BEST GROOMER SKI

If you’re just getting your feet..er…skis underneath you when it comes to downhill snowsports, you may be sticking to the groomed trails at first. Groomed trails have been altered to ensure a smooth and uniform surface, making them a bit easier for beginners and less hardy skiers. The Line Pandora 84s were made for this type of trail.

Their lifted tip and tail design sends the bulk of your weight to the middle of the ski, which assists in balance and power while turning. The tip of this ski is built to make turn initiation easy, while the tail provides stability and control. It’s a great ski for those who just want to get the basics down! Invest in this ski and you’ll be surfing groomed terrain like waves on the beach in no time.

BEST SPEED SKI

Speed Demons, look no further! This ski is built for you. It features a design that is specifically built for stability, control, and power even at high speeds, and the Comp-Series base-Armada’s fastest ski base-guarantees you’ll get there. Victa’s are made for varied terrain, so you’ll feel confident ripping it up on any part of the mountain. Their carbon and kevlar combo makeup ensure this ski’s longevity. The build also aids in that light, “bouncy” feel that so many skiers desire on the hill. The Armada Victa is sure to please those with a need for speed!

BEST “UP YOUR GAME” SKI

Featuring a lightweight, yet high-performing cut, superior power and control, and premium turning capabilities, the Blizzard Black Pearl Ski is a great choice for someone who is looking to make a lot of growth as a skier on one set of skis. 

They are suitable for those just beginning as they are easy to control, but they’ll work well for intermediate and advanced skiers, too, as they are high-performing even at high speeds and varied snow conditions. That means that you can rely on these sweet puppies to be with you for a great number of years as your skills develop! The popularity of Blizzard skis on the mountain increases each year as they produce high-quality, high-value products.

BEST PLAYFUL SKI

For those who like to get creative on the slopes – traversing different terrain and pushing the limits – we’re introducing the Camox Birdie’s from Black Crow. Inspired by freestyle skiing, these skis strikes a great balance between stiffness and controllability. They remain stable at speeds both slow and fast, have medium flexibility for premium turning capability, and feature specially designed edges that are built to dig in deep when you need it most. You can play with these medium-width skis all over the mountain as they’re made for fun!

BEST FREESTYLE/DOWNHILL COMBO SKI

The Faction Prodigy 2.0’s are everything you’ve dreamed of in a multi-purpose ski. For those looking to strike a cross between downhill skiing and terrain park action, this is the ski for you! The Prodigy 2.0’s feature unbeatable grip and control to give you the power to carve like a maniac as well as conquer jumps and rails like a pro. 

The core of this ski is built to pop you right out of each turn and send you into the next quickly to maintain speed and stability. The outermost layer of this ski is designed to absorb shock so you can have a comfortable landing from jumps of any size. And as a bonus, these skis receive an anti-chip and high-resistance treatment to enhance their durability and keep you going strong year after year.

BEST VERSATILE SKI

Want to tackle all kinds of terrain from groomed trails to straight powder? Want to hit the jumps and rails? Want to ski both forwards and backwards? Or maybe you just aren’t sure what kind of skier you want to be yet? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then the Volka Kenjas may just be the skis for you. 

The best thing about these versatile skis is that they are made to handle well in all sorts of snow and tailor to the needs of a wide range of skiers. Their multilayer, multimaterial core, carbon-protected tips, and rigid titanium frame work together to ensure stability and control. Take these skis anywhere across the mountain, and they’re sure to perform. With this investment, you can buy now and decide what kind of skier you’ll be later on.

BEST SKI FOR TOUGH CONDITIONS

The K2 Mindbender Ski makes skiing in tough conditions just a little bit easier. These medium-width skis have great flexibility and an angled sidewall, making them super responsive to your every move. Depending on where you plan to ski, ice and tougher conditions can be a significant difficulty factor. Especially if you’re just starting out, a super stable, yet flexible and responsive ski can make your experience on the mountain a lot better! These skis are a slick choice for beginners and intermediate skiers alike. If you’re just getting started, they’ll give you the confidence boost you need to achieve a higher level of skiing.

