Best Carving Skis 2026

Are you looking for a pair of slalom skis that offer excellent edge grip and delightful carving characteristics? We have rigorously tested many of this year’s new alpine skis designed for groomed runs. Here you can read reviews and ratings.

If you plan to stick to lifts and groomed slopes, then a piste ski is the ultimate companion for your boots. A good piste ski is a pure joy to ride, allowing for beautiful carving turns whether you’re heading to Sälen, Åre, Vemdalen, Norway, the Alps, or elsewhere.

A fantastic edge grip, stability at speed, and quickness from edge to edge are some of the features that make a piste ski stand out compared to other categories of alpine skis, such as the slightly wider all-mountain skis.

If you want to know more generally about skis and are eager to buy, we have created a comprehensive guide on buying skis. Below the test of piste skis, you will also find a specific FAQ about carving skis.

In the past, and still by some, they were referred to as slalom skis. Today, they are usually called piste skis, which refers to the category of skis intended for groomed runs. Within the segment of piste skis, you will find slalom skis, which have a very short radius that allows for short, quick turns, just like in the alpine discipline of slalom, while giant slalom skis have a longer radius.

About the Ski Test

Freeride was on site in Vemdalen as early as the beginning of winter 2025 and tested several exciting new products in piste skis that are now available in stores and online retailers. The test also includes some piste skis that we tested in winter 2024; these skis have remained unchanged in terms of construction, although some models have received new graphics.

Before you buy skis we always recommend that you try them yourself and/or read more ski tests. During the pre-season before Christmas, ski testing days will take place at locations such as Vemdalen, Sälen, and Åre, where you can test skis for free.

Without further ado, here are some of the best piste skis of the year! The skis are sorted by ratings from our testers, best first.

Best Piste Skis 2026

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1. Atomic Redster S9

Lengths: 155, 160, 165, and 170 cm
Dimensions: 118-68-104 mm (165 cm)
Radius: 12.5 m (165 cm)
Construction: Revoshock S, Carbon Boost, Power Woodcore, TI Powered, Ultrawall. Edge angle 87° (side), 0.8° (base)

About the ski: The Atomic Redster S9 is a classic Atomic ski that has been around for a long time. For the winter of 25/26, the ski has been significantly updated, and according to Atomic, it feels like a completely new ski with a new construction and new dimensions.

Atomic’s Revoshock has been updated so that the ski is even more dampened and stable. The ski also features a carbon plate at the back to provide extra kick out of the turn. This is a pure piste ski with excellent edge grip and great performance for those who love to turn a lot.

Reviews and ratings:
– A very good experience! I actually loved these. Very fun ski. A bit easier to get up on edge, very comfortable. A ski I would love to own. 4.5 rating, says Erik Strömberg.

– These were really a ski that I liked. I was very positively surprised. It allows you to relax a bit on the technique, which suits me as I’m not very used to such skis. I would personally want a pair. 4.5 rating from me, says Wilma Johansson.

– A pleasant ski, reminiscent of Völkl Peregrine 72 Master. I find it to be a safe ski, even though it was choppy and bumpy today. The ski is calm, safe, and stable. I don’t know about hard surfaces. A fun ski if you like carving. A versatile ski. It’s stiff, which I think is why it feels calm and safe. For me, as a slightly heavier skier, it responds well. 4.5 rating, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 4.5

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2. Völkl Peregrine 72 Master

Lengths: 168, 173, and 178 cm
Dimensions: 122-72-103 mm (173 cm)
Radius: (R1) 20.7 m, (R2) 14.5 m, (R3) 17.3 m (173 cm)
Weight: 2340 g (173 cm)
Construction: Tip and tail rocker. Ash wood core reinforced with titanal

About the ski: The Völkl Peregrine 72 Master is a completely new ski from Völkl. The ski is essentially built like a pure race ski, but with a bit of tip and tail rocker. The Peregrine 72 Master has an ash wood core reinforced with titanal and a race plate.

According to Völkl, this ski is as close to a race ski as you can get, but for regular people. Just like Völkl’s all-mountain skis, the Peregrine 72 Master is equipped with 3D Radius. Völkl describes it as an incredibly fun ski, and our test skiers seem to agree.

Reviews and ratings:
– I thought it was really fun. A bit lighter, reminiscent of the Atomic Redster S9. Works very well today as it is a bit softer. Incredibly fun to ride sliding turns on. It’s torsionally stiff, it doesn’t let you down. It holds up at high speeds. Works both on edge, sliding, and when it’s been skied up. It’s safe, a really nice ski from Völkl. It gets a strong 4.5 rating, an incredible ski, says Jesper Hayland.

– Very good! Overall, a really good ski. I usually ride on long skis, at least 100 in the waist. These skis are a bit longer and have a longer turning radius… so it felt a bit more like home. Really fun ski, truly. It gets a 4.2… says Erik Strömberg.

