2024 Men's Wide Frontside Ski Comparison

The Front Side is a great place to be. For many skiers, the thoughts and promise of wide-open corduroy greeting you early in the morning is one of the best feelings out there. Even as the snow quality degrades, gets skied off, or turns to sheer ice, skis on this list will still hold up. This grouping of skis ranges from 75 mm to 82 mm underfoot, and there’s some distinct variance here in terms of build, shape, and application. Going from the race-like Redster Q9 to the light and drifty Blaze 82, skis on this list can handle a wide zone of skiing, skiers, and skier types. Whether you’re an aspiring carver looking to link moderate speed turns or a strong skier looking for a wider-bodied race ski, the Wide Front Side grouping of skis has a whole lot to offer. Unless you ski in an area that gets fresh snow literally every day, if you’re looking to add a carving ski to your quiver, or just use it any/all days of the week, there’s likely a great fit for you here.

At a Glance:

2024 Atomic Redster Q7.8 Skis

Overview:

With carbon plates damping the vibrations and a race-like feel, the Atomic Redster Q7 feels like an approachable race ski that’s ideally suited for intermediate and advanced skiers who spend most/all of their time on-trail. While you won’t see too many of these in the citizens' racecourses, you will see a lot of skiers making clean and round turns with huge smiles on their faces. This is one of the easiest skis to make a high performance turn upon, and we love every second we got to spend on it. You don’t have to grit your teeth and bear down on the ski in order to get it to activate—much of the performance is built right in and ready for you to access. As one of the narrowest skis on this list, it’s quite quick and agile—ready to be flicked around at a moment’s notice.

Who it's For:

Intermediate and advanced skiers who like the feel of an easily carved turn with tons of confidence. You value edge grip and precision, but don’t want to work too hard to get it.

Price: $849.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Atomic Redster Q9.8 Skis

Overview:

Take everything that was said above and move it one notch up. The Q9 is more metallic, more powerful, and more stable at speed than the Q7. This one you may/will see in some gates around the mountain, serving well as a beer league ski with a nice short turn radius of 13.5 meters in the 168 cm length. While it shares the footprint with the Q7, you get a binding upgrade and a metal Revoshock laminate to take your skiing to the next level. So many skis these days have these wonderful shapes and styles with a mid-range arc that mixes between slalom and GS, and the Q9 taps into its race department very effectively to create a race-like feel in a more moderate shape and style. With no rocker and a lot of camber, there’s fantastic energy built into the ski, making it an amazing choice for carving enthusiasts who love to stay on edge.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers looking for a wider bodied race ski that can handle a pretty aggressive stance and outlook. You want a race ski and are willing to work to get the power and stability.

Price: $1,099.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Volkl Deacon 76 Master Skis

Overview:

While the Redster, and many other skis on this list, choose to forgo any type of rocker, the Deacon 76 master embraces it. Even with the World Cup FIS build, the Deacon 76 Master elects to use slight tip and tail rocker to ensure proper turn initiation and smooth completion. With a build like this, if you’re aiming to have “normal” skiers enjoy themselves, then you do need to make a concession somewhere, and Volkl chooses slight rocker to make the ski even somewhat accessible for regular skiers, even though they still need to be of the expert or former racer level. The full ash wood core and full titanal laminates create a very stiff and stable ski, capable of being ripped around the mountain at high speeds and at high edge angles. You barely feel anything underfoot when it comes to vibrations, but the weight of the ski definitely lets you know it’s there.

Who it's For:

Expert skiers and former racers who know what they’re looking for in a ski. You also need to source your own Marker race bindings as the ski comes with a WC race plate rather than a system binding for added race-like feel.

Price: $999.99 w/o Binding

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Blizzard Thunderbird R15 Skis

Overview:

This ski had a huge influence in changing our minds about front side skis. For a while, it seems, we felt like the mid 80’s was narrow enough and good enough for a front side option here in Vermont, and then we got on the Thunderbird R15. At 76 mm underfoot and built with a sturdy yet sophisticated wood core and dual-metal laminate, the R15 jumped to the forefront of the conversation and played a big role in making skis like this a larger focus point for both content and general skiing enjoyment. For most skiers, most days, this type of ski is all you’ll need, and likely more. It’s fun, clean, and engaging, even having a bit of versatility built in to access broken snow and chopped up terrain. While it’s still a bit stiff for moguls and quite direct for trees, you can still do them, you just have to work a bit harder. But again, for an enormous percentage of time on the hill and days skied, this ski is an ideal choice.

