We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
We purchased and tested the best skis on the market, from top brands like Volkl, Blizzard, Nordica, Salomon, DPS, Armada, and more.
Different strokes for different folks. There are many types of skis on the market, and the goal of our in-depth reviews is to help you find the perfect one to match your style and ability.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
By Kaylee Walden ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated April 25, 2025
Are you searching for your new favorite pair of skis but unsure of where to start? We've spent every winter since 2013 nerding out on and, most importantly, skiing over 200 pairs and counting. Our team of experts spent all of last season testing over 30 pairs of skis for the 2025 season.
Our top pick for women is the Nordica Santa Ana 97. Our test team unanimously agrees: this ski sets a new benchmark for women's all-mountain skiing. While the Santa Ana isn't much more expensive than our Best Buy award winner, the Salomon QST 92 is more forgiving and much more approachable for intermediate skiers.
The Volkl M7 Mantra continues to impress as our top choice for a men's all-mountain ski. This ski is predictable on groomers, powerful in any snow condition, and versatile enough to explore the whole mountain with confidence. Similar to the women's category, we recommend the Salomon QST 92 for intermediate skiers. But in this case, the QST 92 is significantly cheaper than the M7 Mantra, making it a great value for folks just getting into the sport.
Skis are but the first piece of the ski-gear shuffle. You'll want a comfy ski jacket and a warm pair of ski gloves. A quality ski helmet will help protect your noggin', with a great pair of goggles to match. Our rundown of the best ski gear will help you dial in your kit going into this ski season.
Editors' Note: We updated this review on April 25, 2025, after our latest round of testing to include a new award winner from our women's review.
A Note on Ski Jargon
If you're new to skiing, we understand the jargon can be a bit confusing. To better understand how we will discuss and dissect skis, start by jumping to the section How to Pick the Right Skis for You. We walk through the different types of skis, terms related to ski construction, how they affect the overall feel of a ski, and considerations based on how, where, and what you want to ski.
For another year running, Volkl M7 Mantra earns our pick as the best overall all-mountain ski. It replaces the previously award-winning M6 Mantra, improving upon an already high-performing ski. In fact, none of our testers were surprised that the new M7 topped the charts in just about every metric. This finely tuned all-mountain ski will take you anywhere on the mountain in any condition and will do it with unmatched confidence. We have always appreciated the Mantra line for its stability at speed. Between its weight, construction, and edge hold, our lead tester remarked, “It gives you the sensation of being glued to the mountain.” Even though the M7 is a well-rounded, all-mountain ski, we want to point out that this is a powerful ski that is best suited for advanced to expert skiers.
The devil is in the details here, and the performance of the M7 Mantra starts with its construction. Integrated sheets of titanal lend these skis a damp, stable feel, helping them to absorb chunder and chop like no other ski in our lineup. While many skis use titanal in their construction, the M7 is unique because it extends that sheet of metal to the very edge of the ski, sandwiching it between the top sheet and a full-length sidewall. This tailored titanal frame also makes this ski super rigid torsionally – that is, it doesn't twist very easily, even under a lot of force at high speeds. Our testers all agree that this upgrade improves upon the already impressive edge hold of the previous M6. One noted that the M7 “feels precise when you lay it over in deep carves on firm, early morning groomers.” He felt like this new construction allowed him to put the M7 on a steep edge angle with the confidence that it would engage in just about any condition.
With its stability at speed, active edge control in a variety of terrain, and ability to easily transition turn shapes, the M7 Mantra is a highly versatile all-mountain ski.
Credit: The GearLab Team
Another unique feature of the M7's construction is its 4D Radius Drive. This multi-radius technology allows you to carve differently depending on where you engage the ski, but it takes a bit of time to master. While you could ski it from a neutral stance, and it can make smaller-radius turns, it's far from the best option for beginner skiers. Like a sports car, this ski prefers to be driven. To make the most of its performance, you want to ski the M7 Mantra at higher speeds instead of slowly cruising mellow terrain. While all of this technology keeps you firmly planted in a turn, the flip side is that this ski has a harder time letting loose – if you like to slash, surf, and hop around the mountain, this is not the playful ski you're looking for. The integrated titanal also adds weight, making it one of the heavier skis in our lineup. But for a ski with an overall damp feel that is renowned for its reliable ride, we still had a heck of a lot of fun skiing the M7 all over the mountain.
If you're a hard-charging resort skier looking for a powerful all-mountain ski, look no further than the M7 Mantra. For ladies looking for a similar ski, the buck stops with the Volkl Secret 96. The Secret 96 includes the same technology as the M7, offering the same reliability and stability at speed, just finely tuned for women. For a similarly powerful ride in the backcountry, the Salomon QST Echo 106 is a highly responsive, lighter-weight ski for human-powered ski touring and floats better than the M7 in powder. The QST Echo 106 actually makes for a fantastic resort ski, though dedicated powder hounds should compare it directly against the Black Diamond Impulse 98.