Rating: 4.4

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3. Head Worldcup Rebels e-SL Pro

Lengths: 155, 160, and 165 cm
Dimensions: 122-68-107 mm
Radius: 12 m (160 cm)
Construction: Wood core reinforced with titanal, graphene, and fiberglass. Race plate and traditional camber.

About the ski: The Head eSL Pro is a stiff and heavy race ski that can handle just about anything. The eSL Pro is equipped with the same plate that World Cup racers use. The ski also comes in a variant without a plate for bindings, simply called eSL (without Pro)… the difference is, in other words, the plate.

The Head eSL Pro is a really agile ski for those who love to make short turns. This is a heavy and robust ski with a lot of metal.

Reviews and ratings:
– Very playful, absolutely… 12.9 meters. It’s a short-turn ski, very responsive, fun, quick to get into a turn. In the turn, I feel you get a completely different support than if you don’t have a plate. It simply feels much better. It would have been more fun to test it on hard surfaces, which it wasn’t today. It actually gets a five! Says Jesper Hayland.

– Quick in turns, very good. You have to be ready that when you go into a turn, it is fast. It goes quickly from turn to turn. I give it 4+, says Erik Strömberg.

– I really like this one. When I found areas that weren’t skied up, I could really push it. It reacts quickly and aggressively, which is nice. Definitely much stiffer than other skis. It gets a strong four from me, says Wilma Johansson.

Rating: 4.3

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4. Völkl Peregrine 82

Lengths: 162, 167, 172, 177, and 182 cm
Dimensions: 128-82-111 mm
Radius: (R1) 27 m, (R2) 15 m, (R3) 23 m (177 cm)
Weight: 3130 g (including binding – LOWRIDE 13 FR GW)

About the ski: The Völkl Peregrine 82 is a completely new ski and the successor to the popular Deacon series. Völkl describes this as an all-mountain ski for groomed runs. Whether it’s really hard or if the surface is slushy and soft, this ski delivers. The ski is constructed with dual layers of titanal and features tip and tail rocker as well as three different turning radii.

Reviews:
– I found it to be a very pleasant experience. It was easy to turn. And you could vary both large and small turns if you wanted to. It worked well! It gets 4 out of 5, says Andreas Calleberg.

– I found it to be a very quick ski. Very easy to get into the turn. It has a fairly short radius, so it responds immediately… maybe a bit too short for me, I found it easy to get a carving turn when I pushed it. But quick and fun. I would say it performs best in soft yet freshly groomed corduroy. I give it 3.5 out of 5, says Petrea Norgren.

– This one suits me well. We got along very well. I had nice turns. Now it’s not very icy, but I believe it has good edge grip. It was easy to get it into a turn. It gets a 4.5 rating, says Selina Wallin.

– Suits heavier skiers like me. It’s quite stable at speed. A bit sluggish to get on edge, but that has to do with it being a bit wider underfoot. But I think it’s a fun ski. You get a lot of response out of the turn, which I like. Torsionally stiff, so you can ski quite fast with it. It’s a really powerful ski, I would say. It gets a strong four, says Jesper Hayland.

– This is a really fun ski. It’s quick into the turn. It’s incredibly fun, really. It’s agile and enjoyable. If I’m skiing on piste, I want quick turns. It gets a five from me, says Cornelia Evelyn.

Rating: 4.2

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5. Salomon Addikt Pro 76

Lengths: 156, 163, 170, and 177 cm
Dimensions: 125-76-109 mm (170 cm)
Radius: 14 m (170 cm)
Weight: 2805 g (170 cm)

About the ski: The Addikt Pro 76 is a playful ski from Salomon with a radius of 15 meters (177 cm) and a fishtail. It has a poplar wood core reinforced with titanal and a traditional camber with tip rocker.

Reviews:
– This is a ski I like when it comes to carving. It’s a short-turn ski, so 14 meters is very short for me. But considering it’s a bit wider underfoot, it probably handled the conditions better throughout the day. If you want a snappier ski, you go down to 66. It gets a strong 4.5 rating. It’s a good, solid carving ski even for us skilled skiers, says Jesper Hayland.

– I thought they were fun. They turned well. It was possible to make both large and small turns, and good edge grip. It was still quite calm and harmonious, no jerks. It gets a 3.5 rating, says Selina Wallin.

– I thought it was a good ski. It gets a little extra plus for being environmentally conscious and using recycled materials, which we like. And it was fun to ride. I would describe it as a fairly calm ski but still easy to get on edge. I give it a 3.5 rating, it suits most people, says Petrea Norgren.

– This one was really fun to ride. It was quick in the turns. Fishtail… I find it very lively and quick, so surely it helps, but I have a bit of trouble saying if it’s because of that or if it’s just because the ski is so lively overall. It gets a five, says Cornelia Evelyn.

