We’ve had a good amount of clamoring for this one, so here you go! The mid-80's is a really great place to be on skis. In all honesty, this category does not get the respect it deserves, mainly being outsized by the wider all-mountain and freeride skis that benefit from more marketing money. We like to turn that around with comparisons like this, offering up realistic options for the vast majority of skiers out there. If we’re being honest, skis of this width range (83 to 88) are even too wide for a lot of skier's actual needs. Many skiers never leave the groomed trails, and if they encounter fresh snow, it’s rarely bottomless or lasting all day. Even if it did snow, since when is an 88 mm underfoot ski with tip and tail rocker not enough? Back in the day, that ski would have been super-fat. We organized this wall by price in terms of net cost. There are a handful of system skis in here that come with pre-determined bindings, so we simply subtracted the binding cost from the overall cost to get the net. No surprises here, with some lower-dollar skis at the one end bookended by the ritzy Stockli’s and Kastle’s at the other side of the table. They’re all good, though, and there’s certainly something for everyone in here!

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Overview:

Built and shaped for both park-lovers and all-mountain enthusiasts alike, the Bent 85 strikes an awesome balance between competitive freestyle, progressive style, and tremendous value. Built and shaped in a different manner than the wider Bent skis, the 85 is built with a compound wood core consisting of poplar and densolite, and dura-cap sidewall in order to increase energy and durability. Available in sizes ranging from 150 to 175, this ski fits both the tweener base and the playful adult skiers who are splitting time between park and the rest of the mountain. Definitely a twin tip, but also a fun-loving ski for a wide range of skiers, the Bent 85, at under $400 is an amazing deal.

Who it's For:

A blend of freestyle and all-mountain skiers looking for something fun, durable, and relatively inexpensive.

Price: $399.95

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Overview:

A staple in this category and a great option for a lot of intermediate skiers, the K2 Mindbender 85 takes a simple design and build and makes it a lot of fun. The keys here are camber, slantwall construction, and an Aspen wood core. The camber underfoot gives the ski a very energetic feeling, and that meshes well with the aspen wood core. By angling the sidewalls in, the skier is able to get more leverage over the ski, making it easier to get up on a higher edge angle. All of this adds up to a strong-performing, yet accessible all-mountain ski that, like the Bent 85, is a crazy value at $399.95. Most skiers could ski this every day, all day, anywhere, so the versatility is not only in the construction, but also the application.

Who it's For:

Intermediate skiers who are looking for simplicity, value, and a surprising amount of pop.

Price: $399.95

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Overview:

Bumping up a bit in terms of overall quality and park acumen from the Bent 85, the Head Oblivion 84 is a strong performer in a variety of applications, but certainly wants to lean to the park. With a ton of camber underfoot, a fairly symmetrical shape, and a durable sidewall construction, the Oblivion 84 is a favorite of competitive park skiers as well as well-rounded all-mountain skiers. By bumping up the top sizing to the 181, they’re inviting fully-grown skiers to the mix here, so if you’re a competitor or trying to relive your former glory in the park, the Oblivion 84 has a thick sidewall and a long length for you. The skis are snappy and poppy due to the camber, and then smooth and powerful due to the massive thickness of the ski’s profile. Feel free to huck it with these skis on your feet.

Who it's For:

Park performers and skiers who want something in the mid-80's for a fun all-mountain twin that operates at a pretty high level.

Price: $449.00

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Overview:

As one of the lighter and more agile skis on this list, the Atomic Maverick 86 C shares its footprint with the burlier 88Ti (despite the name), and this makes it an excellent all-mountain shape that carves fantastically while also keeping some width underfoot and through the shovel for softer snow prowess. Along with the Armada Declivity 88 C, this is the widest ski on the wall, and the use of carbon puts them both in a very snappy and poppy category. Atomic also uses technology such as HRZN Tech in the tips to aid in flotation, and when that’s paired with the light overall feel of the ski, it does really well in fresh powder. Thanks to the Dura Cap Sidewall, you are also getting excellent edge grip underfoot and a super-reactive feel at the end of the turn. With a proven shape and a light weight build, the Atomic Maverick 86 C is an amazingly versatile all-mountain ski that comes in at under $500, so you’re getting amazing value here as well.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for a combination of energy, light weight, and high performance.  You want a solid yet agile all-mountain ski and don’t want to spend a ton of money to get it.

