Best All-Mountain Skis 2026

We have tested nearly 40 current all-mountain skis and rated them. Additionally, you will find a comparative table of all the skis, as well as a detailed buying guide for all-mountain skiing.

Surely you love to carve on the slopes, both in tight slalom turns and in wider arcs that resemble a graceful waltz down the hills. If it has snowed, your nose senses powder and you glide out from the groomed runs. Perhaps you also go on backcountry tours sometimes? Or maybe you’re considering trying it. Yes, even sneaking past the park to hit a small jump and a plastic rail. But wait: Which skis can handle all of that? Help!

The answer is simple: you need a pair of Swiss army knives under your feet. You need a pair of all-mountain skis that excel in all types of snow. Here are some of the absolute best skis of the year in that category.

About the All-Mountain Ski Test Winter 2025/2026

Freeride.se had a testing crew on-site in Vemdalen at the beginning of winter 2025, where all major ski brands showcased their new products for the 2025/2026 season.

Our five test skiers Jesper, Wilma, Emrik, and Petrea managed to ski a lot of new all-mountain skis during that time. We also have other ski testers who have conducted individual tests on some specific models. Additionally, several ski models we tested last season are identical compared to this year’s skis, aside from graphics, so these skis are also included in this ski test. This gives us a total of nearly 40 current all-mountain skis available in stores and online retailers this fall.

Before you buy skis, we always recommend that you test them yourself and/or read more ski tests. During the pre-season in November and December, ski testing days are organized around the mountains in places like Vemdalen, Sälen, and Åre. There, you can test skis for free, and if you have the chance to do it, just do it!

Without further ado, here are no less than 40 all-mountain skis to check out! The skis are sorted by rating (5-point scale) from our test skiers, best first.

Best All-Mountain Skis

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1. Extrem Formula 88

Lengths: 174 and 182 cm
Tip: 132 mm
Waist: 88 mm
Tail: 120 mm
Radius: 12 m (182 cm)
Weight per ski: 1880 g (182 cm)
Factory edge angles: 88/1 degrees
Mounting point: -60 mm from true center (182 cm)
Construction: Poplar wood core reinforced with titanal. Tip and tail rocker.

Extrem Formula 88 is a ski that is hard to categorize. It can best be described as a modern ski with a waist width and rocker profile reminiscent of most all-mountain skis on the market, but with an extremely short radius. Extrem describes it this way: “Take it to the park, ski a few laps in the woods, bounce through bumps, or whatever your imagination can come up with. Formula 88 is designed to have fun on snow, and the only limitations are the ones you set yourself.”

The ski has a waist of 88 millimeters and tip and tail rocker. It features a poplar wood core reinforced with titanal underfoot.

This is a good all-mountain ski that can actually handle most things on the mountain. However, you should be aware that it turns a lot. If you are a skier who likes to go fast and steep like downhill racing, you will likely prefer a ski with a longer turn radius. But for those who enjoy short, carving turns, this is a dream. A perfect family ski; you don’t need particularly steep slopes to lay down your hips with the Extrem Formula 88.

Extrem Formula 88 is a playful and easy-to-ski ski with lots of turns. Thanks to its generous width and rocker, it handles the entire mountain beautifully, but it shines the most on flat, hard-packed pistes. It’s been a long time since I had this much fun on the slopes.

Rating: 5

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2. Nordica Unleashed 98

Lengths: 168, 174, 180, and 186 cm
Tip: 133 mm
Waist: 98 mm
Tail: 122 mm
Radius: 18.1 m (180 cm)
Weight: 1870 g (180 cm)
See current prices at: Evo

About the ski: Unleashed 98 is an all-mountain ski designed for the entire mountain. Thanks to its twin-tip design, you can also have fun in the park if you feel like it. The ski is built with wood, metal, and carbon, which makes it handle the slopes very well. Since it has quite a bit of rocker in the front and a little in the back, the ski has more buoyancy whether it’s powder, tracked-out, or slush. Thus, it’s a ski that works all season in all conditions.

Reviews:
– This is a ski for those who love speed, so this ski suits me very well. It challenges me, not the other way around, and it’s a really nice ski. For me, it fits like a glove, so it gets a five from me, today’s first! says Jesper Hayland.

– This was something special, an incredible ski. The first two turns I took, it was the skis that were out there turning with me, not the other way around. They turned incredibly well. Suitable for a skier who wants a ski that works everywhere and likes to ski quite hard. Today’s first five, says Erik Hammarsten.

Rating: 5

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3. Nordica Unleashed 98 CA

Lengths: 156, 162, 168, 174, 180, and 186 cm
Tip: 133 mm
Waist: 98 mm
Tail: 122 mm
Radius: 18.1 m (180 cm)
Construction: Wood core of beech and poplar reinforced with carbon
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the ski: Unleashed is a whole series of all-mountain skis from Nordica. Unleashed 98 CA is constructed from poplar and beech reinforced with carbon, which according to Nordica provides a torsionally stiff, playful, and responsive ski that suits the entire mountain. Compared to Unleashed 98, this one is without metal and instead reinforced with carbon.

Reviews:
– The regular Unleashed is very stiff, this one is a bit more forgiving because it’s softer. A little lighter too. A more playful ski. Most are satisfied with the stiffness of this ski. It gets 4.5 from me, quite a modest rocker and long radius, otherwise it would have gotten a five, says Jesper Hayland.

– They were awesome! They suit me and my skiing style. Fun skis. They felt stable. It’s a ski you want to make big turns on, they make you want to ski faster. They get a five! says Petrea Norgren.

– These were absolutely fantastic to ski on. They just flew. Quick, super fun. Stiff, I thought… I like stiff skis. They get a five, says Emrik Strömberg.

Rating: 4.8

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4. Völkl Blaze 94

Lengths: 151, 158, 165, 172, 179, and 186 cm
Tip: 133 mm
Waist: 94 mm
Tail: 118 mm
Radius: (R1) 20 m, (R2) 40 m, (R3) 16.5 m, (R4) 22 m (179 cm)
Weight: 1675 g (179 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the ski: Völkl Blaze is a versatile all-mountain ski that comes in several different widths. Blaze 94 is a completely new model that delivers versatile characteristics and is suitable for a wide audience. The ski is relatively light, although the updated model weighs 150-200 grams more than the previous model. The ski has also received more metal under the binding, which is supposed to provide better power transfer as well as a stiffer and snappier ski. This ski is also equipped with a so-called 4D radius, which means it has four different radii.

Reviews:
– The skis were really good. German engineering. They really do what they are supposed to do. They were really fun. Very satisfied. Not the most playful… but it is playful. Super fun, incredibly stable. Super satisfied. This one gets 4.5, says Olle Stenbäck.

– This one was nice. It’s probably my favorite so far. Playful and easy to turn. Incredibly turn-happy. Stable at speed. These four different radius measurements are probably not something I reflect on while skiing. It feels like it has an overall short radius. I would guess this is a ski you can have all over the mountain. A true all-mountain ski. Both on-piste and off-piste. It gets 4.5, says Jesper Hayland.

– They suited me perfectly today. It was quite soft, but I found it really fun to turn on these. They turn really well. Super fun. Both short and long turns. High speed and low speed. Really fun. They are soft, but I don’t think they are floppy. They are still stable at high speed, I think. Soft and playful. It feels like they suit everyone really. Both those with a bit more experience and those with a bit less experience… because they are so responsive. Five out of five, says Selina Wallin.

Rating: 4.7

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5. Extrem Project 91

Lengths: 170, 177, and 185 cm
Tip: 125 mm
Waist: 91 mm
Tail: 116 mm
Radius: 18 m (185 cm)
Weight: –

About the ski: Project 91 is an updated version of the classic Project 90 that has been around for nearly ten years. The ski has, according to Extrem, the same DNA and core but is a bit softer for 2025 and has a completely new shape, including more rocker and a slightly flatter profile in the back. This is a piste-oriented all-mountain ski that performs well whether the surface is soft or hard. The ski has a relatively powerful construction, and Project 91 can withstand tough treatment from skilled skiers.

Reviews:
– I thought it was a really fun ski. I think this could be a ski I would buy. Really nice. I found it easy to get into turns. Quite soft and playful. 4.5 in rating, says Petrea Norgren.

– I’m a big fan. I love it. I could buy it today. It’s incredibly all-round. A very fun ski, simply put. It absolutely gets 5 out of 5, says Andreas Calleberg.

– Super fun! Really. I’ve jumped and played in the edges and skied through bumps. Very stable, a bit stiffer but still very playful. I feel like it has no stress coming out of the turn. It really feels like it’s good for everything. It gets a five, says Cornelia Evelyn.