Rating: 4.1

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6. Stöckli Laser SC

Lengths: 149, 156, 163, 170, and 177 cm
Dimensions: 123-72-104 mm
Radius: 14.9 (170 cm)
Weight: 3500 g
See current prices at: Evo

About the ski: The Stöckli Laser SC Worldcup is a piste ski with a radius adapted for slalom turns, 14.9 m (170 cm). Constructed with a wood core reinforced with cut titanal.

Reviews:
– Good edge grip. I believe this is a fairly stiff ski, but the tail was a bit softer, and I lost it when I was skiing. Otherwise, I think it requires a slightly more powerful skier, an experienced and strong skier. 3.5 rating, says Selina Wallin.

– I found it to be a comfortable ski. I think it will suit many different types of skiers. I found it fun, it felt stable, and it was easy to get into a turn. Fun ski. I still give it a four, says Petrea Norgren.

– A very good ski, I had fun on it. I primarily skied short turns with it, and I think it’s really fun, it’s quick in and bouncy out and responds very well to what you do. It gets a four from me, says Cornelia Evelyn.

– This is a short-turn ski. It’s quite robust; when you lay the ski on edge and push, you have to keep up because this is as close as you can get to a real race slalom. It doesn’t flex back in the same way as the World Cup skis I have at home, but there is a lot of bounce in the ski, so it’s fun to ride. It has incredible grip, it has very good contact with the snow. An incredible piste ski. I have a hard time finding anything wrong, so I have to give it a five, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 4.1

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7. Stöckli Laser SL CPT

Lengths: 150, 155, 160, 165, and 170 cm
Dimensions: 120-66-98 mm
Radius: 14.5 m (170 cm)
Weight: 3550 g (170 cm)

About the ski: A pure piste ski with a short turn, CPT stands for Carbon Power Turn, as it has a carbon strip inside the ski that only flexes in one direction, providing quicker kick out of the turn. Aluminum in the tip and tail makes it gentle into the turn. The Stöckli Laser SL CPT is a versatile and responsive ski.

Reviews and ratings:
– It’s an incredibly fun ski! It’s very torsionally stiff, so you can ski fast with it and turn hard. Performance-wise… very good. This is a slalom ski for those who want quality, maybe not a beginner ski, it gets a five, says Jesper Hayland.

– It’s a very good ski, I like the weight of it. Nothing flutters, it stays where it should. I really like it, a very good ski. I give it a four, four plus, says Erik Strömberg.

– It’s an incredible ski, but it requires a lot from the skier. They are relatively soft in the tail and nose, but it gets a bit too aggressive for me. Nice stability, no problem skiing in a racing position. I give it a three, says Wilma Johansson.

Rating: 4

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8. Rossignol Hero Elite LT Ti

Lengths: 162, 172, 177, and 182 cm
Dimensions: 121-71-101 mm
Radius: 18 m (177 cm)
Weight: 2300 grams (177 cm)

About the ski: The Hero Elite LT Ti is Rossignol’s upgraded giant slalom ski. At first glance, this ski resembles what the elite use in the World Cup, but in reality, it is a traditional top-class piste ski. This is a ski that suits you if you like to ski fast. In terms of construction, the ski is made with beech instead of poplar, like the Rossignol Forza and Nova. The Hero Elite LT Ti also has dual layers of titanal and some rubber to prevent the ski from becoming nervous.

Reviews:
– It holds incredibly well on edge… it has incredibly good contact with the ground. So you can stand on it and it doesn’t let you down. I don’t think it’s stiff enough; I want a flex back out of the turn so I can send the ski into the next turn. I miss that. But it’s an incredibly fun ski. Competent. Suits me as a skier. So this actually gets a four, says Jesper Hayland.

– A bit heavier. Very stable. Longer turns. It felt as close to a pair of race skis as you can get. 4.5 rating, says Selina Wallin.

– I am an old racer. I would say this is as close to a pair of old race skis as I have come with a pair of piste skis. I think that’s positive. I think it’s fun. Today it’s a bit soft and a bit messy and skied up at the bottom. Then it’s maybe not ideal. But up there, the conditions are a bit nicer, and it’s wonderful. These get a four from me, says Petrea Norgren.

– They were very fast. A fun ski, but a very difficult ski. I think this suits a person with a racing background. I’m more of a free skier. It’s a bit tricky. It likes larger turns. I prefer a bit shorter, quicker turns. But otherwise, a very fun ski. It gets a 3.5, says Cornelia Evelyn.

Rating: 4

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9. Fischer the Curv 76 GT

Lengths: 152, 159, 166, 173, and 180 cm
Dimensions: 125-76-109 mm (173 cm)
Radius: 14.5 m (173 cm)
Weight: –

About the ski: The Curv is a new series of piste skis from Fischer that replaces the RC One GT series. Available in widths of 76, 80, and 85. The ski is reinforced with titanal and features Fischer’s E-Triple Radius.

