2026 Men's Mid 70 mm Frontside Ski Comparison

Whether you’re a thrill-seeking skier looking to carve race-like turns or a more moderate on-piste enthusiast who wants good edge grip and confident stability, skis in this range have a lot to offer. This list comprises of skis ranging from 71 to 79 mm underfoot, and there’s some good ones here. We’ve also found there to be a variety of constructions and builds with these skis, ranging from carbon laminates to full titanal layups. While we’re not dealing with versatility in these skis from an all-mountain standpoint, there are variances when it comes to turn shape and style, so pretty much everyone’s covered. Rocker and taper will take a back seat to construction and radius in this realm, ensuring that frontside carving performance always comes out on top.

At a Glance:

2026 Head Shape e-V8 Skis

Overview:

With more technology than one may expect from a mid-70's underfoot “intermediate” range ski, the Head Shape e-V8 provides a lot of confidence, smoothness, and pure carving ability to a wide variety of skiers. Built with a light caruba wood core to go along with carbon and graphene as stiffening agents, this is no noodle. There’s a bit of stiffness here, but it’s still on the lighter side and hence quite mobile. Factor in the 13.2-meter turn radius in the 170 cm length, and this is a crisp and precise turner for those who are looking to perfect their groomer technique.

Who it's For:

Advancing and progressing skiers who still like to keep it on the corduroy.

Price: $749.00 w/ PR 11 GW Bindings

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2026 K2 Blur 79 Skis

Overview:

The all-new K2 Blur 79 is one of the more versatile and useful skis on this list, especially when off-trail and adventure skiing become part of the conversation. At $749.95 for the skis and bindings, we’re looking at a good deal with nice performance here. Based off of the higher-powered Blur XT, the 79 pares down slightly in construction and width while adhering to the XT’s overall well-rounded nature. Built with an Aspen wood core and more of a front-side look, the Blur 79 is capable of carving clean mid-radius arcs while keeping things fun and interesting for bumps, broken snow, and light off-piste activities.

Who it's For:

Intermediate to advanced skiers who don’t want to be restricted to groomer carvers—there's a whole mountain out there, and you want to see what it’s all about.

Price: $749.95 w/ M3 11 TCX Quikclik Bindings

2026 Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2026 Volkl Peregrine 78 Skis

Overview:

With a clean and round feel, the new Volkl Peregrine 78 brings a slightly narrower shape to the line while keeping the energy fully intact. It’s an interesting progression here, starting at the 82 with two sheets of metal and a nicer binding system, down to the 80 which features a titanal band and a glass frame, now to the 78, with a lighter wood core and a steel band underfoot. There’s a good amount of pop and zip here in this ski and like the other Peregrines, the flatter overall profile is a very interesting and unique twist on what’s otherwise a mostly cambered category. This allows the 3D Radius to come to life with greater ease as well as allowing skiers to shift turn shape and style with far less demand versus a ski with a lot of camber.

Who it's For:

Intermediate and advanced skiers who are looking for more of an upscale model to help them improve and progress.

Price: $999.99 w/ Lowride 11 TCX Bindings

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2026 DPS Pisteworks 79 Skis

Overview:

While “value” is sort of out the window when talking about the DPS Pisteworks 79, at $1,995, the performance and accessibility is certainly at the forefront of the conversation. Developed with input from DPS’s Ted Ligety, the Pisteworks 79 is optimized for carving performance, smoothness, and stability. The big challenge with carbon is getting it not to feel pingy, and it sure seems like DPS does it better than most, especially with their full carbon construction found on the Pisteworks and Kaizen series of skis. The 174 cm length produces a 13.5-meter turn radius and weighs only 1650 g/ski. This means that they produce a lot of performance for a small amount of weight, thus keeping them on the more accessible side of the wall, although that should not diminish the high-end of the ski, especially when put up against the ones to the accessible side.

Who it's For:

While intermediates and advanced skiers will be able to harness the absurd energy of this ski, it’s experts who will benefit most as they can keep pushing it to generate more power and performance.

Price: $1,995.00

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2026 Stockli Montero AS Skis

Overview:

Another ski that falls in the “not cheap” category at $1829 with a Strive 13 System binding, the Stockli Montero AS is the narrowest of the Montero line and the most groomer focused as a result. These skis have all the smoothness and silence you could ever want from a 76 mm underfoot front side ski. While you can get these skis either flat or as a system, they do have some good versatility as a result. Built with a poplar and beech wood core and two sheets of metal, the AS is also known as Stockli’s All-Mountain Slalom ski, and it certainly feels that way. The 172 produces a 14.8-meter turn radius and likes to be used in that range. Any longer and it’ll want to keep turning, and any shorter and you’ll feel the tail talk you out of it.

Who it's For:

Smooth and strong skiers who like a damp, stable, and quiet ski. You value quality and precision above almost anything else.

