The 2024 Liberty Evolv 100 is a fantastic ski that holds as well in an on-trail format as it does when venturing off-piste. The smoothness of the Evolv series of skis is simply off the charts, and it all has to do with the sophisticated and unique build that aligns with the more traditional shaping. As a result of Liberty’s long-standing tradition of making fun and playful skis, they’re able to bring some of those theories into the Evolv 100, while also making it different enough from Helix and Origin to create a fun and challenging ski for advanced and expert skiers. While there are many ~100 mm underfoot skis out there, Liberty makes their 100 somewhat individualistic through the use of different woods and vertically placed metal laminates. These two build techniques match up well with the more directional shape and flatter tail to create this particular, and somewhat peculiar, personality. Unchanged for 2024, the Liberty Evolv 100 gets a facelift in terms of graphics but stays the same structurally.

Liberty’s philosophy on metal is that it’s better when used vertically. Normally in high-performance all-mountain skis like this, we see horizontal laminates of titanal to do the powering and damping, but Liberty turns that on its side. By using three vertical stringers of metal sandwiched between poplar, paulownia, and bamboo wood in the core, they’re able to mimic the smoothness and power but with less overall weight and more overall energy. It works, as these Evolv 100’s are some of the quietest and smoothest skis on the planet. They also use two strips of carbon, two laminates of fiberglass, and poured Polyurethane sidewalls. The PU material is softer than the ABS that’s used in many other skis, and this takes some of the sting off of the sides of the ski. While it doesn’t quite grip as much as the harder ABS, it is a lot quieter, and for most skiers, this is a good trade. Tipping the scale at 1930 grams in the 179, it’s sturdy, but not bulky. Most of the heft comes from the shape rather than the build.

When you enter the freeride world, the rocker and taper usually make a ski feel lighter than it is. With the more all-mountain profile of the Evolv 100, this one actually feels a bit heavier. The effective edge is quite long as there’s more camber than rocker, and minimal to zero taper. The longer the edge is in contact with the snow, the smoother the ski will feel. This does have a downside, though, as the tail wants to hold on longer and the tip wants to engage sooner, leading to more demand when shorter or more playful turns are called for. As a result, this isn’t the most playful ski of its width by a long shot, making it a better choice for advanced and expert skiers who spend more of their time on-trail and in a carved turn. In this realm, the Evolv 100 is tops in its class.

Smooth, powerful, and insanely fun when carving, the 2024 Liberty Evolv 100 is an amazing ski for a variety of conditions and terrain. The lack of taper and rocker does make it a bit of a handful for unsuspecting skiers, putting this ski more in the advanced and expert category. Even then, skiers should know that it’s more of a front side shape and character than the width and brand may indicate. Liberty makes awesome freeride skis, and that makes the behavior and character of the Evolv 100 even more impressive.