For this women’s comparison ski guide for 2023, we take a deep dive into freeride focused skis with 104+ mm waist width. In this category, we see a range of soft-snow oriented skis with a more pronounced rocker profile and additional taper in comparison to their all-mountain counterparts. With widths ranging from 104-112 mm underfoot, you gain floatation and playfulness in exchange for carving finesse, providing a more freeride feel. Whether you’re in search of a strictly powder ski or a wider all-mountain/freeride ski, this list includes a fantastic array of skis ranging from floaty twin tips to directional all-mountain skis.

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Overview:

For the ultimate floaty, freeride ski, the Armada ARW 106 UL boasts a lightweight, surfy feel for those deep days when you want a fun-loving powder ski to turn the whole mountain into a personal playground. At 106 mm underfoot with a rockered, twin tip profile, this freestyle-focused ski is highly maneuverable and playful on any and all terrain. With a lightweight, Caruba wood core, they deliver plentiful agility and pop, allowing for smeary, slashy turns and effortless float through the deep stuff. A low swing weight keeps things light when boosting backcountry airs or side hits, making them ready for freeride maneuvers wherever you take them. Plus, Armada uses Smear Tech 3D Beveled base in the tips and tails which helps the skis to float with ease while also providing strength and power through crud thanks to the rounded out extremities.

Who it's For:

Ladies who prefer a surfy, smeary freeride feeling ski with a playful personality and lightweight maneuverability.

Price: $749.95

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Overview:

The Atomic Backland 107 is the perfect ski for women who are in constant search of deeper snow and backcountry stashes. This highly versatile, lightweight freeride ski is ideal for touring thanks to Armada’s use of ultra-light Caruba and Poplar wood for the core, as well as carbon backbone stringers, adding to the perfect strength to weight ratio. Ample maneuverability and lightweight agility is counteracted by the stiffness from carbon, amplifying the downhill performance. In order to deliver that freeride, floaty feel we all know and love, Atomic uses their HRZN tech tip design, shaping the tips to create a smoother, surfier feel in soft snow. With a flatter tail and minimal taper and rocker, they deliver a surprisingly strong finish at the end of a turn and can hold a powerful edge on firm snow considering its width. Whether you’re throwing a touring binding on these or looking for a lightweight, easy to maneuver resort ski with a moderate waist width, the Backland 107s offer a range of applications.

Who it's For:

Skiers who value a lightweight ski with strong downhill performance. An ideal hybrid ski, it is perfect for backcountry exploring or resort skiing and offers versatility for a wider powder ski.

Price: $749.95

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Overview:

With quite the selection of skis offered in the Black Crows Birdie line, the Atris is the true big mountain, freeride ski for women who want progressive performance and versatility. Mixing power with maneuverability, this 105 mm underfoot ski can tackle steep pitches and deep snow with finesse while also boasting stability and edge grip on the firm stuff. Striking that perfect all mountain/freeride balance, the Atris is built with a poplar wood core with a fiberglass laminate, making it the perfect lightweight ski for both backcountry and resort skiing. With traditional camber underfoot combined with a firm, predictable flex, you get the power and strength you need to rip clean, round turns. Double rocker and ample flotation allows for effortless flotation in deeper snow plus great control and maneuverability. A truly well rounded ski, the Atris offers the ideal profile and shape for all-mountain capabilities.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for a maneuverable and approachable powder ski that can also be used as a daily driver. A smooth, stable ride, these skis can handle a variety of conditions.

Price: $899.95

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Overview:

Falling confidently into the soft-snow oriented field, the 2023 Black Crows Anima Birdie is a hard-charging, pow hunting ski with ample flotation and confident maneuverability. At 115 mm underfoot, this ski has one goal in mind, and that is to seek out the deepest snow possible. With a generous rocker profile and poplar wood core, it is floaty and playful, making it maneuverable and fun-loving in soft snow. Thanks to its construction, it certainly doesn’t lack versatility, which is impressive for a ski with such width underfoot. By adding Kevlar and Fiberglass strips to the core, it maintains a strong and stable feel for high speeds and firm edge grip without losing its smeary, freeride feel. On the heavier side of the spectrum, it weighs around 4500 grams in the 182 cm length, making it a little more hefty than some of the other lighter weight powder skis out there.

Who it's For:

Hard-charging ladies who want a wide all mountain ski that feels most at home in the powder. A powerful yet maneuverable ski, it’s perfect for someone who wants a hefty ski that can handle firm to soft snow conditions.

