2024 Men's 100mm All Mountain Ski Comparison

In our next installment, we’re looking at a bunch of all-mountain skis in the ~100mm range. Within this zone, we’ll discuss competent carvers, playful floaters, and amazing all-arounders. Most skis on this list have some sort of wider or narrower counterpart, but they’re all extremely versatile. Skiers who spend a lot of time mixing it up between on and off-trail realms will likely find a lot to like here. Some skis have a lot of metal, and some have none. Some have touring capacity and others are very much lift service specific. If you ski in an area that deals with mixed conditions and terrain, with soft snow occurring often rather than seldom, this is the place to be. Organizationally, this list has more playful and fun-loving skis at the beginning and more business-like skis at the end, although we caution readers that this is highly flexible and fluid depending on an individual skiers’ needs and wants. Enjoy!

At a Glance:

2024 Kastle ZX 100 Skis

Overview:

With a lot of energy out of the tail, the ZX 100 from Kastle has a great blend of flotation in the front with crispness in the back. This ski is an awesome choice for those looking to mix soft and firm snow in a manageable manner. The ZX 100 is built with a wood core and fiberglass, so there’s simplicity here, but the snow feel of the ski is off the charts. Since it’s not terribly burly or rugged, it’s accessible for intermediate skiers that love pop in their skis and are maybe looking for a wider option to complement a more front side option. If you’re looking to have this ski as a one and only, the firm snow performance may leave something to be desired, but we’ve always been impressed with the grip and engineering that come along with the ski from the mid-point and back.

Who it's For:

Energetic skiers looking for something agile and quick. You want a floaty ski that has some zip to it.

Price: $799.00

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At a Glance:

2024 Blizzard Hustle 10 Skis

Overview:

Bouncy, poppy, and just pure fun, the Blizzard Hustle 10 is a prime example of a modern freeride ski. With a waist width of 102 or 104 depending on length, the Hustle 10 benefits from a sophisticated TrueBlend wood core, carbon stringers, and a proven profile that makes it equally at home ripping resort laps as it is seeking out fresh lines in the backcountry. While the stated weight of about 1900 grams isn’t right there with the lighter skis in the touring spectrum, it does allow the ski to be paired with a lighter binding and boot to make it more accessible for out of bounds use. We’ve found that the mix of wood core and carbon makes the Hustle 10 one of the most playfully energetic skis out there. While it’s not quite as confident in a carved turn as it’s metallic Rustler counterpart, for the weight and the added agility, it’s a pretty solid turner.

Who it's For:

Versatile skiers looking for a versatile ski. You want the flexibility of touring with the benefits of strong all-mountain use.

Price: $799.95

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At a Glance:

2024 Liberty Origin 101 Skis

Overview:

By putting a vertical metal strut into the Liberty Origin 101, they have made something quite unique in the ski world. This ski has an amazing blend of playfulness and business. The thicker overall core profile made from poplar and bamboo makes the ski feel and sound very silent while the metal strut keeps it smooth and steady with excellent vibration absorption properties. As one of the most twin-tippy skis on this list, the freestyle acumen is right up there with the best of them. It does take some of the directional and charging nature out of the ski, but not everyone wants to be full gas all the time. This ski allows for a more fun-loving character to come through on snow, adding flotation, surfiness, and a smeary nature to the Origin. As the mid-width in this line, the 101 could be considered the most versatile, especially when it comes to mixing different turn styles, snow conditions, and terrain.

Who it's For:

Skiers who lean to the creative side of the spectrum. You like a little flair in your downhill approach and want a ski that can align with those free-spirited desires.

