We’ve really grown to enjoy doing our Bargain Basement videos and articles. There’s a lot of good deals to be had out there, and we here at SkiEssentials.com are all about setting the right skier up with the right ski. If we can do that and provide a great value to go along with it, so much the better! We have a lot of current and modern skis that have recently seen their prices drop, and we’re more than happy to pass the markdown along to you. We’ll provide the flat ski price as well as our Killer Deal that includes a binding for ultimate savings. Enjoy, and shop happy!

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Why We Like It:

Many, many obvious reasons. The Kendo 88, with its slightly shorter radius, more streamlined titanal frame, and sharp-turning ability is one of the best pure all-mountain skis on the market today. For us here in Vermont, it’s an ideal choice for a daily driver that can carve turns on hard pack with the best of them.

Flat Price: $559.99 | Killer Deal Price: $734.99

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Why We Like It:

Like the Kendo, Mantra has a whole lot going for it. For its width, it’s one of the best carving skis out there by a good margin, and with the new build and sophisticated feel, it’s a fantastic ski for upper-level experts who are looking for stability, power, and strength in the mid-90's range. It’s not too shabby in the soft stuff either!

Flat Price: $599.99 | Killer Deal Price: $774.99

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Why We Like It:

With an exact same build as Kendo 88, the Kenja is reserved for high-end skiers who know how to carve a turn. Crisp, exact, and totally confident, the Kenja is a pure all-mountain ski for discerning skiers. There’s some versatility here, as well, with the Kenja’s ability to plow through crud, stay on top of chalkier snow, and dig deep in the firm snow that we encounter on a somewhat daily basis here in Vermont.

Flat Price: $559.99 | Killer Deal Price: $709.99

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Why We Like It:

The Yumi 80 gets a lot of sophisticated technology for fun-loving skiing. Built with a multi-layer wood core and 3D Glass, the ski also has Volkl’s 3D Radius for totally intuitive turning. At 80 mm underfoot, it’s great for progressing skiers who spend a lot of time on the groomers, but it’s also got a freeride-inspired shape for those who are looking to instill a bit of adventure into their ski day.

Flat Price: $479.99 | Killer Deal Price: $629.99

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Why We Like It:

As a mainstay in the mid-80's range, the Yumi 84 is one of the friendliest and well-rounded skis on the market today. Literally anyone can have a good time on this ski. With a metal plate underfoot and a fiberglass frame, there’s a lot of technology packed into a value-oriented ski. There’s a lot of range here, as progressing beginners can find a lot to like, and advanced skiers will still be searching for the performance ceiling.

Flat Price: $519.99 | Killer Deal Price: $669.95

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Why We Like It:

Freeride performance in a narrow(er) footprint. These skis rip groomers, hold on ice, and have the inspiration to take it into the fresh whenever possible. It’s a great shape and build for firmer snow conditions, feels like a race ski when asked, and also has the taper shape and rocker profile for more adventurous skiing.

Flat Price: $559.99 | Killer Deal Price: $709.99

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Why We Like It:

Any turn, anytime, anywhere. This is a go-anywhere and do-anything ski of the highest order. You can ski it short for better maneuverability without losing stability. You can ski it longer for total groomer dominance. You can quite literally do anything you want on this ski, as it’s one of the most well-rounded of this, or any, bunch. As far as one-ski quivers are concerned, you can’t do a whole lot better than this given the performance ceiling.

Flat Price: $599.99 | Killer Deal Price: $774.99

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Why We Like It:

Soft snow performance and all-mountain versatility. This thing rips. It’s a total beast in any type of snow, and carves way better than the 100 mm waist may let on. With two sheets of metal and a freeride-inspired shape, this ski is an ideal choice for advanced and expert skiers who see the whole mountain as their playground. It’s got a business side, too, as it’s a clean turner on firm snow and has wonderful grip for hard pack and ice.

Flat Price: $639.99 | Killer Deal Price: $814.99

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Why We Like It:

Endless versatility, endless power, and a fun-loving personality. With terrain-specific metal, you’re getting a great mix of on-trail energy and off-trail acumen. Sitting right in the middle of the Santa Ana line, the 93 is likely the most well-rounded and is capable of serving as a one-ski quiver for a majority of advanced and expert skiers. From carving clean arcs on hard pack to ripping through the trees, this is a do-it-all ski of the highest quality.

Flat Price: $559.99 | Killer Deal Price: $709.99

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Why We Like It:

Frontside performance mixed with all-mountain prowess. The Santa Ana 84 is an overlooked ski in this line, and we’re not quite sure why. This thing totally rips on the groomers, and has the width for off-trail exploration. There’s a huge market for skis like this, as most skiers spend most of their time on-trail and skiing groomers. That’s great, and there’s an amazing ski sitting right here, at an awesome deal, for just those skiers and conditions.

Flat Price: $519.99 | Killer Deal Price: $629.99

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Why We Like It:

Literally everyone who ever gets on this ski is super-impressed with the stability, energy, power, and quickness. Just like the Declivity, the Reliance uses articulated titanal banding in order to make the ski supple enough for deep and round arcs while the dampness of the ski is fully intact. It’s a great shape for true all-mountain skiing, holds a fantastic edge on firmer snow and ice, and still has that freeride influence for when the snow gets deep or choppy. If you’re looking for a quiet, smooth, and well-rounded ski at a great value, this is the place to be.