The M7 Mantra continues to be a fan-favorite for carving, though it's stable construction allows you to make predictable turns anywhere on the mountain.
While the new-and-improved Nordica Santa Ana 97 maintains everything we've long loved about this ski – a hard-charging confidence, quickness edge-to-edge, and precise footwork in the bumps – it's infused with the pizzazz that this ski has always lacked. “Our entire test team agrees that this old favorite is better than ever before,” reports our lead tester. Whether you're cutting frontside carves or skiing backside steeps, the progressive flex rebounds with just the right amount of energy to “pop” you from one turn to the next. Even though the latest Santa Ana 97 maintains its now-iconic namesake, the redesign for the 2025 season basically introduced a brand new ski.
Designers at Nordica rebuilt the Santa Ana 97 around their “TSM Pulse Core,” which adds a layer of elastomer to the woodcore topped with a sheet of tailored titanal. While this ski has always been a pillar of stability, we attribute the addition of elastomer to the newfound pep in this ski's step. Nordica has also continued to refine the rocker profile of this ski, which makes it even easier to play with your turn shapes. It can still carve better than almost any other ski we tested, but it can also “smear” – or flat pivot – better than previous versions. This makes the Santa Ana 97 more responsive and more versatile than ever before, because you can quickly adapt your turn to the demands of the terrain.
From wind-blown steeps, to fresh morning groomers, to clean bump lines, the Santa Ana 97 is versatile, reliable, and more fun than ever.
Credit: Ryder McCormack
The new Santa Ana 97 lost 1 mm underfoot from the previous model, but the redesigned tip helps this 97-millimeter-waisted ski lightly feather turns in fresh snow. It's not quite the same experience as the DPS Carbon Wailer 100, our favorite all-mountain ski to take out on powder days. But the Santa Ana 97 is particularly adept at the quick-pivoting, buttery turn that's perfect for skiing powder. Its ability to turn on a dime is also particularly well-suited to skiing bumps, and gives us the confidence to take this ski into tight trees and couloirs, regardless of snow conditions.
We don't toss around the term “quiver-killer” lightly, but in this case, it's totally appropriate. The Santa Ana 97 is a ski that can take you everywhere on the mountain, in any snow condition. Its stability underfoot is confidence-inspiring, its carving ability and performance in crud appeals to expert skiers, and it's finally fun to ski. Even though it's not quite as inviting as the Salomon QST Lumen 98, we're now more confident recommending this ski to more than just experts. No matter the conditions or terrain, our team agrees: “The Santa Ana 97 sets a new benchmark for women's all-mountain skis.”
The Salomon QST 92 is an approachable, daily driver for beginner to advanced skiers. If you consider its overall performance against the price tag of other high-ranking skis, then its value immediately stands out. It is an excellent entry-level option for newer skiers and a more forgiving option for less aggressive skiers. Our team agrees that it is designed with progression in mind, with our lead tester aptly observing that “it's a ski that can grow with you as your skills improve.” Despite what you might assume from its narrower waist width, the QST 92 is not a purpose-built carving ski but truly a versatile all-mountain ski. It didn't knock our socks off in any one metric, but it's a well-composed resort ski that can handle most days out on the mountain. Beginners will appreciate that this ski doesn't bring the hammer down on them for imperfect turns, while more advanced skiers will enjoy that you can push this ski hard without feeling overpowered.
Similar to the women's Lumen 98, the QST 92 is built with an interesting layup of flax fibers interwoven with carbon fiber. This unique construction seems to have found the Goldilocks Zone of ski construction – the QST 92 is responsive without being too jumpy and is damp while remaining lively. It is also reinforced with just a touch of titanal underfoot to improve its edge hold and turn performance without making it too powerful. At only 92 millimeters underfoot, it is remarkably quick edge-to-edge. Bolstered by a short, 16-meter turning radius, the QST 92 feels friendly and responsive, doing exactly what you want it to do rather than the other way around.
Our testers were seriously impressed by the QST 92. It is lively enough for advanced skiers, yet friendly enough for beginner skiers to progress their skills.
Credit: The GearLab Team
With its moderate rocker profile, this geometry translates to a ski that's easy to turn yet still stable at moderate speeds. Unlike some men's all-mountain skis, the QST 92 doesn't demand an aggressive driver – you can still get the most out of this ski with a more easy-going, neutral, and, dare we say, occasionally backseat stance. This ski loves moguls, groomers, and trees and doesn't shy away from a few inches of freshies. We wouldn't choose the QST 92 specifically for seeking out deep powder or arcing carves at high speeds on firm snow, but we would take it to explore a variety of terrain across the mountain. This ski is super fun off smaller side hits, jumps, and drops, and its consistent, lenient ride makes for stable landings. Although we wouldn't call it soft, it's not a particularly stiff ski, which makes it a bit more forgiving for anyone looking to improve their finesse on the slopes.
