For our second women’s comparison ski guide for 2023, we are moving up in width from 90 mm to 100 mm all mountain skis. Between playful freeride twins and all-mountain directional carvers, we saw a range of capabilities and versatility from our 90 mm series. Focusing now on the wider, more soft-snow oriented skis, ranging from 96 to 104 mm underfoot, we see a lot of characteristics from our narrower options with a bit more rocker, taper, and personality. While some of these wider all-mountain skis could certainly act as your one-ski quiver, for skiers who encounter snowier terrain and who prefer wider skis, there is an excellent range of options to choose from.

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Overview:

Returning for the 2023 season, the Head Kore 97 W is a lightweight, powerful freeride ski with ample versatility for advanced intermediates to expert female skiers. Carrying forth the successful characteristics that give it the responsive, compliant nature of ideal stiffness and strength to weight ratio, we see the same blend of poplar and karuba wood in the core without the previously added Koroyd. Instead, a three-dimensional design using carbon adds the desired stiffness without the chattery nature of Koroyd. With an updated topsheet for increased durability, this ski takes advantage of the qualities of carbon without being unnecessarily stiff. What this leaves you with is a fairly directional ski that is light and nimble enough for touring or ripping through bumps, yet strong enough to slice up the groomers with confidence. Wide enough for off-piste exploration and powerful enough to get on edge and carve strong, clean turns, aggressive skiers will love the blend of stiffness and agility.

Who it's For:

Skiers who want a lighter-weight ski with a high performance ceiling for on-trail and off-piste versatility. With plenty of torsional stiffness and responsiveness, women who enjoy getting on edge and carving clean turns will love the strength to weight ratio of these skis.

Price: $799.00

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Overview:

Introducing a brand new shape for Fischer, the Ranger 96 takes the place of two opposing models, the Ranger 94 FR and Ranger 99 Ti. Each with their own unique qualities and landing on two sides of the performance spectrum, the Ranger 94 FR boasted agility and energy while the Ranger 99 Ti offered maximum power and strength. Sitting smack dab in the middle of both, the Ranger 96 offers ample versatility, blending stability, agility, and power all in one. Building off of a beech and poplar wood core, Fischer integrates Flex Cut and Shaped Ti reinforcement which provides notable edge grip, responsive flex, and powerful stability. With a directional shape plus added tip rocker, you have a range of capabilities as far as terrain. Maneuverable and nimble, off-piste performance is fun and approachable while firmer conditions and groomers are smooth and damp. A truly well-rounded all-mountain ski!

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for a versatile, all-mountain ski with high energy and the strength of added metal. A one-ski quiver with high performance on and off-piste.

Price:

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Overview:

Despite the new name and updated graphic, the Dynastar E-Pro 99 skis are constructionally the same strong and stable ski as last year’s. One of the most well-rounded, high performance skis in this category, it is built with a poplar wood core in the center of the ski and sandwiched in between two wide strips of polyurethane material. What this unique blend of materials leaves you with is the dampening qualities of the PU material without losing the energy and lightweight nature of the wood core. But it doesn’t end there- Dynastar’s Rocket Frame titanal laminate is added strategically throughout the length of the ski in order to properly distribute the flex pattern and ultimately dialing in control. With a narrow and centralized distribution of metal in the forebody, we see full-width underfoot and remaining wide through the tail. Upon the initiation of a turn, skiers will have powerful responsiveness from the start and all the way through the release, with strong edge grip throughout.

Who it's For:

For skiers who want complete control when behind the wheel, with dynamic energy in and out of turns and playful maneuverability off-piste.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

With more than one reason to love the 2023 Stockli Nela 96 skis, we’ll start with the most notable quality. Returning unchanged from the 2022 season, what stands out the most with these skis is how lightweight they are. Built with Paulownia Super Light Core featuring a women-specific flex pattern, these skis deliver the smoothest ride with maximum precision. Consistent throughout each turn, Stockli took it a step further by adding metal laminate to the topsheet for added power and stability, as well as Thin Glass laminate for reduced weight. With camber underfoot and rocker in the tip and tail, this well-rounded all-mountain profile and shape allow for plentiful versatility. No matter what type of terrain you encounter, the overall approach to these skis was intended to deliver predictable performance. Whether you’re cruising groomers, ripping bumps or finding fresh snow, the Nela 96s are up for the challenge and ready to deliver high performance with confidence and ease.