Price: $729.00

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At a Glance:

2024 Salomon QST 98 Skis

Overview:

We like how a 98, the narrowest ski on this list, can also be the best floater. That’s a testament to the shaping and profiling principles that these skis display. Maybe the DPS can stand up to it in terms of pure flotation, but not much else. Additionally, the shorter turn radius and overall composure makes the QST 98 a prime-time ski in this category for a variety of users. While it’s not going to stand up to firm snow carving like some of the more metallic skis, when you get it in softer groomers, it makes some very clean and round turns. There’s a bit of heft, certainly more than you may expect for a ski that is wood, carbon, and flax, but the ski does not feel sluggish at all. This is a rare combination, making this ski one of the most versatile and fun-loving skis around.

Who it's For:

A huge range of skiers. You want something smooth and stable but also easy to turn. Flotation and soft snow are at the top of your priority list.

Price: $649.95

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At a Glance:

2024 DPS Kaizen 100 Skis

Overview:

Quality and precision align with the new DPS Kaizen 100. In this category, the Kaizen 100 represents the slimmest ski in the line, and anytime you can get something this thin to perform this well, you’re doing something right. By using horizontally laminated wood cores and two sheets of carbon, DPS is able to fine-tune the profile thickness to create an insanely maneuverable and floaty ski. The new Kaizen does have the new build, but it also has the older shape. Instead of calling it RP or Resort Powder, the shape is now called Rocker. They still adhere to the 15-meter turn radius in all lengths, and this makes them use a dramatic amount of taper and rocker to get there. As a result, this is a short-turning ski that has a lot of floaty and surfy properties. On-trail, it’s reactive and precise, and off-trail it’s insanely agile. In powder, it’s a dream come true.

Who it's For:

Skiers that want something to do most of the work for them in the best way possible. You like quality materials and unique engineering. You also have deep pockets.

Price: $1,549.95

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At a Glance:

2024 Scott Pure Mission 98 Ti Skis

Overview:

This ski has been on our radar for a few years now, and we’d like to extend the awesomeness to you. The Scott Pure Mission 98 is one of the most underrated skis out there. In terms of being able to do literally anything, this ski stands out as doing a whole lot of things really, really competently. It’s about as natural as you are going to get with instant connection and innate confidence. It carves easily and smoothly, floats through powder and crud with minimal resistance, and is light enough to be considered agile and quick while remaining substantive when needed. The directional shape is super handy when it comes to on-trail performance, but the skis are light and flexible enough to handle off-piste conditions and terrain with ease. If you’ve never been on a Scott ski, this is the one to check out first.

Who it's For:

Skiers looking for the ultimate in pure versatility. You want the most well-rounded ski and you don’t want to think too hard about it.

Price: $800.00

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At a Glance:

2024 Fischer Ranger 102 Skis

Overview:

With an efficient blend of shape, build, and profile, the Ranger 102 has a wonderful mix of on and off-trail performance. The shovel has a lot to do with the floaty success of the ski, allowing it to stay on top of the surface in a very deep amount of snow. With metal underfoot and extending into the ends of the ski, the Ranger 102 is able to modulate terrain and conditions with ease. Skiers who have an affinity for softer snow but are still looking for at least reasonable edge grip when it comes to groomers will fit in well with this Ranger 102. The shovel is compliant, making it a great floater with predictability and consistency. Underfoot, there’s a lot to like about the skis ability to hold tight to a turn and deliver both power and precision when it comes to medium radius carved turns as well as shorter swing agility.

Who it's For:

Playful skiers who don’t want to fully commit to a noodle. You like your skis to be able to cover a lot of ground when it comes to snow conditions and terrain.

Price: $849.99

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At a Glance:

2024 Liberty Evolv 100 Skis

Overview:

The silent assassin on this list, the Liberty Evolv 100 has a sleeper quality to it that sneaks right up on you. Built with a blend of poplar, bamboo and carbon, the ski also has Liberty’s three vertical metal struts. These struts do the bulk of the heavy lifting when it comes to vibration damping, and that leads to the insanely quiet character of the ski. While it does measure 100 mm underfoot, this ski is decidedly happier on the front side of the mountain. You can make it go off-piste, but the ski has a lot more to offer confident and competent carvers in a groomed trail format. We’ve found that the lack of rocker takes this ski out of the versatile category and puts it in the wider carver along with skis like the Kastle MX 98 or the Stockli Stormrider 102. That’s some good company to be in as this ski has a lot to offer when it comes to snow feel and precision.