Who it's For:

Strong and athletic skiers who are looking for something active, engaging, and totally rewarding. You like making a lot of different turn shapes and styles.

Price: $1,195.00

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Stockli Montero AS Skis

Overview:

As the new Montero on the block, the 76 mm AS is also the shortest turning and quickest ski of the grouping. It’s pretty apparent just how much 4 mm makes in these skis, as it’s the same difference between the AX and the AR on the other end of the width spectrum. As such, the AS makes short, clean, and quick turns. Montero moves from slalom style turns in this ski up to GS turns in the AR, with the AX being a pretty clear mix of the three. The quality and precision do not go away with the AS, as the Stockli build carries right on through in the best way possible. Smooth, precise, and as predictable as it gets, the AS loves to be on edge and in a carved turn. It’s also great in the bumps as it’s not terribly stiff or heavy, adding to the versatility of this relatively narrow carving ski.

Who it's For:

Precision-oriented skiers who love the feeling of a quietly carved turn. You want performance and stability, and with no noise whatsoever.

Price: $1,669.00 w/ Strive 13 Bindings

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Head Supershape E-Rally Skis

Overview:

This powerful ski has been around for a while now, and it keeps winning hearts from tip to tail. The Rally, at 78 mm underfoot, is a wide charger that has a very planted feel on the snow. It’s about as predictable and strong as it gets, using a World Cup style construction with a dense wood core and two sheets of metal. By adding their EMC circuit to the mix, the vibrations are filtered and smoothed out to no end. While we can’t be sure that’s the culprit for the smoothness, we don’t really care—these skis are incredibly stable and chatter-free. Since the radius is in the mid-range, it’s not the best long-form carver, but the middle and short zones are amazing, resulting in clean and round turns. It can go fast and straight, but don’t expect longer GS style turns out of it as the ski is very sharp and precise.

Who it's For:

Former racers and expert skiers who spend most of their time with their skis planted firmly on the snow. You do not want any type of edge wavering at all, opting more for a true tip to tail carving experience.

Price: $1,299.00

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Rossignol Forza 70 V-Ti Skis

Overview:

When we first got shown this ski last fall, we were excited that Rossignol was putting more emphasis on high end recreational carving. They’ve had it with the React series in the past, but their current attempt at pushing the front side capabilities in a new ski was very exciting. On snow, this excitement continued to grow for us, as the Forza 70 is a wider bodied race-like ski that has a lighter weight and a friendlier personality, allowing high-end carving to be performed by the masses. Spoiler alert: we’re all about it. It’s incredibly fun and rewarding to use this ski as intended—getting up on high edge angles and feeling the total lack of taper completely rip you around a carved turn. It’s like pretending you’re in gates, but without the gates. One of the unexpected treasures of this ski was how well it handled softer snow and off-piste zones, especially given its on-trail prowess.

Who it's For:

Capable skiers, but you don’t have to be amazing to fully enjoy this ski. You don’t mind the look of awful, terrible graphics.

Price: $999.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Salomon Stance 80 Skis

Overview:

Amazing value is the big story here, as the Stance 80 is an incredibly budget friendly setup without losing out on all-mountain and frontside performance. Since it features the same build as the Stance 84, the 80 does just about everything that the wider version does, just with a bit more quickness, agility, and edge grip. This has to be one of the best bump and tree skis on this list, as it does feature a good amount of rocker and taper in the tips and tails while keeping the underfoot camber firmly entrenched in the overall story of the ski. With metal underfoot and carbon stringers in the forebody and through the tails, the Stance 80 has good energy built in, but it’s not nearly too heavy to be considered either immobile or overly demanding. High-end carving performance does take a bit of a backseat to the all-around friendly nature of the ski’s character, but that’s part of the charm of the well-rounded and high-value Stance 80 from Salomon.

Who it's For:

First time ski buyers and budget-conscious skiers who are looking for something that punches above its level. You like a quality product, and you don’t want to pay too much for it.

