We’re kicking off the Women’s All-Mountain Comparison series with the ~90 mm segment, and it’s a good one! With skis ranging from 86 to 94 mm underfoot, we’re covering a lot of bases, from playful freeride twins to all-mountain directional carvers. We even threw in some 50/50 hybrid skis in there for both uphill and resort-oriented skiing, so if you’re searching for a ski that can literally do it all, it’s likely going to be on this list. For skiers like us here in Vermont or other areas with a mid-range of snow, these serve well as the one-ski quivers, or if you ski mainly in a snowy zone, skis here could function properly as fantastic front side options. The key here is versatility, and these skis have certainly answered that call.

---

Overview:

The Reliance 92 Ti is one of the quietest and most stable skis on this list, and with good reason. Built with a wood core and two sheets of metal, the main ingredients are present for a solid feel and a confidence-boosting personality. It’s a pretty high-end ski that rivals the performance of other top-end models on this list like Kenja 88 and Nela 88. The best part is that it’s got some width to it as well, opening up softer snow performance due to the wider shovel as well as a bit of rocker in the tail. As one of the higher-end skis on this list, it’s demanding as well, but has all you need for top-shelf skiing.

Who it's For:

Advanced and expert skiers who are looking for a burly cruiser and carver.  You value silence, strength, and stability and don’t mind working a little harder to get there. 

Price: $649.95

---

Overview:

Light, quick, and incredibly precise, the Maven 93 C uses a light weight poplar wood core to go along with carbon stringers to give it snap, pop, and a ton of energy. At under 1500 grams, it falls alongside skis like the Head Kore 91, Blaze 94, Pandora 94, and Rossi Blackops 92 as the featherweights of this grouping. As such, the Maven is awesome at quick and short turns, but also is able to handle higher speeds and longer arcs as well. It has more of a directional shape that marries well with the stiffness, giving the Maven a strong and sturdy base to work off of, satisfying the needs and wants of a lot of different skiers in a variety of turn styles and shapes.

Who it's For:

Skiers who want something super-quick and agile. You place a big emphasis on maneuverability, but also want a bit of width for softer snow.

Price: $649.95

---

Overview:

We’ve loved the Captis for years, and the Birdie version allows for smaller skiers to get the chance to experience the versatility and snappiness of these great skis. At 90 mm underfoot, and with a twin-tipped shape, the Captis Birdie not only makes for a great all-mountain ski that excels in bumps and trees, but there’s also a pretty good park component that makes them an ideal choice for playful skiers looking for that one ski that literally does everything. Like other skis in the Black Crows line, and similar to what we see in the Armada Reliance and Salomon Stance, the Captis Birdie is super-quiet and smooth. This is something we’ve loved about these skis for a while now, and we’re stoked to see the Captis Birdie carry it forward into 2023.

Who it's For:

Playful skiers with or without a park background.  You can use this as a terrain-park ski or use the mountain as a natural playground.

Price: $649.95

---

Overview:

What’s a women’s ski comparison without a Black Pearl 88? This ski is totally and completely ubiquitous when it comes to all-mountain versatility. We often joke that if all the ski companies got together and decided to end this nonsense of making hundreds of different skis, and all agreed on one model, the Black Pearl 88 would be very close to the top of the list. This is one of the most universally accepted and loved skis of all time, and for good reason. The blend of wood and carbon combines really well with the metal beam underfoot to make for a maneuverable, stable, and predictable ski that loves to be used in any and all conditions and terrain.

Who it's For:

Quite literally everyone.

Price: $649.95

---

Overview:

We’re getting a partial metal laminate in the Sheeva 9, and this makes for a wonderful ski experience that blends the lighter and more maneuverable tips and tails with the sturdy and stable metal underfoot. The laminate extends to the fore and aft of the ski in order to increase dampness and grip. It works, and adds quite a bit of freeride flair to the mix. If you’re looking for a great Blizzard ski but not a Black Pearl, the Sheeva 9 will scratch that itch for sure. It’s stronger underfoot but more playful in the ends.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for a wider, but not too wide, freeride ski for softer snow conditions. You likely have a narrower ski for more on-trail applications, but could also use this as a daily driver for sure.

