This guide is for Alpine Skis. For help with Nordic Ski sizing, please call us at: (877) 812-6710.
Ski Sizing can be tricky, thanks to a combination of the ever changing ski technology. It used to be that if you extended your arm upwards, you should be able to reach the tips of your skis. Then parabolic shapes came along. Then skis got wider. Then rocker technology came along, and, long story short, there’s way more room for preference and interpretation than ever before. The good news is that the all around quality of skis is increasing, making it more possible than ever to find a ski that fits your specific style and preferences. The bad news, is that it can be a bit more difficult to do- but that’s why we’re here. Take a look at the chart below, and if you have any trouble figuring out your size range, scroll past the cart to where we provide more information regarding these categories.
Sometimes you just need to speak to a expert, so if you're still having trouble picking a size, please give us a call at (877) 812-6710.
Rules of Thumb:
Adults: Between Chin and Eyebrows
Kids: Between Chest and Chin
Height
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
3'
65-75 CM
65-75 CM
65-75 CM
65-75 CM
3'2"
75-85 CM
75-85 CM
75-85 CM
75-85 CM
3'4"
80-90 CM
80-90 CM
80-90 CM
80-90 CM
3'6"
85-95 CM
85-95 CM
85-95 CM
85-95 CM
3'8"
90-100 CM
90-100 CM
90-100 CM
90-100 CM
3'10"
95-105 CM
95-105 CM
95-105 CM
95-105 CM
4'
100-110 CM
100-110 CM
100-110 CM
100-110 CM
4'2"
105-115 CM
105-115 CM
105-115 CM
105-115 CM
4'4"
110-120 CM
110-120 CM
110-120 CM
120-125 CM
4'6"
115-118 CM
118-121 CM
122-125 CM
125-132 CM
4'8"
121-124 CM
124-127 CM
127-130 CM
130-138 CM
4'10"
124-129 CM
129-134 CM
134-139 CM
139-148 CM
5'
134-139 CM
139-144 CM
144-149 CM
149-160 CM
5'2"
139-144 CM
144-149 CM
149-154 CM
154-165 CM
5'4"
144-149 CM
149-154 CM
154-159 CM
159-170 CM
5'6"
149-154 CM
154-159 CM
159-164 CM
164-175 CM
5'8"
154-159 CM
159-164 CM
164-169 CM
169-180 CM
5'10"
159-164 CM
164-169 CM
169-174 CM
174-185 CM
6'
164-169 CM
169-174 CM
174-179 CM
179-190 CM
6'2"
169-174 CM
174-179 CM
179-184 CM
184-195 CM
6'4"
174-179 CM
179-184 CM
184-189 CM
189-200 CM
6'6"
179-184 CM
184-189 CM
189-194 CM
194-205 CM
6'8"
184-189 CM
189-194 CM
194-199 CM
199-210+ CM
Skill Level Descriptions:
Beginner: Chances are you’ll know if this is you. Beginner skiers are classified as people who have never ever skied, right up to those just starting to dabble in Intermediate trails. Chances are if you’re the type of skier who typically skis with a “ski-mentor” or a friend who’s job it is to get you down the mountain. Skill wise, you’ll be able to control your speed with snowplowing, wedging, or forming a “pizza”. Turns will be slow and steady, and at the end of your time as a beginner, you’ll be starting to tip your skis to turn rather than pushing yourself to turn with your heels.
Intermediate: Congratulations! You’ve made it to the next level in skiing. Rather than snowplow your way down blue squares, you’re able to use the shape of your skis to make parabolic or carving turns. You’re likely still pretty cautious in regards to your speed, but are able to stop on demand and have a bit more confidence that you’ll make it to the bottom in one piece. Most intermediate skiers will be tempted to wander off trail, but may not be brave enough quite yet. Some certainly will, but if off-trail skiing becomes your preference, chances are you’ve graduated to the next level.
Advanced: This might be one of the hardest groups to identify. If you know you’re not an Intermediate skier still, but aren’t quite confident enough to call yourself an expert, then chances are this is you. Ski lengths on our chart above will fall somewhere between your nose and eyebrows. This is what used to be referred to as “Expert” until rocker skis came along and let experts go back to over head ski lengths. Characteristics of an advanced skier would be: the ability to ski most, if not all trails, an ability to ski fast, regular ability to ski off trail, and more traditionally, the ability to link full carving turns at full speed.
Expert: Hands down, you’re the best skier on the mountain. Ok, so maybe not the best, but you certainly could be a contendah, kid. Black diamond, double black diamond, centuple black diamond, it doesn’t even matter. You’re that good at skiing. Heck, you could probably even ski blindfolded and with your hands tied behind your back. Well, maybe not, but you get my point. If you’re truly an expert skier, you probably know it.
