2027 Stockli WRT Pro

The 2027 Stockli Laser WRT Pro gets a graphic update but returns otherwise unchanged. This is a narrow-waisted, strongly built, ripping on-trail ski for the most discerning of skiers. There’s a relatively slim audience here, unfortunately, as cost and performance are on the prohibitive and restrictive side, but that’s also part of the charm. Like all Stockli skis, the WRT Pro is handmade with an upper level of precision and quality. Also, this ski functions best on firm snow and on the feet of a skilled skier to access the Pro's full potential. The multi-turn capabilities and total smoothness set it apart from anything else on the market today. Thanks to their relentless pursuit of precision and quality, it’s tough to beat the Stockli Laser WRT Pro when it comes to on-trail sporty performance.

Stockli does not shy away from high-end construction. Built with Stockli’s sturdy wood core consisting of beech and poplar, Stockli adds black racing sidewalls; this ski gets the race-like treatment for sure. It’s easy to gloss over sidewall material in other skis, but when you get to the race-room style of construction, this portion of the ski can do with more detail. The plastic used here is a stiffer and harder material than normal ABS sidewalls, and this lends to a tighter flex and more stable feel overall. Since the sidewall is placed in a vertical manner, this only increases the stiffness, rather than if it were in a horizontal laminate. Stockli also uses their Solid Metal Edge, boosting the grip and hard snow performance. Taking it to the next level, Stockli adds their Carbon Power Turn tech to the mix, placing an additional carbon laminate over the center of the ski. This takes the stiffness even further, delivering endless power and precision for the most rigorous skiing out there. On top, we’re seeing the Titec Pro Technology like we see in the Stormrider series of skis. By using a metal laminate as the topsheet, it increases the snow feel and the dampness, making this ski about as chatter-free as it gets. Tester Luke Miller States that it’s “Extremely stable with great edge hold. Could make big or small turns. Its a groomer ski for sure. Its quick so might be skiable off-piste but assume it would be rough. Probably one of the best skis to spend a lot of money on.”

There’s not a lot of surprises here with the footprint of the ski. These skis are certainly shaped like front side skis with an emphasis on carving precision and power. Although the tips and tails are wider and more amenable to shorter and mid-radius turns, the waist is all business. In the 172 cm length, we’re seeing a super-narrow 67 mm waist width, so versatility is kind of out the window. Interestingly, each time we get a chance to ski the WRT Pro, the snow has kind of been softer than we’d like, so we have experienced this ski in variable conditions and terrain. While it’s not bad, it’s easy to say that it’s happier in firmer conditions. There’s no denying this ski’s insistence for the hard pack. We get full camber, and quite a bit of it, building energy, pop, rebound, and grip into the profile. That all leads to a relatively short 14.8-meter turn radius in the 172, making it fall more to the slalom side of the spectrum, but make no mistake; this ski is capable of high-speed GS turns for sure. Most skiers on the WRT Pro will likely settle into a medium-radius arc as that’s where the ski is at its liveliest. Tester Billy Annacone calls it a “Very solid ski on challenging icy surfaces. This is a Groomer only ski. Expert skiers would enjoy this fully on groomed surfaces as it offers smooth frontside turning. It’s a fun ski and intuitive. Felt like I couldn’t even meet up to its optimal offerings.”

Stockli’s Laser WRT Pro is an upper tier ski for sure. If you’re looking for top-shelf ski for high-level skiing, the Stockli Laser WRT Pro is the perfect tool for the job. Thanks to the construction, shape, and profile, this ski continues with the trend of offering an insane amount of precision and quality. Sure, it comes at a cost, but the way this ski feels and performs in firmer snow makes it all worth it, just so long as you have the extra funds in the bank account. If you want the best, you must be willing to pay for it. Based on sales and the number of skiers out there who like this style of ski, it makes a lot of sense to spend a few hundred more to get exactly what you want. Amazingly, these fly off the shelves just as smoothly as they fly down the hill.