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This Spring Bargain Basement series is one of the better ones we’ve done. Ski sales have slowed, and we get a good look at what’s left over in our warehouse after the chaos and commotion of a busy winter season. This is a great time for us to scour the racks and see what’s out there for great deals! We try to follow a few parameters in our search for amazing bargains. First, we have to have good quantity in most/all sizes. Usually, the skis on this list have strong numbers and many available lengths. Surely, there are some one-offs lying around in the dusty corners, but those aren’t really for the masses. Second, these skis did not appear on our Winter Bargain Basement list. We still have many of those, so feel free to look back and see if there’s something else you may be interested in. Third, Jeff and I like to do a draft and pick the skis that we think either are great deals in a vacuum or would be something that we’d legitimately be interested in purchasing, either for ourselves, friends, or family. These are all great skis, and when we pass the savings along to you, we all end up winning—that's the best part of the Bargain Basement segments for sure.

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Current Price: $489.97

Price With Bindings: $665.95

Why I Like It:

How can you pass up a fun, floaty, and smeary ski with a sturdy build for under $500? I can’t, and didn’t, and that’s why this ARV 106 was my top pick. I love the blend of ruggedness and playfulness in this ski, and the fact that it’s such a great price only adds to the package. For a wider eastern ski, or a more playful freeride option for skiers in snowier zones, the ARV makes a whole lot of sense. While the graphics will change for 2024, it does not get the same updates as the 94 and 100, so if you are looking to get this ski at a price, the 2023 is a really good way to go.

2023 Armada ARV 106 Skis:

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Current Price: $559.99

Price With Bindings: $734.95

Why I Like It:

My first pick was easy. The Enforcer 104 Free is one of my favorite skis of all time and continues to be a superb choice for strong skiers looking for freeride and all-mountain versatility. The blend of strength in its construction with a playful and maneuverable shape creates such a rewarding skiing experience. Grippy and powerful when laying down carves, but then it can play, slash, smear, ski switch, and even dabble in some freestyle. It’s hands-down my favorite Enforcer, although that’s mostly a subjective thing as I like the increased tail rocker and splay, but over years of testing, it’s extremely rare to get any negative feedback on it. As is true with all Enforcers, it is on the heavy side, so less aggressive skiers or those of the intermediate ability level may prefer a lighter ski.

2023 Nordica Enforcer 104 Free Skis:

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Current Price: $489.97

Price With Bindings: $664.95

Why I Like It:

While this ski may have a wide application, it sure has a short turn radius, and that’s one of the main reasons I’ve loved this ski over the past two years. For skiers looking for that one ski option for both railing carved turns and off-piste adventure, this is about as good as it gets. Not too demanding, but also with a high-performance ceiling, the Mindbender 89Ti has a huge range and spectrum for a wide variety of skiers. Equally at home on a groomer as it is in the bumps and trees, this is an ideal setup for both front side enthusiasts and creative all-mountan skiers. At under $500 for a premium ski, this is a fantastic deal.

2023 K2 Mindbender 89Ti Skis:

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Current Price: $454.99

Price With Bindings: $605.95

Why I Like It:

I love the value packed into this thing. Considerably less expensive than an Enforcer 104, and even a little less than that ARV 106, the Revolt 104 offers tremendous versatility in a unique shape. The rocker lines are very long in this ski, giving it a distinctly surfy and smeary mentality. Not nearly as precise as a ski like the Enforcer, but what you lose in precision, you gain in ease of use and forgiveness. A wide range of abiliity levels can enjoy this compared to my first pick. From trees, to park, to groomers, and even some touring, it can do a lot, and does it all with a modern freeride style. You can charge on it, slash a quick turn, pop a floaty 180, wiggle through some trees, and so much more. It’s a great value for a true all-mountain/freeride weapon.

2023 Volkl Revolt 104 Free Skis:

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Current Price: $489.97

Price With Bindings: $664.95

Why I Like It:

If I’m looking for versatility in my skis, I’m looking squarely at the mid-90's range. On top of that width, I’m looking for a sturdy ski to support aggressive skiing, but I also want that balanced with an appropriate amount of taper and rocker. You’re getting all of those attributes mashed into one, and we’re still under $500 for this ski. We’ve loved the energy and grip due to the metal laminate, and Line did a great job mixing in that freeride shape and profile that allows for playful skiing, flotation, and supreme versatility. This is a very well-rounded ski that only gets graphics changes for 2024, so scoop this one up and save some money without altering performance.

2023 Line Blade Optic 96 Skis:

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Current Price: $524.95

Price With Bindings: $699.00

Why I Like It:

A stark contrast from my first two picks, the Bonafide 97 represents the powerful, directional all-mountain category. This ski has been a leader in the ski industry for about a decade now, and while the demands of skiers has shifted ever so slightly in recent years, it continues to be one of the strongest, most powerful skis in its width range. If you like skiing fast and aggressively and want to do it through any snow conditions, the Bonafide is a fantastic choice. Endless edge grip, endless stability, it’s an absolute missile. What comes along with that, however, is a relativelty demanding and unforgiving skiing experience. Intermediates need not apply, and even a less aggressive advanced skier who prefer moderate speeds would be better off on a lighter, softer ski. If you can handle it, however, there’s not much else like it.

