2027 Men's Mid 90 mm Freeride Ski Comparison

Up next in our Comparison Series is an amazing group of freeride skis ranging from 94 to 98 mm underfoot. This is actually the first time we’ve included the 98’s in this category, so that will make for some fun conversations! We get an even mix of light directional skis like the Elan Ripstick mixed in with more twin tip and freestyle-oriented skis like the Head Oblivion 94. Then we’ll get a bit more demanding and focus on some skis with metal, denser wood, thicker cores, and more aggressive characters. These skis, your Rustler 9’s, your Unleashed 98’s, and your new Transcend 98’s will all appeal to skiers who are yearning for a blend of all-mountain versatility with soft snow capabilities. In the end, the skis on this list are incredibly useful for skiers who frankly don’t know what they’re going to get involved with throughout the day. Could be park, powder, trees, groomers—you name it; these skis can do it, and all while keeping fun and creativity as a top priority.

At a Glance:

2027 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis

Overview:

With a lighter weight and a more flexible shovel, the Elan Ripstick 96 is a very approachable ski. It still has a great deal of energy to it, and that’ll satisfy those who like nice rebound and a high-end feel. By using a lot of technology and sophistication in their skis, Elan hooks into that skier who wants increased performance without putting in a ton of work. The amphibio profile provides a smooth and seamless transition here, making these two skis feel like one entity—it's so darn easy to keep these skis parallel. This makes them easy to steer in bumps and trees and incredibly quick on the sides of the trails. If you are bigger and more aggressive, you can easily overpower the ski especially at higher speeds. But they are super useful and incredibly fun when it comes to mixing terrain and snow conditions. They work great on softer groomers and are crazy good when it comes to adventure mode.

Who it’s For:

Smooth and silky skiers who love the feeling of engagement and energy in their skis.

Price: $799.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results | 2025 Elan Ripstick 96 & Ripstick 96 Black Edition On Snow Review

At a Glance:

2027 Liberty Scope 94 Skis

Overview:

As the most approachable twin tip on this list, the Liberty Scope 94 brings park potential to the mix all while keeping some versatility within reach. This is certainly more of that freeride option, though, with flexible tips and tails to bring the creativity to the forefront of the skier’s imagination. Built with a blend of bamboo and poplar in the wood core, the skis also use carbon stringers and a phenolic plate underfoot. This gives the ski a bit of pep and grip while the bamboo keeps the volume down and the chatter at a minimum. With more of a directional twin shape, these skis do have a bit less of a slopestyle lean, but they’re still plenty of fun when it comes to natural jumps and terrain features that you can find all over the mountain. They’re on the softer side if you’re looking for confident front side performance, but any type of slarvy and smeary skiing and you’re good to go.

Who it’s For:

Fun-lovers and thrill-seekers who are on the constant hunt for joy on the hill. You value airtime equally as much as snow time.

Price: $699.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results | 2026 Liberty Scope 94 & Scope 99 Ski Review

At a Glance:

2027 Armada ARV 94 Skis

Overview:

With a new graphic but the same great energy, the Armada ARV 94 makes full use of a poplar core and w3dgewall technology to make a wonderful blend of all-mountain, park, and freeride applications. These skis feature more of a modern shape to them, with enough rocker and taper to allow for easy soft snow performance while the camber underfoot and the energetic feel keeps the ski feeling lively and engaging if and when you’re ripping turns on groomers. These skis feature a bit less camber than their narrower 88 counterparts, but it’s still got some good spring to it in order to entice excitement on the hill. This ski also features a 5 mm drop in top to tail width, so there’s still a central and balanced freestyle feel to the ski. It’s one of those skis that has a very broad appeal to both progressing and advanced skiers who love the feel of a zippy and smooth freeride ski.

Who it’s For:

There’s a big range here, since the skis go from 157 to 185 in length, so if you’re a tween or smaller adult, there’s opportunity here.

Price: $649.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results | 2024 Armada ARV 94 & ARW 94 Ski Review

At a Glance:

2027 Dynastar M-Free 94 Skis

Overview:

With a smooth rocker profile and a proven construction, the new Dynastar M-Free 94 is poised to make a big leap for Dynastar this year, especially when it comes to park and freestyle skiing. This ski takes a big step from the outgoing M-Free 90 in terms of both build and shape. It’s somewhat fair to say that this is a narrower version of the well-loved M-Free 100, but there’s a bit more going on here. First, the flex is more ample in the 94, making it easier to use and more approachable in the park and in other creative zones. Second, there’s more rocker here, but less splay, making this ski feel a bit more at home in an all-mountain format. With a 6 mm drop in tip to tail taper, this is a well-rounded ski with good usefulness in the park and beyond. They work great in the bumps and trees and are a fun groomer ski, although not quite as stiff or powerful as the 100.