Flat Price: $519.96 | Killer Deal Price: $669.95

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Why We Like It:

With a new shape and build for 2023, the K2 Mindbender 99Ti gets more freeridey without losing its on-trail stability which we’ve always loved. The increase in tail rocker and the shrinking of the titanal Y-beam has made this ski friendlier in the softer snow, but the addition of a full sidewall keeps the on-trail and carving performance at an absolute maximum. These are some high-performance and fun-loving skis that can handle some pretty aggressive fall-line skiing.

Flat Price: $599.96 | Killer Deal Price: $774.95

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Why We Like It:

With upgrades in build and shape for this year, the Mindbender 89Ti is a lot more supple and engaging than it has been in the past. This ski is eager to turn, but doesn’t feel nearly as catchy or twitchy as it used to. For advanced and expert skiers who are looking to spend most of their time on groomers, this is a great ski. If you’re wanting to explore the boundaries of the resort and find some softer snow, this 89Ti will take you there as well. Very well-rounded, this new ski is considerably more sophisticated than its predecessor.

Flat Price: $559.96 | Killer Deal Price: $709.95

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Why We Like It:

For fat, floaty, freeride fun, there’s not a whole lot out there like the Bent 110. With a good deal of rocker in the ski, it’s ideally suited for fresh and soft snow, and with the twin tip shape and freestyle inspiration, it’s ready to throw down big tricks in the backcountry. Smeary, slarvy, and built for playful skiing, the Bent 110 is a unique ski that’s athlete-inspired and about as surfy as it gets.

Flat Price: $559.96 | Killer Deal Price: $734.95

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Why We Like It:

We love the changes from last year and really enjoyed the stout soft-snow performance in a variety of conditions and terrain. This ski is a burly powder ski with a lot more versatility than the width may let on. It’s a clean carver on the softer corduroy, but then is a smooth and surfy floater for when things get deep. When you’re charging through the crud and chop, it’s great to have a sturdy feel underfoot and through the tips and tails. For a soft snow ski, this one offers way more performance than most skiers may think.

Flat Price: $599.96 | Killer Deal Price: $775.95

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Why We Like It:

The more we ski it, the more we like it. With no structural changes from years past, we’re still getting the same energetic, lightweight, and poppy performance that we’ve loved since inception. While it doesn’t quite carve a turn like the Mantra, it’s a considerably better mogul and tree ski, and given the lighter weight and wider range of skier type, the Blaze 94 is a fantastic choice for a huge number of skiers. Add in the hybrid touring potential and you’ve got one of the most versatile skis on the planet right here.

Flat Price: $479.99 | Killer Deal Price: $654.99

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Why We Like It:

Virtually all the reasons listed above. Blaze 94W is a mid-fat ski that can do it all. Skiers who want agility and quickness but in a wider-bodied format will love this ski and its ability to wiggle and move through some of the tightest spots on the mountain. If you like the bumps and woods, and are looking for a floaty ski that can also rip some carves, it’s tough to look past the Blaze 94W.

Flat Price: $479.99 | Killer Deal Price: $629.99

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Why We Like It:

If you thought the Blaze 94W was a light ski, check out the Maven 86C. With a relatively thin core profile, especially in the tips and tails, this ski is built for quickness and maneuverability. There’s some great snap to the ski because of the carbon stringers, and the sidewall underfoot adds to the firm snow grip. This ski, like some others on this list, are unfortunately overlooked for one reason or another. There’s no reason for this with the Maven, as it’s a fantastic all-mountain ski for intermediate to advanced skiers who like to dabble in it all.

Flat Price: $399.96 | Killer Deal Price: $549.95

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Why We Like It:

For stout performance and aggressive skiing, both on-trail and off, the Armada Declivity 92Ti is a super-solid ski. With a graphics change for 2023, it remains the same ski with articulated titanal banding, a quiet and smooth feel, and stability for days. While it’s a very good ski for on-trail carving and firm snow acumen, it’s also got a great character for softer snow, crud, chop, and off-piste situations. This is a very high-quality build and a hard-charging ski that knows no bounds.

Flat Price: $559.96 | Killer Deal Price: $734.95

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Why We Like It:

We like it because we love twin tips, especially those in the mid-90's as they effectively mix park and pipe skiing with true all-mountain performance. The Poacher is a rugged ski that has some heft to it, but if you’re kind of hard on your gear, that’s a good thing for sure. The Poacher is amazing because it works for skiers like Colby Stevenson in the Olympics or X-Games, and it also works for some random old guy who wants a twin tip to wiggle around the woods in Vermont. There’s a big range here, and durability and performance are two of the top points.

Flat Price: $439.96 | Killer Deal Price: $589.95

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Why We Like It:

Yes, we’re aware that they made a new Rustler 10 for 2024. This does not mean that all of a sudden the 2023 version is a bad ski. It’s been beloved for years, and for good reason. It has a great blend of width and agility—two things that rarely go together. Great grip underfoot with the full-width metal in that zone, and swervy tips and tails for when the snow gets deep—there's a lot to like about this 2023 Rustler 10, and there have been a lot of happy skiers on this thing, especially in softer and deeper snow.

Flat Price: $599.96 | Killer Deal Price: $774.95

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Why We Like It:

Similar to above, we’re aware that there’s a new Sheeva 9 out, and again, this does not indicate that the 2023 Sheeva 9 is all of a sudden, a worse model than it was just a few months ago. The Sheeva 9 rips. It’s got amazing edge grip for a ski that’s over 90 mm underfoot, and it floats really well due to the tip and tail rocker as well as the more dramatic splay. It’s a fun-loving freeride ski that also happens to do amazingly well on groomed trails. If you’re looking for the best mix of versatility and value, it’s hard to do better than this.

Flat Price: $519.96 | Killer Deal Price: $669.95

Written by Bob St.Pierre on 03/08/23