Rather than a high-performance ski like the Mantra M7, the QST 92 is a very reasonable choice for more casual skiers who want to make the most of a more limited number of days on the hill. If you're an aggressive, expert-level skier, we suggest turning your attention to the M7 or high-powered Armada Declivity 92 Ti. The QST 92 doesn't top the charts in any metric, but its overall performance, matched with a very reasonable price tag, is what makes this a high-value ski. We put the QST 92 alongside the K2 Wayback 106, the best overall value for a backcountry-touring ski. They are fun, surprisingly versatile, forgiving, and reliable, and stand out for their balance of price and performance.
The Salomon QST 92 inspires confidence as you expand your skills on the mountain.
It's hard not to love the Salomon QST Lumen 98. They're like your bubbly, fun-loving friend who gets along with everyone. While it's not the most serious or hard-charging ski in our lineup, the lightweight Lumen 98 offers well-balanced performance across the mountain in nearly every condition. This ski doesn't demand a lot of its rider – it is laid-back, easy-going to ski, and forgiving if you occasionally find yourself in the backseat. With a short, 16-meter sidecut, we felt like we could turn this ski on a dime. Another dividend paid by the lightweight and short turning radius is that hop turns are a breeze, which makes the Lumen 98 fun in steep terrain. These skis are also just light enough to mount up with a hybrid-touring binding, enabling occasional backcountry touring and bringing more value to this already affordable ski.
We particularly enjoyed the Lumen 98 for its lightweight, energetic feel. This ski brings a bit of levity to each turn and works best with a “bouncy,” playful style. Inside the Lumen 98 – and other members of the QST lineup, like the QST 92 – Salomon has interwoven carbon fiber with flax fibers for more stability and improved pop. Despite a touch of titanal, its relatively soft flex pattern makes the Lumen 98 a blast in bumps and tight trees. Our testers noticed that the flax and integrated cork “Damplifier” inserts in the tips made the ski a bit more stable at speed.
Our test team agrees: there is no better ski than the QST Lumen 98 for beginner to intermediate skiers to improve their all-mountain skills.
Credit: The GearLab Team
However, we wouldn't necessarily choose this ski for consistently fast skiing, as there's some tip chatter if you choose to point them straight downhill. Due to their lightweight, they can also get knocked around a bit in choppier conditions and are a bit skittish in holding a hard edge in firm and icy conditions. The Lumen 98 certainly prefers to smear rather than carve turns. However, it will tip over and hold an edge through short-radius turns, which makes it a great option for intermediate skiers just learning this technique.
Even though Salomon markets this ski towards “expert freeriders,” our test team firmly believes the Lumen 98 is better suited for intermediate to advanced resort skiers aiming to build their prowess. Its lighthearted approach makes for a fun, approachable all-mountain ski rather than a hard-charging one. For a bit more horsepower, consider investing in the Blizzard Black Pearl 94, which still offers the quick and playful feel of the Lumen 98 but with a bit more stability and better edge hold. For women who want to spend more time in the backcountry, we suggest a similarly constructed, though slightly wider QST Echo 106.
If you're excited by the overnight snow totals, we'd recommend reaching for the Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98. These are our favorite powder skis in the all-mountain sub-category (skis that generally measure less than 105 mm underfoot). The Impulse Ti 98 strikes an excellent balance of playfulness and predictability, especially in soft snow. The keyword there, however, is soft snow – our testing team noticed their performance took a nosedive whenever conditions turned too icy, firm, or choppy. This ski really tested our confidence in less-than-ideal conditions. While we were impressed with their performance in powder – especially considering their relatively narrow 98-millimeter waist width – our team is not lauding this ski for its versatility.
Despite the newly integrated titanal, the high-rise tip and heavily rockered profile outweighed its relatively damp construction, particularly on-piste. Sadly, the Impulse Ti 98 is a bit of a one-note song – it's sweet in powder but is far from our first choice for any other snow conditions. Ultimately, the same design characteristics that make this ski amazing in soft snow led to its downfall in other metrics. The early rise tips make it a touch easier to engage turns, but a very short, effective edge makes it difficult for the Impulse to hold an edge through carves, especially on firm or icy surfaces. In the aftermath of a powder morning, the tips were quick to chatter in the afternoon chop, which was particularly disappointing.
The Impulse Ti 98 is a good reminder that all of our scoring is relative. Please don't take our criticism too harshly; this is still a fun, all-mountain ski and can even carve well under an adept skier.
Credit: The GearLab Team
On the flip side, the Impulse Ti 98 is a super fun ski for folks who mostly hit the mountain on powder days. All of the issues we experienced on firm snow disappeared in the puff of a powder cloud – we had a blast as we slashed and surfed our way through deep days all the way up to the last bell. Since it's not as heavy as other all-mountain skis we tested, the Impulse is particularly playful in the bumps, turns quickly through the trees, and offers rebound that airs on the side of forgiving. It falls on the very upper end of “light enough” to use as a light-duty backcountry ski, especially if you choose to mount it with a hybrid touring binding.