Who it’s For:

Freestyle-oriented skiers who are looking for a smooth and easy performer to help them progress in the park and in an all-mountain format.

Price: $649.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results | 2027 Dynastar M-Free 94 Ski Review

At a Glance:

2027 Head Oblivion 94 Skis

Overview:

While some of the twin tips on this list are more modern and tapered, the Oblivion is more classic. Calling it “old school” wouldn’t necessarily be wrong, but it also has some negative connotations that we don’t think should be applied. The general theory with the Oblivion shape is that there’s really no taper. This leads to a direct edge connection and boosts the ski’s carving and on-trail performance. Thankfully, there’s some nice early rise in the tips and tails to go along with a more flexible nature, so the ski is far from feeling burly or rugged. Constructed with a solid feeling wood core, Head uses their Independent Suspension System to allow for strong grip underfoot and more playful tips and tails that encourage creativity. This allows the ski to have really fun groomer performance while keeping park and freestyle activities fully available.

Who it’s For:

Fun-loving skiers who are looking for more of a traditionally shaped twin tip.

Price: $699.00

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2027 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Overview:

The Faction Prodigy 2 is a quick and fun-loving ski that will make quick work of bumps, trees, groomers, and park. They have a whole lot going for them, and it all starts with the poplar wood core. In addition, the skis use two carbon/rubber stomp pads along the sides of the ski in the central portion to bolster the ski’s durability and softness upon landing big tricks. The skis have an average weight, average shape, and average flex that allows it to be relatively mindless in this category. While that may come at the cost of excitement or uniqueness, it does make for a very standardized on-snow feel. It’s slightly more directional than you may expect from a Faction twin tip, but that’s also part of the charm, featuring an 8 mm drop in tip to tail taper. The Prodigy does a fantastic job at blending and blurring lines between all-mountain, park, moguls, and freeride skiing.

Who it’s For:

Skiers who want a twin tip, but don’t want to be locked in to park-only skiing.

Price: $729.00

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2027 Fischer Nightstick 97 Skis

Overview:

With a solid feel and a fun-loving flex, the Fischer Nightstick 97 is an impressive ski in this category. We get a longer camber profile and a thicker wood core with full sidewalls here, and that adds to the ski’s turning and carving enjoyment. In addition, Fischer adds a metal plate to the underfoot zone, under the core, for increased edge grip and durability on rails. While the skis utilize a 10 mm drop in tip to tail width, they still feel totally functional in a park and freestyle setting. These skis are quite predictable and have a higher ceiling than you may expect. While there’s not a ton of rocker in the tips and tails, there’s plenty of splay, in a classic form, to allow for easy switch skiing, takeoffs, and landings. Again, it’s that thickness of the core that brings this ski closer to the demanding side, as it has a sturdy and solid feel to it that allows for strong and aggressive skiing in all sorts of situations.

Who it’s For:

This is a tough one to pin down, because there’s a big range here. Could be a park-only skier, could just want a freeride twin.

Price: $624.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results | 2025 Fischer Nightstick 97 Ski Review

At a Glance:

2027 Volkl Revolt 96 Skis

Overview:

The Revolt 96 has been an important ski in the Volkl lineup for a few years now, and it offers a whole lot of various performance to a bunch of different skiers. It also does so at a great value, adding another layer to the Revolt 96 parfait. There’s nothing terribly complicated about the build here, as the ski relies on a multi-layer wood core. That said, they use a lot of it. It ends up being just over 2000 grams per ski in the 181, which is on the hefty side for a twin tip. Revolts have a different type or rocker profile, too, as the skis use more rocker in both the tips and tails to create that twin tip effect. Camber underfoot is on the low side, so it’s easy to get these skis to smear and drift when you’re in fresher or deeper snow. While it’s a solid and steady park ski, it’s not all that quick so there is a skier type and preference here that should not be overlooked.

Who it’s For:

Skiers who like to bash their way through the park and get some good on and off-piste performance in the process.

Price: $599.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2027 Line Chronic 94 Skis

Overview:

This is another ski that’s tough to nail down when it comes to approachability because it’s quite different in different parts of the ski. While the tips and tails of the Chronic 94 are on the softer and lighter side, the middle 50-60% of the ski is all there. It’s a thick and robust aspen veneer wood core with wide edges and thick sidewalls. This allows for really strong carving performance despite the flexibility. It’s also got a relatively central stance and a symmetrical rocker profile, so there’s some balanced proportions here to go along with a sturdier overall feel. While they do love to turn and make some of the roundest and cleanest arcs on this list—not just of the twins—they're also adept at park and slopestyle skiing as well as natural features and hits. With softer tips and tails, it’s also a great ski for groundwork and other buttery activities.