Reviews:
– A very pleasant ski. Quick to turn, but still a stable ski, I would say. I think it suits fairly advanced skiers. I find it to be a nice ski, and I am still big and heavy. It gets 4 out of 5, says Andreas Calleberg.

– I think it’s really fun. When I ski on the piste, I want quick, agile turns, and I think this delivers. It gets a four from me, says Cornelia Evelyn.

– I found it fun. It gave a lot back; you could feel that when you pushed it, you got a boost out of the turn, so it was very fun. I found it to be quite hard. But most people who like to ski on piste will probably have a fun day on this. I give it a four rating, says Petrea Norgren.

– I think this suits my colleague Jesper very well, haha. Someone who is experienced and taller than me. 3 out of 5 rating, says Selina Wallin.

– I thought it was fun. An incredibly nice ski. Suits me as an advanced skier and a bit heavier. An incredibly pleasant and competent ski, it gets a 4.5 rating, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 3.9

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10. Blizzard Stormbird 76 Ti

Lengths: 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, and 175 cm
Dimensions: 125-76-105 (170 cm)
Radius: 14 m (170 cm)
Weight: 3320 g (170 cm)

About the ski: The Stormbird is a new piste-oriented series of skis from Blizzard that comes in widths ranging from 72 to 82 millimeters at the waist. The Stormbird 76 is expected to be a best-seller and is a ski that suits a wide range of skiers. It has a beech and poplar wood core reinforced with metal.

Reviews and ratings:
– A slightly wider ski. A light ski, not difficult to get into a turn, responds well but doesn’t have that extra push out of the turn. A solid and good ski nonetheless. It holds up at high speeds; it’s not a bad ski. It sits well in the snow. Good ski. 3.5 rating, says Jesper Hayland.

– I liked this ski. I prefer larger turns; I felt that these supported my skiing. It gets a 3.5 rating, says Erik Strömberg.

– I like that it’s a bit wider. A gentler big-turn ski, a bit softer and a bit wider. I give this a 4.5 rating, says Wilma Johansson.

Rating: 3.8

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11. Kästle MX74

Lengths: 150, 157, 164, 171, and 178 cm
Dimensions: 123-74-103 mm
Radius: 15.4 (171 cm)
Weight: 1730 g (per ski 170 cm)

About the ski: The Kästle MX74 is a versatile piste ski with excellent all-mountain characteristics, featuring a wood core reinforced with dual layers of titanal.

Reviews:
– A comfortable ski, I think! I would say the width makes it a bit more stable. It’s a good all-round ski; it gets a 3.5 rating from me, says Petrea Norgren.

– They work well! It’s really soft on the slopes, so you want a pair of wider skis; 74 at the waist works well today. I found it really fun. It gets a strong four rating, says Jesper Hayland.

– Works well. On the piste, a super good ski. A pleasant ski; it gets a 3.5 rating from me, says Erik Strömberg.

Rating: 3.7

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12. Fischer RC4 Noize

Lengths: 168, 173, 178, and 183 cm
Dimensions: 112-66-101 mm
Radius: 15.5 (178 cm)
Weight: –

About the ski: The Fischer RC4 Noize features a new laminate designed to absorb vibrations like a classic “Vibration Dampener,” which replaces the almost classic hole in Fischer skis. The ski has a massive beech wood core that provides responsive flex.

Reviews and ratings:
– I think it’s a good ski. I like it. I might want a bit more weight personally. 13 meters, it’s a quick ski. A very simple ski. I give it a 2.5 rating… in the middle of the scale, says Erik Strömberg.

– This is a ski for mortal skiers. It’s not a super stiff ski; it works well for almost everyone. I had a lot of fun on it, easy to get into a turn; it might not be quite as stable at speed, but… it gets a strong four rating, says Jesper Hayland.

– This is a ski to my taste. It’s fast and agile. Feels light on the foot and is relatively soft. I give this a four, says Wilma Johansson.

Rating: 3.5

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13. Head Worldcup Rebels e-Race

Lengths: 160, 165, 170, 175, 180 cm
Dimensions: 117-68-102 mm (170 cm)
Radius: 14.8 m (170 cm)
Weight: 1960 g (170 cm)

About the ski: The Head Worldcup Rebels e-Race is a piste ski with a wood and titanal core, available in three different cuts, and this is the middle variant. There is also an e-Race Pro, and the difference between them is that the Pro ski has a race plate and phenolic edges. Both front and back have plates, or chips, that convert kinetic energy in the form of vibrations into electrical energy. This is supposed to eliminate micro-vibrations, making the ski feel calmer and more stable.

Reviews:
– It was quite monotonous, but it suits me as someone who has competed a bit before. You can’t do much else than large carving turns, but it’s good for that! It gets a three rating, says Selina Wallin.