Who it's For:

A wide range of skiers who enjoy a lightweight ski with plentiful precision and control. A predictable and smooth ride with maneuverability and stability.

Price: $1,149.00

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Overview:

With the most popular waist width in the Liberty women’s freeride category, the Genesis 96 skis return for the 2023 season with the same noteworthy shape and signature feel yet with an upgraded core. A playful, all-mountain ski with eagerness to bop around through bumps and trees, it also features added metal for stability and ample float for powder days. Now featuring Liberty’s high-performance X Core Carbon VMT 1.0W core and Polyurethane sidewalls, they deliver even more versatility without losing the fun feel and energetic personality. Light enough to effortlessly float but sturdy enough to hold an edge, you get a range of capabilities with this noteworthy freeride ski. With plenty of rocker in the tip and tail, the 96 mm waist width is ideal for fresh snow and allows for high performance on-piste as well. The ideal strength to weight ratio, they could also be a perfect touring ski as well.

Who it's For:

For freeride focused ladies who want a lightweight, playful ski with a fun personality. Highly versatile too, skiers will love the stability and power on trail and dynamic energy off-piste.

Price: $629.99

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Overview:

For a powerful, frontside ski with a high performance ceiling, the 2023 Kastle FX 96 skis are among some of the best in this category. Providing plenty of versatility for both on trail and off-piste capabilities, Kastle takes a new approach for this season, with added metal in its construction. Delivering maximum power and control, the Triple Wood Core receives dual Titanal Laminates to its build, providing further torsional stiffness and flex where ideal. Taking a closer look at the construction, we see denser wood running through the central chord of the ski, with lighter wood on the edges. What this accomplishes is better performance in soft snow conditions with more maneuverability towards the outer edges. Thanks to the 3D shape of the core in the tip and tail, torsional stiffness and edge hold are enhanced on firmer conditions. With a width of 96 mm and slight rocker in the tip and tail, they are narrow enough to carve strong turns while also having the ability to float through soft snow.

Who it's For:

Skiers who value quality and performance. Those who are looking for a smooth and stable ski for all-mountain domination, plus the option of going off-piste.

Price: $849.00

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Overview:

Finding the sweet spot between the Volkl Secret 102 and Kenja 88, the Secret 96 is an all-mountain ski that introduces Volkl’s new technology for the ultimate on-piste prowess. Claiming its spot as one of the burlier skis in this lineup, it is built with Volkl’s Multi-Layer wood core and adds to it their Tailored Titanal Frame, which in combination provides skiers with strength, stability, and varied widths and lengths of metal depending on the size of the ski. For the taller, more aggressive skiers, lengths in the longer size contain significantly more metal than the shorter length. This truly caters to the skill level and size of the skier, adding to its high performance nature. Speaking to that, to assist in the approachability and intuitive feel, the tips feature Tailored Carbon, allowing for precision in turn initiation and a variety of turn shapes as well. To round it out, the 3D Radius Sidecut ensures strong edge grip and in turn, confident, strong carving through crud, chop, or variable terrain.

Who it's For:

Advanced to expert level skiers who enjoy a burlier ski with a high performance ceiling.

Price: $749.99

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Overview:

It’s hard not to love the fun loving, playful feeling Black Crows Camox Birdie. This 97 mm underfoot, twin tip freeride ski is eager to explore the entire mountain, and have the most amount of fun doing so. Delivering high performance, confidence building skills and technique, the Camox Birdie lands itself in the top tier for all-mountain versatility for a handful of reasons. With a fairly simple construction, we see a poplar wood core with added fiberglass, making it lightweight and highly maneuverable. What really brings this ski to life though is the heightened camber underfoot combined with the minimal taper shape, delivering a longer effective edge and responsive energy upon each turn. With a full sidewall underfoot and progressive flex, skiers will love the freeride personality and quickness that the Camox Birder delivers. From park features to trees and bumps, the range of capabilities is truly endless. Not to mention a total blast!