Price: $499.95

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Overview:

We’ve been over this ski for a while, and the general consensus is that it’s amazing. And overlooked. At 84 mm underfoot, it’s squarely in the middle of the wall here, and it just does a whole lot of things well. It blends a full poplar wood core with a single layer of titanal underfoot with carbon extending through the tips and tails. This makes it snappy and energetic while the mid-zone of the ski is quiet and composed. An excellent mogul ski, the Stance 84 also rips clean turns on the groomers with a high-end mentality. The performance ceiling of this ski is pretty difficult to reach, so if you’re looking in the mid-80's for a ski but are concerned that it’s not going to be enough, you can put that worry to rest. At high speeds or low, fresh snow or groomed hard pack, the Stance 84 is about as well-rounded as you can get in this range.

Who it's For:

Just about everyone. Strong contender for “the one ski that all companies should make.”

Price: $499.95

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Overview:

Admittedly, we kind of liked the old Navigator 85 with metal a bit better, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a soft spot in our hearts for this awesome ski. Built with the shovel reminiscent of an Enforcer and the tail that’s more Dobermann-inspired, the Navigator 85 is a clean-turning ski that is super quick and agile while remaining pretty floaty and fun. I think the big knock on our end is that it’s not offered flat anymore, meaning if you don’t want a system ski, then you may need to look elsewhere. Skiers who do not care, however, will love the simplicity and versatility of the setup, allowing you to just grab the skis and go to the hill without needing to think about the conditions, what you’re skiing, or who you’re doing it with. They have a tremendous range and still rip amazingly well. We’re happy to see Navigator stick around as it’s an important part of Nordica’s current story.

Who it's For:

True all-mountain skiers, from ripping dads to emerging intermediates.  You love the snap and energy of carbon to go along with the proven shaping of Navigator 85.

Price: $649.99

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Overview:

Everyone’s favorite Blaze seems to be getting narrower and narrower. When the line was first introduced a few years ago, the 106 was the mack-daddy. Everyone loved it. Then the following year, it shifted to the 94. “What a great ski!” Everyone proclaimed. Now, the Blaze 86 has entered the forefront of everyone’s mind as the go-to model in this lineup. Built without the metal or damping of the wider skis, one would think it was less of a ski, but the reality of it is quite different. The Blaze 86 is a great option for skiers who are looking for a light downhill ski, or they want something that’s more of a 50/50 touring option. Along with the Atomic Maverick 86 C, this is one of the lightest skis on the wall, so uphill efficiency is definitely key. It’s amazing in the trees and bumps, and since it follows similar rocker lines to the 94 and 106, it’s one of the flattest/rockered skis up here making it an amazing floater as well.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for a hybrid touring ski, or a downhill ski, or both.  You want good soft snow performance and a friendly character overall. 

Price: $549.99

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Overview:

While the Redster 9.8 may get top-billing this year, the Q7 is nothing to scoff at in its own right. Built with a Power Wood Core and Carbon Revoshock, the skis are very front-side oriented in a wider-bodied format. Similar to what we see with Wingman, Deacon, RC One, and Titan, the Redster has a race-base in that it’s modeled somewhat after the skis in the line’s race department. That front-side shape does a whole lot when it comes to edge grip and smoothness, and when that combines with a fully-cambered profile, you’re getting a whole lot of energy and pop out of these awesome systems. While the waist is somewhat wide, the turn shape is not. The skis generate a 14.4-meter arc in the 173 cm length, so these skis turn and carve on a dime. While that may be great for skiers who want stability, balance, and confidence, there are better choices for high-speed GS style turns. Either way, the new Redster Q7 is a strong performer that loves to stay on trail, offering a wider-bodied format for skiers who like more surface area in their front side skis.

Who it's For:

Short turners who love the feeling of a purely-carved turn.  You want control and confidence above all else, and the fact that they have carbon doesn’t turn you off, either.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

This one kind of snuck up on us, and in a very good way. While the older M-Pro 84 was basically just a re-named Legend 84, the new 85 follows more in line with the wider skis in the M-Pro line. The difference with the 85 is that it uses a fiberglass rocket frame laminate rather than a metal one. This keeps the weight down, the energy high, and the fun levels to an absolute maximum. It’s a quick and sharp turner that uses a lot of the shaping principles of the 90 and 99 just with a lighter weight and a more poppy personality. At 85 mm underfoot and with a slender tip profile and shape, these skis are silky smooth and easy to use, but still have a very high-performance ceiling. Great for bumps, trees, and other tight spots, this is a technical skier’s ski that loves to be pushed.

Who it's For:

Active skiers who enjoy a responsive and versatile ski, but not at the expense of weight. You want to be challenged, but not overpowered.