– Yes, I’d say it’s a fun all-round ski. Works pretty much everywhere. Maybe not in off-piste when there’s a lot of powder. But a fun ski to have here in Vemdalen at least. 18-meter radius, that means big turns… that’s just how it is. But a fairly light and playful ski. A lot of rocker. I think they’ve made a fun, playful ski. It gets a four, absolutely, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 4.6

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6. Armada Declivity 92 Ti

Lengths: 164, 172, 180, and 188 cm
Tip: 132 mm
Waist: 92 mm
Tail: 118 mm
Radius: 17.5 m (180 cm)
Weight: 1825 g (180 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the ski: Armada Declivity 92 Ti is designed to master everything from hard icy pistes to soft fluffy powder. The ski has a poplar wood core reinforced with titanal, which according to the manufacturer provides pleasant edge grip, pop, and stability in perfect symbiosis. Declivity 92 Ti has a classic camber underfoot with a slight rocker in the tip and tail – priced at 7,499 SEK.

Reviews: Armada Declivity 92 Ti is a versatile ski that works on the whole mountain, all day long. The ski performs best on hard pistes where the edge grip impresses greatly, while the ski’s stiffness and construction allow for aggressive skiing at high speeds even for heavier skiers. Stable as hell, really good edge grip, versatile, and easy to ski, but the stiffness is bordering on overwhelming.

Rating: 4.5

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7. Faction Dancer 2

Lengths: 163, 171, 177, 182, and 187 cm
Tip: 127 mm
Waist: 96 mm
Tail: 117 mm
Radius: 19 m (182 cm)
Weight: 1900 g (182 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the ski: Faction is known for delivering playful freeride skis with a hefty dose of rocker that invites jumping and playing. But when this ski was created, the company thought differently. They have toned down the rocker profile and added two layers of metal to the ski. The result is a powerful yet maneuverable all-mountain ski measuring 96 millimeters underfoot, which has proven to be nearly a success. Freeride has tested the Dancer 2, and half of the test panel gives full marks to this ski designed for lift-served skiing with a weight around two kilograms.

Reviews:
– I was surprised! This ski feels light but incredibly stable and very responsive. But you need to challenge it and push hard to get the push in the turns, but the skis also work great for cruising. They get a five! says Emma Lerider Harrysson.

– They are comfortable in both big and small turns. Everything works, and there’s no problem transitioning from big to small turns, changing direction, and controlling speed. But the skis don’t have much soul, they lack that extra. This is not something I would buy myself, but I think many would enjoy these skis. It’s hard to rate these, but they still get a four, says Cisela Groth.

– This is Faction! A playground, but very charchig. Dancer 2 is aimed at a more advanced skier, I would say. It’s responsive, and when you edge it and push, it really flexes back. A wow ski! Clear five, says Jesper Hayland.

– Unfortunately, I feel it’s neither here nor there. Dancer 2 is not super playful, but neither is it really charchig. I don’t get the punch I’m looking for. At the same time, it’s a really good all-round ski… it can be skied fast, it can make short turns, and it can be played around in the woods. It still gets a strong four in rating, it’s a great ski! says Olle Stenbäck.

Rating: 4.5

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8. Line Pandora 99

Lengths: 170, 177, and 184 cm
Tip: 130 mm
Waist: 99 mm
Tail: 120 mm
Radius: 18 m (177 cm)
Weight: 1940 g (177 cm)
Construction: Poplar wood core completely without metal. Tip and tail rocker with a small traditional camber underfoot.
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the ski: Pandora is a series of all-mountain skis that are soft and playful with a wood core completely without metal. However, the ski is slightly thicker underfoot, which makes it stiffer to increase stability.

Reviews:
– This was a super good ski for me! Soft and floppy? You might think so, but I didn’t experience that. It was possible to ski fast, it’s been tracked out today, just go for it. A real all-mountain ski, so to speak. 4.5 in rating, says Erik Strömberg.

– Playful skis! They are mounted a bit further forward and are classic all-mountain skis, inviting more play and jumps. Fun skis in that way. They get a five from me, says Petrea Norgren.

– I’m satisfied! A soft ski with a lot of playfulness. It’s too soft to maintain stability, but if you’re someone who prefers to keep the speed down, then it’s the right ski. I give it a strong four in rating.

Rating: 4.5

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9. Head Kore 94 Ti

Lengths: 156, 163, 170, 177, 184, and 191 cm
Tip: 131 mm
Waist: 94 mm
Tail: 116 mm
Radius: 16.3 m (177 cm)
Construction: Wood core of karuba and beech with two layers of titanal
See current prices at: Evo

About the ski: Head Kore 94 Ti is the updated version of Head Kore 93, with updated shaping and construction. In particular, the ski has received reinforcement with titanal. According to Head, it’s a slightly gentler and more user-friendly ski that still has good speed stability and ice grip.

Head Kore was launched in 2018 and has since undergone minor changes year after year. But for 2026, the series is being updated significantly. For the 2025/2026 season, new Kore Ti and Kore W Ti are being launched, whose construction, dimensions, and shapes differ greatly from previous models. The biggest difference is that the ski is built with two layers of titanal, which, along with a new shape and rocker profile, is supposed to provide a responsive and playful ski that can still handle most conditions. Kore Ti comes in widths of 88, 94, 100, 106, 112, and 118 millimeters, while KORE W Ti comes in 87, 93, 99, and 104 millimeters.

Reviews:
– I’m really satisfied! This is a ski for me. I like stiff skis, and this one is quite stiff. I’m super satisfied! It doesn’t flutter. I give it a five, says Emrik Strömberg.

– It was a wow surprise! Stable ski but still a fun and playful pop. Responds quickly; I can imagine it’s because there’s metal in it that wasn’t there before. Super fun. I give it a five, says Wilma Johansson.

– A positive surprise. I think Kore has been a bit stiff and boring in the past, but now there’s a bit more bounce in the ski. A bit unstable at speed, but I think they’re great for many skiers. They get 3.5 in rating, says Petrea Norgren.

– It’s probably more aimed at piste than off-piste. I felt I could flex through the ski quite easily, so it’s a fairly gentle titanal ski. A good ski. It gets a strong four, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 4.4

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10. Extrem Icon 90

Lengths: 163 and 169 cm
Tip: 123 mm
Waist: 90 mm
Tail: 114 mm
Radius: 16 m (169 cm)
Weight: 1750 g (169 cm)
Construction: Poplar wood core, reinforced with two layers of titanal. Light tip and tail rocker.

About the ski: Icon is a new series of skis from Extrem specifically developed for women. The series comes in three widths: 90, 96, and 102 millimeters at the waist. We have tested Icon 90, which is a more piste-oriented all-mountain ski constructed with a poplar wood core and double layers of titanal. Like all skis from Extrem, this one is also manufactured at Åre Ski Factory.

Reviews:
– I thought these were really fun skis, truly! They are stable but playful, and even though they aren’t very long, they feel secure on the rough surface today. They are hard, tough skis. I usually don’t ski on women’s skis because I find them a bit flimsy, but these were really secure, and it was fun to have a women’s ski made for women who want to ski. It gets 4.5 from me, says Petrea Norgren.

– I really like the ski. It has snowed a bit and there are some bumps; the only downside is that the nose gets stuck a little because it doesn’t have much rocker. A very nice piste ski that I think suits many skiers, advanced and intermediate skiers. It’s a piste ski, but it gives me the impression that it has a lot to offer outside the piste. It gets a solid four! says Wilma Johansson.

Rating: 4.3

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11. Scott Sea 98

Lengths: 164, 172, 180, and 188 cm
Tip: 133 mm
Waist: 98 mm
Tail: 122 mm
Radius: 17 m (180 cm)
Weight: 1880 g (180 cm)

About the ski: Sea is a series from Scott that comes in widths of 88, 98, 108, and 116. Sea stands for Ski Everywhere Anytime, indicating that it’s a versatile all-mountain ski. Scott Sea 98 is a flexible and playful ski with a poplar wood core that appealed to our test skiers.

Reviews:
– Very nice! Really fun. It performs really well. Playful, fun… super good. But does it lack a bit in speed stability? In the last run, we actually got some hard and icy conditions, and it held up there too. So I’m positively surprised. It’s not a super stiff tough ski. It’s a playful ski. So if you want it all, maybe that’s the part I would have missed. Good overall. It gets 4.5, almost full marks, says Olle Stenbäck.

– Really comfortable. Fun ski. I found it playful. It was quite soft. But despite that, I still got a stable feeling. It felt secure. I’m used to quite heavy skis; this one is a bit lighter. I also tried a slightly shorter variant. This one is 172 centimeters; I’m used to skiing on around 180 centimeters. But as I said, despite that, it felt nice. I thought it was easy to get into turns. Great feeling! This one gets a four. It’s great for someone who wants a pair of skis, says Petrea Norgren.

