The 2024 Stockli Laser GS takes a lot of notes and hints from its FIS brethren but keeps things a bit mellower in terms of build and shape so that mere mortals can experience what a truly high-quality GS experience is like. We’ve seen some high-level skiing done on this setup, and while it takes a special kind of skier to unlock the true potential of this ski, it’s still got a good application for advanced and expert skiers, not just racers or former competitors. There’s a huge market for solid front side skis these days, and it’s growing especially fast in the North American markets. Skiers are realizing that not every day is a powder day, and that carving clean turns on groomers is actually a whole lot of fun. In this light, skis like the Stockli Laser GS jump to the forefront of a lot of conversations. Featuring a high-end build and a more forgiving shape than the FIS version, this ski is an ideal choice for precision-oriented skiers who spend most, if not all, of their time on smooth and manicured surfaces.

Built with a solid wood core to start, we’re getting two layers of metal as well to dampen and smooth out the ride, in addition to giving the ski more torsional stiffness for pure edge grip and snow feel. We’re also getting Stockli’s Carbon Steering Control in this ski, which is a central strip of carbon that acts to keep the front and back of the ski firmly on the snow and engaged in the carve. By stiffening the central chord of the ski, Stockli mixes up energy and stability at the same time—two attributes that don’t always go together. They also use Flex Torsion Control to keep more of the ski on the snow. By cutting the top layer of metal in a curved format from the tip towards the middle, the front of the ski is able to articulate and stay firmly planted. This creates a smoother feeling in the transitions and keeps the edges of the ski engaged for a longer duration. We also see Phenol sidewalls in this ski, so it’s getting a lot stiffer along the edges. Any time stiffer material like Phenol is applied in a vertical manner, it drastically boosts the stiffness and response of the ski as a whole. Overall, this ski is about as high-tech as it gets from tip to tail.

From a shaping perspective, this ski sticks with a narrow waist at 68 mm and creates a turn radius of 17.1-meters in the 175 cm length. This is in the mid-range of turn shapes, and it makes sense for a citizen’s race ski. While it is considerably shorter than the FIS regulated shape, it aligns more with what most skiers in the world are planning on doing with this ski. There’s no rocker to speak of here, rather relying on a full edge contact theory, keeping more of the tips and tails engaged for longer durations. This does require more skill and readiness on the skier’s behalf, but if you’re willing to put in the work, you’re going to get the performance back.

For elite skiers who are searching for the best possible GS performance in a non-World Cup format, the 2024 Stockli Laser GS is one of the best of the bunch. It separates itself from the rest by having numerous technological advancements to go along with Stockli’s handmade precision and quality. If you’re looking for a smooth and fast ride at the top of the performance spectrum, look no further than the Laser GS.