While the Impulse Ti 98 certainly shines in soft snow, our test team emphasized that this is much more of a “quiver” rather than a versatile all-mountain ski. If you enjoy frontside carving, you'll be much better off with a stable ski like the Volkl M7 Mantra or an energetic carver like the Armada Declivity 92 Ti. For folks who are willing to spend the money, we won't hesitate to suggest the DPS Carbon Wailer 100 over the Impulse Ti – the Wailer 100 is designed as a gender-neutral ski, with sizes extending up to 189 cm.
The DPS Carbon Wailer 100 is the revamped version of their legendary powder ski, re-tuned to the all-mountain size. When you envision the perfect powder-8s or joyful turns through the steep and deep, this is the ski those dreams are made of. While it's no secret that DPS has some of the highest price tags in the industry, we do feel better knowing that these skis are fully envisioned and constructed in the USA, with industry-leading sustainable practices. The Wailer line is built with “Entropy Super Sap Resin,” which reduces the reliance on petroleum-based products and uses more natural and sustainable ones instead. It's far from a gimmick, though, and these premium production methods truly shine through in the reliably fun performance of their skis.
The Wailer 100 – which seems like a reincarnation of the Alchemist Yvette 100 RP – transitioned to a gender-neutral ski yet still boasts an attractive lavender topsheet. At a more modest waist width of 100 millimeters, this truly versatile all-mountain ski delivered smiles without much compromise. If you've skied a DPS ski before, you'll know that they have a trademark style. Every length of this ski has the same 15-meter turning radius, a remarkable feat of ski design that lends itself to responsive, tight, surfy turns. The Wailer 100 features a hybrid carbon-wood laminate, which combines the playful poppiness of a traditional woodcore with the damp stability of an all-carbon ski.
All of our testers loved the supremely playful Wailer 100.
Credit: The GearLab Team
Like other DPS skis, the combination of early rise, rocker, and a short turning radius makes the Wailer 100 ski much shorter than the listed length suggests. As a result, it doesn't excel at high speed, nor is it the most stable on hardpack or ice. It prefers to butter than slice, and while it performs suitably well on groomers, we're only skiing them as highways to get to our favorite powder stashes. That's why you buy this as an all-mountain ski – you buy it for its powder performance. The Wailer 100 makes a joyful powder turn that is admired among aficionados and appreciated among amateurs for its ability to inspire confidence in the steep and deep. This ski's slightly softer flex, responsive rebound, and ability to turn on a dime also make efficient work of mogul fields. If you want a high-reward, easy-going resort ski that's light enough to dip into the backcountry, it's worth considering the investment.
Our team thought it was interesting that the weak points undermining the Wailer 100 can all be flipped into strengths in other areas – this is the sure sign of a versatile, all-mountain ski. However, we want to reiterate that this is really not the ski for folks who want to push the speedometer or spend most of their time on icy groomers. If you yearn to make big, aggressive GS-style turns, look to the Volkl Secret 96 instead. Even though our test team agrees that the Wailer 100 makes the perfect introductory powder ski, we do recognize that the price tag might be prohibitive. For a satisfactory powder ski that costs much less, we direct intermediate skiers towards the Salomon QST Lumen 98.
You wouldn't necessarily expect a company renowned for its park and powder skis to top the charts for an all-mountain carving ski. Yet, the Armada Declivity 92 Ti shattered any preconceived notions held by our test team. The Declivity 92 Ti combines qualities that are often mutually exclusive, creating a carving ski that offers a highly stable grip with a playful pop between turns. As an affront to dedicated on-piste skis, it takes these same qualities to the rest of the hill, making it a highly versatile all-mountain ski. Our favorite aspect of the Declivity 92 Ti is that it breaks the mold of traditional carving skis, allowing fast, aggressive skiers the ability to have fun across the entire mountain.
Part of what lends the ski a playful edge compared to many directional powerhouses – like the Mantra M7 – is a slight bit of tail rocker, which allows for easier turn release. Despite its hardpack prowess, the Declivity 92 Ti holds its own in powder better than you would expect, thanks to a well-balanced nose rocker. The “Ti” in the name stands for doubled-up sheets of titanal that add to the ski's stiffness and stability. In a unique twist on a classic metal layup, these sheets have small slits in them that are filled with an elastic compound. This gives the Declivity a much more energetic and playful feel compared to other skis with a similar amount of integrated titanal. That seems to be the secret sauce for this ski's lively but focused attitude.
The Declivity 92 Ti was consistently one of the most fun skis in our tests, no matter if we were ripping early morning groomers or romping through the steeps.
Credit: The GearLab Team
Skiers looking for a hard-charging ski that can let its hair down will love the Declivity 92 Ti. As is the case with many high-octane skis, however, you cannot sit back and relax if you expect this ski to perform at its best. Testers who were former ski racers raved about this ski, while others found it to be “a little too much ski” for beginners and intermediates. The powerful Declivity can feel a bit unforgiving in moguls, tight trees, or other rough, technical terrain. Although they can make quick, agile turns, skiers expecting a softer flex pattern might find it a bit stiff.