– It was good to ski on. Reminds me a bit of Völkl Blaze. Both are quite soft. For someone a bit heavier like me, it becomes soft. A lot of turns, super fun to ski on… especially carving. Works quite well off-piste. A light ski, and as I said, very soft. Super fun, playful. It gets a 4.5. It becomes a bit soft and not super speed-stable. So that’s what makes it fall a bit at the finish line, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 4.3

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12. Nordica Enforcer 94

Lengths: 1667, 173, 179, and 185 cm
Tip: 127.5 mm
Waist: 94 mm
Tail: 115.5 mm
Radius: 167.5 m (179 cm)
Weight: 2090 g (179 cm)
See current prices at: Evo

About the ski: Nordica Enforcer turns ten years old, and for 2025, only the name remains; otherwise, it’s a completely new ski being presented, according to Nordica. Enforcer comes in a whole series of five widths (89, 94, 99, and 104) with new dimensions, a new core, a new rocker profile, and a new design. The updated rocker curve is supposed to make it easier to get in and out of turns. Playfulness, agility, and stability are the keywords for this new ski according to Nordica.

Reviews:
– I’ve tested the Enforcer for many years, and I’m never disappointed. It’s a really tough ski; it’s always a charger. They’ve made an update; it’s a new width… but I think you can recognize the Enforcer DNA in it. This one has pressure in it. It differs a bit compared to previous Enforcers; this one feels even stiffer in the tails, narrower waist… perhaps a bit more adapted for Scandinavian conditions. Maybe not something you buy to ski down to the Alps. It gets 4.5 in rating; it’s that damn good. It’s tough, rock-solid, but I want a bit more playfulness, says Olle Stenbäck.

– You can tell it’s stiffer. It’s stiffer in the tail and generally stiffer. You can stand on this quite stiffly. Fun ski, but a bit too stiff. I can imagine that someone who doesn’t weigh as much and doesn’t ski with as much speed won’t have as much fun on it as I did. It gets a four; I like it, says Jesper Hayland.

– I come from racing and think it’s a fun ski! It’s very stable. So it’s fun to ski fast on this. It suits my skiing style. When it’s soft, like today, it doesn’t really come into its own… it becomes a bit hard. It suits someone who likes to ski fast, preferably in big mountains; then I think it’s super fun. Because it feels stable, and you can really push it. I still want to give it a four in rating; I think it’s a lovely ski that I would love to have, says Petrea Norgren.

Rating: 4.2

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13. K2 Mindbender 89 Ti

Lengths: 164, 170, 176, 182, and 188 cm
Tip: 130 mm
Waist: 89 mm
Tail: 114 mm
Radius: 16.6 m (182 cm)
Weight: Approximately 1925 g (182 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the ski: K2 Mindbender 89 Ti is from the Mindbender series. A ski that, according to K2, is supposed to provide a lot of joy and imaginative skiing. The ski is lighter in the tip and tail compared to previous Mindbender models, which is supposed to make it easier to get into and out of turns. Simply put, this is a more playful Mindbender that is still stable enough. A tip from K2 itself is to go for a longer length if you’re hesitating between two different sizes, as this ski is quite easy to ski. Inside the ski, we find a poplar wood core with a titanal reinforcement shaped like a Y and a piece of fiberglass. Rocker in the tip and tail and a relatively tight radius of just over 16 meters in the 182-centimeter length.

Reviews:
– Fun ski. A lot of turns. Quick to edge and a lot of pop back. A bit nervous when making longer turns. It doesn’t wobble, but rather it doesn’t like it when I lay it out for longer turns. A good all-round ski for cruising. It lands at 3.5 in rating, says Olle Stenbäck.

– Today’s favorite for me, at least. For me personally, it responds well. There’s a lot of turn for an all-mountain ski. I find this really fun to ski on, and it’s very playful. It gets a strong five! says Jesper Hayland.

– It was fun. It holds up! It can make big turns at high speed. Personally, I think it’s a bit narrow. 89 millimeters is on the low side. It gets a four, says Cisela Groth.

– It would probably benefit from a bit more width at the waist, maybe take another ski from the same range. But I like this one. It’s stable. It responds back and does its job. It delivers what it promises, four in rating, says Emma Lerider Harrysson.

Rating: 4.1

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14. Black Crows Mirus Cor

Lengths: 168, 173, 178, and 184 cm
Tip: 134 mm
Waist: 87 mm
Tail: 123 mm
Radius: 13 m (178 cm)
Weight: 3600 g (178 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the ski: Black Crows Mirus Cor is an all-mountain ski with double rocker and a fishtail at the back that works well in the lift line, as well as a really tight radius of 13 meters. Semi-cap, ABS sidewalls all around, poplar and fiberglass in the core, and double rocker.

Reviews:
– Yes, this was an experience. I had incredibly fun skiing as long as I was doing short turns. They went incredibly fast from edge to edge. It was a thrilling experience to ski such quick turns on a pair of skis that still give the impression of being quite substantial. I give them a four because I had so much fun, says Erik Hammarsten.

– Super fun. The first turns caught me off guard; there was a lot of turning. They respond well in turns, but I find it becomes very short turns. I think the design brings the rating down a bit, but it still gets a very strong four in rating, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 4

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15. Black Diamond Helio Carbon 95

Lengths: 155, 162, 169, 176, and 183 cm
Tip: 125 mm
Waist: 95 mm
Tail: 114 mm
Radius: 20 m (183 cm)
Weight: 2880 g (183 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the ski: Black Diamond Helio Carbon 95 is built in Austria and features a poplar wood core, which is a lightweight wood species that keeps the weight of the ski down. The core is reinforced with carbon and a titanal plate under the binding and has a traditional camber underfoot as well as rocker in the tip and tail. Helio Carbon 95 was launched in the 22/23 season and remains unchanged except for graphics for the 23/24 season. The Helio Carbon series comes in several widths: 88, 95, 104, and 115 millimeters.

Reviews:
– Black Diamond Helio Carbon 95 is a lightweight ski constructed with a poplar wood core reinforced with titanal at the binding. This is a really good option for those who want a light and playful ski to go uphill with but also has good enough properties downhill in both on-piste and off-piste that you only need one ski. If you’re not interested in going uphill, there are better options that are more stable on hard pistes. Nevertheless, Helio Carbon 95 is an impressively versatile ski that delivers without offering any major surprises, explains Petter Elfsberg.

Rating: 4

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16. Blizzard Rustler 9

Lengths: 162, 168, 174, 180, and 186 cm
Tip: 131.5 mm
Waist: 96 mm
Tail: 121 mm
Radius: 17 m (180 cm)
Weight: 1806 g (180 cm)
See current prices at: Evo

About the ski: Blizzard Rustler has been around for six years, and now finally comes the sequel. The ski has been updated with a new core and new rocker angles. Blizzard Rustler 9 for the 2023/2024 model year is a ski that suits all types of skiing.

Reviews:
– This ski is a bit more forgiving than the previous versions of Rustler. I find it very easy to turn, holds well on edge, is torsionally stiff and responsive. There’s not much flex out of the turn, but that’s not really where it should shine either. It gets an incredibly strong four in rating, says Jesper Hayland.

– I think it’s a nice ski. I find it quite dampened and secure when I ski. I can ski on various turns, and it works, but I miss that little extra swing. It’s a bit too secure for my skiing; I want a bit more playfulness. Since I miss a bit of swing, it gets a weak four in rating, says Erik Hammarsten.

– I think they are super comfortable! Very stable but also playful. I did some shorter turns, and I think they react and give good response. A four in rating, says Cornelia Evelyn.

Rating: 4

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17. K2 Mindbender 96C/96C W

Lengths: 166, 172, 178, and 184 cm
Tip: 131 mm
Waist: 96 mm
Tail: 119 mm
Radius: 17.8 m (184 cm)
Weight: 1930 g (184 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the ski: K2 Mindbender 96C and 96C W are all-mountain skis that are only reinforced with carbon, meaning no metal. This makes the ski quicker and a bit more playful than the other skis in the Mindbender series. This is a ski that suits everyone and works just as well on-piste as off-piste. Wood core reinforced with carbon, tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot.

Reviews:
– This is a ski to my taste! I find it really responsive, and it does what I want. It was a very fun experience. I bounced down the mountain on this! There are some flutter tendencies when skiing hard. A strong four in rating, and a plus for funky base, says Erik Hammarsten.

– I think they are super nice. Very stable, and they handle both short and long turns. I think they work for both on-piste and off-piste. They get a very strong four in rating, says Cornelia Evelyn.

– There’s no swing out of the turn, and I miss that. But in the middle turn, it lies beautifully on edge. However, when I’m skiing hard, it tends to edge off a bit, and at high speed, it feels a bit fluttery, actually. I think it’s a really lovely ski, but for me, it’s a bit too soft, so it gets a strong four in rating, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 4

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18. Icelantic Pioneer 96

Lengths: 166, 174, 182, and 188 cm
Tip: 131 mm
Waist: 96 mm
Tail: 118 mm
Radius: 19 m (182 cm)
Weight: 1840 g (182 cm)
See current prices at: Evo

About the ski: The ski is hand-built in Denver, Colorado, and the construction consists of a poplar wood core reinforced with fiberglass and rubber running along the skis for damping. Pioneer 96 has rocker in the tips and tails, as well as a 5-millimeter camber underfoot, a classic all-mountain shape, in other words. Pioneer also comes in a narrower variant measuring 86 millimeters underfoot and a wider variant at 109 millimeters.