Who it's For:

Advanced and expert skiers looking for a wide-bodied front side ski. You like to carve clean and round turns and don’t care quite as much about versatility.

Price: $799.00

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At a Glance:

2024 Atomic Maverick 100 Ti Skis

Overview:

Due to the thin nature of the ski, the Maverick 100 Ti is a shining example of how lighter weight skis can still get it done on the high-performance end of the spectrum. When we first got on this ski a few years ago, we were blown away at the strength and power in a carved turn. Then we got it in the wood and in some softer snow, and the maneuverability and agility of the ski became a very close secondary highlight. To put it plainly, this ski does it all. If you’re looking for something that legitimately carves like a race ski and has the ability to float through tight trees and deep snow, it’s tough to do better than Maverick 100. That’s the whole idea between placing two thin metal laminates in the ski with a thin wood core. You don’t get the chatter that you might expect, rather you get a rock-solid feel from tip to tail and total power and confidence from top to bottom.

Who it's For:

Advanced and expert skiers who know what they’re doing. This isn’t the easiest ski to get the most out of, so a good skill set is a prerequisite.

Price: $799.95

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At a Glance:

2024 Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis

Overview:

With a sophisticated new build but a very similar shape and profile, the Ruslter 10 gets a much-needed upgrade that’ll cement its place on top of this category when it comes to off-piste versatility and performance. The addition of True Blend to the build this year makes a ton of sense, especially after seeing the success of this construction in skis like the Bonafide or the Hustle series. As a result, the Rustler 10 is now also able to put in more metal, especially along the edges. This gives the ski a tremendous amount of grip and predictability in a carved turn while the wood stringers allot a decisive energy and response to the central chord of the ski. On the snow, this creates a very efficient feel—one that can be rolled from edge to edge, drifted through powder, and powered through crud and chop. It’s a very welcome change, keeping this ski right at the top of the game.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who are looking for a soft and broken snow specialist. While carving is still on the list of priorities, variable conditions and terrain are higher.

Price: $799.95

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At a Glance:

2024 Dynastar M-Pro 99 Skis

Overview:

Sure, this ski has been around for a few years now without much changing, even in the graphics, but we’ve always felt very close to this ski as it blends a playful shovel with a business-like tail that works great for advanced and expert skiers around here. It’s very intuitive, but you still have to tell it what to do. It’s not automatic like a Mission or a Ranger, but it will respond to your input in a very professional manner. The tails are pretty stiff, and traditional skiers will love the rebound and energy in and out of the turn. Transitions and initiation are super-quick and easy, as the rocker and taper of the shovel are long and minimal, respectively. It’s tough to make a ski that’s fun and engaging in the trees have this high of a speed limit in an on-piste situation, but Dynastar continues to do it better than most with the M-Pro 99.

Who it's For:

Traditionalists who like a responsive and energetic tail. You may not think you want the fun and floaty shovel, but you’ll be glad it’s there.

Price: $799.95

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At a Glance:

2024 Stockli Stormrider 102 Skis

Overview:

Smoothness and quality ooze out of the Stormrider 102. Stockli has been making some of the best skis on the planet for quite some time, and we continually find it amazing that the 102 is the widest ski in their catalog. This shows the emphasis that they put on all-mountain and front side performance, and it does continue through into their wider skis. By blending a light wood core, a more flexible and rockered shovel, and high levels of silence throughout, the engineers and designers at Stockli have made a true off-trail powerhouse. The flat tail plays well off the more compliant shovel as it allows skiers who like more precision in their turns the ability to rocket out of one and into the next. The transitions are incredibly smooth and rewarding, and if you get this ski in softer and deeper snow, it’ll still handle the flotation, just maybe not in the most playful manner.