Price: $649.95

---

Overview:

The shovel of this ski is what sets it apart from most others on this list. The E-Pro 90 has a slimmer and longer tip shape, with a bit more rocker and splay, and this gives the ski quite a bit of flotation and fun while keeping the mid-body and through the tail ready for business-like carving and on-trail performance. The hybrid core is the powering agent here, with the use of ABS material along the sidewalls giving the ski a unique blend of energy and dampness. We see this in pretty much all of the other Dynastar skis, and it works quite well when combined with the wood core and partial metal laminate. The shape of the metal puts it in stark opposition to that of the K2, but kind of more similar to that of Sheeva. This ski likes it when the driver turns and pushes the ski rather than just a tip and rip style that a lot of other skis like.

Who it's For:

You want a ski that completes a turn with intent and power, but still has the shovel for flotation and playfulness.

Price: $699.95

---

Overview:

It’s all about those carbon rods! When you get the Ripstick 88 up on edge, those tubes come alive. As one of the lighter skis on this wall, it’s even more impressive that Elan gets the ski to carve and rebound as well as it does. The shovels are flexible and easy to engage, but from that point on, the ski really lights it up. The most amazing thing is that they get all of this performance and energy out of such a light ski, and it’s all about how they input the rods into the ski, under pressure, with energy built in to the mix. For skiers who are looking for a light and quick ski that is equally at home both on and off-trail, the Ripstick 88 is one of the best blends on this list. Much like the Blaze 94, the Ripstick 88 is a surprising performer, not only for the weight, but in general as well.

Who it's For:

A huge range of skiers.  Some light, some not, but all enjoy the responsive and energetic nature of a ski.

Price: $599.99

---

Overview:

Built with a light weight poplar wood core and two sheets of metal, the Faction Dancer 1x is not only the narrowest ski on this list, but also the most poppy and energetic. The fact that they put in a dual-metal laminate while keeping the ski so light is very impressive. Add to that, they also put in a whole lot of camber underfoot, and that makes the Dancer a total beast when it comes to rebound and energy. It’s not as versatile as some of the other skis, with or without metal, but it really stands out in this group for what it is. Much like the Kenja, the Dancer is more firm-snow and on-piste focused versus a lot of other skis here. It’s great that it’s light, but even better that it’s as fun-filled as it is.

Who it's For:

On-trail and carving enthusiasts who don’t want a lumbering ski, but rather a snappy one that can get from edge to edge with quickness and agility. 

Price: $699.00

---

Overview:

The Ranger 90 is a unisex ski for sure, available in two colors with the cerise offered in shorter lengths. But for all intents and purposes, Ranger 90 is the ski to have if you’re looking for a playful option with a fair amount of metal in it. We’re following similar paths as the Sheeva, E-Pro, and K2 in terms of partial metal, but Ranger does it in a slightly different way. This is more like the Kenja in that the frame extends over the edges of the skis in both tips and tails, putting more pressure and emphasis on the sides of the ski, increasing carving performance while the central slit in the metal laminate allows for proper articulation and flotation while keeping the stability, dampness, and power to a high level.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who are looking for a blend of power and play. You value flotation and smeariness in the ends of the ski with sharp edge control in the mid-body.

Price: $699.99

---

Overview:

Similar to what we see with skis like the Elan Ripstick and Line Pandora 94, the Head Kore 91 uses carbon to power the ski rather than metal. This has been a pretty big movement as of late, with technology and willingness to use this material both coming a long way. Rather than tubes/rods used in the Ripstick, the Kore relies on pretty standard horizontal carbon laminates. The key here, though, is that the upper laminate is curved to match the chamfered edge of the ski, and any time you put carbon in a 3-dimensional format, like the tubes, you drastically increase the responsiveness and activity of the material. As such, the Kore becomes one of the stiffer skis on this list while keeping the weight pretty darn light. It’s this combination of attributes that makes it stand out among a crowded field of strong skis. Very versatile and maneuverable, the Kore blends a lot of different characters in a light weight package.