Who it's For:

Skiers who enjoy a twin tip freeride ski with all-mountain capabilities. Plentiful personality, energy, and responsiveness, the Camox Birdie will make the whole mountain your playground.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

Continuing its legacy in the 100 mm all-mountain ski series, the Black Pearl 97 skis remain one of the most approachable, highly intuitive women’s skis. Though not as popular as the 88s, with a wider waist width, you gain more versatility and a higher range of capabilities. Built with Blizzard’s True Blend wood core composed of poplar and beech stringers, it is highly maneuverable and energetic, making it fun and responsive in a variety of terrain. By adding titanal laminate underfoot, you achieve strength and power directly under your binding, providing reliable edge grip and precise control when encountering firmer conditions. With a 97 mm waist width and 15 meter turn radius in the 165 cm length, turn initiation is smooth and inviting, with a strong and confidence-inspiring release into your next. There’s a reason this ski is the ultimate one-ski quiver for many lady skiers looking for a friendly and high performance ski.

Who it's For:

A wide range of skiers looking for a ski that will inspire confidence, deliver fun, and excel in a variety of conditions and terrain.

Price: $699.95

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Overview:

The ideal all-mountain ski with resort and backcountry capabilities, the Atomic Backland 98 W returns for the 2023 season with an updated top sheet and all of the same attributes that made us fall in love with these skis. On the lighter end of the weight spectrum, they feature a Ultralight Poplar and Caruba wood core with a carbon backbone and fiberglass laminate. This combination of materials provides the ultimate in weight as far as maneuverability and agility, giving skiers plentiful energy and responsiveness. HRZN Tech in the tips add ample flotation for those deeper days, while the camber underfoot provides a longer effective edge for strong edge grip on firmer conditions. This is truly where this ski shines in that despite its noticeably light weight, it still holds its own as far as stability and torsional stiffness go. Whether you’re looking for the perfect touring set up or just a light, responsive resort ski, the Backland 98s do it all.

Who it's For:

Intermediate to advanced skiers who love to explore the backcountry or who want a lightweight resort ski without sacrificing stability.

Price: $699.95

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Overview:

The 2023 Nordica Santa Ana 98 skis quite simply take the cake as far as freeride all-mountain skis in this waist width. The Santa Ana series continues to attract attention, updating their construction and sizes, as well as introducing lightweight backcountry options as well. Impressing us with a cohesive blend of excellent stability, strength, and agility, it does a great job of delivering well-rounded qualities without being unapproachable. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a less aggressive intermediate, the Santa Ana 98 will be forgiving enough to inspire confidence and build technique while also being stable and energetic in and out of turns. Built with a wood core paired with carbon and a sheet of terrain-specific metal, the skis offer a smooth and stable ride without sacrificing weight. At 98 mm underfoot, you achieve plentiful float for the softer snow conditions, especially when you take into account the slight taper and moderate rocker in the tip and tail.

Who it's For:

Advanced to expert skiers who want a responsive and energetic carver with a confident and smooth ride off-piste.

Price: $749.99

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Overview:

The Salomon QST line continues to prove its place in the all-mountain/freeride series, attracting a wide range of skiers to its fun loving, intuitive nature. Boasting smoothness and stability, this high performance ski is built with a blend of C/FX material which is added to the full poplar wood core. The highly responsive and energetic foundation is supported by strips of carbon and flax woven together and strategically positioned through the center of the ski. Between the lightweight qualities of the wood and the rigidity and stiffness from the carbon, you get dampness at high speeds and playful pop and maneuverability on and off-piste. With their recent addition of Double Sidewall Technology and moderate taper in the tips, you get a shortened effective edge without losing solid edge grip. This leaves you with a playful, maneuverable tip and enhanced power and stability underfoot. A fantastic floater in soft snow and powerful on edge and in the firmer conditions, the Salomon QST Lumen 98s are among the best.

Who it's For:

Skiers who are looking for a friendly and intuitive ski with plentiful play and personality with powerful edge grip and stability.