BEST POWER TURNING SKI

The Turn: it’s the single most important move in skiing. So wouldn’t you want a pair of skis that is designed for premium turning capabilities? We sure would! And that’s why we urge you to take a look at the Nordica Santa Ana’s. These bad boys will have you surfing down the hill with ease. Their raised tip/tail design places the bulk of your weight directly underfoot to help you balance, and its special core makeup provides added stability. With these stellar skis, you’ll zig and zag nimbly down the hill while you confidently float over all kinds of terrain with power and confidence.

BEST OVERALL BEGINNER SKIS

The best beginner ski is not going to be one you grow out of in a season — instead, look for a ski that will still serve you well when you move into the intermediate skiing ranks. The Experience 78 provides for just that.

Rossignol borrowed much of the build design from its higher-end models when putting together this entry-level ski. It features a mixed rocker/camber profile and a popular wood core with a carbon fiber insert. The wood core gives this ski its power, but doesn’t compromise on control or turnability. This is a solid all-around option that will suit beginners well — and allow you to grow your skills.

What I like most about the Experience 78 is that these skis come with quality bindings for only $500.

BEST FOR: SKIERS ON A BUDGET

Let’s face it: of all the outdoor sports, snow sports require one of the biggest upfront investments. When you’re just starting out, you don’t want to spend too much until you know you like the sport. So, if you’re dabbling in skiing, consider the Atomic Vantage 75 C — it’s a beginner-friendly ski package that will only run you $400.

The Atomic Vantage 75 C skis is a true first-timer’s ski. It features a super soft, rockered front end that allows you to glide easily through turns and a narrow 75 mm waist. The foam core construction keeps the ski flexible and relatively lightweight, too. Bindings are included.

What I like most about this ski is how easy it is to control, making for a great choice for beginners who’ve never skied before.

BEST FOR: QUICK LEARNERS

For those of you that have some experience on the slopes or you’re just getting back into skiing after a hiatus, keep the Blizzard Rustler 9 in mind.

Although this is going to be a bit too much ski for most beginners, the Blizzard Rustler 9 fills the gap between true beginners and advancing intermediate skiers. It’s a great all-mountain option with a wide, 92 mm waist, enabling it to perform equally well on- and off-trail. A titanal insert and carbon fiber in the tip and tail give this ski a bit more power than others on this list.

What I like most about the Rustler 9 is that the wide platform and moderately stiff construction does require a bit of confidence to push through a turn but still manages to be quite forgiving.

BEST FOR: ALL MOUNTAIN TERRAIN

For those of you who live in areas with pretty consistently good snow, you’re likely going to want a ski capable of tackling all-mountain terrain, but still designed for beginners. In that case, the K2 Mindbender 85 is a pretty good choice.

The Mindbender 85 is offered in waist widths ranging from 85 to over 100 mm, but we recommend the narrow 85 for beginners, as it will help introduce you to the nuances of skiing soft snow. Compared to other beginner skis on this list, the Mindbender sports a wider shape and increased rocker through the tip, which allows for the tip “lift” that helps carry you through deep powder.

What I like most about the Mindbender 85 is that it performs equally well on easier, groomed terrain as it does on mountain back bowls.

BEST FOR: CARVING

If you’re looking for a ski that delivers fine on-piste skiing but won’t cost you a fortune, consider the $600 K2 Disruptions.

This ski is designed for beginner to intermediate skiers and features impressive carving abilities that rival the other picks on this list. Compared to the step down 76X model, this ski features more camber underfoot, extra width, and improved dampening — which is appreciated as you start to pick up higher speeds. This added camber underfoot is what attributes to this ski’s superior carving performance.

What I like most about this ski is that the 78C provides for a nice bit of added pop and energy compared to the cheaper version of the model.

BEST FOR: ANY AND ALL CONDITIONS

If you’re a beginner of any kind, chances are you want to ski everything! From hitting the main slopes with friends to exploring fresh powder on your own, the Dynastar Legend X96 is the right pair of skis for just about any terrain. 

Sporting Tip and Tail Rocker, meaning the fronts and backs curve slightly upwards, these skis are buoyant enough to float in powder while also having enough spring to fly down groomed runs and power through turns. 