While we were impressed with just how well this 92-millimeter ski performed in deep snow, these are not powder skis. Freeriders with a park background will likely appreciate the playfulness of the Faction Agent 2 in the powder, while the frontside crowd should direct their attention back to the Mantra M7. Intermediate skiers should look at the similarly versatile but much more forgiving Salomon QST 92, and should even consider the QST Lumen 98 for a bit of extra waist width. Hard-charging ladies, hold tight for the Volkl Secret 96.
Volkl's roots are in ski racing, and the Volkl Secret 96 harkens back to those roots with a go-fast attitude best suited for aggressive, expert skiers. Our lead tester noted that “this is a powerful ski, for powerful female skiers.” The Secret 96 had the most dependable edge hold of any in the women's ski test. Vokl describes them as “deliciously versatile” – which they can be if you have the skills to drive them. But this is a stiff, powerful ski that likes to be driven, not simply skied. As a result, it's decidedly not the best option for beginner or even intermediate skiers.
Although it suffers a bit in terms of agility and playfulness, the Secret 96 finds its true groove in the fast lane. It's built with the same 4D Radius Drive as the Mantra M7, which essentially gives it four different sidecut options to employ different styles of turns. Volkl claims this tech makes it easier to engage and disengage a turn, although our testers found that it was hard to release a turn before full completion. The blended sidecut is calculated to have an average radius of 15.2 meters. However, due to the overall stiff longitudinal flex and torsional rigidity, our testers all agree that it skis closer to an 18-meter radius. On the flip side, that's ideal for aesthetic, full-throttle carving – this ski excels at big, fast, GS-style turns in firm snow.
Whether its on- or off-piste, the Secret 96 is an excellent choice for aggressive skiing.
Credit: The GearLab Team
If it's not yet obvious, the Secret 96 doesn't exactly have the “turn-on-a-dime” feel of a ski like the DPS Carbon Wailer 100. Its stiffness and weight make it a difficult match for tight mogul lines or quick turns in powder, though it did fare decently well in the deep stuff, just as long as our testers made long-radius turns. Shorter versions of the ski have less metal to titrate the stiffness for shorter and smaller skiers. However, there's no ignoring the fact that this ski wants a powerful driver behind the wheel – much like the Declivity 92 Ti, it is not forgiving enough for skiers who are still honing their technique.
For these reasons, the Secret 96 can come across as overwhelming to lighter-weight and less aggressive skiers, even ones with plenty of experience. For these women, we suggest the Nordica Santa Ana 97 as an energetic ski with more of a laid-back style. Even though it still requires you to be on top of your game, it won't dole out punishment quite as readily as the Secret 96. If you're more inclined to seek out soft snow in the trees or moguls, we'd more highly recommend the Salomon QST Lumen 98.
The Secret 96 is great for lining up your edges and driving through powerful, long-radius carves.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
How We Tested
Naturally, for testing skis, it's key to go skiing – a lot. Our ski testers logged hundreds of thousands of vertical feet of downhill, many hours of research, and heaped a heavy dose of specific scrutiny upon each pair. They also speak “fluent ski”, nerding out on construction, profile, length, and performance nuances.
We also put each ski through the ringer with specific and objective tests. Testers hold onto a quiver of skis to compare throughout the better part of a season – sometimes more. We take them out on icy early morning groomers and test how well they hold an edge. We ski them through trees and moguls, where rebound and agility are clearly displayed. We charge them through the afternoon chop and assess how stable they feel. We have the pleasure of searching out powder stashes and seeing how well they float. We appraise their characteristics and construction to see how this translates to on-slope performance: Are they playful? Stable? Sluggish? Skittish? Heavy? We ask ourselves who this ski is best for, and take note of our own personal bias. The result is a breakdown of which ski is best for which skiers.
Our team of testers is comprised mainly of PSIA-certified ski instructors who spend all season coaching technique and offering advice on the best gear to suit every level of skier.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Why Trust GearLab
This review is the product of the brain trust of many ski professionals, who spend a lot of time each year in their bindings. Women's all-mountain skis tester Renee McCormack holds a PSIA Level 3 certification and has spent the past 17 winters as a professional ski instructor at both Vail and Mammoth Mountain. Our lead men's all-mountain ski tester, Bobby Garrett, is a PSIA Western Region Alpine Examiner and has instructed at several resorts in California and as far away as Australia. Kaylee Walden, an AMGA-certified ski guide, compiled this review.
How to Pick the Right Skis for You
Whether you logged 10 or 100 days on snow last year, it's a tall order to find a reliable pair of skis that can tackle all of the conditions the mountain might throw at you. To make matters more complicated, there are a lot of skis that claim to be the “best.” But if you're truly after the best ski, you'll have to narrow down to a pair that will fulfill your specific needs. If you're new to the ski world or just hoping to optimize your selection this season, learning more about ski types, specifications, construction, and how all of that affects your ride might lead you to your favorite pair yet.