2023 Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis:

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Current Price: $524.97

Price With Bindings: $699.95

Why I Like It:

With an insane blend of precision and power, the Maverick 100 Ti has been a staple of the ~100mm category for a few years now. With changes to the graphics for 2024, this ski remains a very sharp and exacting ski for the width and capabilities. It’s stiff, but it’s also pretty light, especially for having two sheets of metal. Atomic does a great job keeping the profile pretty thin to achieve this character, and it goes a long way in making this ski a strong and capable carver while also adhering to the more playful side of the spectrum. You’re getting a lot of technology and quality for $525, and that’s the main reason why this ski ended up on my list.

2023 Atomic Maverick 100 Ti Skis:

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Price With Bindings: $454.99

Why I Like It:

A year ago, I would’nt have picked this ski. Heck, even a couple months ago, I don’t think I would’ve either. Luckily, we spent a lot of time on both the Blaze 82 and 86 this season and I have a renewed and refreshed opinion of what they can be. A great choice for an intermediate or even a beginner looking for an affordable all-mountain ski, but also a refreshing option for a more advanced or expert level skier. They love the bumps thanks to a lightweight feel and long radii in the tips and tails. Never catchy, never too tiring or demanding, just very easy to ski. Not endless torsional stiffness on a groomer, but still enough to carve at moderate speeds. If anything, it would be a great tool for someone looking to improve their technique across all aspects of skiing, but I also think more accomplished and established skiers should strongly consider this thing for its versatility, ease of use, and affordability. Under $500 for ski and binding? Sign me up.

2023 Volkl Blaze 86 Skis:

2023 Volkl Blaze 86 W Skis:

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Price With Bindings: $699.99

Why I Like It:

We did a full review on this ski earlier this winter just to remind ourselves and our viewers that this is such an impressive setup. It’s always nice to come back to versatile carvers, and where we are in Vermont, this is a super-useful ski for pretty much any day. With the system binding, this setup for under $700 struck me as an awesome deal, especially since they run about 1K or a bit more if new. We get a graphic update for 2024, but otherwise this ski remains the same. It’s got all the tech that Volkl offers, and we’ve called it a “kitchen sink” ski in the past, and that theory certainly continues to today. For skiers looking for a wider and more versatile front side ski with all the bells and whistles, this setup, at this price, is about as good as it gets.

2023 Volkl Deacon 84 Skis:

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Current Price: $454.97

Price With Bindings: $629.95

Why I Like It:

The Edollo isn’t a ski you’d typically see in a Bargain Basement list. One, traditionally there’s pretty high demand for this ski. Two, as an athlete ski, they just don’t make as many as skis like the ARV 96. So, in that light, I just had to pick it. Also, I would love to own a pair. This is, however, more squarely a park ski than anything else in this category. Another reason why I picked it is a lot of the kids I coach practically drool over this ski. It’s often a bit outside their budgets, so with a bit of a discount, I could see more kids affording it, or maybe more kids convincing parents it’s a good option. Looking at the ski itself, I love the amount of camber it has. It’s incredibly energetic and poppy, allowing skiers like Henrik Harlaut to do Henrik Harlaut things. While the rest of us probably can’t do a nose butter 180 and hold it into a switch front flip, at least our skis won’t be an excuse.

2023 Armada Edollo Skis:

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Current Price: $489.99

Price With Bindings: $639.99

Why I Like It:

If you can get a 121 mm underfoot freeride ski for under $500, you’ll likely not need another one for quite some time. Sure, there are more versatile skis that you could use for a lot more days, but this is a great opportunity for skiers to lock down their powder board for years to come. Additionally, this ski is pretty unique in the amount of taper, rocker, and splay. There’s no snow that’s too deep for this ski, and it handles it with a fantastic sense of playfulness and creativity. While not a fall-line charger, the Revolt 121 definitely commands respect when it comes to the more fun-loving side of powder and backcountry zones.

2023 Volkl Revolt 121 Skis:

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Current Price: $384.97

Price With Bindings: $535.95

Why I Like It:

My last pick is the Armada ARW 96. Interesting that I mentioned the ARV 96 in the Edollo write up... I didn’t even notice that trend until, well, just now. Anyways... I picked this ski as the only women’s specific option in this list because I think it’s objectively a really good ski. I also was still thinking about those young freeski kids I coach. A bunch of them actually use this exact ski. They’re boys too, they just love the graphic. I think that’s super cool, and I love a young skier who can think outside the box and doesn’t just follow trends. Also, look at that price! Under $400 for a very well made, super durable ski that’s incredibly fun in the park and can handle all-mountain terrain and different snow conditions too. It does top out at 170 cm, however, so certainly a limit to who can choose it, but undeniably a good ski and a good deal.

2023 Armada ARW 96 Skis:

Honorable Mentions:

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• 2023 Stockli Stormrider 102 Skis: $1,039.20
• 2023 K2 Reckoner 102 Skis: $454.97
• 22023 Volkl Revolt 95 Skis: $314.99

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Our selection of modern and current skis at great prices is pretty deep. Skiers looking to cash in on a winter of waiting patiently will benefit greatly from anything on this list, or the one prior. If you can get your hands on a set of top-tier skis for under or around $500, we think that’s a big win. As always, when you add the binding, it adds generally between $150 and $175 to the bottom line. On top of that, we do offer free mounting with a boot sole length, free ground domestic shipping, and have a wonderful loyalty points program that you’ll be buying into. We try our best to keep it reasonable around here, and these prices, combined with the included benefits, make purchasing a set (or two) of skis on this list a very smart thing to do.

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Written by Jeff Neagle and Bob St.Pierre on 05/18/23