Price: $1,829.00 w/ Strive 13D Bindings

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2026 Rossignol Forza 60 V-Ti Skis

Overview:

Stiffer than you may expect, the Rossignol Forza 60 is a fun and sporty carver with excellent rebound and energy. At 75 mm underfoot, it’s right in the mid-range of this category, and it holds up well to both aggressive and moderate skiing. With metal underfoot and a hard topsheet, these skis have some stiffness to them for sure. In the 171 we get a short 13-meter turn radius, and while these skis share a similar build with the MT, the shorter arc and rounder shape are the two main differentiators. Rossignol’s oversized sidecut allows for simple turn initiation while the relatively narrower tail brings with it an easier sense of steering and control. There’s a lot of camber here, so the energy and pop are both of the highest order.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who don’t want to be overpowered by a carving ski. You want some forgiveness from the shape without skimping on the build.

Price: $949.95 w/ SPX 12 Konect GW Bindings

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results | 2024 Rossignol Forza 60 V-Ti Ski Review

At a Glance:

2026 Rossignol Hero Elite MT Skis

Overview:

The middle Rossignol, the Hero MT, is the Multi-Turn superstar of this group. Featuring the same construction as the Forza 60 but with an extra meter or two in the turn radius, this ski likes to mix it up between speeds, shapes, and styles. We see a lot of these here at Stowe, and it makes a great Vermont ski that mixes firm bumps, hard snow, and long cruiser groomers. Built with a poplar wood core, a titanal beam, and Rossignol’s Carbon Alloy Matrix, there’s great energy here as the ski brings a more angular, and therefore demanding, shape to the mix. The overall cut is straighter than found in the Forza 60, so you do have to put more effort and emphasis into the ski to make similar turns.

Who it's For:

Strong and stable skiers who like a mix of power and energy in their skis.

Price: $999.95 w/ SPX 12 GW Bindings

Buy Now

At a Glance:

2026 Rossignol Forza 70 V-Ti Skis

Overview:

The Rossignol Forza 70, at 78 mm underfoot and featuring a full titanal layup, is a very interesting and exciting ski for athletic carvers and skiers. With a dramatic and oversized sidecut, the Forza 70 is happy to start a turn, and cuts effectively right through the rest, from tip to tail, this ski is fully engaged and a ton of fun. Due to the width, both in the shovel and in the waist, it’s actually got some versatility to it, although we’ll certainly stop short of placing it in the all-mountain realm. It does ride nicely through crud, chop, and broken snow for sure, while handling firm and smooth groomers at the same time. These skis are fantastic linking carved turns and providing a solid and balanced platform to stand on all day long.

Who it's For:

Carving-oriented skiers looking for a wider bodied front side ski. You like predictable skis that link all sorts of turn styles.

Price: $1,049.95 w/ SPX 14 Konect GW Bindings

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results | 2024 Rossignol Forza 70 V-Ti Ski Review

At a Glance:

2026 Head Supershape e-Magnum Skis

Overview:

Now that we’re firmly in the dual-metal laminate section of this wall, we’ll see fewer and fewer actual performance differences; it more comes down to shape, style, and preference. The Magnum ends up being the more short-turn focused ski other than the Original and makes a lot of sense for skiers looking for a low-70's carver that excels in short to medium-radius turns. While it shares a construction with the wider Rally, the Magnum just feels more accessible and easier to carve on. This puts it in the slightly less demanding category because it operates well at slower speeds. Built with a dense wood core, two sheets of metal, carbon underfoot, and Head’s Energy Management Circuitry, these skis are all there and ready for your input.

Who it's For:

Strong and sturdy skiers who love to be precise and technical with their shorter carves.

Price: $1,049.00 w/ Protector PR 13 GW Bindings

At a Glance:

2026 Volkl Peregrine 76 Skis

Overview:

The Volkl Peregrine 76 is almost a classic among this group, yet it still has some attributes that none of the other skis really employ, with the exception of the following Multipista. Built with a multi-layer wood core and two sheets of metal, the Peregrine 76 feels solid and secure. When you add the tailored carbon tips to the mix, it’s got some crisp initiation as well. Not too crisp, though, thanks in large part to the slight rocker profile in both tips and tails that makes this an interesting and somewhat unique carver. This allows the ski to get up on edge with ease, but when you’re there, you get the full race-like experience. At 76 mm underfoot, this balanced platform allows for aggressive and predictable skiing on the groomers while also bringing in some slight versatility to the mix.

Who it's For:

Former racers who want a more accessible ski that still has all the race ski vibes.

Price: $1,299.99 w/ R-Motion 12 GW Bindings

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2026 Nordica Dobermann Multipista Skis

Overview:

Like the Peregrine 76, the new Nordica Multipista has a bit of a twist to it when it comes to rocker profile and taper shape. Built with Nordica’s Double Core technoloty and two sheets of metal, the build here is identical to that of the Multigara, with a different shape and profile. It’s like they try to blend an Enforcer style of shape into a narrow ski, so it’s fair to say that they are blending multi-turn skis with multi-conditions shape. By adding pulse core, similar to Enforcer and other Double Core skis in Nordica’s line, the Multipista is a smooth and damp ski with a very unique blend of attributes. At 74 mm underfoot, it’s got a bit more width for stability and broken snow but is still certainly quite happy on firm and smooth conditions.