Who it's For:

Strong and agile skiers who are looking for something that feels like air underfoot. You love a quality product and aren’t too scared to pay a bit extra for it.

Price: $1,349.00

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At a Glance:

2024 Head Kore 99 Skis

Overview:

It’s no secret that some of us here at SkiEssentials.com really love the Kore series of skis, and the 99 is one of the best of the bunch, especially when it comes to pure all-mountain versatility. The power and precision of this ski is off the charts, and it’s remarkably stable and strong for how light it is. Those features have always been at the forefront of the Kore 99 discussion, and they continue forward into 2024. It’s pretty rare that a carbon-powered ski can be as damp as this, but that’s what years of research and design have led us to. When you get it up on edge and load it up with energy, you’ll feel every single millimeter of the ski give you the appropriate feedback. There is no lost energy here—the Kore is 100% efficient. While that’s great news for skiers that are either ready for it or willing to accept it, it does take away from the friendliness and accessibility. It’s fine at shallower edge angles and is agile and maneuverable in that realm, but if you’re not ready for the stiffness and responsiveness, watch out.

Who it's For:

Our exhaustive research has shown that larger skiers can bend the ski and lighter skiers who don’t care about performance are equally happy on the Kore 99.

Price: $799.00

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At a Glance:

2024 Black Crows Justis Skis

Overview:

Each and every time we get on the Black Crows Justis, we like it more and more. It’s funny how some skis need to be skied on multiple occasions in order to get a fresh perspective, and the Justis keeps everything on an upward trajectory. It’s pretty stiff and heavy, but has a unique tail rocker profile that keeps it open to off-piste suggestions. That said, there’s no way that this ski performs as well in an off-trail format as it does on-trail and in a carved turn. Justis absolutely rips. It pulls you into the turn better than any ski on this list, and that includes the hyper-sensitive Kastle MX 98. While the stated radius is more in the 20-meter range, it sure feels like it carves a lot better. It feels like a lot of other popular wide skis with a short radius, but it can go a whole lot faster than the rest of them. While the versatility exists, it’s not quite as accessible as some other skis, so be prepared for that.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who want the ski to pull them through the turn with intent and purpose. You are not looking to be just along for the ride, though.

Price: $1,049.95

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At a Glance:

2024 Armada Declivity 102 Skis

Overview:

This smooth operator fits right in with the classier skis on this list, and does so with its own unique style. As one of the crisper carvers of the group, the Declivity 102 has that go-anywhere and do-anything mentality, and it does so at a silent din and a vibration-free character. This ski, much like what we saw with the Unleashed 98, has universal appeal. Everyone who skis on it, loves it. There’s some good rocker and taper at both the tips and tails, with a spoonier shovel than most skis at this level. With two sheets of metal and a light wood core, this ski blends high-performance with a maneuverable nature. It’s still on the heavier side, but since it is pretty easy to turn, it has that broad appeal. It’s a total blast in crud, chop, and manky snow while remaining a sharp turner even on very firm snow. Big thanks to the metal for that characteristic.

Who it's For:

Aggressive skiers who want the dampness and stability of two sheets of metal. You are looking for a high-quality product but also something a bit off the beaten path.

Price: $849.95

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At a Glance:

2024 K2 Mindbender 99 Ti Skis

Overview:

The K2 Mindbender 99 Ti is a shining example of a pure all-mountain ski that falls on the burly side of the spectrum. With additional rocker and sidewall implemented last season, this ski is able to hold on tight to the firm groomers while providing ample flotation for soft snow, and an affinity for crud, windblown, and manky snow. The dirtier it gets, the happier the Mindbender seems to be. With a Y-shaped titanal laminate, there’s power to the edges and a fun-loving tail. This blend allows for simple and efficient transitions between on-piste carving power and off-trail versatility. While there’s some weight here, as well as stiffness, those things contribute to the strong performance and behavior of this ski as it stands up to aggressive skiing done by expert skiers. It’s on the demanding side, so skiers looking for ease of use will likely find success elsewhere. For active skiers who are looking for stability and predictability, this ski rules.

