The 2025 Völkl Secret 96 continues to be one of the most powerful and confidence-inspiring skis in the women's all-mountain category. With a construction and shape that mirrors the beloved Völkl Mantra M6, it delivers race-like edge grip and freeride-level composure, tuned for skiers who demand control across the entire mountain. This ski doesn’t just survive mixed conditions—it thrives in them.

At 96mm underfoot, the Secret slots into the sweet spot for a do-everything, go-everywhere resort ski. It’s wide enough to handle a few inches of fresh snow, yet narrow enough to transition quickly from edge to edge on groomers. The build is classic Völkl: a multilayer wood core sandwiched between two sheets of tailored Titanal, with carbon in the tips to cut swing weight and quiet the shovel. This isn’t a weight-weenie ski—it has mass and muscle, which you’ll feel when you open it up.

The payoff, though, is performance. On snow, the Secret 96 feels smooth, damp, and unwavering. It excels in high-speed, high-pressure scenarios—ripping groomers, powering through chop, and holding a confident line on steeps. The 3D Radius Sidecut does its job well, letting you shift between short carves and big arcs without feeling locked into a single turn shape. The ski prefers a forward, centered stance and rewards a skier who’s actively engaged. If you’re lazy on the tails, it’ll let you know.

Compared to the Secret 102, the 96 is snappier, more responsive edge to edge, and better suited for firmer snow or tighter terrain. It still feels plenty capable off-piste, especially in trees and bumps, where the narrower platform feels quicker and more intuitive. Versus skis like the Blizzard Black Pearl 97 or Nordica Santa Ana 98, the Secret 96 is noticeably more powerful and less forgiving—it’s a directional ski for women who know how to drive their gear.

The 2025 version carries forward the same construction that’s made the Secret line a standout for aggressive female skiers. Völkl hasn’t made major changes, and frankly, they didn’t need to. This is still one of the best skis out there for those who want metal-underfoot composure in a package that doesn’t compromise on versatility.

If you’re an advanced to expert skier who doesn’t back down from speed or variable snow, the Secret 96 gives you a stable, precise ride with the edge hold of a race ski and the chops to handle anything inbounds. It’s not playful—but it is powerful, and in the right hands, that’s what makes it shine.