– It felt like riding a high-speed train in Switzerland; it was incredibly pleasant. The ski held firm, was incredibly stable, and I could really trust the gear, and it was really fun. But they are very heavy and not so nimble. It gets a weak four rating because it’s quite monotonous, but what it’s good at, it excels at, says Erik Hammarsten.

– This is a ski that thrives at high speeds, and so do I, so we have a good symbiosis there. I don’t feel the built-in chip in the ski that is supposed to help stabilize the ski and stiffen the fibers so it flexes out. However, I think it’s speed-stable, holds well in turns, and has good ground contact. I miss that it “pops” out of the turn. It gets a solid three and a half rating, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 3.5

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14. Blizzard Thunderbird R18

Lengths: 170, 175, 180, and 185 cm
Dimensions: 115.5-70-98.5 mm (180 cm)
Radius: 18.5 m (180 cm)
Weight: 3600 g (180 cm)

About the ski: The Thunderbird R18 is a high-performance ski with giant slalom characteristics. It has a wood core reinforced with dual layers of metal. Softer in the tip and tail.

Reviews:
– I thought it was a good ski. Today it’s very soft and a bit skied up; you notice that they are narrow, but on the other hand, they are very easy to get on edge. They feel stable nonetheless. This one gets a 4 rating, says Petrea Norgren.

– Easy to get on edge. It might not perform its best today when it’s a bit messy on the slopes; this ski should be used on corduroy mornings when you’re first out; it should be quite hard on the slopes; then I think it performs best. A good carving ski for most skiers. It gets a 3.5 rating, says Jesper Hayland.

– I find it fun. I don’t have the right technique to really enjoy a ski like this. It’s still quick in the turn. Those who are good at carving will find it fun. It gets a 3 rating, says Cornelia Evelyn.

– It was a bit difficult. They weren’t as responsive as I thought they would be, given that they are quite narrow at the waist. They don’t feel very stiff to me. It gets a three, says Selina Wallin.

Rating: 3.3

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15. Head Supershape e-Magnum

Lengths: 149, 156, 163, 170, and 177 cm
Dimensions: 129-72-111 mm
Radius: 13.1 m (170 cm)
Weight: 2170 g (170 cm)

About the ski: The Heads Magnum series has been around for many years but has been completely redesigned for 2025 with new construction and geometry. The ski has also received carbon under the binding to keep the weight down while being stiff underfoot.

Reviews:
– This one was quick. Very good edge grip and agile. I think it works very well both on the ice up there and down here where it’s softer and flatter, so I think it works very well on everything. It does what it should. This one gets a 3.5 rating, says Selina Wallin.

– I found it quite soft, unfortunately, and a bit unstable. Not a ski for me. It’s easy to get into a turn and easy to turn, but maybe not for someone who wants a more advanced ski. For me, it gets a 2.5, says Petrea Norgren.

– This is a nice ski. A stable and comfortable ski. It gets a 3.5 from me, says Cornelia Evelyn.

– This is an entry-level ski. More forgiving for a skier who has just started with carving and wants to take it to the next level. But I wouldn’t say it’s a ski for an advanced carving skier and someone heavier; then you might want something a bit more robust. I think it’s fun. But it’s not a ski for me; it gets a bit too soft, a bit too fluttery at higher speeds. A very nice ski, 3.5 rating, says Jesper Hayland.

Rating: 3.3

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16. Salomon S/Race SL 10

Lengths: 155, 160, 165, and 170 cm
Dimensions: 121-68-104
Radius: 13 m (165 cm)
Weight: 1730 g (165 cm)
Construction: Poplar wood core, dual layer of titanal, and traditional camber.

About the ski: This is a slalom ski for regular mortal skiers. The technology comes from World Cup skis but is packaged differently. Salomon describes it as a top ski for regular skiers with a short turning radius and dual metal layers. We have tested the Salomon S/Race SL 10, which also comes in a variant called SL 12, which means it has a race plate.

Reviews and ratings:
– Works best where it’s not too skied up. This ski should be on the piste; it should be a nice and even piste. Feels quite soft in the tip, easy to get into a turn, maybe a bit too easy… a ski that’s easy to ride but for those who are heavier and advanced, it might be a bit too gentle. An entry-level ski, from beginner to advanced skier, it covers a wide range. It’s a good ski; I give it a four, says Jesper Hayland.

– I didn’t quite gel with the skis. Sliding turns worked well, but larger turns became unstable for me; I don’t know why. They lost a bit of stability. A three rating, says Wilma Johansson.

– A good ski, I like it. A slalom ski, they are really responsive. I myself am very eager to buy a pair. My experience is that they are stiff, which they should be; I like that. A three rating, says Erik Strömberg.