Who it's For:

Sturdy and strong skiers who don’t mind putting in a bit of extra work to get relative performance. You value stability at speed but don’t want to leave soft snow off the list.

Price: $749.95

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At a Glance:

2024 Salomon Stance 102 Skis

Overview:

With a new build for 2024, the Stance 102 becomes a bit turnier and more accessible for more skiers. While we loved the stability and smoothness of the older version, the new one turns up the energy and pop ever so slightly, and surprise, we like this one too! It used to take a bit more speed to get it to come alive, and now that the wood is slightly lighter and more energetic, it makes the ski have a better range of performance. It’s still insanely stable and powerful in longer and more direct turns, while the low overall profile makes it slice and dice its way through any type of snow, from softer groomers to crud and chunky snow. The longer radius, relative to a lot of other skis on this list, boosts the playful and smeary nature of the ski, which is something we don’t normally see in a pretty flat 102 with two sheets of metal.

Who it's For:

Fall-line oriented skiers who love to high high speeds and ski aggressively.

Price: $799.95

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At a Glance:

2024 Nordica Enforcer 100 Skis

Overview:

Stability and power rule with the Enforcer 100, just like it has for the past half-decade. These skis totally rip through crud, chop, and any other adverse conditions and terrain. The great thing is that they absolutely crush it in carved turns as well. With a performance wood core and two sheets of metal, they end up finding themselves on the heavy side of the spectrum, so more work is required of the skier to access and unlock the true potential of the ski. With decently long rocker, especially in the shovel, they do a great job in powder, too, although the weight does want to keep them closer to the bottom than the top. With a flatter profile in the tail, the skis aren’t quite as drifty as some other skis on this list, and that’s okay, you just have to realize what you are on and alter/dictate your turn style accordingly.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who aren’t afraid of some speed. You like a ski that feels very solid and stable from tip to tail and are willing to sacrifice some playfulness along the way.

Price: $799.99

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At a Glance:

2024 Kastle MX 98 Skis

Overview:

Built with power to spare, the Kastle MX 98 is a ripping ski that definitely falls on the front side side of the spectrum. These skis share their overall shape and profile with the narrower skis in the MX line, which is kind of an outlier in this category. There aren’t many skis left like this these days, as the MX 98 has a pretty specific audience and a somewhat narrow focus. If you like carving big and fast turns and don’t mind a stiff ski with a demanding tail, then this thing is for you. For a few years, a while back, ski companies were experimenting with the whole “race ski on steroids” thing, and while that movement basically dialed back since then, the Kastle MX 98 still carried on. This holds the title of best carving ski in this category, especially from a race-like perspective. Quality and precision are also at the top of this ski’s benefit list.

Who it's For:

Experts and former racers who love the feeling of a powerfully carved turn. You are trying to re-live your glory days in the gates, but in an all-mountain format.

Price: $1,199.00

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At a Glance:

2024 Volkl Mantra 102 Skis

Overview:

You can certainly make an argument that the Mantra 102 is more versatile/freeridey than the MX 98, but its carving power is pretty close. That’s pretty high praise for the Mantra, which is about as business-like as it gets. This ski, too, is the wider version of the narrower M6 and Kendo, and since there’s no real difference in rocker or taper among them, the 102 ends up being a wide, rugged all-mountain ski for experts who like to point it. That said, the Mantra 102 makes some of the cleanest and most confident carves on the mountain. It’ll plow through crud and chop rather than dance over it, much like how the Enforcer 100 deals with adverse conditions and terrain—they just seem to not care so much and are unbothered by anything. For high speeds, endless stability, rock-solid versatility, and total confidence, go with the unflappable Mantra 102.

Who it's For:

Speed freaks who still like to carve turns across the hill. You don’t mind some heft and are willing to work to earn performance.

Price: $799.99

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