These are the fun sticks of the ski world. Ranging in width from 108 to 122, if you are looking for a soft snow performer, it’s likely right here. There’s a pretty big range of styles and constructions in these skis, spanning from full dual-metal laminates to zero metal, and from super-rockered and bowed-out skis to relatively all-mountain shaped sets. In reality, there aren’t many resort days that require skis like this, but when you do hit it right, you’ll be glad that one of these has found its way into your quiver.

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Overview:

The upgrades to all the Mindbender Ti skis continues all the way through the 108, offering advanced and expert skiers an amazing option for a wide all-mountain ski at 108 mm underfoot. The updates include a move to a full sidewall, a more refined titanal Y-Beam, and a re-tooled rocker profile. The older version was always one of the stronger carvers of this group, and that trend continues, but they’ve added more freeride flair and fun to the mix. As a result, the soft-snow capabilities of this 108 have been improved upon while the overall nature of the ski is still all there. I love how it has a longer turn radius for a more drifty feel to it while keeping the edge grip, stability, and dampness as total highlights.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who are looking for more of a narrow freeride/wide all-mountain ski for mainly soft snow but also want to still grip and carve.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

This luxury cruise ship of a ski has power and stability to spare. The graphics are super clean and mean as well, as this ski really fits well into Armada’s personality as a brand. Another long turner like the K2, the Declivity 108 Ti is a business-oriented ski that relies on karuba wood in the core, articulated titanal bands, and carbon stringers to maximize grip and power. The tip shape and rocker is the big story here, as the long rocker and early taper make it a smooth floater and pretty silky to initate. Underfoot, there’s some decent camber to provide energy, and with a full sidewall, this ski lights it up on softer corduroy as well. If you’re looking for an offshore rig that is equally at home in deep powder, crud, chop, and mank, the Armada Declivity 108 Ti is the right tool for the job.

Who it's For:

Pretty capable skiers who don’t mind a bit of heft on their feet.  You want flotation as well as stability, but don’t want something too wide for it.

Price: $849.95

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Overview:

Now a bit more playful and surfier than the previous 108’s, the Dynastar M-Free 108 has been a perennial tester and staff favorite for the past few seasons. With more of a mustachioed rocker profile, these skis have a ton of latent energy built in to them. They simply have a massive amount of tip and tail rocker to complement the camber underfoot, and this just gives the M-Free 108 such a unique feel in this category. Built with Dynastar’s Hybrid wood core, the use of poplar mixed with Polyurethane along the sidewalls makes for a smooth and quiet ride. It works well in the M-Pro series of skis, and that tech follows well into the more freeride skis in their line. While we’ve marveled at the M-Free 108’s fun-loving flotation in the soft snow, the unheralded bonus of this ski is just how energetic and grippy it is on trail as well.

Who it's For:

Playful and fun-loving skiers who want a floaty freeride ski without being too fat. You want to take advantage of the use of rocker and splay for flotation instead of sheer width.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

With a lot of splay, but not a lot of rocker, the Unleashed 108 strikes a nice balance in opposition to the Dynastar 108. With more camber than rocker, this ski is true to its freestyle roots, it just does it in a wide-bodied format. Built with Nordica’s Performance wood core and a single sheet of terrain-specific metal, we’re getting a lot of Santa Ana vibes here in terms of the build, but a freestyle/freeride personality when it comes to application. As a result, this is one of the rounder turners of the group as it has a long effective edge. While it does float pretty well due to the width and splay, it’s not the driftiest of skis on this list, and that’s a good thing because there are a lot of skiers out there who want a bit more exactitude in their freeride twin tips. These modern marvels of soft snow skiing are fantastic additions to the Nordica lineup as well as the ski industry as a whole.

Who it's For:

Freeride skiers with a freestyle and trick-time acumen. You love to search out big jumps and deep snow at all hours of the day.

Price: $799.99

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Overview:

Back to the more directional by nature skis on this list, the Kastle ZX 108 blends a long tip rocker profile and an early tapered shovel with a pretty flat tail and cambered mid-body. This makes the ski easy to get into the turn and stable and steady throughout. It tracks quite well through crud and chop, and with the Hollowtech 2.0, it rises up and stays on top of the deep snow with ease. There’s a surprising amount of rebound and pep to this ski, and since it’s a bit more of a price-point option relative to the rest of the Kastle line, it’s designed as a gateway ski to their brand. They use a pretty simple build with a blend of poplar and beech in the wood core and layer it with fiberglass to get that pop and snap. While the construction is on the less-refined side, the quality and precision in which they do it is still top notch.