Reviews: This is a versatile ski that is fun and stable on the piste in both long and short turns, and Pioneer 96 provides good return out of the turns. It’s certainly not as sharp on-piste as a narrower ski, but considering the width, the piste properties are good. In bumps and uneven terrain, Pioneer 96 also performs well and doesn’t feel nervous even when the terrain is rough. The ski thrives best in the woods, where it is quick, stable, and easy to turn, even if the vegetation is dense. In summary, this is a ski that works really well for everything except when it’s dumped heavily and possibly on very hard pistes, but to place those demands on one and the same ski is, on the other hand, unreasonable.

Rating: 4

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19. Extrem Fusion 95

Lengths: 172, 179, and 186 cm
Tip: 128 mm
Waist: 95 mm
Tail: 116 mm
Radius: 17, 18, and 19 m
Weight: 1800, 1920, and 2050 g

About the ski: Extrem Fusion 95 is an all-mountain ski with a wood core of beech and poplar that, according to the manufacturer, provides the perfect mix of lightness and strength. Additionally, the ski contains a piece of rubber damping in the tip and tail, as well as some fiberglass. Theoretically, this is a classic all-mountain ski: a radius of between 17 and 19 meters depending on length, rocker in the tip and tail, and a weight of just under two kilograms. This is a ski that can handle most conditions.

Reviews:
– This ski is good at many things. It’s playful and fun and is a very good ski for Sweden. I think it suits many different skiers. It’s quite good at everything but not great at anything specific. Personally, I would have liked the ski to challenge me a bit more. But overall… a ski I think suits a lot of people. It gets 3.5 in rating, says Emma Lerider Harrysson.

– This is the definition of an all-round ski. It covers most things and is very suitable in Sweden. It can be skied fast, it can turn quickly at lower speeds, and it can be played around on. It’s very all-round but doesn’t peak at anything, so it gets a four in rating, says Olle Stenbäck.

– Fusion 95 skied well and floated nicely in big turns. It has a nice float and is speed-stable. But it’s a bit slower in short turns, but still steady. This one gets a four in rating, says Cisela Groth.

– It becomes a bit fluttery in the nose. For me, it becomes a bit soft on the piste when I really push in the turns. It has what I’m looking for in a ski; it’s soft and responsive but becomes a bit fluttery… so Fusion 95 gets 3.5 in rating, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 3.8

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20. Rossignol Arcade 94

Lengths: 162, 170, 178, and 186 cm
Dimensions: 138-94-127 mm
Radius: 16 m (178 cm)
Weight: 2100 g (178 cm)
Construction: Poplar wood core reinforced with titanal and dampened with rubber, laminated with fiberglass. Tip and tail rocker.
See current prices at: Backcountry

Rossignol Arcade 94 belongs to a series of skis available in widths of 84, 88, and 94. This is a wide and easy-to-ski piste ski with good all-mountain properties. Rossignol describes it as a hybrid ski designed for the snow you actually ski on, not the snow you dream of.

Arcade 94 has tip and tail rocker and has a medium flex. The ski is constructed with a lightweight PEFC-certified wood core with standing stringers (LCT) centrally under the binding and is reinforced with a layer of metal (about 60% of the total length), which gives a torsionally stiff and speed-stable ski.

– This was an awesome ski. So far, the best I’ve skied on in this test. Incredibly stable, just plows through everything. Super comfortable, just lay it on edge, as stable as can be. That’s what I like. Really satisfied with it. This one gets a five, says Emrik Strömberg.

– You think all-mountain. But this is like a heavy, solid piste ski. It performs well on hard surfaces; you can ski fast with it. It’s heavy and sturdy and provides good support in turns. It’s probably not a beginner ski. On-piste, it delivers well; in loose snow and off-piste, it falls short. It gets 3.5 in rating, says Jesper Hayland.

– A pair of piste cruisers. That makes you happy. It’s a bit hard to place these skis. More piste cruisers, you ski and enjoy. Easy to get into turns. 3 in rating. Says Petrea Norgren.

Rating: 3.8

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21. Atomic Maverick 96 CTI

Lengths: 165, 172, 179, and 186 cm
Tip: 129 mm
Waist: 96 mm
Tail: 114.5 mm
Radius: 18 m (179 cm)
Weight: 1900 g (179 cm)
Construction: Tip and tail rocker with traditional camber underfoot. Wood core reinforced with carbon and titanal. Reduced use of fiberglass and resin lowers the ski’s CO2 emissions by 16%.
See current prices at: Backcountry

About the Ski: The Maverick 96 CTI is one of Atomic’s major new releases for winter 2026. The Maverick is a modern classic, and the Atomic Maverick 95 is now the Atomic Maverick 96 CTI. There is only a one-millimeter difference in waist width, but otherwise, it is a completely new ski with a new shape, including more rocker in the tail.

The core has also been updated with a layer of metal and carbon fiber, instead of the previous two layers of metal. This is partly because less metal leaves a smaller environmental footprint. The ski weighs about 1900 grams and is stable and torsionally stiff while also being flexible and playful.

Reviews:
– A charger, a slightly stiffer ski, especially in the tail, I think. Works on the whole mountain but performs best on-piste. You can stand on it; there is ice underneath today… that’s where it shines. A strong four, says Jesper Hayland.

– A nice ski overall. It was just to go for it. Groomed, it handled it well. This could be a ski to throw a Shift on, they are quite light. 3.5 out of 5, says Emrik Strömberg.

– Very easy to maneuver. Maintained stability very well. I think it handles speed well. This ski probably suits someone who likes longer turns… someone who enjoys skiing smoothly and nicely while still being able to maintain high speeds. This gets a 3.5 out of 5, says Wilma Johansson.

Rating: 3.7

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22. Elan Ripstick 96/Elan Ripstick 94 W

(Ripstick 96)

Lengths: 161, 168, 175, 182, and 189 cm
Tip: 133 mm
Waist: 96 mm
Tail: 114 mm
Radius: 17.8 m (@182 cm)
Weight: 1640 g (@182 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

(Ripstick 94 W)

Lengths: 147, 154, 161, 168, and 175 cm
Tip: 129 mm
Waist: 94 mm
Tail: 109 mm
Radius: 15.8 m (@168 cm)
Weight: 1500 g (@168 cm)

About the Skis: The Elan Ripstick is a ski that has been around for a few years and has been updated for 2025 with new widths and lengths. The Ripstick 96 and 94 W also come in a stiffer variant called the Black Edition, but this is the regular (softer) version that has been tested and recommended for those who want a light and flexible ski for the whole mountain, perfect for mounting hybrid bindings. These skis have a specific right and left ski that, according to the supplier, makes it easier to engage the inner edge while carving, especially when the surface is hard. Theoretically, there is more material on the inside of the ski and more rocker on the outside.

Reviews:
– It becomes very soft, incredibly soft. It’s very easy to get into a turn, but in my case, I don’t need much help getting into a turn, so it feels too soft. It turns a lot. It’s fun to have on edge, but I think it over-turns and becomes almost uncontrollable for me. Right and left ski… well, you can think what you want about that; I find it strange, but I tried switching, and you can feel a certain difference, but it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly you feel. It’s too soft for me, but it’s not a bad ski. So for that, it gets a three from me, says Jesper Hayland.

– I thought it was a lot of fun. I quickly became very fond of this ski. It’s light and a bit softer, which makes it very playful, suiting my style. A playful ski to mess around on. It gets 4.5 out of 5, says Cornelia Evelyn.

– If you have these skis, you should have them on the right foot. It’s a soft ski that isn’t really my type. But for someone who likes a softer ski, it’s definitely a fun ski. A lot of response; it gave back when you pushed it. It gets 3.5 out of 5, says Petrea Norgren.

Rating: 3.7

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23. Fischer Ranger 90

Tip: 125 mm
Waist: 91 mm
Tail: 115 mm
Radius: 18 m (184 cm)
Construction: Poplar wood core reinforced with titanal.

About the Ski: The Fischer Ranger 90 is part of Fischer’s popular Ranger series, which ranges from 90 to 116 millimeters. The Ranger 90 is the ski that has the most metal and has received a new tip rocker (the same as the Ranger 96) for 2026.

According to Fischer, this ski is suitable for a skier who prefers to stay on-piste, but the Ranger 90 also has the characteristics needed for occasional off-piste skiing.

Reviews:
– I found them to be a bit soft. It’s not a bad ski… it’s a bit specific conditions, it’s a bit tracked and bumpy. It felt quite light, bounced a bit. Didn’t get that nice edge grip; it was more sliding. Would have needed a bit more substance and some breakfast. It gets a three from me; it’s a good ski, says Emrik Strömberg.