Most of us don't have the luxury of owning a quiver (multiple pairs of skis). It's helpful to specify the selection process so that you can find the best option for your preferences. Do you like to carve? Do you seek out powder stashes whenever possible? Do you like pinning the speed to your limit? Do you appreciate earning your turns every once in a while? We'll dive into all of that in more detail below. This should get your gears turning about finding precisely the right ski for you, and that is ultimately the goal of this review.
The Anomaly 94 is one of the most stable skis at speed, thanks to its unique Fluxform layup.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Types of Skis
Each style of ski has its unique benefits and can help you succeed in the environment where you train the most. However, that's certainly not to say that you need to own the “perfect” pair of skis for every activity or day on the mountain. There's high currency to skis that can do it all well, or at least those that really suit your personal style.
All-Mountain Skis
These are your daily drivers that you feel confident taking all over the mountain, in whatever conditions that day may hold. All-mountain skis are your most versatile companion and typically come in waist widths of 90 to 110 mm, designed to be a jack of all trades and master of none.
Key Metric Scores - Men's All-Mountain Skis
Product
Stability at Speed
Carving Ability
Powder Performance
Crud Performance
Volkl Mantra M7
10
9
8
9
Armada Declivity 92 Ti
9
9.5
7
9
Atomic Maverick 95 Ti
8
7
7
8
Salomon QST 92
7
8
5
8
Nordica Enforcer 94
9
6
7
6
Faction Agent 2
6
6
8
5
Peak 88 By Bode
6
7
6
6
Dynastar M-Pro 94Ti
7
5
6
7
Blizzard Anomaly 94
9
7
5
4
Head Kore 93
4
4
9.5
7
K2 Mindbender 89Ti
5
7
6
4
Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98
6
3
10
3
Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition
4
5
7
6
Women's Specific Skis
While we don't support the “shrink it and pink it” philosophy, there are many brands out there that are making thoughtful tweaks to make truly excellent all-mountain skis for women. Women are typically lighter with a lower center of mass than men; women's skis cater to this with a bit softer flex profile and lighter construction, allowing for a more playful feel and quicker turns. Generally, women's specific skis also come in shorter lengths since women are, in general and on average, shorter than men. By no means do you have to ski a women's specific ski as a female skier if there are characteristics of that ski that don't suit your style.
Key Metric Scores - Women's All-Mountain Skis
Product
Stability at Speed
Carving Ability
Powder Performance
Crud Performance
Nordica Santa Ana 97
9
9
9
8
Volkl Secret 96
9
9
7
8
Blizzard Black Pearl 94
8
9
8
7
DPS Carbon Wailer 100
7
7
10
7
Blizzard Sheeva 9
8
8
7
7
Faction Prodigy 3X
7
6
7.5
7
Elan Ripstick 94 W
6
6
9.5
5
Stockli Nela 88
8
7
4
6
Fischer Ranger 102 WS
8
5
5
6
Armada Reliance 92 Ti
6
5
7
5
Salomon QST Lumen 98
6
6
5
4
Rossignol Black Ops 98 W
5
5
5
6
Icelantic Pioneer X
4
6
5
4
Coalition SOS
3
3
7
6
Atomic Maven 93 C
3
4
4
4
Black Crows Captis Birdie
2
3
1
2
Backcountry Skis
If your pursuit of fresh snow takes you outside of the resort boundary, you'll want to look into the wide world of backcountry skiing. We won't go into too much detail here, but backcountry skis are usually much lighter than resort skis, and they have profile and construction tweaks that help them excel both uphill and downhill. For maximum versatility, look for something in the 95 to 110-millimeter underfoot range.
If you dream of making deep powder turns in the deep wilderness, you want to choose a ski that is lightweight and adaptable to the variable snow conditions you will inevitably encounter on the way.
Credit: The GearLab Team
Powder Skis
These are skis specifically designed for flotation – to seek out soft and deep conditions. Generally, they're wider underfoot (think over 105 mm) and have a generous amount of tip and tail rocker. Powder skis can either be built for freeriding, with a longer turning radius and heavier construction, or for mellow powder cruising, with a more nimble and short turning radius for laying down perfect powder eights.
Powder skis are generally fatter and more stable, though a lively pair can match a skier's preferences just as well.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Carving, Piste, and Race
These are skis designed primarily for going fast on groomed runs. They generally excel at long radius turns and holding an edge. Race skis, as the name suggests, are specifically designed for competition and are not recommended for everyday use. Usually, they have titanal (a titanium-based alloy) incorporated and are crafted to be damp and stable. This genre of skis is generally quite heavy and tends to be geared towards advanced and expert skiers.
A solid carving ski inspires confidence whenever you lay them over onto an edge.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Park Skis
An uber-specialized ski designed to spin, flip, grind, and maximize air time. Park skis are typically twin-tipped to allow for skiing, taking off, and landing switch. Park skis are usually center-mounted to enable easier spinning, more stable landings, and better balance while grinding rails. These are essentially one-trick ponies (pun intended) and aren't usually the best tool for exploring other parts of the mountain.