Who it’s For:

Park Skiers who love to carve will get along great with the Chronic 94. Also, skiers who are just looking for something different and unique will find a lot to like here.

Price: $599.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results | 2024 Line Chronic 94 & Chronic 101 Ski Review

At a Glance:

2027 Salomon QST 94 Skis

Overview:

With a fantastic combination of ease of use and high octane energy, the Salomon QST 94 is an insanely versatile ski that holds up to strong use and all sorts of conditions and terrain. This ski is one of those that could easily be in both the all-mountain and freeride comparisons, along with a bunch of the skis following. The directional mentality here makes a lot of sense for those who spend a ton of time on groomers and in exploration mode. We find that the on-trail turning capabilities of this ski are incredibly fun and useful, especially if the snow is a bit soft. At the same time, you can really push it hard on firmer snow and it’ll hold up just fine. There’s not a whole lot of tail here, so you get a good amount of bite but not a ton of playfulness. As per usual with QST skis, the steering capacity in the trees is outstanding.

Who it’s For:

Versatile and well-rounded skiers looking for a solid feeling yet easy to manage ski for fun and exploratory all-mountain skiing.

Price: $749.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results | 2026 Salomon QST 94 Ski Review

At a Glance:

2027 Nordica Unleashed 98 CA Skis

Overview:

Thanks to great energy and a lively character, the Nordica Unleashed 98 CA is an awesome choice for skiers who mix business with pleasure in all sorts of areas. It’s a twin tip, so park skiing is still part of the mix. It’s got that fantastic Nordica turning capabilities, so carving clean turns is incredibly fun and rewarding. The CA version gives some nice pep and zip while the longer camber and slightly more traditional shaping allows for more directional skiing prowess without giving up on playfulness. These skis, at 98 mm underfoot, are completely functional in softer snow, but they’re not quite as freeride oriented as some others, mainly due to the longer camber profile, and that’s fine. The Unleashed 98 CA has a fantastic blend of turning capacity and off-trail use that makes it one of the most useful and versatile skis on this list.

Who it’s For:

There’s a big range here, but mostly skiers who love carving turns on a wider ski will totally love this thing. The twin tip is like a phenomenal bonus.

Price: $649.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2027 K2 Omen Team Skis

Overview:

We’ll be the first to admit that this is a difficult ski to place on this wall. At just under 2000 grams in the 177 and with a responsive flex pattern, the Omen Team is a burly ski that’s built and shaped to stand up to the rigors of modern slopestyle competition. We think that any real all-mountain performance comes as a secondary priority as the park feel and the twin tip mentality takes top bidding here. The emphasis on this ski focuses on the multi-directional aspect of the sport since balance and symmetry are parts of the equation. WE get a 6 mm drop in tip to tail taper and an 18-meter turn radius in the 177. Built with an aspen wood core, carbon-wound fiberglass, and an additional carbon stringer layer, these skis have a ton of pep built in. With fiberglass comes epoxy, and that does add to the overall weight and sturdy feel of the ski. This also adds strength from a durability standpoint, so skiers who are typically tough on their gear will get a few more miles out of the Omen Team.

Who it’s For:

This can be a ski for professional slopestyle skiers and casual weekenders looking for a really solid twin tip.

Price: $649.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2027 Black Crows Camox Skis

Overview:

The Camox is a fun ski because on the surface, it seems like a fun twin tip that can serve some use in the park and also all-mountain. If you get a bit deeper, this ski actually is a lot more at home ripping big carving turns and motoring through crud and chop. It has a bit of drift and smear to it, but you do have to work a bit harder to get it. Built with a poplar wood core and an ash pocket in the middle, the skis are surprisingly stable and damp for not having metal. The ash picks up some of the load here, providing amazing stability and predictability, especially at speed. Again, it’s not so much that the entry level of this ski is all that difficult or challenging, rather the high point of the ski is surprisingly up there. This makes the Camox a very energetic and poised ski on the feet of the right skier, with all sorts of capabilities in various conditions and terrain.

Who it’s For:

Freeride skiers with a strong preference for speed and power. You value smooth and damp performance without the feeling of metal.