– It’s a very playful ski. I feel it’s more geared towards on-piste. It’s very light and playful, so I could also take it into the park. Quite a pronounced rocker. A fantastic ski, you can stand on it and shorten the turns, but above all, it’s light and playful. It gets 4.5 out of 5, but it’s a bit too niche for on-piste to get a five, says Jesper Hayland.

– It’s made for a slightly heavier skier who wants to make big, enjoyable cruising turns on-piste. A bit hard to turn. Stable and good at pushing, it’s still safe and calm. I give it 3.5; it’s a good ski, says Petrea Norgren.

Rating: 3.7

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24. Fischer Nightstick 97

Lengths: 163, 179, 177, and 184 cm
Tip: 132 mm (@177 cm)
Waist: 96 mm (@177 cm)
Tail: 122 mm (@177 cm)
Radius: 17 m (@177 cm)
Weight: 1870 g (@177 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the Ski: The Fischer Nightstick is a completely new series based on the popular Ranger series but takes a step towards a more playful direction. The series includes three different skis with widths of 90, 97, and 104. The Nightstick 97 is soft at both the tip and tail but reinforced with titanal in the middle, giving it a more durable ski that is also stiff enough to hold a solid edge. The recommended mounting point is close to the center, specifically 2.5 cm, and a fun detail regarding the design is that no ski is the same as another, as an algorithm created unique patterns for each ski.

Reviews:
– It feels like a park ski. Quite similar to the Fischer Ranger, which I personally like a lot, but softer, more jibby, and even easier to ride. It’s not rock hard. I want playfulness, but I also want response and stiffness… that might not be quite here. Maybe I should have tried a longer ski; that could be why I feel it’s a bit restless and too soft. But this gets a clear four out of five, says Olle Stenbäck.

– They were fun! It’s starting to get bumpy on the slope, but they still work very well, I think. Stable. I believe they are best suited for powder or freshly groomed slopes that aren’t too hard. It’s a bit heavier, so I also think it becomes very stable in such conditions. Four out of five, says Cornelia Evelyn.

– Fun! They are a bit long for me; I tested the 177 cm. I don’t get the same push out of the turn as I do with other skis. But it was absolutely possible to carve on them, I think. 3 out of 5, says Selina Wallin.

Rating: 3.7

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25. Line Optic 96

Lengths: 149, 156, 163, 170, 177, and 184 cm
Tip: 129 mm
Waist: 96 mm
Tail: 119 mm
Radius: 18 m
Weight: 1780 g
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the Ski: The Line Optic 96 is a stable and versatile freeride/all-mountain ski with a twin tip and metal reinforcement. Suitable for both large off-piste runs and sharp turns on-piste. The Line Optic comes in four different widths: 88, 96, 104, and 114 millimeters underfoot. Under the striped shell is a wood core with double layers of titanal that taper towards the tip, providing a progressive flex that is stiffer underfoot.

Reviews:
– 96 in the waist, you might think it should perform quite well on-piste, but no. I felt it resulted in incredibly long turns, hard to get the ski through even for me as a heavier and relatively advanced skier. So in terms of carving, we didn’t connect. However, in short turns, it’s a very pleasant, snappy, and quite stiff ski. It’s soft at the tip, but I find it quite stiff underfoot, so you get that pop out. I tested it in loose snow in some wind drifts, and it worked perfectly. So it’s a fun ski. Not something you buy if you want to carve on-piste, but it works. I would say it’s a good afternoon ski. It gets 3.5 out of 5, says Jesper Hayland.

– Yeah, it was okay. It left me a bit indifferent at first. It turned well, but there was no wow factor. It got me down the slope, but I’m not completely sold on it. I noticed it had extremely soft tails. I didn’t get much kick back. I played a bit off-piste, but the ski felt a bit clunky. A bit mediocre. It gets a three out of five, says Olle Stenbäck.

– I’m very satisfied! It’s a really fun ski. 176 centimeters long, it’s a bit longer than I usually have, but it was so fun and so easy to ride. It’s incredible. I really like the ski, and I like its appearance too. This is a ski I would love to have myself; it gets 4.5 out of 5, says Cornelia Evelyn.

Rating: 3.7

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26. Salomon QST 94

Tip: 134 mm
Waist: 94 mm
Tail: 120 mm
Radius: 16.5 m (180 cm)
Construction: Poplar wood core reinforced with basalt, fiberglass, and titanal at the binding.
See current prices at: Evo

About the Ski: The QST is a modern classic from Salomon, and the entire QST series is new for 2026. All skis come in two colors in all lengths that are not gender-specific. The ski that was tested, namely the QST 94, has received more rocker at both the tip and tail. The ski is constructed with a poplar wood core and is now reinforced with basalt instead of carbon fiber and linen as before. Overall, this is supposed to provide a really versatile and more playful ski that suits intermediate to advanced skiers.

Reviews:
– I like them; it’s a really nice ski and truly a typical all-mountain ski. When I get up to higher speeds, I feel it starts to flutter a bit at the tip. It performs well until it gets hard. Very easy to maneuver ski, and it probably suits a lot of skiers. I give it a strong four, says Wilma Johansson.

– Really nice ski. I like the graphics. Good buoyancy and feels really fun. It has quite a pronounced rocker profile. An incredible all-mountain ski. Stable at speed, fun to turn with. A fun ski, snappy. I have nothing negative; it’s a five, says Jesper Hayland.

– Really good ski. It’s quite soft in the tail; I could imagine it becoming a bit soft if you’re going to jump in the east and such. A good ski; it probably suits all skiers. It gets a three from me, says Emrik Strömberg.

– It’s a stable ski, but not much happens. It gets a bit boring. It’s easy to get up on the turn, but even if you push it, you’ll never get a pop with this ski, so it’s very safe… but some might find that boring. A good ski for Sweden if you prioritize feeling safe. It gets 2.5 out of 5, says Petrea Norgren.

Rating: 3.6

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27. Armada Kimbo 95

Lengths: 182 cm
Tip: 130 mm
Waist: 95 mm
Tail: 121 mm
Radius: 15 m
Construction: Poplar wood core with aluminum in the tails.
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the Ski: The Armada Kimbo is Kim Boberg’s signature model. This is fundamentally a park ski but with good on-piste characteristics. It can simply be described as a slightly narrower and stiffer version of the Armada Stranger. Playful on-piste with tight turns. Poplar wood core reinforced with aluminum in the tails to provide stiffness in the rear of the ski for landing big jumps but with a softer tip for easy entry into turns.

Reviews:
– This is a playful ski. An easy ski to bend through… soft. However, it is torsionally stiff. Suitable for a versatile skier who skis everywhere. Rocker and quite short turns, the binding is a bit further forward, not traditional all-mountain, perhaps not optimal for deeper snow for that reason. It gets a four, says Jesper Hayland.

– A bit special, but there are many strengths in this. It’s quite tight in the radius. It could use a bit more substance in the morning, but I don’t think it’s a bad ski, just a bit stiffer today when it’s so tracked, but otherwise a really good ski. A three out of five, says Erik Strömberg.

Rating: 3.5

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28. Black Crows Camox

Lengths: 169, 175, 182, and 188 cm
Tip: 138 mm
Waist: 93 mm
Tail: 124 mm
Radius: 18 m (182 cm)
Weight: 1975 g (182 cm)
Construction: Poplar wood core reinforced with ash underfoot.
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the Ski: The Black Crows Camox has been around for many years but has now been updated with a new shape that makes it more playful and a tighter radius that makes the ski easier to turn. This is a classic all-mountain ski with a twin tip that is lively in the tip and tail. Thanks to reinforcement with ash underfoot, the ski becomes stiffer.

Reviews:
– It was great! Fun and playful ski, I would say. I like the shape, classic. I think they remained stable. They get a four from me, says Erik Strömberg.

– I think it’s a stable ski. Feels very all-around and all-mountain. It felt stable at speed, harder underfoot, never felt fluttery at higher speeds. Since it’s a bit stiffer, I would say you need to be a fairly advanced skier to fully utilize it; otherwise, I think it can feel very stiff. It gets four candy canes, says Petrea Norgren.

– Not for me; unfortunately, it was an incredibly boring ski. It felt stiff and clunky. I didn’t get any feel with this at all, actually. Maybe it’s a bit of weight (on the skier) that needs to come in and affect the ski. It gets 2.5 out of 5, says Wilma Johansson.

Rating: 3.5

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29. Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98

Lengths: 175, 182, and 189 cm
Tip: 132 mm
Waist: 98 mm
Tail: 119 mm
Radius: 18 m (182 cm)
Weight: 1790 g (182 cm)
See current prices at: Backcountry and Evo

About the Ski: The Impulse 98 Ti is a lightweight all-mountain ski with a poplar wood core reinforced with titanal. Traditional camber with tip and tail rocker and a radius of 18 meters (182 cm). A typical ski for the Swedish mountains.

Reviews:
– Nice ski. It still has a hardness and stability underfoot while being soft and playful. Unfortunately, I can’t assess the speed stability today; it feels soft and flexible on this soft surface. Easy to turn, quite a short radius, and it felt playful and fun even at these low speeds. A playful Swedish ski that was nice. This gets a 4 out of 5, says Olle Stenbäck.