From on-piste to powder to groomers, we test it all to give you the most comprehensive idea of the best skis on the market
Understanding Ski Specifications
To choose the perfect all-mountain ski, it's important to understand how skis are constructed. The materials, design, and shape all influence how skis travel. Let's walk through the important parts of what's going on inside a ski so that you can place the language into context once we start discussing how these pieces affect how these skis perform.
Ski Length
Ski length is crucial to your skiing experience, affecting stability, control, and ease of turning. The length of ski that's best for you hinges on several factors: your skier type and ability, and, of course, your height. Put simply, skis should reach somewhere between your chin and just above your head when standing vertically. Shorter skis (closer to chin height) are more maneuverable, making them great for beginners or skiers who enjoy having easy control and making quick, tight turns. Longer skis (forehead height or above) are more stable at high speeds, ideal for advanced skiers or those who enjoy skiing fast. Skiers who weigh more for their height may opt for a slightly longer ski to ensure stability, while lighter skiers might go slightly shorter for easier maneuverability.
The type of terrain you like to ski can also dictate the length of ski you choose. Expert skiers who favor a more maneuverable ski might choose something a bit shorter.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Ski Construction
While we won't do a fully comprehensive deep dive into ski construction here, we'll go over the basic anatomy of a ski so that you can understand the references throughout our recommendations. Skis, on the inside, are a bit like a sandwich, each layer designed to influence the ski's performance, durability, and on-snow feel. If you cut a ski in half and looked at it cross-sectionally, you'd see the layers as follows: Top sheet, fiberglass, composite, or carbon layer, core material, another composite layer or two, and then the base with the metal edges along the sides. Some skis also include integrated thin sheets of metal, most often titanal, to increase stability and stiffness. The sidewalls of a ski are above where the edge is attached to the base, along the sides of the ski. The core of a ski is kind of its heart and is generally made from wood or a blend of materials. Each design component is tailored to match the ski's intended use—whether for quick turns on groomed, stability at high speeds, or floating in powder.
Ski Construction
Core Material
Weight per Pair
Volkl Mantra M7
Multilayer Woodcore, Tiitanal, Carbon Fiber
9.6 lbs
Armada Declivity 92 Ti
Poplar, Elastomer, Titanal
8.4 lbs
Salomon QST 92
Poplar, Carbon/Flax, Titanal
8.6 lbs
Nordica Enforcer 94
Performance Wood, Elastomer, Titanl
9.5 lbs
Blizzard Anomaly 94
Trueblend Woodcore, Titanal
9.4 lbs
Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98
Poplar, Elastomer, Titanal
8.6 lbs
Ski Profile
The overall shape of a ski and how it meets the snow is called its profile. The profile of a ski will affect how the ski interacts with different types of snow, how it performs at different speeds, and how easily it engages or releases a turn.
The profile of a ski often determines in which metrics it will particularly excel, and there as many designs as there are skis on the market.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Rocker and Camber
Rocker and camber typically work in unison in most traditionally constructed skis. Rocker and camber both refer to the shape of the ski when viewed from the side and affect how the ski performs in different conditions. Rocker is applied to the tip of the ski and – you guessed it – is shaped almost like the bottom of a rocking chair. In this design, the tips (and sometimes the tails) of the ski curve up, lifting them off the ground when the ski is flat. This shape makes it easier to float on top of powder and prevents the ski from catching an edge, giving a more forgiving ride in deep snow or soft conditions.
A rockered profile has become almost universal in all-mountain skis, because it helps skinnier skis stay on the surface.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Camber underfoot is essentially the opposite of rocker; the middle of the ski is curved away from the snow in a bow shape, enabling the ski to flex and set an edge as you lean into a turn. While it's increasingly rare, occasionally you'll encounter reverse camber skis, which actually feature a base that curves outward, like a banana, rather than arching inward. This gives the ski a very surfy, loose feel in turns. Reverse camber skis are best for soft snow and powder skiing, as this design compromises edge hold and engagement. Most skis you'll encounter on the market feature a rocker-camber-rocker design.
When you flex a cambered ski, it wants to snap back into its form. That gives the skier that explosive feeling between turns.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Width and Dimensions
The width of a ski refers to the narrowest part of the ski, located beneath your bindings. A ski's dimensions, or widths measured at the tip (front), waist (middle), and tail (back), are usually listed as three numbers in millimeters (ex, 135-100-124 mm). A wider tip helps the ski float and initiate turns, especially in powder. The waist width affects how quickly the ski transitions between edges and how well it holds an edge. A wider tail improves stability at the end of turns, while a narrower tail releases from turns more easily.