Price: $999.95

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Overview:

As the widest option in the Sheeva line, this powder-hungry ski boasts the shape and profile that maximizes flotation and freeride performance for ladies who venture into big mountain terrain. Built with a multi-layer wood core, it is highly maneuverable and playful. To add stiffness and power, Blizzard uses Carbon Flipcore DRT technology which adds a Titanal plate underfoot plus unidirectional carbon fiber in the tip and tail. What this does for performance is enhances torsional rigidity underfoot for exceptional edge hold while providing torsional flex in the tip and tail for forgiveness and easy turn initiation. At 112 mm underfoot, with rocker in the tip and tail, the Sheeva 11 was born to float through the deepest of snow, yet thanks to the camber underfoot, it can hold its own on firmer conditions. A relatively short turn radius for such a wide ski, it can turn on a dime with control and finesse. The Sheeva 11 will attract intermediate to advanced female skiers who value a wider surface area underfoot for deep snow but who want the ability to hop on-piste with confidence.

Who it's For:

Freeride skiers who want a wide all mountain ski that can effortlessly float through powder, turn on a dime and maintain a strong edge hold underfoot thanks to the added metal.

Price: $749.95

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Overview:

The 2023 DPS Pagoda Tour 106 C2 is a high performance, top quality ski with a traditional shape and strong build. Skiers who value reliability and predictability will love the value of this ski, landing itself in the top tier for touring performance. With the exact same shape as the alpine version but with a lighter construction, uphill capacity is maximized without losing out on downhill performance. The ash and paulownia wood core delivers lightweight maneuverability while the dual-carbon laminate and ash stringers provide the ideal level of responsiveness and strength to weight ratio. Aerospace foam and algal technology added to the center of the ski blends strength and agility to provide excellent uphill capabilities. The overall approach to the construction of these skis takes into account the feather-light feel of the ideal touring ski without having to sacrifice power and stiffness.

Who it's For:

Dedicated touring skiers who want a highly technical ski with lightweight properties and a responsive flex.

Price: $1,449.00

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Overview:

The ultimate freeride companion, the 2023 Fischer Ranger 108 combines versatility, power, and responsiveness all in one to deliver the perfect package for all-mountain terrain. Redesigned and tweaked to perfection, the Ranger 108 is geared towards advanced to expert skiers who want a high performance ski, regardless of the conditions. From wind buff to powder and the dust and crust in between, this one ski quiver can handle it all thanks to the 108 mm waist width and sturdy construction. Built with beech and poplar wood, the core delivers an energetic responsiveness that allows for poppy playfulness and quick edge to edge. Adding stiffness and power, a shaped rib of titanal runs down the forebody of the ski, giving it exceptional vibration dampening qualities. Confident and reliable on firm conditions and high speeds, this ski truly shines in the soft snow conditions, thanks to the Freeski rocker profile. Surfy and smeary, this ski loves to slash pow turns and pop off pillows with style and ease.

Who it's For:

Expert freeride skiers who want a powerful and nimble ski that has a range of capabilities but prefers slashing pow turns and seeking out stashes.

Price: $899.99

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Overview:

The 2023 K2 Mindbender 106C is a powerful, directional ski that can handle variable terrain and conditions with confidence and strength. Designed to maximize flotation in the powder, the 106 mm waist width combined with the moderate rocker profile and tapered shape in the tips provides a fun, floaty ride. The aspen veneer wood core gives the ski a poppy, energetic personality while the carbon spectral braiding plus carbon boost stringers fine-tune the stiffness and flex. This highly technical construction allows for plentiful energy, unbeatable vibration dampening qualities, and torsional rigidity in the shovel with playfulness and forgiveness in the tails. With a 15 meter turn radius in the 167 cm length, they certainly know how to make quick, snappy turns, whether you’re flicking them around through the trees or making effortless, energetic carves. Stability and dynamic power underfoot with a responsive flex throughout the length of the ski, the Mindbender 106 C is a fantastic all-mountain, freeride ski.

Who it's For:

For advanced to expert female skiers who are looking for a friendly, soft-snow focused shape with a sophisticated build for high performance.

Price: $649.95

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Overview:

Taking the tried and true shape and design as the Origin BC 106 skis, the 2023 Liberty Genesis 106 BC brings forth the lightweight, highly maneuverable properties that are especially ideal for backcountry explorations. Constructed with aspen wood and carbon fibers, this lightweight backcountry core offers liveliness and responsiveness without the added weight. At 1405 grams in the 164 cm length, they are some of the lightest weight touring skis available on the market. That said, they certainly don’t lack in downhill performance, thanks to the Polyurethane sidewalls and carbon laminate, adding desirable stiffness and stability for when you encounter less favorable conditions on the descent. For when the snow is light and fluffy, the backcountry rocker profile provides playfulness and energy without sacrificing performance on variable conditions. The reduced tail kick and rise allows for easy skin application, making these your go-to touring skis.

Who it's For:

For ladies who want an approachable, incredibly lightweight touring ski that can also perform strongly on-piste.