Rating: 3.3

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17. Elan Primetime 55

Lengths: 151, 158, 165, 172, and 179 cm
Dimensions: 121-69-102 mm
Radius: 15.1 m (172 cm)

About the ski: The Primetime series is new and has an updated construction. An extra layer of carbon, dual layers of metal, and two different types of wood in the core. You get a more responsive ski, a right/left ski that provides camber on the inside and rocker on the outside for more powerful skiing with better float, according to Elan. The most advanced ski in the series, a ski for skilled piste skiers.

Reviews:
– Interesting with the right and left ski; you have to be careful with that. I think it was a good ski. Not the best ski I’ve ridden, but definitely not the worst either. Very good edge… 2.5 rating, says Erik Strömberg.

– Incredible support, you can really lean on it. I think it performs better in sliding turns. However, I don’t like the setup with one ski on one foot. It gets a four; it’s a good ski, says Jesper Hayland.

– It’s a ski that prefers large turns above all. For me, not the optimal ski; I prefer quicker and faster skis. A nice ski for an intermediate skier. Great graphics. A three rating, says Wilma Johansson.

Rating: 3.2

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18. Atomic Redster Q 9.8

Lengths: 159, 166, 173, 181 cm
Dimensions: 134-84.5-118.8 mm (173 cm)
Radius: 14.4 m (173 cm)
Weight: 3283 g (173 cm)

About the ski: The Atomic Redster Q 9.8 is a 100% piste ski that shares DNA with Atomic’s World Cup-winning Redster program. With Revoshock, Power Woodcore, and a Titanal-driven laminate, the ski has racing in its blood and exploration in its soul. At the same time, it is not a ski for race gates or speed suits, as it is a bit softer so that regular skiers can handle it. This ski is the widest ski in the piste ski segment we have tested, with a full 84.5 millimeters underfoot.

Reviews: — You can tell it’s a bit wider, and it’s a bit slower to get around. But it’s okay in terms of speed stability; it holds well on edge and has good ground contact, but yes, it’s not as responsive in short turns. What it lacks overall is that I don’t get that flex back out of the turn that I want in a piste ski. It gets a solid three rating, says Jesper Hayland.

— It was nothing special. Nice, but nothing special. I think they are helpful if you haven’t skied much; they did what you wanted. It gets a three rating, says Selina Wallin.

— It’s the widest in the piste ski segment we are testing, and you can tell. It’s a bit slower and a bit heavier than the others, but it goes calmly and safely. It performs well in both medium and larger turns, but it’s not something you throw into a short turn directly. Quite dull and dampened, and I found it to be safe, but then there wasn’t much more wow, you know. It gets a three rating, says Erik Hammarsten.

Rating: 3

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19. Rossignol Hero Elite MT

Lengths: 159, 167, 175, and 183 cm
Dimensions: 123-74-109 mm
Radius: 15 meters (175 cm)
Weight: 1850 grams (175 cm)

About the ski: The Rossignol Hero Elite Multi-Turn is built for those who want to ski on piste on a race-inspired ski but is constructed more simply (including less metal), which should provide an easy-to-ride and affordable ski. The Hero Elite MT is constructed with carbon, basalt, and titanal and has also been equipped with a so-called On-Trail Rocker, which should provide a more forgiving ski that is easy to get into a turn. The price is 7000 SEK with bindings.

Review: The Rossignol Hero Elite MT is a soft ski that likely suits beginners to intermediate skiers. Some of the test skiers on this ski feel it is too soft and that the kick out of the turn is lacking; however, they add that there is nothing wrong with the ski, but it just doesn’t suit them.

Rating: 3

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Comparative Table

Brand & Model	Dimensions (tip-waist-tail)	Radius	Weight per ski	Rating
Atomic Redster S9	118-68-104 mm	12.5 (165 cm)	–	4.5
Völkl Peregrine 72 Master	122-72-103 mm	3D Radius	2340 g (173 cm)	4.4
Head Worldcup Rebels E-SL Pro	122-68-107 mm	12 m (160 cm)	–	4.3
Völkl Peregrine 82	128-82-111 mm	3D Radius	3130 g (including binding)	4.2
Salomon Addikt Pro 76	125-76-109 mm	14 m (170 cm)	2805 g (170 cm)	4.1
Stöckli Laser SC	123-72-104 mm	14.9 m (170 cm)	3500 g	4.1
Stöckli Laser SL CPT	120-66-98 mm	14.5 m (170 cm)	3550 g (170 cm)	4
Rossignol HERO ELITE LT TI	121-71-101 mm	18 m (177 cm)	2300 g (177 cm)	4
Fischer the Curv 76 GT	125-76-109 mm	14.5 (173 cm)	–	3.9
Blizzard Stormbird 76 Ti	125-76-105 mm	14 m (170 cm)	3320 g (170 cm)	3.8
Kästle Mx74	123-74-103 mm	15.4 m (171 cm)	1730 g (per ski 170 cm)	3.7
Fischer RC4 Noize	112-66-101 mm	15.5 m (178 cm)	–	3.5
Head Worldcup Rebels E-Race	117-68-102 mm	14.8 m (170 cm)	1960 g (170 cm)	3.5
Blizzard Thunderbird R18	115.5-70-98.5 mm	18.5 (180 cm)	3283 g (173 cm)	3
Rossignol Hero Elite MT	123-74-109 mm	15 m (@175 cm)	1850 g (@175 cm)	3

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Test Skiers

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

Jesper Hayland
Jesper is a trained ski instructor with several seasons under his belt. In recent years he has moved 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 a background in elite-level moguls and freeride skiing. Emrik skis fast and aggressively.

