag, ensuring any movements or turns are very slow.

But let’s be real — these are powder skis. Take a chance on an all mountain pair if you’re looking for versatility.

Setting a medium pace on the slopes is one thing; being forced to go slow because your skis are not suited to certain terrain is another.

If you’re at a resort or snow park where they mostly have groomers, it’s wise to bring a different pair. These aren’t going to do you much good.

Overall Verdict

After going over all the positives and negatives, we do recommend the Volkl Confession 117 Skis.

The stability, dampness, and performance on powder make this set hard to compete with. As long as you’re an expert skier and not travelling on groomers often, they will be a perfect set.

As a bonus, with a price tag under $800, they aren’t overly expensive. If you’re in the market for a new set, it will be hard to go wrong with the Confession 117s.

Where to Buy the Volkl Confession 117 Skis

Volk is a brand known for providing quality sporting equipment, especially when it comes to winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.

They’re a popular award-winning brand with products available worldwide, so it won’t be hard to find the Volkl Confession 117 Skis both in-store and online.

While it’s usually best to check sporting equipment and outdoor stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• EVO (from $659)
• Corbett’s Ski & Snowboard (from $539)
• Comor Sports (from $719)

And of course, you can also find these skis on Amazon.

That’s the end of our Volkl Confession 117 skis review. Tempted to give these a try?