Price: $599.95

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Overview:

A ski that truly deserves better recognition, the 2023 Rossignol Black Ops 98 are among the highest quality, all-mountain skis with a twin tip shape and moderate waist width of 98 mm. Occasionally overlooked by frontside enthusiasts, the Black Ops 98 offer a range of capabilities and a freeride flair that is undeniably fun and energetic. We see the same construction as last year yet with an updated topsheet. Built with a poplar wood core and titanal beam underfoot, they behave similarly to a narrower, directional ski with powerful edge grip and stability yet with the personality of a more freeride oriented ski. Smooth, damp and playful, the entire mountain quickly becomes your own terrain park. Light enough to spin and pop off features but stable enough to hold an edge, you really can take these skis anywhere and the opportunities are endless.

Who it's For:

For skiers looking to do a little bit of everything, from park, bumps and powder to groomers. Playful and approachable, these fun loving skis will appeal to everyone.

Price: $699.95

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Overview:

Considered the perfect daily driver for adventurous skiers, the 2023 Nordica Unleashed 98 W is as playful as it is versatile. At 98 mm underfoot, many consider this to be the most ideal waist width for all-mountain capabilities. A one ski quiver candidate, it is equally at home in the soft snow as it is on groomers. Built with a wood core combined with a sheet of terrain-specific metal, this construction combines reliable edge grip and torsional rigidity with dampness and responsiveness. The rocker profile allows for a playful and intuitive feel, as well as ample flotation through soft snow. A traditional camber underfoot allows for powerful edge to edge energy and guaranteed edge hold on groomers and firm snow. Compared to the Santa Anas, the Unleashed 98s land closer in the middle on the weight spectrum, which appeals to less aggressive skiers and allow for a more approachable feel.

Who it's For:

Skiers who want a do-it-all ski with maximum versatility and capabilities across all terrain and conditions.

Price: $699.99

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Overview:

The 2023 Scott Pure Mission 98 W proves that there can certainly be one ski that can do it all. Well-rounded and with a high-performance ceiling, this ski behaves like a narrower ski yet boasts a wide enough width underfoot to take on a powder day. Whether you’re going off-piste into the glades, ripping up bumps, or slicing up icy groomers, the Mission 98 skis love a good challenge. Focusing on the construction, we see a mix of paulownia and beech wood in the core plus two laminates of vertical carbon stringers and titanal reinforcement running outside of the binding area. With the lightweight qualities of wood, the stiff flex and responsive energy from carbon, and the stability and edge grip from the metal, this ski is the total package. For frontside domination and a fun personality, this all-mountain ski has a wide range of capabilities.

Who it's For:

Skiers with a knack for versatility, energetic responsiveness and stability across all types of terrain. Frontside performance and reliable predictability, intermediate to advanced skiers will enjoy this powerful ski.

Price: $849.95

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Overview:

For the 2023 season, K2 has taken an upgraded approach to the metal-laminate Mindbender Ti skis. Moving away from the heavier weight aspen/maple wood core and the original Y-beam technology, the construction now features an aspen veneer wood core with the addition of maple, which significantly reduces the overall weight of the ski. As for the new and improved Y-beam technology, it now features a different shape and placement throughout the ski. While more is added underfoot to provide precision and control, the extremities of the ski have more maneuverability and energy. In addition, the shape features deeper rocker lines, most notably in the tails, achieving a more freeride feel with an all-mountain shape and design. Powerful stability and torsional rigidity underfoot and through the tail, performance on-piste is enhanced ten fold, while off-piste play and energy is maximized, truly delivering the ultimate performance for all-mountain, freeride terrain.

Who it's For:

Advanced to expert skiers looking for a powerful and dynamic ski with the stability and responsiveness of metal.

Price: $749.95

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Overview:

Fischer has taken one of the most popular freeride skis and revamped it in more ways than one. First off, our beloved bright pink topsheet has now become teal and navy blue, but the eye-catching topsheet is just the beginning of this advanced makeover. Highly versatile and with a high performance ceiling, the 102 mm waist width and Freeski Rocker profile provides plentiful flotation and energetic maneuverability. Built with a blend of Beech and Poplar wood, the lightweight, poppy behavior makes it approachable and nimble for tree skiing, bumps and powder. For firmer conditions and fast groomers, the camber underfoot provides excellent edge grip while the shaped rib of titanal keeps your ride smooth and damp at top speeds. Despite its wider width, it remains incredibly agile and easy to control, which is what makes this all-mountain freeride ski so desirable. Highly versatile, well-rounded and just a ton of fun.