Price: $849.00

Buy Now | Ski Test Results | 2026 Black Crows Camox On Snow Ski Review

At a Glance:

2027 Kastle Transcend 98 Skis

Overview:

Kastle has been a bit back and forth for a while within their freeride lines, but they seem to have nailed it this time with the Transcend series, and this, the narrowest of the group at 98 mm underfoot. Built with a twin core construction consisting of poplar and beech, the skis also get a Powerzone Titanal laminate which is mainly found underfoot but does extend slightly into the forebody and aft sections of the ski. With thick and burly sidewalls that run the full length of the ski, this is a sturdy build. Then you get to the shape. With ample taper and rocker, and a decent amount of splay, the Transcend 98 has a fully modern footprint to it that allows for easy versatility in an off-piste realm while the camber and the build ensure proper carving and on-trail performance for a multitude of skiers. It’s fair to say that so far, the Transcend 98 has been a favorite of the new 2027 skis.

Who it’s For:

Skiers who value a mix of energy, rebound, and playfulness will get along great with these skis.

Price: $899.00

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2027 Line Optic 96 Skis

Overview:

Line’s Optic 96 works really well when it comes to versatility, yet having a more solid and composed feel than you may expect. These skis use an aspen wood core to go along with Line’s Gas Pedal Metal Overdrive laminate. By strategically placing a metal cutout on the ski, Line is able to keep torsional stiffness and carving power fully intact while the tips and tails have a thinner profile and less metal to go along with a more gratuitous rocker profile. This boosts the soft snow acumen of the ski while the underfoot zone is still incredibly stout and predictable. It’s one of those skis that you can just stand on with confidence despite it having plenty of curvature to it. While it’s not as quick as some of the more directional twins on this list, it’s not so bad, either—just has a bit less kick than most.

Who it’s For:

Creative and smeary skiers will love the mix of metal and rocker here for all sorts of versatile freeride skiing activities.

Price: $754.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2027 Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis

Overview:

As one of the stalwarts of this group when it comes to mixing attributes and providing consistent and valuable performance, the Blizzard Rustler 9 just continutes to impress. Built with a sophisticated wood core consisting of poplar, beech, and paulownia, the Rustler gets one partial metal laminate broken into a few pieces. The central one underfoot adds grip while the two arms that extend to the tips and tails bring a damp and composed feel to the ski from end to end. With a lot of splay, these skis feel bouncy in softer snow and surprisingly composed on firmer. The slightly flatter profile allows for easy pivoting in turns and tremendous steering. This makes both on and off trail skiing relatively simple despite the stronger build. At just under 1900 grams per ski in the 180, there’s some weight here, but with the splay and the flatter profile, it by no means feels overpowering.

Who it’s For:

So many skiers. This is such a universal fit for freeride and all-mountain skiers looking for a playful shape and strong build in the mid-90's.

Price: $799.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results | 2024 Blizzard Rustler 9 Ski Review

At a Glance:

2027 Rossignol Super Black Ops 98 Skis

Overview:

With the Rossignol Super Blackops 98, it’s not so much that it’s a demanding ski, but rather it can really be used in an aggressive manner especially at speed. This ski, along with the Camox, has preferences for speed that a lot of other skis on this list simply do not possess. Built with a poplar wood core, we get metal underfoot and rubber in the tips and tails. The fiberglass laminates are pretty robust here, and this does add weight to the ski for sure. While some skis, even withing Rossignol’s line, use air tip to lighten swing weight, these go the other way and add a hefty rubber to keep the skis planted on the snow. This means that they’re incredibly damp, stable, and composed in all sorts of conditions and terrain. While it’s certainly in twin tip range, it’s not quite in freestyle twin zone. There’s not a ton of splay here, especially not in the tails, and that keeps the ski more in the directional realm.

Who it’s For:

Skiers looking for a fun, fast freeride ski that can hold up to aggressive and strong skiing all over the mountain.

Price: $799.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

At a Glance:

2027 Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis

Overview:

Twin tips with metal are an absolute blast, and the Nordica Unleashed 98 is one of the best out there. You get all the benefits of a robust construction—a similar build to the Santa Ana lineup—to go along with a twin tip shape and a lot of splay. While some skiers don’t take to a park ski with metal all that well, those who value damping and all-around high performance can easily find a slopestyle mentality here. It’s still on the directional side, with an 11 mm drop in tip to tail taper, but with a bunch of splay, the skis function well in a multi-directional format. This makes switch takeoffs and landings very easy and accommodating, even with a stronger build. At the same time, they’re not too heavy, so there’s still some approachability here. In addition, the skis use a longer rocker profile, adding to the carving performance and overall smoothness.

Who it’s For:

This ski has a big range, but you have to be kinda good to get the most out of it. The directional shape, metal, and traditional feel make it more demanding than other twins.

Price: $749.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results