A shorter sidecut radius lends itself to tighter turns, making them easier to turn on a dime. With many high remarks for this set of skis, it has been difficult to find any drawback at all. The closest we could find was one skier mentioning that they still use their powder specific skis when the snow gets really deep. 

Other than that, these are the gold standard of skis and are an excellent pair for a skier of any skill level. Actually, on second thought, there is another downside – the potential to spoil new skiers and set high expectations as their standard.

BEST FOR: CARVING

Are you looking for a set of skis that will get you into the groove of skiing and help you shred a mountain like string cheese? If so, then the Line Sakana are just the right pair for you. 

These All-Mountain Wide skis are made for carving, delivering exceptional control through each and every turn and helping you provide power through switchbacks. The Sakana have the shortest sidecut radius of all the skis on our list at just 15 meters. This extremely aggressive shaping means you can take turns tighter and faster without sacrificing control. 

Some skiers may not like the aggressive shaping, as it focuses it less on all-mountain ski-ability and more on handling carving and powder. For that reason, we recommend these skis for those who know they want to spend their snow days carving. 

The focus on carving with the Sakana is shown with its Tip Rocker, turning up the front slightly to enhance maneuverability. The “Swallowtail” shaping of the rear helps push the tails of the skis down in soft snow thereby creating more traction. More traction = more control. 

Beginners will love how easy these skis carve, providing a little bit of “cheat” that makes each run smoother, more efficient, and less tiresome. That translates to more time on the mountain!

BEST FOR: TRUE BEGINNERS

True beginners that have no experience on skis will likely spend a majority of their time on groomed runs practicing their skills and nailing down the fundamentals. There’s no better set of skis for this application than the Salomon QST 85. 

With a waist width of 85 millimeters (the narrowest part of the ski), these All-Mountain skis will perform decently in most conditions but really excel on groomed runs. The narrower width makes them perfect for gaining speed while the Tip and Tail Rocker help you navigate through powder.

A potential downside to these skis are their heavier weight, topping the scales at just over 10 lbs. Although this aspect is subjective, depending on the rider. Some more advanced beginners and experienced riders prefer a lighter ski for increased control and maneuverability, but true beginners may actually end up liking the heavier weight as it can create a feeling of being “grounded” or having more stability.

Overall, Salomon skis have a cult following and are always considered to be some of the best skis money can buy. True beginners can feel assured that the QST 85’s are a great investment that will last you for years to come.

BEST FOR: THE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS SKIER

Many of us in the outdoor adventure community have a crossover passion between our outdoor pursuits and caring for the environment. If you’re like us and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with gear that’s responsibly and sustainably made, then the Atomic Vantage 90 Ti are going to be your best friends as they’re made with recycled materials!

Environmental considerations aside, these skis shred all across the mountain on pretty much any snow condition you throw at it. Groomed runs? Check. Powder? Yup. Off-piste? You bet. These All-Mountain skis really can do it all. 

The Tip Rocker helps you float in fresh powder by upturning the front tips of the skis, which also translates well on groomed runs to help you initiate turns more easily. A potential concern for advanced beginners and more experienced skiers is that, as a true All-Mountain ski, the Vantage 90 Ti’s are very good at handling a variety of conditions but don’t tackle any one type of condition exceptionally well. 

For those who prefer a more specific set of skis, these may not be the ideal candidate. However, most beginners will love these skis and their ability to take them all across the mountain with their friends.

BEST FOR: LEARNING TRICKS AT THE TERRAIN PARK

So you want to bust a move, eh? For a truly exceptional pair of skis that excel at acrobatic stunts while also being beginner friendly, the Faction Candide 2.0 are your best choice.

A true “Park & Pipe” ski designed by professional skier Candide Thovex, these skis are symmetrical (identical fronts and backs) meaning you can easily ski “switch” (riding backwards the same as forwards). This helps when executing tricks such as a 180° where you’d land backwards. 

The 102 mm wide waist (narrowest part of the ski) helps maintain stability and control, especially when grinding rails. These also crossover when riding in powder as well. 

As for other awesome attributes, the Candide 2.0 feature “stomp pads” which reduce the amount of impact to your feet. This helps you land more comfortably and keeps your feet feeling fresh even after a long day on the slopes. 