Who it's For:

Advanced skiers who know how to push a ski.  Conversely, if you prefer shallower edge angles and an easy-turning ski, the Kore will do that as well.

Price: $749.00

---

Overview:

K2 changed their Alliance 88 a little bit from last year to this, and it has made a pretty nice difference. While the outgoing 88 was slightly narrower, yet a bit more all-mountain oriented, the new 89 alters up the metal and rocker, as well as the turn shape, in order to get it to be a better front side option. With longer rocker in the tail, and lower metal in the Y-Beam of the tip, the ski has more of a friendly shape and activity level, but the shorter radius and more sophisticated metal shape, as well as the full sidewall, makes the Mindbender 89 Ti W a fantastic on-trail ski that carves it up with the best of them. While there was nothing wrong with the 88, the new 89 just feels quite a bit better on the feet, and our testers and staff picked up on that right away. The strength in the metal of the tail balances well with the longer and more gradual rocker, increasing the snow feel and smoothness of the ski in a very good way.

Who it's For:

Advanced and expert skiers who love a strong pull into the turn and a satisfying rebound out of it.  You value precision and grip, but don’t want to sacrifice versatility to get it.

Price: $699.95

---

Overview:

It’s always fun when a freeride-oriented ski company goes ahead and makes a front-side focused ski like the Liberty Evolv 90 W. This thing is awesome, though, and it makes a lot of sense in terms of how they build it. By using bamboo and paulownia to go along with three vertically-placed metal struts sandwiched between the bamboo stringers. Carbon strips are also used to stiffen the flex and increase the responsiveness of the ski, making it an energetic, smooth, and damp ride that is very much at home on the groomed terrain. The shape and profile echo this front-side mentality, differing it further from their Genesis 90 counterpart, which is way more freeride-focused. With a thicker overall core profile, the Evolv 90 W is smooth, stable, and quiet on the corduroy, making it somewhat difficult to believe that a freeride ski company made such a compliant carver.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for a wider-bodied front side ski for blending carved turns and softer snow abilities.  You value smoothness and a quiet ride over supreme energy.

Price: $649.99

---

Overview:

While the Evolv 90 W relies on three metal struts to access the power, the Genesis 90 uses one. This, combined with the more rounded and freeride shaping, contributes to the playful personality of the Genesis, opening up a new world of soft snow fun and freeride character. It’s pretty cool that a ski company can make two 90 mm underfoot skis and have them be so completely different. The Genesis uses quite a bit more rocker and taper to add to the greasy and smeary feeling in soft snow, trees, and bumps while still keeping some good energy to complement the off-trail prowess of the ski. They use bamboo and paulownia to keep it light and quick, as it’s one of the most agile and drifty skis out there at this width.

Who it's For:

Freeride enthusiasts looking for something on the narrower side of the spectrum.  You want a quick, fun, and maneuverable ski for all of your off-trail adventures.

Price: $599.99

---

Overview:

Tied for the widest ski on this list, and also one of the lightest, the Line Pandora 94 is likely the best floater and backcountry option here. This is not to say it doesn’t have on-trail chops, though, as the carbon stringers that run vertically along the aspen wood core make it strong and snappy for corduroy cruising. The width bumps the ski up to the next level in terms of flotation, and the generous shovel shape only adds to that equation. With a thinner core profile and a shorter turn radius, this ski is highly agile and maneuverable for the width, making it awesome in the snowy woods and deeper days in the backcountry.

Who it's For:

Tree enthusiasts looking for something versatile and agile. You may be searching for a 50/50 touring/resort ski, and this is not a bad option at all.