Who it's For:

Aggressive skiers looking for something a little different, or out of the ordinary in this width range.

Price: $1,299.99

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2026 Kastle MX 74 Skis

Overview:

This is one of those skis that is masked or disguised as an all-mountain ski but really excels in a frontside and carving format. The MX line in general is extremely comprehensive when it comes to performance and precision, with the narrowest 74 here bringing the heat in terms of firm snow and hard pack. Kastle uses their infinicore technology in layering poplar and beech stringers in a very compact manner, making a solid feel throughout. With two sheets of metal and a very hefty tail, these skis finish turns with power and vigor. The shovel, though, is slightly more accessible due to the Hollow Tech tips. By reducing weight and flex, the ski is easier to initiate, but still has a ton of power throughout.

Who it's For:

Former racers looking for more of an all-mountain style will gravitate to the MX 74. If you like precision and strength, this is the place to be.

Price: $1,299.00 w/ K12 PRW GW Bindings

Buy Now

At a Glance:

2026 Atomic Redster Q9 Skis

Overview:

From here on out, we’re dealing with cleverly masked race skis, and the Atomic Redster Q9 is a fine example. While it’s 75 mm underfoot, it feels like it’s quite a bit narrower. This ski belongs in a racecourse but is also capable of normal resort skiing, albeit at a very high level. Built with a solid wood core and two sheets of metal, the Redster Q9 also gets steel revoshock plates to reduce vibrations and keep the ski damp and stable. Overall, this is a very race-like feel as the skis predictably hold on firm snow and ice. Versatility isn’t a strong suit here as the ski certainly prefers to be planted in a carved turn, preferably by an expert skier or former racer.

Who it's For:

Stronger carvers who like a race feel. You don’t need much else besides pure carving performance.

Price: $1,049.95 w/ I 12 GW Bindings

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2026 Volkl Peregrine 72 Skis

Overview:

As one of the more race-like skis on this list, the Volkl Peregrine 72 does get some updates for the 2026 season. By adding Volkl’s 3D Radius sidecut and an updated Tailored Carbon Tip layup, they’re moving this ski more to the forefront of the performance Peregrine division. It used to be that the 76 was the GS version and the 72 was the Slalom, so it’ll be interesting to see where they’re going with this. Now, the 72 is the prime model, and as such, brings a new level of demand and performance. If you think about viewing the mountain as a racecourse, this Peregrine 72 will win a lot of top to bottom races. That said, this build, in a 72 mm waist is pretty rugged. Skills are certainly required to get the most out of the ski.

Who it's For:

Race-inspired skiers who love to make the most out of every carved turn.

Price: $1,299.99 w/ R-Motion 12 GW Bindings

Buy Now

At a Glance:

2026 Blizzard Thunderbird 76 LTD Skis

Overview:

It’s no secret that this Thunderbird R15 76 has opened our eyes to the sheer pleasure and joy of on-piste skiing. Additionally, it made us realize that skis in this zone work really well for a majority of skiers who spend most of their time in an on-trail format. Built with TrueBlend Piste wood core and two sheets of metal, the Thunderbird also features their Active Carbon Armor which helps keep the forebody and tails of the skis glued to the snow throughout the turn shape. While there’s no rocker here, and the shape is not tapered at all, it’s interesting how Blizzard makes these feel like there is some all-mountain style. You can make quicker turns or longer turns, but the ski is more locked into its stated 15-meter arc. Now with a Comp 12 binding and a zinc platform, there’s more stiffness and power underfoot to deliver even more confidence and grip to an already burly ski.

Who it's For:

Advanced and expert skiers who like to link pure and clean carved turns on firm snow and hardpack. You like a bit of width underfoot to make the whole experience that much more enjoyable.

Price: $1,299.99 w/ Comp 12 Bindings

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2026 Head Supershape e-Rally Skis

Overview:

The Head Supershape e-Rally is a sneaky ski. It masks itself as more of a short to mid-radius carver but the reality is that the ski wants to run. This, much like the Peregrine 72, has a top to bottom racecourse mentality to it. It’s stiff, burly, and unflinching at speed. The Energy Management Circuit must have something to do with it because you just can’t feel how fast you’re going until you get to the bottom and realize you’ve left your whole crew behind. It’s on the end of the wall because frankly, it’s harder to make the intended shape turns in this ski. Whether it’s the stiffness or something else, we’ve found the 14-meter arc tough to find, and that’s okay, especially since you can even slide and skid the ski if you wish. It’s definitely named appropriately, as a strong Rally car would attest—it's all about speed in the corners.

Who it's For:

Speed demons who want a smooth and powerful ski to propel them down the mountain as fast as possible, especially for a shorter ski.

Price: $1,049.00 w/ Protector PR 11 Bindings

Buy Now | 2026 Ski Test Results