Who it's For:

Directional soft snow skiers who want to link clean and round turns through the powder.  You want something stable and smooth without being overpowering.

Price: $749.00

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Overview:

While the Vision 98 is known for being supremely light and quick, the 108 (and subsequent 118) are slight departures from that theory. There’s a bit more to it with these skis, and we think it makes sense given the intended application of off-trail powder performance. While it’s not directly marketed as a twin tip, it certainly has a decent amount of splay and rocker to it that makes it freestyle-oriented while keeping the drifty and fun-loving powder nature of the ski fully intact. Built with a blend of paulownia and maple in the core, the skis also feature carbon, aramid, and fiberglass laminates that stiffen the ski and give it a surprising amount of responsiveness. It’s a drifty and playful choice for sure, falling closer to the Dynastar M-Free in terms of poppiness and energy. You get the lighter weight as well, so skiers who don’t want to struggle with heft will love the approachability of the Vision 108.

Who it's For:

Playful and fun-loving skiers who want a lighter twin tip that still has some good snap to it.  You value a freeride style but are still looking to incorporate some tricks into your daily regimen. 

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

This ski has one of the biggest ranges and potential so far on the list when it comes to freeride performance. The new Ranger 108 is built with a blend of poplar and beech and uses a shaped Ti laminate to stiffen and dampen the underfoot zone while leaving the forebody and tail more playful and flexible. These skis generate a slightly shorter turn radius due to the taper shape, and that makes for a fun and interesting experience in real-time snow conditions. They’re not light, so thankfully they’re maneuverable due to the shaping. Accessible and approachable for recreational skiers and pros alike, the new Fischer Ranger 108 has a lot to offer a wide variety of skiers who are looking to stay on top of fresh snow and bust through the crud and chop.

Who it's For:

Lots of skiers looking for something in this range.  While it has a high-performance ceiling, it’s also a great option for mid-level skiers who are looking for something wider and with a shorter radius.

Price: $899.99

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Overview:

One of the best carvers of this group and a super-solid overall ski, the Volkl Katana 108 is kind of a beast in the best way possible. Unflappable at speed, this ski loves to hit top-end speeds in a variety of snow conditions and terrain. While it’s not the best floater of the group, it is one of the top models for crud and chop. It simply plows through any type of snow condition as if it wasn’t even there. It has a flatter overall profile than a lot of skis here, and that does a nice job of balancing the sturdy build of the titanal frame with the wider shovel and 3D Radius Sidecut. It’s a cool blend of all-mountain ruggedness with a wider shape overall.

Who it's For:

Fans of speed and stability who don’t mind working a bit harder to access the performance of the ski. You like edge grip and a metallic feel.

Price: $849.99

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Overview:

This was a fun new one that we got on this year, and the reality and experience certainly lived up to the hype. The Scott Pure Pro 109 pairs a pretty thickly profiled wood core consisting of paulownia and beech with carbon stringers and a metal laminate underfoot. The shape of the ski is pretty drifty and floaty, with long and low rocker in the tail that matches the similar shape up front. There’s not a ton of splay in the tail, and that makes for a smoother and more directional nature capable of speed and hard charging for advanced and expert skiers. We love the longer turn shape, coming in at 23-meters in the 190, allowing skiers to dictate the shape and duration of the arc. It’s very strong due to the thickness of the core, and this makes for a stable and damp feel underfoot.

Who it's For:

Advanced and Expert skiers who want a floaty ski with minimal vibrations. You value smoothness and dampness to go along with the proper sophistication of a freeride ski.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

Along with its wider brethren, the Atomic Bent 110 is one of the most bowed-out skis on this list. It fits right there along with the Dynastar 108 in terms of dramatic rocker and splay, but even takes it to the next level perhaps. Built with a light wood core and HRZN tech in the tips and tails, this thing is all about shaping, artwork, and freestyle performance in soft snow. It’s on the flexible side of the spectrum for sure, putting it there with the Line Vision 108 in terms of agility, light weight, and quickness. It’s a pretty stark contrast from some other skis on this list, especially those with multiple sheets of metal in terms of dampness and application.

Who it's For:

Playful and fun-loving skiers who don’t mind a bit of flex to their freeride skis.  If you’re looking for something to land switch tricks in powder with, this is as good as it gets.