Price: $549.95

---

Overview:

This one, along with the wider 93, are pretty big-time staples of this category. Built with a performance wood core and a single sheet of terrain-specific metal, the Santa Ana 88 is a narrower version of a freeride ski that has endless versatility and amazing carving power. There’s not a whole lot that this ski can’t do, especially on the feet of an accomplished skier. With the metal extending close to the edges, we’re seeing a lot of precision and power on firmer snow and groomed surfaces, while the overall shape of the ski is still very reminiscent of a wider freeride board. As such, it’s a great floater and soft snow option for its width, making the 93 an appealing alternative for skiers looking for a slightly wider option. It didn’t make the list here, mainly because it’s so darn close in personality and application, just 5 extra mm overall.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who like edge grip and precision.  You want to do it all, and do not want to sacrifice on-trail carving performance in the process.

Price: $649.99

---

Overview:

What a great ski from Rossignol. This is a great representation of simplicity done right. All they’ve really done is take a light weight paulownia wood core and shaped it into a friendly ski that is quick, energetic, fun, and poppy. While not a twin tip in the freestyle sense, the attitude and slightly turned up tail make it playful enough for emerging freestylers, but still with enough pep in its step to satisfy more demanding all-mountain enthusiasts. There’s a good amount of camber underfoot to go along with the fun-loving tip and tail rocker making this a well-versed ski for a variety of skiers and applications. It goes all the way down to tweener lengths of 136 and 146, making it accessible for smaller and younger skiers as well. While the high-end of performance is slightly lacking, it’s more about the huge central range of skiers here, and Rossignol is incredibly successful in that realm with the Blackops 92 W.

Who it's For:

A wide swath of skiers ranging from the pre-teen rippers all the way up to advancing freeriders looking for something light and energetic.

Price: $599.95

---

Overview:

Similar to the Blackops 92, it’s amazing what Rossignol can do with a lightweight Paulownia wood core. In the Rallybird 92, they do add some extras into it, like Diago Fiber and Damp Tech, but in reality, it’s quite a simple build. The shaping, including pretty dramatic tip rocker and splay to go along with positive camber underfoot and a pretty flat tail make for a unique, directional freeride ski that can handle quite literally anything on the mountain. Full-vertical sidewalls and a relatively thick core profile make this ski solid and stable, which is pretty darn impressive given that it’s just over 1500 grams in the 162. Our testers and staff love the versatility and high-end feel of the ski, making it a great carver like the Liberty, but also a more soft-snow feel like the Line. The blend of these attributes is what makes the Rallybird stick out, and should be a fan-favorite moving forward into this season.

Who it's For:

Advanced skiers who like the feel of a solid directional ski with great energy and rebound.

Price: $599.95

---

Overview:

You could make a very strong argument that the QST Lux 92 is the most versatile and well-rounded ski on the wall. We would not argue. The blend of poplar wood core, C/FX material, a friendly shape, and overall substance makes the Lux 92 an incredibly smooth and predictable performer in a huge variety of terrain and snow conditions. With a rounder shape in the tips and tails to go along with more gradual rocker and taper, the 92 is a shorter-turner, coming in at 12-meters in the 160. For shorter turns, softer snow, and a solid feel on the groomers, there aren’t many other skis out there that are as versatile and damp as the Salomon QST Lux 92.

Who it's For:

Skiers who have searched the world for the perfect ski and still can’t decide. This is the one.

Price: $549.95

---

Overview:

Interestingly, the more front-side oriented Stance W 88 with metal is lighter than the freeride QST Lux 92. A lot of this has to do with the use of karuba in the wood core as opposed to straight poplar, but still impressive that they can keep the weight down in such a solid-feeling and high-performance ski. The Stance W 88 uses a metal twin-frame in order to blend sturdy performance on the firmer snow with snappy energy in off-trail formats. This ski, much like the Santa Ana 88, also has a wider counterpart in the 94, but since they’re so similar other than the width, we decided to focus on the 88. If you are looking for this type of build in a wider-bodied format, the 94 is a fantastic ski as well. The use of C/FX in the metal frame’s windows is responsible for the energy of the ski, making it snappy and poppy when in carved or shorter turns. With a more directional shape, the Stance lines up well with the Rallybird, Kenja, and Dancer when it comes to on-trail performance.