Price: $549.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Volkl Deacon 80 Skis

Overview:

Like the Stance 80, this is another ski that punches above its weight. The Deacon 80 has a more technical mentality to it versus and all-mountain style, but precision-oriented skiers who don’t want to lug around a metal-filled ski will love the access and composure of the Deacon 80. By focusing on the use of fiberglass instead of titanal in the build, the 80 separates itself from other skis on this list with its energy and snap. There’s still steel in the ski, so it does take the vibrations down, but overall, this ski loves to be engaged in a turn, and is not shy to lay it over from time to time. While the ski lacks taper in most ways, it does have longer and lower rocker, as we see on the Deacon 84 as well. This makes it smooth and manageable in most conditions and terrain, but if you load it up with energy, the feedback and rebound are very impressive.

Who it's For:

Technical skiers who favor accessibility over demand. You want something with fantastic energy for most front side applications.

Price: $899.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Stockli Montero AX Skis

Overview:

Like the AS, the Montero AX from Stockli loves to perform quietly and unassumingly for its pilot. The skis are as silent as it gets, with minimal to zero sound regardless of conditions or terrain. The solid feel and versatile turn shape from the AX make a lot of sense for advanced and expert skiers who are looking for a mid-radius ski that operates well almost everywhere. Aside from the performance benefits here, the overall character of the ski is one of quality and precision. Feel free to lay it over in a long GS style turn or stand up a bit straighter and rip off some quick carves on the side of the trail—the ski is insanely predictable and amenable to different turn styles and skier input. Either/any way you choose to use this ski, it will hold up to your style with silence and quality.

Who it's For:

Skilled skiers who want something that feels like nothing. You want to glide down the hill effortlessly, but also feel the forces within the carves.

Price: $1,299.00

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Nordica Spitfire DC 80 Pro Skis

Overview:

The new Nordica Spitfire 80 uses the new Double Core technology, using two horizontal laminates of wood with a titanal and damping layer in between. We’ve found this build to be enormously silent, stable, and strong in all of the skis we’ve tried it in, and that certainly goes for the Spitfire 80 as well. It’s incredibly fun and rewarding to have a wider front side ski like this that feels very race-like in nature but is also amenable to mid-range skiing to go along with it. There’s not a lot to talk about when it comes to rocker or taper, as these skis mainly follow the race shapes but in a wider bodied footprint. As such, you get a ton of power and responsiveness to go along with grip, energy, and stability. Spitfire also uses a multi-radius shape to mix GS and Slalom turns together almost effortlessly.

Who it's For:

Race-like skiers who like the feeling of more ski underfoot. You value sturdiness and technology all at the same time.

Price: $1,099.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Kastle PX81 Skis

Overview:

While some skis on this list rely on metal to access power and energy, the Kastle PX 81 does not. We get a pretty interesting build here, with poplar and beech in the wood core and two sheets of fiberglass. We also get carbon stringers added to the mix, and these provide the main source of strength and power in terms of feedback and rebound. With a 15.2-meter turn radius in the 172 and a relatively light weight of 1685 grams per ski in that length, the PX 81 is a crisp and precise ski that is surprisingly stable and capable of high-performance skiing both on and off-piste. The shape keeps it versatile while the overall footprint of the ski leans more to carving performance and high levels of edge grip. We’ve had some bigger skiers on this ski, and even in the 179, they’ve found it to be a surprising carver with a high-end of strength and power.

Who it's For:

Agile skiers who like a good pop out of their ski. You still want Kastle quality and precision, but you don’t need/want a ton of metal to get you there.

Price: $799.00

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Volkl Blaze 82 Skis

Overview:

Likely the most all-mountain-oriented ski on this list, the Volkl Blaze 82 is a new width for the Blaze series, bookending on the narrow end a line of skis that goes from 82 to 114 mm underfoot. As such, the 82 is clearly the quickest and most agile of the group, making it easy to turn and totally accessible when it comes to a range of skiers. We’ve seen progressing intermediates loving this ski while lighter experts have also found a lot of success and happiness here. With the same build as the Blaze 86, the 82 lacks the metal of the wider skis, but that’s part of the charm. It’s tough to deny the light weight and uphill capabilities here, even though with front side skis, touring is usually not on the table. With Blaze 82, though, everything from bumps and trees to steeps and ice is totally within reach. While it won’t hold tight to the hard pack like some of the heavier hitters in this group, for intermediates looking for an easy turning ski in a variety of resort front side conditions and terrain, Blaze 82 is amazing.