Price: $599.95

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Overview:

Another 88 on the list, the Declivity lines up quite well with the Maverick as a great option for a light, mid-width ski that can do a whole lot of things well. On paper, I’m not really an 88C skier, but on snow, I love the poppy energy of the Declivity as it rips through one turn and into the next. Like other skis in this range, it’s ultimately not going to support super-aggressive skiing on ice and hardpack like something in the RC One 86 or Montero AR range, but for most skiers, the Declivity 88 C packs enough punch to make it stand up to some pretty fast speeds and hard carves. It excels, though, in shorter to medium radius turns as well as in off-piste situations. It’s amazing in the woods and bumps, as well as any other zone that requires multiple, contiguous shorter-swing turns. It loves linking turns, and the fact that it has the Declivity shaping and profiling to lean back on speaks volumes for the overall versatility and skier satisfaction on these great skis.

Who it's For:

A whole lot of skiers—and a lot that don’t know it yet. This is a sleeper ski for sure, offering a ton of performance and agility at a light and fun-loving weight.

Price: $649.95

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Overview:

As one of the more well-rounded skis on this list, the Kanjo 84 has a long history of being a great mogul ski, an excellent carver, and super-energetic at a variety of speeds. This is one of those intuitive skis that will be great for a number of different skiers from the first turn to the last. You can buy this thing sight-unseen and have total confidence that it’ll be a great option for anything you want to do on the hill. It uses a fiberglass frame, very similar to the metal frame used on Kendo and Mantra, in addition to having a metal plate underfoot. This way, similar to the Dynastar, you get the pop and energy of the fiberglass in a sophisticated manner while keeping the central underfoot portion of the ski smooth, powerful, and stable. This is a top choice for skiers who spend a lot of time in an all-mountain format. You get the quality and precision of a Volkl with a friendly and fun-loving side that still incorporates a lot of design features of the higher-end skis in the line.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for something intuitive, energetic, and supremely versatile. You do not want to think too much about what you have on your feet.

Price: $649.99

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Overview:

As a replacement for the V-Shape V10, the E-V10 takes the same basic outline of the ski and adds some high-end technology to make a more upscale feel. By placing their EMC circuit into the ski, Head is bringing top-flight technology to the masses. This filters out unwanted vibrations through an electric current, and while it seems far-fetched, these skis are incredibly smooth and stable. The big thing here, like the Q7, is that they have a pretty tight turn radius, so skiers who love short to mid-range turns will fit right in with the Shape E-V10. As a result, they don’t work as good at higher speeds and in longer turns, but that’s okay given that there are better skis on this list for that purpose. For groomers and carving clean arcs across the fall line, there’s not much out there that does it cleaner than the V10. As an added safety feature, they’re now using their Protector bindings with these skis, so by their claims, ACL injuries will be things of the past.

Who it's For:

Mid-level skiers looking for a high-end feel. You want the tech of the top end but aren’t necessarily and expert or aggressive skier.

Price: $999.00

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Overview:

I feel like this list is made up from a lot of sleeper skis, and the Experience 86 Basalt is definitely another one. Shaped the same way as the Ti counterpart, the Basalt version leaves the metal out of the equation, replacing it with basalt fibers. This is a volcanic rock that is weaved into fiber stringers and it functions a lot like carbon. As a result, you get a good amount of stiffness with a pittance of weight. If you’ve ever held a volcanic rock in your hand, you know what I’m talking about—it's like lifting the empty milk carton thinking it’s full. With a mid-range shape, bouncing back and forth between a front side and all-mountain footprint, the Experience 86 Basalt is very well-rounded and capable of handling a lot of different things all at the same time. Intermediate and advanced skiers who are looking to get the most out of their day without having to work too hard for it will get the best results out of this ski.

Who it's For:

Mainly intermediates looking for an easier-going version of the 86 Ti, but advanced and expert skiers will also find a lot to like about this great all-mountain stick.

Price: $900.00

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Overview:

On one hand, we’re excited to see what Elan comes up with next in regards to the Wingman series, and on the other, Elan does so many things right with this Wingman, that it’s hard to see how it can get any better. By implementing their carbon tubes to go along with asymmetrical rocker and construction, the metal-laminated Wingman 86 CTi is one of the fastest and smoothest skis out there. It’s stiff and strong, but not overly bulky, so it feels like you’re gliding on air, but doing it really fast. The low profile and front-side shape makes it better suited to groomers and firm snow, but the wider waist does open up some off-trail opportunities. It is, at the end of the day, pretty darn stiff, though, so soft snow is not its forte.

