Category: Ski Reviews

One look at the spec sheet is all you need before you instantly realize the 2020 Rossignol Experience 88 Ti Women's ski is one of the most versatile all mountain skis on the market. From a dimensions standpoint, the 88mm waist paired with a 14m turning radius suggests the the ski is capable of both tight turns as well as surfing across soft snow. Inside the ski, Rossignol's Line Control Technology teams up with ingredients like basalt, titanal, and of course Air Tip VAS to create a super versatile ski that a wide range of skiers are sure to love. Find out all about this exciting ski in our review of the 2020 Rossignol Experience 88 Ti Women's Ski!

As a new brand for us, the crew at SkiEssentials has been eager to test drive Stockli skis. While a handful of us were able to demo them throughout the season, the 2020 Ski Test provided an excellent opportunity for the rest of or staff to explore the Stockli lineup. In this review, Bob St. Pierre takes us through his experience on the 2020 Stockli Stormrider 88, a lightweight, yet powerful all mountain ski whose craftsmanship and attention to detail elevate it to an entirely different echelon. Click through to learn more about this exciting ski in our review of the 2020 Stockli Stormrider 88!

For some skiers, finding a ski that's equal parts lightweight and stable can feel a bit like looking for the Holy Grail, as these two traits rarely go hand in hand. Fortunately, it appears as though Atomic has cracked the code with their newly redesigned 2020 Vantage 90 Ti, a ski that utilizes some innovative construction techniques to create a ride that's equal parts stiff and light. A major improvement over the already impressive 2019 Atomic Vantage 90 Ti, join us as we take a deep dive into all of the updates and construction details that make the 2020 Atomic Vantage 90 Ti one of the most unique skis of the year!

The all new 2020 Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Women's ski is an exciting new addition to Blizzard's fan-favorite Black Pearl series. Filling in the void that existed between the Black Pearl 78 and the Black Pearl 88, the Black Pearl 82 offers exceptional value for a wide range of skiers. With exceptional ease of use, it's a solid option for intermediate skiers keen on progressing their skills. With its light weight and egde to edge quickness, paired with carbon flipcore construction, the 2020 Blizzard Black Pearl 82 is a capable companion for those looking to explore the entirety of the mountain, moguls included. Learn all there is to know about this exciting ski in our review of the 2020 Blizzard Black Pearl 82!

New from Fischer skis for 2020 is RC One series of frontside skis. This week on Chairlift Chat, we're taking a closer look at the RC ONE 86 GT, which is the widest model in the series. Designed for frontside domination, the RC ONE 86 GT is a powerful ski that finds itself most at home when it's on edge, charging down groomers. But, much to our surprise, its capabilities don't end there. Thanks to its well coordinated list of features, the 2020 Fischer RC ONE 86 GT proves to be an adept all mountain ski as well, handling soft snow with ease. To learn the ins and outs of this exciting new ski, check out our full review of the 2020 Fischer RC ONE 86 GT, right here!

Ski season is rapidly approaching, but most of us still have at least a couple months of warmer weather to endure before hitting the slopes. If you haven't begun already, it's time to start getting back into shape for skiing, and one of the best ways to do so is inline skating. In this video review, we take a closer look at the Rollerblade Maxxum Edge 90, talk about it's intended use and features, and chat about Rollerblade's Skate to Ski program. Download a free app onto your smartphone, follow the steps and instructions, and you'll be skiing better than ever! Of course, first you'll need a pair of skates.

If you consider yourself a fan of the Volkl RTM series, keep the following adage in mind when reading this review, "Change is good." We find this necessary to mention as Volkl has decided to shake things up in their frontside all mountain category for 2020, with the introduction of their new Deacon line, which replaces their Ride the Mountain series. Before we dive too deeply into the details, it's worth noting that we're huge fans of this decision as the Deacon series brings a number of Volkl's most recent design developments to a frontside ski for the first time. Ready to learn more? Click through to read our full review of the 2020 Volkl Deacon 84!