Wilma Johansson
Wilma thrives best in the park and has, among other things, 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. Petrea 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 over groomed pistes and deep carving turns.

Erik Hammarsten
Erik is a certified ski instructor living in Vemdalen. He masters the entire mountain with ease—from 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 ski touring whenever possible.

Andreas Calleberg
Andreas works as a snowcat driver, making sure the slopes are perfectly groomed before he lays down his own turns. Andreas skis hard and aggressively.

Buying Guide for Piste Skis

What is a piste ski?

A piste ski is simply defined by its name. The construction, that is, the way it is designed, allows the ski to perform at its best when the edges can maintain a precise contact with the surface. In this case, the surface should consist of a firm, well-prepared, and even snow. And where can you find such optimal conditions? In the piste.

What are the benefits of a piste ski?

Unquestionably, the carving technology! The ski can, provided the opportunity arises, create round and symmetrical turns thanks to its deeper sidecut and hourglass-like shape. Carving skiing is a fun technique for those who enjoy speed. Depending on the slope and the skier’s condition, the skier can also challenge themselves by making some runs with tighter turns and others with wider ones.

What are the drawbacks of a piste ski?

The wrong piste ski for the wrong skier can mean that the ski is perceived as difficult to control overall when it comes to maneuvering into turns. At the same time, it could be the opposite, meaning the ski is perceived as too easy to turn and soft. This is often due to two factors: the skier’s technical level and weight.

How wide is a piste ski?

Varies from ski to ski but my personal opinion is that skis under 90 millimeters at the waist can be classified as piste skis. A piste ski that is narrower at the waist is quicker to edge compared to a wider ski. This is because it requires a shorter movement to angle the ski onto its edge. A narrower ski performs better under optimal conditions, while a wider piste ski also works but is better suited for when the snow gets chopped up and messy, which can easily happen in the afternoons.

Why shouldn’t I just focus solely on a piste ski?

For the skier who doesn’t just stick to the piste but values skiing across the entire mountain, a dedicated piste ski may be the poorer choice. Why? The ski is often heavier but, more importantly, narrower, making it difficult to maneuver in deeper snow. The ski is built to edge and grip on harder surfaces and will feel like two submarines off-piste.

Off-piste skiing is more favorable with a wider ski that provides better floatation, while this type of skiing requires a completely different skiing technique.

Why shouldn’t I focus solely on skis in general?

Skis are like many other things in life, for example; golf clubs, cars, fishing rods are good for different things. There is currently no ski that is best at everything, so when choosing a ski, you should primarily select one that tends to perform best where you will be skiing and that suits you as a skier in terms of experience and/or weight.

What bindings should I have on a pair of piste skis?

A binding that can handle your weight and level of skiing. The heavier or more advanced skier you are, the greater the stress placed on the binding. A lightweight beginner should also not have too stiff a setting on the binding’s spring since the primary purpose of the binding is to secure the ski to the foot. The ski should never release unexpectedly during skiing but only in situations where it could cause greater injury if the ski remains attached, such as in a crash.

What are these plates everyone talks about on piste skis, what are they good for?

Plates can be beneficial for several reasons. For example, when you want to move the binding without having to drill more holes in the ski, the skier is raised higher from the surface and can thus edge the ski more and also increase the power in the turn. It can improve the flex or stiffness of the ski. There are different types of plates with various functions, materials, and heights.

Do I have to buy new piste skis?

It depends on how much skiing you do and how well you take care of your skis. A person who skis for two weeks a year and only waxes their skis will be able to keep the same skis for a very long time. Meanwhile, a skier who skis twice a week and sharpens the edges between each session will need to replace their skis because eventually, there will be no steel edges left.

Another aspect could be that as a beginner, you buy skis to learn how to carve. Skis that may eventually feel too soft and wobbly. In that case, it may be that you need to buy a more advanced pair of skis that better suit your developed skiing style.

How is a piste ski constructed and what materials are used?

Skis today are constructed differently, but the most common technique is somewhat like a sandwich with different layers stacked on top of each other, i.e., a sandwich construction. This includes reinforced plastic or fiberglass, and the core of the ski, which is often made of a type of wood, can be a variety of options, such as alder, birch, beech, balsa, poplar, or ash.