– I thought it was fun. It had a slightly shorter turn radius than I’m used to, so it was a bit quick into the turn, something I think many find stable and comfortable; it’s easy to get into a turn. It feels stable underfoot. 3.5 out of 5. A stable and fun ski, says Petrea Norgren.

– I thought they were really fun. They are quick into the turn. They had a bit shorter turn radius than I thought. Really fun. It’s very soft on-piste, but I think it will grip very well on slightly icier conditions too. A really nice ski. It gets a three, says Cornelia Evelyn.

Rating: 3.5

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30. Faction Prodigy 2

Lengths: 159, 165, 171, 177, 183, and 189 cm
Tip: 127 mm
Waist: 98 mm
Tail: 119 mm
Radius: 18 m (177 cm)
Weight: 1810 g (177 cm)

About the Ski: The Prodigy 2 is an existing model from Faction that has only been updated for the upcoming winter with a new design. Prodigy is a series that exists in a completely logical scale of 1-3, where higher numbers equal wider waist measurements. Number 1 is a park ski, number 2 is an all-mountain ski, and number 3 is the widest model that thrives best in deeper snow. Otherwise, all skis in the series have a twin tip and similar construction and build. This is also a ski that has two different radii, a longer one underfoot and a shorter one in the tip and tail to be even more versatile.

Reviews:
– It was fun. It’s very soft on the slope today; they are quite playful. But I, coming from racing, have a bit of trouble with these. They are harder than I thought. I still think you get good feedback from them. A bit fluttery, I think. It gets 3 out of 5, says Selina Wallin.

– For me, it’s a bit in between. It’s a bit too hard to be the playful ski it’s meant to be. But I’m not the heaviest skier. Playing a bit, staying on the edge of the piste, messing around, trying to find some bumps, jumps. It probably does that best. It’s soft today. Nice calm medium turns went really well. Then it felt safe and stable. I’m a bit too light for them. I think many would like them. So I give them a four. I felt the potential in the ski, says Petrea Norgren.

Rating: 3.5

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31. Kästle Paragon 93

Lengths: 154, 162, 170, 176, and 182 cm
Tip: 128 mm
Waist: 93 mm
Tail: 115 mm
Radius: 16.4 m (177 cm)
Weight: 1827 g (177 cm)

About the Ski: The Kästle Paragon is a turn-happy all-mountain ski with a radius of 16.4 meters (177 cm). It has a core made of poplar, beech, and paulownia with titanal. Light traditional camber with tip rise.

Reviews:
– For me, I have a bit of trouble deciding when I would use them. Where it was soft, they worked well, but where it was blown out, I would have wished for a bit more grip. They probably suit someone who is a bit heavier. For me, it felt a bit like riding on rails. It gets a 3 from me, says Petrea Norgren.

– It was exciting. They were a bit difficult for me to ski. But I still think it was a cozy experience. I thought it would be a bit softer. It gets 3 out of 5, says Selina Wallin.

– It feels like they took a carving ski and made it wider so it can ski the whole mountain. It feels quite torsionally stiff, quite hard… it handles high speeds. I pushed it in Hovdebacken; it was quite tracked, but it had no problems with that. I gained incredible confidence on these skis. It results in short turns, an incredibly fun and turn-happy ski. It gets 4.5 out of 5, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 3.5

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32. Majesty Adventure Ti

Lengths: 154, 162, 170, 176, and 182 cm
Tip: 124 mm
Waist: 85 mm
Tail: 104 mm
Radius: 16 m (170 cm)
Weight: 1470 g (170 cm)

About the Ski: The Majesty Adventure Ti is a backcountry ski that offers good on-piste performance while also delivering off-piste when there is some fresh snow. On Majesty’s website, it is described as an all-mountain/resort ski that performs well across the mountain. It has a core made of wood and carbon fiber combined with some titanal, which is supposed to make it playful and stable. Unlike the Havoc 100 Carbon, this ski has a smaller radius.

Reviews:
– I think it’s a lovely ski. It does its job on-piste. Majesty described it a bit as a resort ski, and I’m willing to agree. I put it a bit on edge and felt it could handle higher pressure too. A ski that works for most things and also works a bit off-piste but mainly perhaps on softer surfaces on-piste and to glide a bit. It gets 3.5 from me, says Cornelia Evelyn.

Rating: 3.5

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33. Völkl Mantra 88 W

Lengths: 149, 156, and 163 cm
Tip: 134 mm
Waist: 88 mm
Tail: 114 mm
Radius: 20.9/11.9/14.9 m (156 cm)
Construction: Core reinforced with double layers of metal and 3D radius, which means several different turn radii.
See current prices at: Evo

About the Ski: The Mantra 88 W is a completely new ski from Völkl. This is a powerful ski with double layers of metal that, according to Völkl, is quick and stable. A speed-stable piste ski with good grip on ice that also works well when it’s tracked.

Reviews:
– I had a bit of trouble forming an opinion. An all-around ski, it works regardless of the surface. It’s starting to get tracked… more of a piste ski but still works well in rough conditions. Easy to ski, stable for many skiers. If you have a pair of skis and are an intermediate skier, I think they work great for many. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, says Petrea Norgren.

– I also have a bit of trouble describing these. But it’s a really nice ski. I can’t think of anything negative. Fundamentally, a really nice piste ski. It would suit many different skiers. A bit stiffer. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, says Wilma Johansson.

Rating: 3.5

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34. Blizzard Anomaly 94/Black Pearl 94

Anomaly 94

Lengths: 164, 170, 176, 182, and 188 cm
Tip: 132.5 mm
Waist: 94 mm
Tail: 114.5 mm
Radius: 18.5 m (182 cm)
Weight: 2150 g (182 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

Black Pearl 94

Lengths: 152, 158, 164, 170, and 176 cm
Tip: 132.5 mm
Waist: 94 mm
Tail: 114.5 mm
Radius: 15.5 m (170 cm)
Weight: 1840 g (170 cm)
See current prices at: Evo and Backcountry

About the Ski: Both the Anomaly (men’s) and Black Pearl (women’s) are two completely new skis that will replace the Bonafide 97, which has been around for many years. They have a poplar and beech wood core reinforced with titanal. This is an all-mountain ski that is optimal in tracked snow with traditional camber underfoot and a relatively large rocker in the front and back.

Reviews:
– It was really fun. Soft as hell in the tails. It was still possible to turn and maintain speed, exciting… a new ski from Blizzard. At the speeds we are skiing today, it works great; from what I can assess now, I think it holds up when you push it. Despite the softness, it feels stable, a solid four, says Olle Stenbäck.

– It wasn’t quite a ski for me. I think for someone with a slightly less aggressive skiing style, it could fit really well. I like to ski quite fast and make big turns down the mountain, and this isn’t ideal for that. It’s a bit softer, so it becomes a bit unstable when going fast. It gets a 3 out of 5, says Petrea Norgren.

– I feel it’s a bit like a train on rails; there’s not much you can do… it turns what it turns. Stable nonetheless. It’s stable to ski on, but if you want something more playful, this isn’t it. It gets a 3 out of 5, says Selina Wallin.

Rating: 3.3

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35. Majesty Havoc 100 Carbon

Lengths: 164, 170, 176, 182, and 188 cm
Tip: 131 mm
Waist: 100 mm
Tail: 116 mm
Radius: 23 m (182 cm)
Weight: 1800 g (182 cm)
See current prices at: Backcountry

About the Ski: The Majesty Havoc 100 Carbon is a ski that can handle a lot of speed. On Majesty’s website, the Havoc 100 Carbon is described as a lightweight freeride/touring ski designed to perform across the entire mountain. It has metal underfoot, and the rest of the core consists of wood and carbon fiber. The ski also features Majesty’s new design concept 4×4, which means four different radii on the ski’s sidecut and four different radii on the ski’s rocker line. This is supposed to make turns easier while providing more control and stability at higher speeds. On this point, our testers were not entirely in agreement.

Reviews:
– This is a ski in our all-mountain segment; unfortunately, there isn’t much all-mountain to test on today. That makes it not entirely fair. It’s not that snappy, not that quick; not much happens when I ski on edge. However, when I turn, steer, and slide, it’s incredibly easy to handle. I can imagine that if it’s soft, slushy, or powder, I think it’s a really fun ski. A weak three, unfortunately, but maybe it’s not just the ski’s fault, says Erik Hammarsten.

– It’s a nice ski, but it’s not a ski you buy if you want to make short carving turns. It’s incredibly enjoyable to ski around and slide with. There’s no metal in it except under the binding; it’s just wood and carbon. In the return when it should flex back or pop out, there’s no snap. This ski suits a skier who maybe doesn’t angle much, who doesn’t ski very advanced, and who doesn’t ski very fast. It still deserves a 3.5, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 3.25

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36. Stereo Apex V4

Lengths: 170, 178, and 186 cm
Tip: 127 mm
Waist: 98 mm
Tail: 115 mm
Radius: 19.1 m (178 cm)
Weight: 1890 g (178 cm)

About the Ski: The Stereo Apex is an all-mountain ski with a wood core made of beech and poplar, reinforced with titanal. Tip rocker and traditional camber. The skis are built at Åre Ski Factory.