Who it's For:

Advanced to expert fun-loving skiers who want to turn the entire mountain into their personal playground. Those who seek versatility and a high performance ceiling.

Price: $799.99

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Overview:

On the burlier and more powerful side of the spectrum, the 2023 Rossignol Rallybird 102 skis are geared towards advanced to expert skiers who want to push the pedal to the floor and go full gas. Powerful and willing to charge, this highly capable freeride vessel strikes the perfect balance between carvability and float, thanks to the strategic design and shape. Built with a lightweight Paulownia wood core, Diago Fiber technology and Damp Tech, this highly technical and progressive build enhances performance while allowing for a wide range of capabilities. Simultaneously light and damp, they are eager to initiate a turn and hold a strong edge. At the same time, the Free Rocker profile provides effortless flotation and maneuverability in soft snow conditions. With a relatively wide width underfoot, they feel highly capable off-piste yet narrow and nimble enough to bounce around through the trees and bumps. Boasting the nature of a ski with metal, the Rallybirds carry themselves with strength and power without being overbearing.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for a hard-charging ski with no speed limit. Powerful responsiveness and torsional stiffness are among the qualities you seek out in an all-mountain ski.

Price: $699.95

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Overview:

There’s a reason why the 2023 Libety Genesis 101 is considered the one ski quiver for all-mountain performance. The newest addition to the women’s freeride lineup, it achieves the ideal waist width for maximum versatility, plus tip and tail rocker with positive camber underfoot. Blending Bamboo, Poplar, Paulownia, VMT 1.0 core with carbon fiber, you achieve the lightweight qualities with the ideal stiffness for flex. Providing a smooth and damp ride, you also maintain plenty of stability and power as well. With the ideal profile for powder performance and a 15 m turn radius in the 165 cm length, skiers will love the variety of turn shapes and sizes achievable with the Liberty Genesis 101s. Why limit yourself to one type of terrain when these skis can take you all over. Responsive and energetic, it is maneuverable enough to be playful yet stiff enough to keep you on edge.

Who it's For:

A wide range of skiers looking for soft-snow performance and on-piste capabilities.

Price: $669.99

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Overview:

For skiers looking for a wider ski with plenty of freeride flair, the 2023 Blizzard Sheeva 10 skis achieve versatility, performance, and stability all in one. The ski to trust for all-mountain capabilities, Blizzard carries forth the Sheeva 10 attributes that make them notable as far as blurring the line between all-mountain and freeride. Well-rounded and highly maneuverable, skiers of all ability levels will enjoy the confidence-building feel of these skis. With a multi-layer wood core and partial metal laminate, you achieve the strength and power of metal without requiring two sheets like the stiffer, burlier options out there. Playful and nimble in the tips, thanks to the carbon and fiberglass laminates, you achieve a low swing weight and increased maneuverability. With the rocker/camber/rocker profile, you have float when you need it and reliable edge grip on firmer, less predictable conditions. A truly well-rounded option with a wide enough waist width for powder days but the personality of a stronger, burlier ski, it will tackle any and all conditions and terrain.

Who it's For:

Skiers who want a strong, predictable all-mountain ski with freerider performance. A confident carver yet with energetic maneuverability and responsiveness.

Price: $699.95

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Overview:

Advanced to expert skiers will love the big mountain feel of these all-mountain rippers. Featuring a Caruba wood core with the addition of two titanal laminates sandwiching the lighter material, the ski is incredibly maneuverable and incorporates the powerful properties of metal. Despite their strong nature, they have a very damp and smooth feel, making them ideal for exploring the entire mountain. EST All Mountain Rocker give them the soft-snow oriented capability, while the camber underfoot and full sidewall construction provide excellent edge grip and torsional rigidity. What really stands out with this ski is the Articulated Titanal Banding, a technology that Armada uses to remove sections of titanal in the tip of the ski and replace it with elastomer material. What this does is creates a unique feel that encourages seamless turn initiation and a powerful exit. This strategic approach differentiates this ski from most with metal laminates by giving it more energy and responsiveness in the forebody of the ski with torsional rigidity underfoot.