Who it's For:

More front side than back side skiers.  You want strong carving performance and energy with a smooth and stable approach.

Price: $599.99

---

Overview:

We were stoked to get on the new Scott skis for this year, and the Pure Free 90 W did not disappoint. We’ve been talking a lot more about core thicknesses this year, and the Scott definitely makes this become more pronounced. From tip to tail, the thickness of the Poplar wood is pretty apparent, especially when placed up against skis like the Stockli Nela 88 or the Line Pandora 94. The Scott, in addition to the poplar core, also uses a titanal sheet in the underfoot zone that extends into the forebody and tail of the ski. This dampens vibrations and increases edge grip, but our thought is that the ski would be just fine even without that titanal laminate due to the strength of the wood core. It’s one of the heavier skis on the wall as a result, and that equates to stability and power. A turned-up tail and positive camber underfoot complete this amazing ski from Scott, and we’re very excited about these skis in general.

Who it's For:

Advanced and expert skiers who want the feel of a strong and stable ski but with a woodier feel. You want predictability and confidence from your skis all day long.

---

Overview:

Pricey, yes, but also astoundingly awesome, the Stockli Nela 88 does a great job of blending a maneuverable weight with high-end performance and feel. Built with light paulownia wood, the ski also gets two thin laminates of metal, including the titec technology putting the upper laminate as the topsheet. This offers an uncommon amount of precision to the mix, as each and every movement from your boot is directly transmitted to your ski. The thin fiberglass laminates add stiffness to the mix, as these skis have an uncommonly amazing blend of light weight, stiff flex, and a damp and quiet feel. Much like we see in the Armada, Evolv, and the Salomon Stance, the Nela has a very silent nature that instills confidence and poise to the skier. As one of the most directional skis on this wall, it also shares shaping with the Rossignol Rallybird, making it a hard charger in a wide variety of conditions and terrain.

Who it's For:

Skiers who value precision, power, and poise all at the same time. You can have it all in a ski, you just have to pay a little bit more for it.

Price: $1,099.00

---

Overview:

With the intention of being used in both uphill and downhill capacities, the Volkl Blaze 94 W is built and shaped like a true 50/50 ski. We can see other skis on this list in this format as well, with the Atomic Maven, Elan Ripstick, and Line Pandora all coming in close to the weight of the Blaze. The interesting thing about Blaze, though, is the sheer amount of tip and tail rocker that’s incorporated into the ski. This makes it an insane floater, and such an easy ski to turn. Agility and quickness are very high on this ski’s list of attributes, and it does a great job of making the skier feel like they’re accomplishing a whole lot, when in reality, the ski is just so incredibly easy to use. This does not make it a beginner ski by any stretch—in fact there are a lot of advanced and expert skiers who use this as a daily driver on any conditions or terrain, and it does very well for those skiers as well.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for versatility, both from the ski and the application. If you want something that tours as well as it descends, the Blaze 94 W is a fantastic choice.

Price: $599.99

---

Overview:

Likely the most accomplished pure carver on the list, the Kenja got some much-loved upgrades for the 2023 season. The changes are similar to what we saw with the Secret 96 from last year, with the tailored titanal frame, tailored carbon tips, and a slightly shorter turn radius. These alterations make the ski more approachable and carvy without losing out on any of the power, versatility, or strength that we’ve loved about the ski for years now. It’s still incredibly precise and responsive while being slightly more reactive to input. It’s a lot livelier and energetic these days, and far less planky than it used to be. While some skiers enjoyed that planky feeling, we find the new shape and build to be a lot better and more useful overall. Feel free to stand right on the edges of these skis and let them pull you into and around a beautifully carved arc.

Who it's For:

High end carvers and former racers looking for the ultimate in precision and power. You want the ski to react to each and every movement without sacrificing anything when it comes to all-mountain versatility.

Price: $699.99

Written by Bob St.Pierre on 9/29/22