Price: $699.95

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Overview:

This is one of those contrasting skis to the Bent 110. It’s amazing, because based on shaping alone, the Enforcer 110 is pretty darn close, but when you get into the nuts and bolts, this is a burly ski with two sheets of metal that does demand your attention. With width-appropriate rocker, the Enforcer 110 loves to be used in soft snow, but also has a pretty good time in an on-trail format due to the rugged construction. The build, combined with the relatively short turn radius of 16.5-meters in the 177 cm length makes this one of the roundest carvers on the list, and since it follows similar shaping patterns of the other Enforcer skis, this is not unsurprising. There’s some weight to them, so they don’t float like feathers, but if you get on it when the conditions are less than ideal, you’ll be very thankful for the metal and the stability.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who like a dual-metal laminate in their wide freeride skis. You value flotation, but often find yourself in more technical terrain and challenging conditions that require a beefy ski like Enforcer 110.

Price: $849.99

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Overview:

Another stark contrast to both Enforcer 110 and Bent 110, the Head Kore 111 leans heavily on carbon in its build to gain stability and power for high-performance skiing. Built with a karuba wood core and two sheets of carbon, the Kore 111 has a very interesting and unique blend of attributes that sets it apart from pretty much anything else on this list. For its weight, or any weight for that fact, the Kore 111 is incredibly stiff and responsive. This makes it easy to get up on edge, and once you’re there, you’ll feel a whole lot of power and energy underfoot. It doesn’t end up being quite as stable or damp as Enforcer 110, and it’s a far cry from the playfulness and freestyle nature of the Bent 110, but that’s the fun of this whole thing—there's something for everyone.

Who it's For:

Strong and agile skiers who want something responsive and light, but not overly damp.  You value quickness and agility in your wide freeride skis and are fine with giving up a bit of stability to get it.

Price: $849.00

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Overview:

Back to the fun and playful side of the spectrum, the K2 Reckoner 112 takes the twin-tipped influence from the park and brings it to the modern era. More Bent-like than Kore or Enforcer, the Reckoner 112 has a very similar profile with dramatic tip and tail rocker to accentuate the camber underfoot. This K2 also uses carbon in a couple of ways. Carbon Boost runs vertical stringers like we see in the Scott to stiffen the longitudinal flex of the ski while K2’s Carbon Spectral Braid is more like the Vision’s use of crisscrossed carbon filaments to adjust the torsional stiffness of the ski. With a ton of rocker to go along with the flexy build of the ski, freestyle and freeride fans will find a whole lot to like with this wider-bodied twin.

Who it's For:

Multi-directional skiers who are looking for something that they can flex and smear while standing up to the rigors of modern big-mountain skiing.

Price: $749.99

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Overview:

Ski shaping has certainly come a long way over a short period of time, and for 2023, the Salomon QST Blank certainly looks like and is shaped like a true modern freeride ski. They’ve taken the similar build that we see in their other QST line of skis and brought it to the 112 mm underfoot width. With a blocker tip and tail shape and a long rocker profile at both ends to go along with a ton of early taper, these Blanks generate a pretty short 17-meter turn radius in the 186 cm length. It’s kind of like DPS’s RP shaping in that the wide skis really adhere to a shorter arc, and for skiers that enjoy making a lot of round turns in the powder, that’s a good thing. It’s also a whole lot of fun in an on-trail format as well, allowing the skier to get it up on a high edge angle and produce a very clean carve even on firmer snow. It’s one of the most rockered skis that doesn’t really qualify as a twin, leading to very strong directional performance.

Who it's For:

High-end casual and recreational powder skiers who are looking to fill out their quiver.  This ski makes for an excellent daily ski in snowy zones.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

Pretty similar in terms of overall shape and style to the Blank, Blizzard’s Rustler 11 does have a bit longer of a turn shape and metal underfoot to dampen vibrations and give some good life and grip to the ski. At 112 mm underfoot in the 180 cm length, the Rustler 11 has been a fan-favorite for a few years now, offering a ton of flotation to go along with a strong on-trail personality. It’s agile and maneuverable due to the metal being full-width underfoot and tapering to the middle in the forebody and tail. The metal ends where the rocker begins, so the parts of the ski that are normally off the snow are a lot more flexible and playful due to the lack of metal. It’s a great ski in that it has a nice blend of on and off-trail character.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers that spend a lot of time in the deeper snow but also want something that’ll carve great on softer groomers as well as some firmer snow.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