Who it's For:

Skiers with an advanced to expert skill level who want the power of metal without being too overbearing or aggressive.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

For hard charging lady rippers who want a powerful, responsive all-mountain ski, look no further than the 2023 Volkl Secret 102 skis. With a wider waist width of 102 mm, it is eager and willing to float through fresh snow yet is built with precision and power in mind. While some skis in this size lack versatility, the Volkl Secret has a range of capabilities, from groomers and bumps to trees and soft snow. The multilayer wood core combined with Titanal Frame construction provide skiers with agile maneuverability and maximum power. Gradual rocker in the tips aid in flotation but thanks to the long effective edge, edge grip and precision are far from sacrificed. Strong, stiff and capable, whether you’re pinning it down the fall line or laying deep trenches in the groomers, the Volkl Secret 102s are a highly versatile all-mountain ski with plenty of freeride flair.

Who it's For:

Advanced to expert skiers who enjoy putting a little extra work into their turns and who enjoy charging strongly and confidently.

Price: $799.99

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Overview:

Truly in a league of its own, the Elan Ripsticks 102 skis continue its reputation in the industry as being one of the most highly technical, versatile options in this category. Using a unique approach to construction and design, they feature an asymmetrical shape, with designated left and right skis. With no other company doing this, it goes to show the level of performance and quality that you get from these skis. The purpose of this design is to pay special focus to the inside edges, as well as the outside edges, giving each their own camber/rocker profile. Upon the initiation of turn, the camber profile on the inside edge really grips an edge while the rocker profile on the outside edge allows for more play. As for the construction, Elan uses a Tubelite wood core with the addition of two carbon rods that run the length of the ski. When you bend or flex the ski, the 3 dimensional design comes into play by providing exceptional responsiveness and energy.

Who it's For:

Advanced skiers who want a soft-snow oriented ski with a high level of performance and enough versatility to take anywhere on the mountain.

Price: $699.99

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Overview:

The Nordica Santa Ana series are among the more popular freeride all-mountain skis on the market today, and for good reason. The 2023 Nordica Santa Ana 104 skis are finding the sweet spot between freeride and all-mountain, with a 104 mm waist width and tip and tail rocker making powder a breeze to float through. At 4250 grams per pair, they certainly are not the lightest pair of skis out there but with that you get the added stability and strong performance that advanced to expert skiers will truly get the most out of. With a dense wood core and single layer of metal, this ski is ready for business, whether it be on groomers, powder, or off-piste. Add in the 16 meter turn radius and you truly achieve that level of energy and liveliness that bring the performance level to the ceiling. All mountain versatility and fun, the Santa Ana 104s will appeal to strong skiers who are looking to rally the whole mountain.

Who it's For:

Skiers on the advanced end of the spectrum looking for a wider, playful ski with some beef to it. Soft-snow focused daily driver or pow day top contender.

Price: $749.99

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Overview:

Another soft-snow oriented queen in this lineup, tied with the Santa Ana 104 for width, the 2023 Line Pandora 104s are an energetic, playful option for ladies who seek deep snow or who want a wider ski that is also capable of carving clean turns and boasts that fun, freeride flair. Smeary and lively in the soft snow, the Aspenlite wood core combined with the Carbon Magic Fingers technology leave you with a lightweight feeling ski with plenty of pop and personality. Straying slightly from Line’s twin tip, we see more of a directional shape with early rise and early taper in the tip and tails. This allows for a stronger finish when releasing from a turn and more power and stability through the length of the ski. For firmer conditions and crud, this ski may not perform the best compared to others in this category but for all mountain fun and power performance, you simply can’t go wrong with the Line Pandora 104s.

Who it's For:

Soft-snow focused enthusiasts who want a wider, playful ski that can also perform well on-piste.

Price: $649.95

Written by Emily Crofton on 10/18/22