Who it's For:

Speed enthusiasts who are looking for a rigid ski that has amazing edge grip, capable of carving clean, deep, and round turns at any speed. You should be reasonably skilled and aggressive to reach the top end of this ski.

Price: $699.99

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Overview:

Much like the Wingman, but with thicker metal instead of carbon rods, the Fischer RC One 86 GT has become a staple in this category for sure as of late. Whereas the Wingman provides a lighter and more precise feel, the RC One takes the dampness and power to the next level. Mostly cambered, and minimally tapered, the shape leans to the front side while the build borders on race-level. It’s only a bit of friendliness in the tips and tails due to the Bafatex in the turn zone of the ski that keeps it on mortal level in terms of accessibility. For a sturdy ski underfoot, it’s pretty agile in the ends. Advanced and expert skiers who don’t mind putting a bit of extra effort into their turns will get the most out of this ski for sure.

Who it's For:

Fairly strong, advanced, and aggressive skiers who like to keep their skis on the ground for the most part. You want to carve and you are willing to push a bit for performance.

Price: $949.99

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Overview:

Like a few other skis on this list, the Liberty Evolv 84 goes about things a bit differently. While not quite as crazy as the Mirus Cor, the Evolv separates itself with a unique build and an interesting shape. While they try to keep things a bit normal in terms of front side skiing, the Evlov uses a low-profile tip, minimal taper and rocker, and a focus on bamboo and vertically-placed metal in order to gain power and strength. The bamboo and poplar core is bolstered by three vertical metal struts and two horizontally placed carbon strips that makes the Evolv a pretty stiff ski—one that’s certainly capable of being smooth and quiet. The core thickness also applies here, putting more distance and mass between your boot bottom and the snow. As this distance increases, so does the silence and stability of the ski. It’s an awesome carver, and while the off-trail performance isn’t spectacular like Stance or Kanjo at this width, it’s not terrible, either.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for a bit different of a feel in their narrow all-mountain ski. You want silence and stability to go along with a long and smooth effective edge.

Price: $699.99

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Overview:

Like the Wingman 86 CTi, the Deacon 84 kind of nailed it the first time around. It has not changed since inception, blending a lot of different attributes and technologies that Volkl has amassed over the years. We get a titanal frame, 3D Ridge, 3D Fiberglass, 3D Turn Radius, a full-sidewall, and one of the best system binding integrations we’ve seen. The front side capabilities of this ski cannot be understated—this thing absolutely rips carved turns with stability and precision. It loves to be on groomed terrain, and excels in a wide variety of turn shapes, styles, and speeds. It’s stiff and grippy, but also has some versatility built in. We’ve liked it in bumps and crud, and while it’s a bit too racy for the woods, it’s hard to count the 84-mm waist out when it comes to anything these days.

Who it's For:

Technical skiers who value precision, power, and strength.

Price: $999.99

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Overview:

We were very impressed with this ski when it came out a little over a year ago, and not much has changed in that time. The Experience 86 Ti has two sheets of metal, a poplar wood core, and a blend of all-mountain and front-side shaping that makes it an excellent carver without reducing its off-trail performance. They also add their carbon alloy matrix to the mix to even further the stiffness and responsiveness. While there’s a bit of tail rocker to go along with the bend in the tip, it’s really all about the camber underfoot and the snappy responsiveness that you get from the combination of shape and build. While some skiers may find them to be a handful in bumps, trees, and off-piste zones, I was actually pretty impressed at the ski’s ability to bounce seamlessly from rugged and straight mogul lines right back to the groomers for effortless carving.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who lean to the front side of the mountain but do not want to ignore the rest. You value edge grip and energy, but not at the expense of being one-dimensional.

Price: $849.95

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Overview:

I’d make a strong case for the Titan being the strongest carver of the group. It’s got the most on-trail shape of the group with minimal to zero taper and rocker, relying more heavily on the camber underfoot and the true tip to tail edge contact. This long effective edge leads to a very smooth feeling, and when that’s combined with the oversized body of the ski, a lot of good things happen when it comes to stability and power. It feels more like a true race ski than anything else here, and that also comes at the cost of versatility. It’s not quite the all-mountain feel of the Deacon skis or the Monteros and MX’s of the world, but what it lacks in off-trail performance, it more than makes up for in pure carving power. The only real soft snow abilities you’re getting from these skis comes from the width, not the build or profile.

Who it's For:

Former racers and expert skiers looking for that race-like feel with no carving compromises. You want true stability from tip to tail. Period.