Price: $869.99

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Overview:

The Line Pandora series continues to offer a versatile array of models ranging from 84 mm to 110 mm underfoot. Each with their own distinguishing characteristics, the Pandora 110 is the widest model in the lineup, offering maximum flotation and playful freeride performance. Designed to surf and smear with ease through the deepest snow, the construction and shape blends dynamic power, energy and lightweight maneuverability to give you a freeride powder ski that is fun-loving and eager to seek out the secret stashes. With generous tip and tail rocker and minimal camber underfoot, freerider enthusiasts will love the effortless float and maneuverability. Built with Line’s Partly Cloudy core, featuring a blend of paulownia and maple wood, you get a responsive flex from tip to tail with lightweight qualities and a solid foundation. With eye-catching graphics and a powder-popping personality, the Line Pandora 110s will transform the entire mountain into your personal playground.

Who it's For:

For the fun-loving freeride ladies who want a lightweight, maneuverable powder ski with energy and playfulness.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

Making a name for itself in the freeride world, the Nordica Santa Ana line has attracted a wide audience of female skiers due to its high performance construction and playful yet powerful feel. The widest offering in the lineup, it is geared towards advanced to expert skiers who want a strong willed, hard-charging ski that will keep up in the deep stuff. Blending playfulness, stability and maximum flotation, the Santa Ana Free 110 is the total package. A full wood core with two laminates of carbon stringers plus a sheet of terrain specific metal delivers maneuverability for freeride capabilities but adds strength and stability where needed. Moderate tip and tail rocker allows for effortless float in conditions where it’s designed to shine and a 16.5 meter turn radius in the 177 cm length provides a range of turn shapes and styles. Though it dominates in the powder, it can certainly get up on edge and rip turns, which is not always the case in a 110 mm underfoot ski. All in all, lady skiers who want a confidence-inspiring powder ski with maneuverability and stability will love the Santa Ana Free 110.

Who it's For:

Advanced to expert lady skiers who want a powerful, stable powder ski with plenty of playfulness.

Price: $799.99

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Overview:

Another highly impressive lineup, the Rossignol Rallybird series offers female freeride skiers a range of sizes and models, with the 104 TI being the widest option and one that features titanal laminates. A truly well rounded ski, the shape and construction welcomes all-mountain versatility and a range of applications so skiers are not limited to specific terrain or conditions. Blurring the line between all mountain and freeride, the construction starts with a paulownia wood core but adds carbon alloy matrix and titanal beam to the equation. Similar to the other Rallybirds, we see the use of dual LCT visco material which drastically reduces any vibrations or unwanted chatter, providing a noticeably smoother ride. Unlike its siblings, the use of metal laminates takes edge grip and stability to a new whole level, providing extra power and strength underfoot. Smooth, stable, and maneuverable, this ski is ideal for advanced to expert skiers who want versatility and maximum power to charge hard all over the mountain.

Who it's For:

Skiers who want a well rounded ski with dynamic power, stability, and finesse. An all-mountain ski that is both lively and smooth, blending freeride and all mountain seamlessly.

Price: $799.95

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Overview:

The 2023 Salomon Stella 106 is a highly maneuverable and intuitive freeride powder ski that inspires confidence and boosts performance for all-mountain domination. With a 106 mm waist width and moderate taper and rocker in the shovel, the Stella loves to surf and smear through deep snow. Lightweight but stable underfoot, it is built with a poplar wood core plus Salomon’s C/FX blend of carbon and flax, giving it a desirable stiffness for dynamic power and torsional rigidity without sacrificing agility. Cork damplifiers in the tip and tail reduce chatter and dampen vibrations, providing a smooth and stable ride. Despite the width and dramatic tip shape, the Stella performs surprisingly well on groomers and firm conditions, thanks to the double sidewall technology. While soft snow conditions are where the Stellas shine, boasting lightweight maneuverability and playfulness, they also offer plentiful versatility and would be a great one ski quiver for many freeride ladies.

Who it's For:

For ladies who want a freeride powder ski that is agile and playful but can still rip strong arcing turns.

Price: $749.95

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Overview:

The ultimate lightweight, freeride ski for both resort and backcountry skiing, the Volkl Blaze 106 W offers versatility and responsiveness for ladies who want all-mountain capabilities. With a hybrid multilayer wood core, you get an impressively lightweight feel that is ideal for uphill capacity while the added titanal banding platform for binding retention gives it a stronger and more stable feeling underfoot. While weight is an important factor when it comes to backcountry skis, it’s also crucial to take into account the downhill performance. As one of the lightest touring skis out there, skiers certainly won’t have to sacrifice strength and power with the Blaze 106s. Eager to seek out backcountry pow stashes, the powder-specific rocker profiling and taper shaping maximize flotation while the directional tail ensures edge hold and stability on-piste. Easy and fun to flick around yet stable and reliable underfoot, the Volkl Blaze 106 Ws will appeal to a lot of skiers.

Who it's For:

A wide range of skiers who want a hybrid resort/backcountry ski that is lightweight, approachable and responsive.

Price: $649.99

Written by Emily Crofton on 12/21/22