Reviews:
– It’s light. It’s a fun ski. It probably performs better in off-piste than it does on-piste. Super fun. It’s incredibly soft and flexible. It would probably suit intermediate skiers, beginners, and maybe even advanced. I find it gets a bit sluggish. If you like long turns and cruising, this is a super ski. If you prefer more turns, it falls a bit short. Absolutely 3.5 out of 5, says Jesper Hayland.

– I think they are stable and flexible. A bit difficult to engage in pure carving turns where it’s hard. But when it was soft and nice, they were really enjoyable. Maybe a bit long radius for me. It gets a 3 out of 5, says Selina Wallin.

– I found them a bit difficult. Softer conditions, I think they performed much better. Really nice in the softer parts. 2.5 out of 5 just because they aren’t a ski that suits me, but I think someone who can put a bit more pressure on them would really enjoy them, says Cornelia Evelyn.

Rating: 3

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37. DPS Kaizen 100

Lengths: 153, 163, 171, 179, 184, and 189 cm
Tip: 132 mm
Waist: 100 mm
Tail: 117 mm
Radius: 15 m (179 cm)
Weight: 1805 g (179 cm)

About the Ski: The DPS Kaizen 100 is a ski that thrives best in the borderland between on-piste and off-piste. The ski has a new core (a split core) made of poplar and ash with a carbon fiber shell around it. Compared to last year’s ski, the tail has been lowered a bit to give the ski better on-piste characteristics. At the same time, the ski’s playful qualities have been retained.

Reviews:
– I’m very satisfied with this ski and pleasantly surprised! It’s a playful ski that really suits me and my skiing style. I’m not a person who stays on-piste too much; I’m more off-piste, and I really feel they hold up well there. It gets five out of five from me, says Cornelia Evelyn.

– I like the idea of the ski but think it was a bit off in length. It became too restless and a bit too soft. It doesn’t feel very torsionally stiff, but since it’s an all-mountain ski, you have to take that with a grain of salt. I don’t feel the ski responds to me as a skier, so for me, it falls a bit flat. It gets a three out of five, says Jesper Hayland.

– This wasn’t for me. Unfortunately, a huge disappointment. It has none of what I’m looking for. It flutters, loses grip, and feels generally unsafe. This is a ski for powder and not for on-piste. But as an all-mountain ski, it was a disappointment. One and a half out of five, says Erik Hammarsten.

Rating: 3

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Comparison of All-Mountain Skis

Brand & Model	Dimensions (tip-waist-tail)	Radius	Weight per Ski, without Binding	Rating
1. Extrem Formula 88	132-88-120	12 m (182 cm)	1880 g (182 cm)	5
2. Nordica Unleashed 98	133-98-122 mm	18.1 (180 cm)	1870 g (180 cm)	5
3. Nordica Unleashed 98 CA	133-98-122 mm	18.1 (180 cm)	–	4.8
4. Völkl Blaze 94	133-94-118 mm	4D-radius	1675 g (179 cm)	4.7
5. Extrem Project 91	125-91-116 mm	18 m (185 cm)		4.6
6. Armada Declivity 92 Ti	132-92-118 mm	17.5 m (180 cm)	1825 g (180 cm)	4.5
7. Faction Dancer 2	127-96-117 mm	19 m (182 cm)	1900 g (182 cm)	4.5
8. Line Pandora 99	130-99-120 mm	18 m (177 cm)	1940 g (177 cm)	4.5
9. Head Kore 94 Ti	131-94-116 mm	16.3 m (177 cm)	–	4.4
10. Extrem Icon 90	123-90-114 mm	16 m (169 cm)	1750 g (169)	4.3
11. Scott Sea 98	133-98-122 mm	17 m (180 cm)	1900 g (180 cm)	4.3
12. Nordica Enforcer 94	127-94-115.5 mm	18.2 (186 cm)	2330 g (186 cm)	4.3
13. K2 Mindbender 89 Ti	130-89-114 mm	16.6 m (182 cm)	1925 g (182 cm)	4.1
14. Black Crows Mirus Cor	134-87-123 mm	13 m (178 cm)	1800 g (@178 cm)	4
15. Black Diamond Helio Carbon 95	125-95-114 mm	20 m (183 cm)	1440 g (183 cm)	4
16. Blizzard Rustler 9	131.5-96-121 mm	17 m (180 cm)	1806 g (180 cm)	4
17. K2 Mindbender 96C/96C W	131-96-119 mm	17.8 m (184 cm)	1930 g (184 cm)	4
18. Icelantic Pioneer 96	131-96-118 mm	19 m (182 cm)	1840 g (182 cm)	3.8
19. Extrem Fusion 95	128-95-116 mm	18 m (179 cm)	1920 g (179 cm)	3.8
20. Rossignol Arcade 94	138-94-127 mm	16 m (178 cm)	2100 g (178 cm)	3.8
21. Atomic Maverick 96 CTI	129-96-114.5 mm	18 m (179 cm)	1900 g (179 cm)	3.7
22. Elan Ripstick 94/Elan RipStick 94 W	133-96-114 mm	17.8 (182 cm)	1640 g (182 cm)	3.7
23. Fischer Ranger 90	125-91-115	18 m (184 cm)	–	3.7
24. Fischer Nightstick 97	132-96-122 mm	17 m (177 cm)	1870 g (177 cm)	3.7
25. Line Optic 96	129-96-119 mm	18 m	1780 g	3.7
26. Salomon QST 94	134-94-120 mm	16.5 m (180 cm)	–	3.6
27. Armada Kimbo 95	130-95-121 mm	15 m	–	3.5
28. Black Crows Camox	138-93-124 mm	18 m (182 cm)	1975 g (182 cm)	3.5
29. Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98	132-98-119 mm	18 m (182 cm)	1790 g (182 cm)	3.5
30. Faction Prodigy 2Faction Prodigy 2	127-98-119 mm	18 m (177 cm)	1810 g (177 cm)	3.5
31. Kästle Paragon 93	128-93-115 mm	16.4 m (177 cm)	1827 g (177 cm)	3.5
32. Majesty Adventure Ti	124-85-104 mm	16 m (170 cm)	1470 g (170 cm)	3.5
33. Völkl Mantra 88 W	134-88-114	3D	–	3.5
34. Blizzard Anomaly 94/Blizzard Black Pearl 94	132.5-94-114.5 mm	18.5 m (182 cm)	2150 g (182 cm)	3.3
35. Majesty Havoc 100 Carbon	131-100-116 mm	23 m (@182 cm)	1800 g (@182 cm)	3.25
36. Stereo Apex V4	127-98-115	19.1 m (@178 cm)	1890 g (@178 cm)	3
37. DPS Kaizen 100	132-100-117 mm	15 m (@179 cm)	1805 g (@179 cm)	3

Test Skiers

Below we present a brief introduction to the test skiers who provide the reviews in this test.

Jesper Hayland
Jesper is a trained ski instructor with several seasons of experience. In recent years he has shifted more towards alpine skiing and now also holds a Swedish alpine coaching certification. Jesper is Freeride’s most experienced test skier.

Emrik Strömberg
Emrik is a young and talented skier living in Åre with an elite-level background in moguls and freeride skiing. Emrik skis fast and aggressively.

Wilma Johansson
Wilma thrives in the park and has, among other achievements, competed in the Youth Olympic Games in freeski. Recently she has also developed an interest in ski touring and freeride skiing.

Petrea Norgren
Petrea has an alpine background and is a technically skilled skier who enjoys speed and aggressiveness. She is also an experienced test skier for Freeride.se.

Cornelia Evelyn
Cornelia has several seasons in the Alps behind her and is a dedicated freerider who prefers deep powder and playful skiing to groomed pistes and deep carving turns.

Erik Hammarsten
Erik is a certified ski instructor living in Vemdalen. He masters the entire mountain — from clean carving turns to waist-deep powder and big airs in the park.

Selina Wallin
Selina lives in Vemdalen and has a background as an alpine racer, which makes her a technically proficient skier. In spring she enjoys going on ski tours whenever possible.

Olle Stenbäck
Olle is one of Freeride’s most experienced test skiers and an incredibly versatile skier. He has an alpine background but feels just as comfortable off-piste. Regardless of conditions, Olle tackles the mountain with style.

Cisela Groth
Cisela works as a piste groomer and skis daily, giving her an extraordinary level of ski technique and experience that few possess.

Emma Lerider Harrysson
Emma has an alpine background and is a versatile and technically skilled skier who has tested skis for Freeride on several occasions.