Being such a specific ski aimed at use mostly in the terrain park, the Candide 2.0 aren’t the best when it comes to everyday skiing on groomed runs and in fresh powder. Rather, these are meant for those who obsess over the terrain park and will spend the majority of their day tearing up boxes, hitting jumps, and grinding rails.

BEST FOR: STABLE PERFORMANCE 

The Nordica Enforcer 100 downhill skis have consistently been one of the best all-mountain skis on the market for the past five years. These skis are known for their versatility; you’ll equally enjoy them on groomers, in the trees, and with fresh powder on the trails. The core of the ski is solid wood flanked by two sheets of metal, which lends stability to the ski so that you can feel confident shredding in variable or choppy snow conditions. The metal sheets in the core of the ski also add to response time; they respond quickly and accurately to the movement of your feet and through any kind of turn. Finally, the eye-catching blue and red design on the top of the ski is sure to make you feel like a champion out on the ski hill.

BEST FOR: HARD-PACKED SNOW CONDITIONS

The most standout feature of these skis is their lightweight construction in relation to their power and stability. At just over four pounds for the pair of skis (without bindings), these are some of the lightest all-mountain skis on the market. You won’t get tired lugging around a heavy pair of skis all day, you’ll only get tired from enjoying your turns on the mountain. The ski features a traditional camber shape underfoot (the ski bends upwards under the boot), allowing for stable, clean turns through hard-packed snow conditions and groomed trails. If you spend most of your ski season at East Coast resorts where you can often run into icy trails, then these skis would be the perfect pair to handle that type of skiing while also allowing you to enjoy those rare, perfect powder days.

BEST FOR: SKIING MOGULS

The Salomon QST Lux 92 downhill skis are made for handling those tight turns in the moguls and trees with ease. Salomon redesigned these skis for the 2019-2020 season to improve the ease of rolling from edge-to-edge in a turn, particularly for tighter, shorter turns. Short turns are often the result of uneven or variable terrain, so the basalt wood core and the added cork in the tips of the skis will help to balance and dampen vibrations that result from cruising over those uneven trails. Finally, the edges of the skis are also designed for superior grip on the snow and smooth ski-to-snow contact, which will allow for maximum control over the ski during your turns.

BEST FOR: POWDER SKIING FOR WOMEN

Though these aren’t the widest powder skis on the market, the Coalition Snow SOS downhill skis are wide enough to handle fresh, deep powder as well as stable enough to shred down the groomed trails. The birch wood core absorbs vibrations from uneven terrain and snow conditions, and provides stability so that you can equally enjoy the groomed trails as well as the powder-filled back bowls and tighter tree runs. These are the ultimate one-ski quiver; they are truly skis that you can take all over the mountain. Finally, Coalition Snow is woman-owned and operated, so they really understand ski design for women who like to explore.

BEST FOR: ATHLETE-INSPIRED PERFORMANCE

Designed by athletes for those who want superior performance on all types of terrain, the Rossignol Black Ops 98 downhill skis are definite favorites in the all-mountain ski category. The unique round shape of the tips and tails allows you to release your turns faster, increasing your agility in all types of snow conditions and types of terrain. Though that unique shape comes with a certain playful personality, these skis don’t sacrifice stability and power with a core made from wood, fiberglass, and metal, and optimized edge grip along the length of the skis. If you’re excited to enjoy all types of terrain this season – including the terrain park and jumping off of other natural features throughout the resort, then these skis just might be the ones for you.

BEST FOR: CARVING THE GROOMED TRAILS

A longtime favorite of professional ski instructors, the Blizzard Black Pearl 88 is the ultimate resort ski for those that enjoy skiing fast. Blizzard designed these skis specifically for women, beginning in the core of the ski with a material that is stable and strong but lightweight to avoid unnecessary fatigue. The ski is also torsionally rigid, allowing for increased stability in carved turns and on groomed terrain at high speeds. Though the smaller waist width gives away that these skis are truly designed for in-bounds, groomed trail resort skiing, they also perform well in powder conditions with the rockered tip (upwards bend in the tip of the ski) for increased float in deeper snow.