Who it's For:

Easygoing skiers who are looking for more fun than challenge. You value agility and versatility over power and stability.

Price: $499.99

Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Rossignol Experience 82 Basalt Skis

Overview:

As the lighter and easier turning version of the Experience 82 Ti from Rossignol, this 82 Basalt shares shaping, but not construction. By using paulownia wood instead of poplar and by utilizing Basalt stringers rather than two full sheets of titanal, the lighter and more mobile 82 Basalt is geared towards intermediates and progressing skiers who are learning to perfect the art of the carved turn. These skis also do a great job when it comes to versatility, borrowing the rocker profiles from the more established Experiences, and keeping all-mountain potential firmly within reach. Stability and power take a back seat to quickness and agility, and that’s great news for skiers who spend more time at more moderate speeds and in shorter turns. It’s also amenable to more skidded turns, moguls, and tighter trees than their heavier and more demanding counterparts.

Who it's For:

Moderate skiers who are looking to improve their technique. You want good feedback and input from your ski, but you don’t want to have to push it too hard to react.

Price: $749.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Dynastar M-Cross 82 Skis

Overview:

With a fresh new build and a proven shape, the M-Cross 82 takes notes from the outgoing 4x4 series of skis and brings them into the next generation. These skis are incredibly smooth and predictable, following in the footsteps of other new skis that adhere to shorter turn radii to encourage proper and fun carving in a front side realm. The 176 creates a 14-meter arc, so these skis definitely like to point across the fall line. With an oversized shovel and a narrower tail, these skis are more pin tailed to create an intuitive and natural feel. Additionally, the new build utilizes a different type of joinery in the construction rather than stringers simply glued together. In this way, the skis use less adhesive which is better for the environment. H-Shaped metal laminates boost the underfoot zone in terms of edge grip and stability while the Polyurethane in the sides maintains Dynastar’s signature smoothness.

Who it's For:

There’s a large audience here, they just don’t know it yet.

Price: $699.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Elan Wingman 82 Ti Skis

Overview:

By using one titanal laminate underfoot and no carbon, the Elan Wingman 82 Ti is a crisp and energetic turner that has a lot more sophistication and engineering than a lot of other skis on this list. The laminated wood core is surprisingly stiff, and the metal adds grip and power to the mix. In a vacuum, without the CTi version looming, the Wingman 82 Ti is a fantastic front side ski. It has the width to open up versatility, but the sharpness of a true front side ski. Additionally, the Wingman 82 Ti benefits from their Amphibio shape and profile. With more material over the inside edges of the skis, and more rocker on the outer portions, the Wingman has a lot of technology to offer a wide range of on-trail skiers. With asymmetry in mind, the skis act as more of a cohesive unit rather than two independent skis. In this sense, the Wingman 82 Ti is very smooth and easy to ski while retaining a high-performance ceiling.

Who it's For:

Engaged and athletic skiers who like a good amount of pop in their skis. You want a wider ski but like to keep it mainly on-trail.

Price: $749.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Armada Declivity 82 Ti Skis

Overview:

As the narrowest of a wider freeride line, the Armada Declivity 82 Ti has more all-mountain potential than a lot of other skis on this list. By blending a light weight caruba core with an articulated titanal laminate, Armada makes a responsive, strong, and agile ski that can hold up to both rigorous and aggressive skiing as well as more agile and mobile turns. There’s a good amount of camber in these skis, and that adds to the energetic quality. At the same time, they also feature a far less dramatic taper shape and rocker profile than the wider skis in the line, making them bite into the snow with ease and predictability. This is one of the best high-performance mogul skis on this list for sure, and since it comes flat, you can choose your binding to go on it in order to maximize snow feel and agility.

Who it's For:

Energetic skiers who want a narrow flat ski that has freeride feels to it. You’re not locked into a front side ski, and that’s just how you want it.