For extra reinforcement, one or even two layers of titanal are often added. To reduce unwanted vibrations, it has become increasingly common to use rubber in skis. On the side of the ski, we find steel edges that, for piste skis, are naturally a bit wider so they can withstand more sharpening, and last but not least, the base of the ski is made of polyethylene.

What is the difference between piste skis for women and men?

There is no astronomical difference between women’s and men’s skis; the most common differences are length and exterior design. There may be differences in materials as a women’s ski often needs to be softer since the difference between women and men tends to be that men generally weigh more. A heavier skier automatically has different conditions for bending a piste ski compared to a lighter skier.

What is the difference between piste skis for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers?

The main difference lies in the materials of the ski. A beginner who has not fully learned the technique will not be able to bend the ski as much as an advanced skier. Therefore, some skis are softer and “more forgiving,” which helps the skier learn the basics. An advanced skier who skis harder, faster, and generates more power in turns therefore needs a ski that is stiffer and more stable at speed.

Are real competition skis sold to consumers?

Yes and no. Not all sporting goods stores carry competition skis in their inventory. These skis are more robust for the reason that they have more material, advanced bindings, plus plates, which also makes them more expensive. The average person does not have the equipment (boots), technique, or leg muscles to bend these skis and does perfectly well on a segment aimed at regular consumers and, in some cases, amateurs.

How long should my piste skis be?

When it comes to carving, it is known that a shorter ski turns more than a longer ski. For a beginner, it may be tactically better to choose a shorter and more user-friendly ski over a longer one. There is some debate among experts, but generally, it is said that the recommendation for adults is somewhere between 0-15 cm shorter than your height.

A rule of thumb to consider might be a few centimeters shorter for beginners, and if you are experienced on skis or just want to make larger turns, a slightly longer ski. Learn more about how long skis should be.

What turn radius should I have?

A low radius means a smaller turn, and a longer radius means a larger turn. There are pros and cons to both a too-short and too-long radius. With a too-short radius, turns can become very tight, and skiing on long, smooth pistes can become quite demanding over time. With a too-long radius, it can be difficult to maintain speed control on steeper slopes since the turn tends to become larger, which also builds more speed.

In competitive contexts, slalom has a relatively short radius to navigate the closely placed gates more easily. In Super G, longer skis are used that do not turn as much but are sufficient to get around the gates that are spaced much further apart.

Rocker and camber, what difference does it make?

Provided that you know what it is; yes, it makes a difference. Lay the skis completely flat on a table; if the middle of the ski is in the air, the ski has camber; if most of the front and perhaps even the back of the ski is in the air, it is a rocker construction. In carving and pure piste skis, it is less common to have much rocker technology; most ski manufacturers today use both tip and tail rocker on carving skis for consumers. The reason for this is that the skis become easier to turn and maneuver. Rocker is now most commonly combined with all-mountain skis, which not only helps the skis float better in deep snow but also aids in the piste, making especially wider skis easier to ski and more versatile. Camber is important when skiing on hard snow, which you often do with carving skis. This is because the weight is distributed more evenly, providing better contact with the surface and better edge grip.

But rocker and camber aren’t something to worry about on the piste, right?

With carving skis, it is important to create conditions that allow the ski to turn. If we have the skis straight under our body and completely flat, the ski will not be able to turn. This means we need to move for things to happen. You should be aware when purchasing carving skis, especially more advanced skis, that these will require more from you as a skier. Not just mentally but also physically.

What is flex and what difference does it really make?

The difference in many skis is hardness and torsional stiffness. A stiffer ski has better conditions to generate more power, which can provide better grip in turns but primarily acceleration. Flex is very individual, and several factors that are crucial in choosing a ski are weight, skiing style, and technique. This means that a lightweight but advanced skier can experience a ski’s flex similarly to a heavier and less experienced skier.

How do I take care of my skis over the summer?

Wax the skis before summer storage so that the base gets a good cover over the summer, and store the skis in a cool place; that’s when they do best. One tip is to loosen the spring a bit by turning down the pressure on the binding slightly.
There is no study on this to my knowledge, but having a spring under constant pressure seems unnecessary since it can be quickly adjusted with a screwdriver in a matter of seconds. The next time you see someone click both skis in during the third turn of the season, you will understand why. Learn more about taking care of your equipment over the summer.

How often should I wax and sharpen my skis?

You should wax for two reasons:
1. To prevent the base from drying out.
2. To achieve good glide.

If you ski throughout the winter, the conditions will naturally vary over the course of the season. It can be good to have wax for different temperatures to ensure you have the best skiing day and experience possible. It may be wise not to ski all the way to the car so that stones and gravel, like sandpaper, wear away all the wax and dull the edges.

Sharpening the edges of the skis is done if the edges feel dull or if the surface is icy and the skis do not grip.