For 2020, Salomon has decided to make some bold choices in an effort to make their newly redesigned QST 99 stand out from the crowded "100mm All Mountain" ski category. What bold choices, exactly? Well, take for instance the decision to skip the traditional layers of titanal in favor of a full layer of their proprietary Carbon Flax (C/FX) weave, as well as the inclusion of cork in the tips. The result of Salomon's efforts is a stable, damp, and versatile ski that we think will be loved by the masses. Read more in this complete ski review!

Over the past few years, Rossignol has offered an ultra-secretive ski known only as the "Black Ops." In previous years, both availability and information about the ski were hard to come by. This year, for the first time ever, Rossignol has decided to peel back the curtain just the slightest bit by offering the Black Ops in a 98 and 118 width. Still, specific details regarding the ski's construction details remain sparse, making it the perfect candidate for an on-snow ski review. To learn more about this secretive, yet incredible ski, click through and read our full review!

Last year when Volkl announced the new M5 Mantra, there was a sect of Mantra lovers who weren't over-the-top excited about a narrower Mantra. While we still love the M5, as do many skiers, those who don't should be extremely excited about the new 2020 Volkl Mantra 102. Last season, we had the chance to take these skis out a number of times, both at our 2020 Ski Test (which we'll be posting in the coming months), but also for the full ski review treatment. What we found was an extremely impressive, powerful, playful, edge holding machine of a ski that begs for speed. There's plenty to talk about with the Volkl Mantra 102, so we highly recommend clicking through to learn more!

Next up in our series of Rollerblade reviews, is a closer look at the Macroblade 80. Unlike the Rollerblade Twister Edge and Twister Edge X which we recently reviewed, the Macroblade 80 focuses specifically on comfort and ease of use, making it a great introductory or recreational option for those looking for a casual introduction to the sport. Featuring an aluminum frame, wide forefoot, and mid-range 80mm wheels, the Rollerblade Macroblade 80 is a blend of performance and comfort that's perfect for those looking for a step or two above entry level blades. To find out more, check out our full review of the Rollerblade Macroblade 80!

New from Blizzard for 2020 is the expansion of their Firebird line, including the exciting new Firebird HRC. Taking design and construction cues from Blizzard's World Class Racing skis, the Firebird HRC is slightly toned down, targeted for advanced frontside skiers looking for the ultimate in power and control. While we've reviewed a number of excellent skis in recent months, the Firebird HRC stands alone in that it aims to please skiers who haven't bought into the freeride/all-mountain trend within skiing, and prefer something with a more classic, powerful feel. Find out all about these exciting new skis right here, in our complete review of the 2020 Blizzard Firebird HRC!

Finding yourself looking for something to fill the void now that skiing's over and Summer's just starting? How about Rollerblading? As you may have noticed, we began carrying Rollerblade products last Summer, and have doubled down on our commitment to them in our second year. Why? Well, the truth is, Rollerblading is a relatively inexpensive way to cross-train during the offseason. If you're feeling skeptical, we'd encourage you to check out this new review of the Rollerblade Twister Edge, as well as Rollerblade's new Skate to Ski program! Enjoy!

One of the most exciting new skis from Nordica for the upcoming season is undoubtedly the brand new 2020 Nordica Santa Ana 88. Existing as the narrowest Santa Ana option, the 88 is an ideal balance of power, maneuverability, and of course, fun. With two layers of metal paired with light weight balsa, the 2020 Nordica Santa Ana 88 is the perfect fit for advanced female skiers looking for a powerful ski that's not a burden. Find out all there is to know about this exciting new ski in our comprehensive ski review!

New from Elan for 2020 is the Ripstick 88. Taking the place of the Ripstick 86, the all new Ripstick 88 steers clear of seriousness and instead focuses on giving skiers what they want: pure, unadulterated fun. While some skis in the ~90mm range utilize metal to create a powerful, all mountain feel, the 2020 Elan Ripstick 88 chooses a decidedly different path. Utilizing a full wood core, Elan's Amphibio Rocker, and other fun-oriented features, these skis are extra playful and nimble, as exhibited by Glen Plake in this review of the all new 2020 Elan Ripstick 88!