Category: Ski Reviews

Oftentimes in the world of skiing, the competitive nature of business results in brands feeling compelled to make strong marketing claims regarding their skis. Each year it seems that numerous brands all claim to be the “best” at the same things- an impossible paradox. It’s with that in mind that we’re here to describe the 2021 Elan Wingman 86 CTI as simply, “fun.” This is a ski that doesn’t get caught up in taking itself too seriously, and instead just provides and exceptionally fun ride on snow. To find out what makes this ski so remarkable, check out this review of the 2021 Elan Wingman 86 CTI!

You’ve been asking for it, so here it is: our first ever ski binding comparison article! Despite being an absolutely critical piece of equipment, ski bindings often get a bit overlooked when it comes to dialing in that perfect new setup. It’s understandable. After all, every pair of bindings is more than capable of accomplishing the primary objective of keeping your skis on your feet until they need to come off. Despite that commonality though, there are actually quite a few considerations that should go into making your next binding purchase, especially now that Alpine / AT hybrid bindings are on the market. Find out what you need to know when buying your next pair of bindings in our 2021Ski Binding Comparison!

This week in our ongoing ski comparison series, we take a closer look at 2021 Men’s All Mountain skis in the mid 90mm waist range. Arguably the most popular category of men’s skis, the options in this segment are also some of the most versatile, making excellent daily drivers for a wide range of ski conditions. For some, the skis in this category could also be candidates for a one-ski quiver as their width makes them capable of high performance on both groomers and in softer snow. If this sounds like your type of ski, check out to see how they compare!

Now that we've discussed a bulk of the 2021 men's ski options, we're excited to finally be ready to swing over the women's side of the sport. To kick things off for the ladies, we're covering on of the most sought after ski segments: Women's All Mountain skis in the ~90mm waist range. From soft and playful to super super serious, there's a lot of variety in this category of skis, so if you think you're in the market we definitely recommend checking out this comparison of 2021 ~90mm Women's All ountain Skis!

For installment #5 of our ongoing ski comparison series, we’re focusing on men’s all mountain skis in the mid-80mm waist range. While the skis in this category typically don’t receive the attention that their narrower, purely frontside counterparts, or slightly wider freeride oriented siblings do, they do feature the widest range of both applications and price points. Ranging from $399 to $1,250, and targeting everyone from intermediate skiers to particularly advanced skiers, this is likely the easiest category to chose the wrong ski in. To help ensure that you make the choice that’s best for you, we encourage you to check out our full comparison of 2021 Men’s Mid-80 MM All Mountain Skis!

In the fourth episode of our ongoing series comparing 2021 skis, we dive into a recap of 2021 Men’s Frontside skis. Narrow, stable, and built to carve, this category of ski isn’t for everyone, but those who dream of corduroy are going to love this comparison guide. In this category, skis vary widely in the skill level they’re most appropriate for, meaning it’s entirely possible that skiers shopping for a frontside ski could be significantly underwhelmed or overwhelmed by their purchase if they don’t know what they’re getting into. For example, an intermediate skier would find love the 2021 Volkl Deacon 79, while ex ski racers or beer league champions would strongly prefer the 2021 Rossignol Hero Athlete GS. If you’re looking into a 2021 Men’s Frontside ski, check out this guide to help ensure you’re buying the right ski for you!

As you likely know by now, one of our core beliefs at SkiEssentials is that there really aren’t any bad skis anymore, some skis are just better suited to an individual’s particular style and ability. As such, when it comes to buying skis, the trick isn’t to buy the “best” ski, it’s to sort through your options to discover which one is best for you. In the third installment of our 2021 ski comparisons, we’ll take a look at Men’s Freeride skis in the Mid 100mm category. From skis with attitude such as the Stöckli Stormrider 105, to more playful twin tips like the 2021 Line Sir Francis Bacon, this article looks to walk you through this year’s options, ultimately helping you narrow down your options. Click through to check out all the details!