Dimensions & Turning Radius
Length Tested
Dimensions
Turn Radius
DPS Carbon Wailer 100
171 cm
131-100-116 mm
15 m
Volkl Secret 96
170 cm
139-96-121 mm
15.2 m
Blizzard Black Pearl 94
170 cm
132.5-94-114.5 mm
15.5 m
Salomon QST Lumen 98
176 cm
132-98-120 mm
16 m
Nordica Santa Ana 97
173 cm
129-97-117 mm
17.5 m
Elan Ripstick 94 W
178 cm
136-94-110 mm
18 m
Sidecut and Turning Radius
This is the radius of a circle that would match the curve of the ski's sidecut, or taper, from the tips of the skis to the waist. A ski with a smaller sidecut radius is easier to turn quickly, making it ideal for slalom or short, quick turns. A larger sidecut radius (more gradual curve) is better for long, sweeping turns. When you tilt a ski on its edge, the sidecut allows the ski to follow an arced path, making turning smoother and more controlled. The deeper the sidecut, the sharper the turn the ski can make. The sharper the turn a ski can make, the shorter its turning radius will be. Seventeen meters and below is generally considered short, while 18 meters and above is considered long.
Skis with a shorter sidecut will more easily make shorter radius turns.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Other Important Considerations
Skis integrate with you, the skier, every time you click in. So it's important to take stock of your ability and where you ski to help match a ski with your ideals.
Skier Ability
There's no need to fluff yourself up here, or to be too modest: If you lie about your skier ability, it might lead you to a ski that doesn't work well for your preferences and may prevent you from progressing. In the manufacturer's description of most skis, you'll see that they typically note what skier type the ski is best suited for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, or Expert. Generally, beginner-intermediate skis are more forgiving, a bit lighter weight, less stiff, and have a shorter turning radius for easier turn initiation. They're usually designed to perform better at slower to moderate speeds. Skis made for advanced-expert skiers, in general, are usually on the opposite end of the spectrum for these traits.
Expert skis aren't necessarily heavyweight, but all level of skier can benefit from lighter-weight, more forgiving constructions.
Credit: Renee McCormack
Snow Climate
The climate you live in is worth considering when looking at skis for several reasons. For the sake of simplicity, we'll narrow it down to three snow climates: Maritime, Intermountain, and Continental. Maritime snowpacks usually feature high amounts of annual snowfall, as well as heavy, wet snowstorms. When it's not snowing, the temperature tends to be more stable, but Maritime climates also have more rain events during the winter. For you close-to-the-coast folks, it's best to consider a generally wider ski–over 100 and even up to 110 mm and beyond underfoot–for better flotation in the heavy stuff. Intermountain climates fall somewhere in the middle, but still generally receive high annual snow totals and have a lot of powder days (think Jackson Hole). You'll also likely want to consider a wider ski for the best possible versatility and performance. For Continental climates, it's likely you get lower-density powder and have longer stretches between storms, meaning you can probably consider narrower all-mountain options. Your coast also matters, and the East is its own unique beast. For areas where you'll likely encounter a lot of ice and firm conditions, you'll likely want to prioritize edge hold and stability, and likely a narrower ski overall – probably in the sub-100 millimeter underfoot realm.
Get a lot of snow where you live? You'll want to consider snow climate when choosing skis.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Preferences
Close your eyes. Imagine your perfect day of skiing. What terrain are you heading for: Moguls? Trees? Fresh corduroy? Powder stashes? Hike-to laps? Are you railing big, arcing turns, or precise wiggles? Are you pushing the pace or taking it easy? Now, think about how often you get to have your “ideal” ski day, and consider all of the other conditions that you encounter on the mountain. All of these likes and dislikes come together to create your preferences, which is perhaps one of the most nuanced elements of ski choice. Keep an eye out for how each ski is described, and see how this aligns with your preferences.
A Note on Weight
For skis, weight does play a role, but shouldn't generally be your primary consideration. Weight is a result of several construction factors, primarily if the ski has integrated metal or titanal. Other elements, like core materials and sidewall construction, can also increase weight. Generally, higher weight equates with more stability, as well. Traditionally, women's specific skis tend to weigh a bit less because they often have less integrated titanal. However, many modern designs tailor the core materials to the length of the ski to best suit the size of the skier likely to choose that length.
Not all hiking occurs in the backcountry; many Western resorts and some Eastern ones, too, have exceptional hike-to terrain. When you're clambering to ski, sometimes it's nice to have a bit of a lighter-weight ski.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Ski Maintenance
Skis are a big investment, so taking the time to maintain them each season is important. We recommend taking your skis to a shop to get waxed appropriately for the temperatures several times per season – or better yet, learning how to wax them yourself. Dry bases stick to the snow more readily, making you go much slower. We also get a full performance tune about once per season, which takes away burrs and imperfections from hitting rocks, improving edge hold and overall performance. If you have deep gouges or core shots, get them filled and consider a base grind service. And while it's important to take care of them, skis are “tools, not jewels,” as they say!
Now all that's left is to get out there and enjoy!
Credit: Marc Rotse
Conclusion
We just hit you with a veritable firehose of ski information! We hope that you've enjoyed the deep dive into all things skis, and we hope that it's not only gotten you fired up for your next time out in the snow but has led you closer to your ideal pair of skis.