Fat, fun, and incredibly rugged, the Line Blade Optic 114 is a beast that needs to be fed deep and fresh pow. These things are straight, fast, and totally piggish when it comes to high-powered freeride skiing, and we’re loving every minute of it. Built with an Aspen wood core and Line’s Gas Pedal Metal Overdrive laminate, we’re getting a strong central spine with metal wings that go to the edges. This gives a great blend of stability, dampness, and power to balance the dramatic rocker profile that we see in this behemoth 114. Other than the Ranger 116, this is the widest ski on this list with metal, and it has considerably more than Ranger. Combine that build and shape with a looooonng turn radius of 24-meters and you’ve got a pretty aggressive charger here.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who don’t mind a bit of a challenge so long as it allows for flotation and fun. You value speed and power.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

Fun, strong, and still pretty agile, the Black Crows Anima is an awesome choice for skiers looking for that high-octane option that is really at the forefront of the modern freeride movement. When pitted against more freestyle twins like the Reckoner or Bent, Anima has more beef to it for sure due to the presence of poplar wood, carbon, and kevlar strips. This makes the ski pretty strong and stable, but it also comes at the cost of weight. You’ll be able to get a ton of rebound and energy out of these versatile big-mountain skis, and the fact that they have such dramatic rocker and taper lines makes them all the more fun and interesting. With a 19-meter turn radius, the Anima is predictable and confidence inspiring, whether you’re launching big cliffs or surfing down a wide-open powder field.

Who it's For:

Pro-level skiers who are looking for an everyday stick for big mountains and rugged terrain.

Price: $999.95

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Overview:

Lots of width, rocker, and flex, the K2 Mindbender 116C is a lovely choice for advanced and expert skiers looking for more of a directional feel to their fat skis. By using maple and paulownia in the wood core, the K2 engineers add both carbon boost and carbon spectral braid to fine-tune both the longitudinal and torsional stiffness of the ski. Other than that, we get a gargantuan amount of rocker, especially in the shovel, and when you de-camber the ski, it’s almost the whole front half of the 116. This creates a super-smeary and surfy character to the ski and makes it one of the best and smoothest floaters on the wall so far. The lighter weight adds to the buoyancy of the ski and makes it stay afloat no matter the conditions or terrain.

Who it's For:

Not terribly demanding skiers—the Mindbender 116C is pretty approachable.  If you’re looking for a wider and lighter ski that floats really well, this is a great mid-level option.

Price: $749.95

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Overview:

As the widest of the Ranger line, and a replacement to the 115 FR, the 2023 Fischer Ranger 116 is an amazing choice for advanced and expert skiers looking for a wide-bodied ski that leans more to the directional side of the spectrum. Built with a blend of beech and poplar wood in the core, much like the 108, the 116 also features a sheet of shaped titanal that doesn’t extend too far from the binding mount zone, either forward or back. As such, most of the ski is unencumbered by metal, allowing for more of a free-flexing feel and a fun-loving powder response. There’s a ton of tip rocker and a whole lot of tail rocker to go along with the splay and taper that keeps this ski afloat. By generating a 19-meter turn radius in the 180 cm length, the Ranger 116 is a smooth and drifty ski that can handle a whole lot of snow. While it may not be as rough and tumble as the Anima, it’s a very accomplished powder option for those looking for a deep snow day ski.

Who it's For:

Powder enthusiasts who have other skis in their quiver. You put flotation on a pedestal in terms of attributes and accept no less than the best.

Price: $899.99

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Overview:

I have only skied this thing on pretty firm days, and surprisingly, it’s not too bad. I’d love to see what it can do in a couple of feet of snow, but for a relatively hard-pack day here in Vermont, I was pleased with the carving performance. I guess I wasn’t too surprised given my experience on other Ripstick skis, but still, at 116 mm underfoot, these were a lot of fun! Built with a thicker overall profile of Elan’s Tubelite wood core featuring the infamous carbon rods, the skis also contain fiberglass and an additional carbon laminate in order to beef up the inside portion of the ski. Since they’re asymmetrical, you are getting a smoother-than-most feel from turn to turn as the ski is rockered appropriately to deliver such character. There’s a decent amount of width in the shovel, and this aids in flotation, but for the most part, this is more of a directional powder ski by nature and shape.

Who it's For:

Deep powder enthusiasts who are looking for smoothness and predictability over all else.  You want something that feels more refined than playful in the fresh.