Price: $699.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Elan Wingman 82 CTi Skis

Overview:

While the 82 Ti version of this ski is more amenable to the intermediate and advanced level skiers, the added carbon and robust energy of the CTi version brings the performance squarely into the expert realm. This ski is very sharp and precise, especially in the tail, making it a strong finisher of turns. The carbon tubes have a lot to do with it, as they are very efficient storers of energy when the ski is loaded up. The metal underfoot, like the Ti version, stiffens the central portion of the ski, but that’s about where the construction similarities end. Shape-wise, we’re still dealing with the amphibio rocker profile that makes a right-left specific ski. This creates a smooth transition from edge to edge and allows for a nice entry into the turn especially on the uphill ski. The Wingman 82 CTi is more at home on firm snow and groomed terrain than its carbon-free sibling.

Who it's For:

Crisp skiers who like the energy of carbon when driving the skis. You value energy and pop out of the turn over supreme dampness.

Price: $949.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Fischer RC One GT 82 Skis

Overview:

Whereas the Wingman focuses more on sharp and light characteristics, the Fischer RC One 82 GT falls more on the other side of the spectrum. Like we’ll see the rest of the way, skis like this are absolute powerhouses. They plow through crud and chop with ease and hold tight to the firmest of snows. The 82 GT has a thick and robust construction, so when it comes to stability at speed, these are right up there with the best of them. While a bit more of a departure from a true race ski, they certainly feel capable and willing of aggressive high-performance skiing. We’ve always felt that these RC One’s are more grounded than others, and that does continue into this 82. It’s a lot happier when planted on the snow rather than danced around like some of the lighter skis on this list. As such, it’s about as confidence inspiring as it gets when engaged in a carved turn.

Who it's For:

Fun-loving skiers who spend most of their time physically in a carved turn. You don’t love riding a flat ski. Or a drifty ski.

Price: $949.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 K2 Disruption 82 Ti Skis

Overview:

I’m not sure if the K2 Disruption 82 Ti is deceptively powerful, but it sure seems that way. The initial impression is that since K2 doesn’t have a race department to lean on for front side performance, they have to come up with something new and different to make their skis stand out. As a result, the Disruption 82 Ti is the widest of their front side collection, and it brings a whole lot of power and strength with it. Skiers should be ready for a direct and wide shovel to crank you into the turn with a strong and stable underfoot zone that’s relentless with edge grip. At the tail, the flat and direct shape locks you into the carve and propels you into the next turn. These skis are fast. I’ve had to dial it back a few notches on this ski as it’s just a lot to handle. My advice is to size down in order to retain the strength and power without going overboard on stability at speed, because they will go.

Who it's For:

Expert skiers who are looking for unmatched edge grip and power. You want a lot of ski underfoot.

Price: $949.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Rossignol Experience 82 Ti Skis

Overview:

This Experience 82 Ti is kind of like the Declivity in that it’s an all-mountain ski at heart, but it just so happens to rip carved turns on the groomers just like a race ski. With a shorter turn radius for truly versatile skiing, the Experience 82 Ti is a hard-charging ski that can handle a top end of performance. Built with a poplar core and two full sheets of metal, the skis have a sturdy and powerful build for sure. We love this ski as it blends a nice mix of on and off-trail characteristics, but it does it in a more business-like manner. Whether you’re opting for more of an on-trail persona with the Konnect system or are meshing it with a drill binding of your choice, the overall performance of these skis is off the charts. There’s decent rocker here, but minimal taper, so these aspects of shape, profile, and construction all play off each other quite nicely.

Who it's For:

Active skiers who don’t mind a bit of heft and demand when it comes to mixing on and off-trail performance.

Price: $999.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2024 Blizzard Brahma 82 Skis

Overview:

We’ve loved the Brahma 82 for a few years now, and their recent move to the TrueBlend wood core has only made it more successful and approachable. Still built with two and a half sheets of metal, these skis have edge grip, dampness, and stability to spare. As a result, the Brahma 82 develops more of a singular nature when it comes to on-trail carving. While the skis have the width to be more versatile, the build has a race-like mentality to it that’ll satisfy the needs and demands of the world’s strongest skiers. There’s some heft and weight here as well, making the Brahma 82 one of the burlier skis out there in this width, hence its place as the last ski on the wall. You will not want for more power, and if you do, I’m afraid there’s not much else out there for you. There’s long camber here, but it’s not particularly high, resulting in an incredibly smooth and powerful feel from tip to tail.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers and former racers who do not want to give up on the glory days, but also want more of an all-mountain carver for early morning speed runs.

Price: $649.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results