Petter Elfsberg
Petter is an editor at Freeride.se and has previously worked as a coach at a freeski and mogul skiing high school. He also has several seasons as a ski instructor. He is a trained ski instructor and moguls coach, and a versatile skier who thrives on all types of terrain.

Buying Guide for All-Mountain Skis

What is an All-Mountain Ski?

An all-mountain ski is the eternal silver medalist of skis: it is second best in powder after the fatter off-piste skis, it ranks second on the groomed runs after the snappier and narrower piste skis, and it is a solid silver medalist in touring after the lighter dedicated touring skis. Never the worst, never the best. A reliable category of ski. If someone calls your all-mountain ski middle-class boring, you can reply that it is actually the best and takes gold in one category: versatility.

What are the Benefits of an All-Mountain Ski?

This type of ski is, as mentioned above, quite good at most things. Therefore, it is an excellent ski to invest in if you only want one ski. And it is better for both your wallet and the environment in many ways.

Technically, it might be optimal to have a pair of narrow piste skis for all the hard mornings on the slopes, a pair of fat powder skis for the deep days, and then a pair of all-mountain skis for all occasions in between. And to be honest, the days that offer conditions that fluctuate between hardpack and powdery fluff are quite numerous. Therefore, it is a good idea to get a nice pair of all-mountain skis.

What are the Drawbacks of an All-Mountain Ski?

It really says a lot by itself in many ways. On days when it has snowed heavily, a ski with a waist width under 100 millimeters will not float as well and be as maneuverable as a ski with wider dimensions and characteristics suited for off-piste skiing.

And the same goes the other way; a narrow piste ski with traditional camber grips better than a nearly decimeter-wide all-mountain ski with rocker in the tip and tail, that’s just how it is. So in the end, it all comes down to compromises—what characteristics are you willing to give up? How often do you really ski powder? Would you rather sit and drink coffee when the conditions are hard? What kind of skier are you? Consider these types of questions before buying skis.

How Wide is an All-Mountain Ski?

In this test we have skied on skis with a waist width between 85-102 millimeters. The waist width and what constitutes all-mountain, the narrower category of piste, and the fatter category of freeride/off-piste is something that shifts with trends, time, and the ski industry.

In the winter of 2023/2024 it is quite safe to say that a ski with a waist width of 85-102 millimeters can be seen as a reasonable all-mountain ski. But hey, you can probably go a few millimeters both up and down and still have a versatile ski. However, the more the range is stretched, the more spread out the skis become, of course.

It is worth considering that length also plays a significant role in your skiing experience. Do you perhaps want an all-mountain ski that lies in the wider range to get good float when it’s fresh snow and tracked out? And you’ve found a PERFECT candidate, but this one is “only” 93 millimeters at the waist. Then you might want to ask yourself if you can go up a size in length to get both better float and more speed stability, provided that this does not compromise all the other characteristics in the ski that you are looking for, such as responsiveness and agility.

Why Should I Not Just Focus on All-Mountain?

A pure piste ski is a joy to ride on groomed runs. If you ski very little powder, perhaps a classic piste ski is a better option for you?

A freeride or off-piste ski with a waist width of 100-105 millimeters is often perfectly fine on groomed runs and way more fun in powder compared to a 90-millimeter all-mountain ski. Hand on heart: Why do you ski? Is it for the days on the piste or for those in the powder? If you lean towards the latter and are only going to buy one ski, it might be cooler to actually go for a wider ski and skip the middle-of-the-road all-mountain in favor of a real pair of freeride skis? If you’re spending a season in the Alps or mostly skiing in big mountains, a freeride ski around 105 millimeters is often a more sensible option.

Why Should I Not Just Focus on Skis at All?

Also consider that there are a few other things in both your ski equipment and your skills that have a greater impact on your skiing than which skis you have. We are primarily thinking about 1) having a good pair of boots that fit well without causing pain, and 2) your skiing technique.

Maybe you should spend your money on new boots with custom-molded liners that fit really well and comfortably? Read up on how to best go about buying boots.

What Bindings Should I Use on All-Mountain Skis?

And what bindings should you slap on your new skis? Most all-mountain skis come with a really good and secure standard binding. There are very few reasons to replace this.

A common reason would be that you are a super skier and want a ski binding that can be adjusted super tight (we’re talking maybe 1 skier out of 100 max).

Another reason, a bit more likely, is that you are buying a pair of all-mountain skis to also be able to go touring with. If you plan to do everything from skiing on-piste, off-piste, and touring with your new skis, a modern hybrid binding is the way to go. Two good options are Salomon Shift or Marker Duke PT.

With Marker’s Duke PT binding, or Salomon’s Shift, you can release the heel and walk uphill, while still being as secure as a regular alpine binding downhill.[/caption>

Do I Have to Buy New All-Mountain Skis?

No, you do not have to buy brand new skis. A pair of used skis can give your skiing experience the same thrill and excitement. It is also an option that is good for the environment and your wallet; here are 8 tips that will save you when buying used skis. Ski manufacturers do not create entirely new models of all-mountain skis every year; often, there are so-called “carry over” models where the graphics just change from one winter to the next, so just because you don’t have this year’s model doesn’t mean you should feel outdated.

How is an All-Mountain Ski Constructed and What Materials are Used?

The construction of skis varies between models and manufacturers. But generally, this type of ski consists of a core that is usually made of wood. The ski gets different characteristics depending on which or which types of wood are used; weight, stiffness, and durability are examples of properties that are balanced and mixed. Then, skis are sometimes reinforced with metal and various fiber materials like fiberglass. A ski with metal in it tends to be younger and more stable, while a ski without metal becomes lighter and more playful. All-mountain skis are constructed both with and without metal depending on the desired characteristics.

What is the Difference Between All-Mountain Skis for Women and Men?

Women are generally shorter than men and therefore usually weigh less. Women’s skis are thus generally a bit softer compared to men’s skis and come in shorter lengths.
On women’s skis the recommended mounting point, the place where the binding should be mounted, is often moved forward, making it easier to get into the turn without using as much force. The skier ends up a bit further forward on the ski.
Some brands choose not to differentiate between men’s and women’s skis, while others have only different graphic designs on an otherwise identical ski; these skis are often called unisex.

How Long Should My Skis Be?

Choosing the length of skis is difficult, and many factors come into play, such as weight, experience, and what type of skiing you prefer. A rule of thumb is to start with your own height and then consider how and where you ski.
If you are a skilled skier who skis fast on steep slopes, you can benefit from going up a few centimeters. If you prefer to ski off-piste or in terrain that is often tracked out and messy, you can also benefit from having a pair of skis that are longer than your height. You might end up at your height plus 5-15 cm.
If you have not skied as much, you might benefit from a pair of slightly shorter skis. Then the skis will be a bit more agile and easier to turn with. Even if you ski a lot but aim for quick turns on-piste (like slalom turns), you will benefit from choosing a shorter ski. If we are still on the all-mountain category, you are probably quite close to your height anyway, even if you want a nimble ski.
If you want to dive a little deeper into the length of your skis, we at Freeride have created a guide to help you find the right length for your alpine skis. This gives you a rough idea of what length might suit you, and of course, there is some room for personal preference as well! Check here for help in choosing the right length of skis.

What Turn Radius Should I Have?

The turn radius is many ski buyers’ favorite topic. It is a clear number and easy to compare between models. Simply put, the radius is given in meters where a higher radius means a longer turn and a lower radius gives a shorter turn. For example, a 12-meter radius gives a really tight turn that suits you if you want to turn really quickly, while a radius of, say, 27 meters makes the ski turn slowly in big turns, which suits you if you want to ski fast.
If you have a ski with a tight turn radius, you may feel like you are being thrown out of the turn and that the ski turns too quickly when it gets steep and wants to turn by itself, while a ski with a long turn radius can feel sluggish and boring.
The complex part of the turn radius is that the ski’s other characteristics, such as flex, binding mounting, etc., play a significant role in how much you feel the ski turns. A ski with a theoretical radius of 20 meters can therefore practically “turn more” than a ski with a radius of 18 meters. In other words, it is always best to test the ski before buying, but if you do not have the opportunity, the number is definitely a factor to base your decision on, but at the same time, do not get too fixated on it.

Rocker and Camber, What Difference Does It Make?

Flex simply means how stiff the ski is, especially in length. But of course, there are many variations and aspects that come into play within this flexible property. The simple description is that a stiff flex gives a stable ski that allows for high speeds without becoming fluttery. A soft ski becomes playful and easy to turn but can become unstable at higher speeds.

There are also variations where the ski is stiffer in the middle and softer at the front and back, which can give a more versatile ski. A ski’s rocker profile also plays a role in how stiff or soft it feels. For example, traditional camber often feels stiffer than inverted camber, i.e., rocker.

We can also discuss stiffness in the lateral direction, which is what we refer to as torsional stiffness. A torsionally stiff ski (i.e., the stiffness when you twist/rotate the ski) is generally always preferred regardless of what type of skiing you enjoy.