Price: $799.99

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Overview:

Definitely more of a pro model than what we see in the M-Free 108, the 118 has a pretty different shape and application for skiers looking to really dominate the big mountains of the world. Built with a poplar hybrid core, using the same polyurethane material along the sides as we see in other Dynastar models, they also use a fiberglass wrap on the inner wood core to add stiffness and energy to the mix. This is about where the similarities between the 108 and the 118 end. The wider version, available in 180 and 189 cm, generates a 22 or 24-meter turn radius respectively, so skiers looking to take an aggressive line down the hill will love the straighter cut of the 118. With more of a pinned tip shape, this ski is sharp in the front and pretty flat and straight in the back, making it basically look like a cruise missile. While there’s a good amount of camber underfoot for grip and energy, there’s not quite as much splay in the tips and tails as the 108, or other skis at the end of this list, and that makes it a very strong directional performer.

Who it's For:

Pros and Big Mountain enthusiasts who like a direct and aggressive approach to the hill. You want a longer arc and a pretty burly build to go along with Dynastar’s fun-loving style.

Price: $899.95

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Overview:

Another ski with a pretty long arc, the Blackops 118 comes in either a 176 or 186, offering 22 and 25-meter turn radii. That’s pretty similar to the Dynastar above in terms of its straight-line preference, but that’s about where the similarities end. The Rossignol is built with a poplar wood core, ABS reinforcement underfoot, and a fiberglass laminate that stiffens the flex. From a profile perspective, there’s a pretty good amount of both rocker and splay, putting it right up there with the other more playful freeride twins on the wall. You do pay for the mass with a bit of weight, as these skis tip the scales at over 2500 grams per stick. If you can handle that extra weight, you will be rewarded with a very unique blend of stability and playfulness. Normally, skis kind of get one or the other, but with the Blackops 118, skiers are fortunate enough to get both.

Who it's For:

Aggressive and expert skiers who want a fat twin for straight-line riding and freestyle acumen.  You don’t mind a bit of heft on the feet as long as it delivers the proper amount of fun and flotation.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

A benchmark ski for the industry as a whole in this category, the Atomic Bent Chetler 120 retains all the freeride fun and brings a new level of color and pop to the mix. Built with a light poplar wood core and Atomic’s carbon backbone, the 120 is slightly stiffer than the rest of the skis in the Bent line, and that makes sense given the overall width and surface area of the ski. It’s got HRZN tech in the tips and tails to provide supreme flotation and a bit of a mustachioed rocker profile that appropriately blends a twin tip shape with a cambered ski underfoot. You get a ton of pep out of the ski when it’s not super-deep, but when it is, the tech and the massive amount of rocker keeps you afloat in a very surfy and smeary format. Because the tips and tails are on the flexible side, it’s also very smooth for how much tail splay there is, and that’s great news for skiers who are looking for multi-directional performance.

Who it's For:

Powder hounds looking for something for wide open spaces, trees, and freestyle features.  You want width, but don’t want it to be too heavy.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

Other than the super-weird dual-graphic look, the Volkl Revolt 121 is a shining example of a freestyle-oriented powder ski that’s beloved by deep-snow skiers all over the world. From snowmachine access to cat skiing, and even deep days in the resort, the Revolt 121 makes the mountain faces your playground, giving you access to some of the rowdiest terrain on the planet. Built with Volkl’s Multi-Layer wood core and their 3D Radius Sidecut, the skis get that thicker overall profile that’s so successful with Revolt 104. They add a ton of rocker and splay, especially to the shovel, making it super-poppy in deep snow. That profile pairs well with the spoony taper shape to make these things wheelie and smear with the best of them.

Who it's For:

Freestyle powder skiers who want something that really porpoises in the deep stuff. You value pep in a ski, and need it to be that way in powder as well.

Price: $699.99

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Overview:

An absolute behemoth of a powder ski, the K2 Reckoner 122 has some of the most dramatic rocker lines on this wall, and that’s an impressive feat. It’s wide and cut pretty straight, producing a 23.7-meter turn radius in the 184 cm length. Built similar to what we see with other skis in the Reckoner line, the 122 features a blend of fir and aspen in the core to go along with their spectral carbon braiding that adds torsional stiffness to the mix. Additionally, their carbon boost adds a bit of longitudinal stiffness to the mix, but overall, these are some of the smeariest skis on the list, and we’re loving that they make skis this way.

Who it's For:

Slarvy skiers who are looking to noodle their way down the deepest snow on the planet. You can let them run, but don’t really want to.

Price: $799.95

Written by Bob St.Pierre on 10/27/22