Price: $1,149.00

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Overview:

We’re big fans of outliers here at SkiEssentials.com, and the Black Crows Mirus Cor is definitely the weirdo of this group. That’s a compliment in the best of ways. With a fairly symmetrical shape and profile, the Mirus Cor is kind of a twin tip, a bit of a carving specialist, and has a slight amount of freeride built in. You are getting freestyle, park, and race all built into one ski. That’s the idea, anyway. Built with a poplar wood core, fiberglass, and a single titanal plate underfoot, it’s pretty sturdy while also delivering a lot of pep in the tips and tails. Speaking of tails, the fish tail shape makes it super-smooth and fun in a variety of conditions and terrain. It’s 87 mm underfoot and generates a 13-meter turn radius, so there’s that slalom mentality to it as well, putting this ski truly in the kitchen sink category.

Who it's For:

Don’t know what to get? Looking for something cool but strange? Get the Mirus Cor.

Price: $899.95

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Overview:

Built with a Hybrid Multi-Layer Wood Core and by using tailored carbon tips, the Deacon V.Werks separates itself from the Deacon 84 by weight. There’s not a whole lot of other differences going on here as they share footprints and spots in the catalog, the V.Werks just does it lighter. If you have two products that accomplish the same things, yet one is heavier than the other, then the lighter one seems more impressive. Clearly, the most distinct comparison here is with that Deacon 84, but as a higher-end model, it also brings the Montero AR into the chat as well. It’s not quite the same overall feel and character as the Kastle 83, mainly because it’s lighter and quicker and has some rocker to it.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for a race blend of light weight and high performance. Quality is high on your list, as well, with the V.Werks series taking the overall precision and feel of the ski to the next level.

Price: $1,299.99

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Overview:

As a carryover ski for 2023, we’re stoked to get another crack at the Kastle FX 86 Ti. The nice thing about this ski is that it’s the narrowest in the freeride FX division, so it’s going to have some versatility and reach to it as well as the firmer snow acumen. It’s a pretty short-turner, generating a 15.7-meter turn radius in the 177, and when that’s combined with a 1725 g per ski weight in that size, you’re getting a pretty reactive ski. It blends well with the freeride influence, and Kastle does a great job of blurring that line between supremely versatile all-mountain skis and sharp-turning front side carvers. We’re still getting two sheets of metal to go along with poplar and beech stringers in the central portion and poplar/paulownia in the outer part. The sophistication and technology used here is top-end for sure, as there aren’t many other companies who are using wood stringers in this way. Hollowtech in the tips make it a light and good floater, easy to turn much like the Dynastar. Great in the bumps, woods, and groomers, this ski really has it all.

Who it's For:

You are looking for a high-quality and precise ski and do not want to sacrifice anything in either the performance or versatility department.

Price: $1,099.00

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Overview:

While the FX 86 Ti sits as the narrow of the freeride skis, the MX 83 is squarely in the middle of the all-mountain division in Kastle’s lineup. It’s been a favorite of ours here for years, as it makes some of the cleanest, smoothest, and roundest turns imaginable. It’s a pretty fair comparison to the Stockli Montero AR both in terms of overall performance as well as quality and precision. When we get up into these higher echelons of pricing and excellence, it’s a bit harder to distinguish differences, but the main one here is the fact that the Kastle still uses a bit more of a freeride shovel due to the shape and the Hollowtech. They sound different, too, with the Kastle having more of that race-like sound due to the stiffness of the fiberglass leading to a bit more of a snap at the end. Very tough to beat a ski like this.

Who it's For:

Hard-charging front side skiers looking for a slightly wider format for stability, balance, and power. You love to look back at your turns and see how clean and round they are.

Price: $1,199.00

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Overview:

If any ski is going to top the Kastle MX 83 on this list, it’d just have to be this Stockli. The Montero AR gets a bit of a refresh from Laser of last year, adding a mm underfoot and some different sizing to the mix. Other than that, it’s pretty much the same ski. Tons of camber, zero vibrations, and a whole lot of fun. It’s a burly ski as well, making it incredibly stable when the conditions get weird, that’s probably where we see a difference between the AR and the MX—the AR is slightly more compliant and agreeable in formidable conditions and terrain. The use of metal here is on the robust side, as the wood core leans to the lighter end, resulting in a snappy and clean carve with no sound whatsoever. Since we organized by price, it’s hard to look past the sticker on this ski, especially considering it retails for almost one thousand dollars more than the first two skis on this list.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers looking for the ultimate blend of quality and precision. You do not want to spare performance at all and are willing to pay for it.

Price: $1,349.00

Written by Bob St.Pierre on 10/06/22