Other Considerations:
Weight: There’s no easy way to say it, but skiers who are carrying around a bit of extra weight should consider staying to the higher side of the scale. More weight means the skis will feel softer, and shorter. With a bit of extra length, the skis will have a more accurate flex and better weight distribution. Conversely, skiers who are exceptionally light should stick towards to smaller side of the scale, for similar reasons.
Use: This is a question that’s most relevant to advanced or expert skiers: Where are you skiing? If you’re looking to buy a powder ski, the natural notion is to go a bit longer. In most cases, this is the right call, but skiers should be geo-conscious before buying more than they can handle. For example, East Coast skiers may have visions of skiing wide open powder fields, but the reality is that 9/10 they’ll have to navigate tight trees before finding their 100 yard straight shot of glory. Out West, where things are a bit more open, it’s not uncommon to see skiers on skis much taller than themselves. Powder is likely the most common reason to adjust your ski size, but other specialties such as ski racing, park skiing, and moguls can all skew what size is proper for you.
Preference: Finally, there’s preference. While this isn’t a free pass to say “screw all that, I know I need 210’s!,” it is an official recognition that different skiers have different preferences which can easily change the length of ski they purchase. Myself? I size up. I like the extra stability on groomers, and with 102mm waist widths, the extra length allows me to use these skis in light powder on those rare East Coast days.
SKI POLE SIZING
Alpine (Downhill) Pole Sizing
The nice thing about sizing ski poles is that it's relatively straight foreword. To determine your size, simply flip a ski pole over, grab it under the basket, and place the handle on the ground. If you're holding the right size pole, you'll notice that your elbow forms a perfect 90 degree angle between your bicep and forearm. If the pole is too long, then your forearm will be angled slightly up. Too short, and you'll find your forearm angled downward. Of course if you don't have ski poles to try this out on, you can always use the chart below. Finding the proper length ski pole is important as ski poles too long will actually shift your center of balance to behind you, and a pole that's too short will put it in front of you.
Skier Height:
3'2 - 3'4
3'5 - 3'8
3'9 - 4'0
4'1 - 4'4
4'5 - 4'8
4'9 - 5'0
5'1 - 5'3
5'4 - 5'6
5'7 - 5'9
5'10 - 6'0
6'1 - 6'3
6'4 - 6'6
Ski Pole Length (IN):
32"
34"
36"
38"
40"
42"
44"
46"
48"
50"
52"
54"
Ski Pole Length (CM):
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
135
Nordic (Cross Country) Pole Sizing
Cross-country pole sizing is easy as well. For classic or touring poles, the correct size pole should reach your armpit. For skate skiing, poles should be a bit longer. The rule of thumb for skate poles is that they should come between your lip and your nose. So you can measure yourself, or you can just check out our handy-dandy chart below.
Skier Height:
4'11"
5'0"
5'1"
5'2"
5'3"
5'4"
5'5"
5'6"
5'7"
5'8"
5'9"
5'10"
5'11"
6'0"
6'1"
6'2"
6'3"
6'4"
Skate (CM):
130
132
135
137
140
142
145
147
150
152
155
157
160
162
165
167
170
172
Classic/Touring (CM):
120
122
125
127
130
132
135
137
140
142
145
147
150
152
155
157
160
162
We're looking for your Mondo Point size, and the conversion is easy! Find your street shoe size on the chart, determine men's, women's, or kid's, and find the corresponding Mondo size! Please keep in mind that ski boots DO NOT come in half-sizes. If you measure a Men's 8/Mondopoint 26, please select 26.5, for example.
BOOT SOLE LENGTH: What is it?
Your boot sole length is the actual length of your ski boot, in millimeters. This is the number that our ski techs will use to mount your bindings. While you’ll still need a final adjustment done before you can ski, providing us with your boot sole length is absolutely crucial if you’d like us to send your skis pre-mounted with your bindings.
HOW DO I FIND IT?
Finding your Boot Sole Length (BSL) is easy. On your ski boot, there will be a 3 digit number on the outside or inside heel of one or both of your boots. Keep in mind that there shouldn't be a decimal (ex. 28.5). If the number you see has a decimal, then you’re probably looking at your Mondo Point size which isn’t accurate enough to use when mounting bindings. Other hints that you're looking at the Mondo Point and not the BSL would be if it looks something like "270/275" or if the number is found on the bottom of the boot. If you’ve looked all over and still can’t find your BSL, it’s also acceptable to measure along the bottom of the boot from the very tip of the toe, to back of the heel- just make sure you measure in Millimeters!
ISN'T THE BSL THE SAME AS MONDO POINT?
Nope! The mondo point size is the generic boot size that every boot maker uses it. Think of it as a shoe size, like a "size 11" for example. The boot sole length is the literal length from toe to heel of that boot, measured in millimeters. It's entirely possible and very common for boots with the same Mondo Point to have different Boot Sole Lengths. Because ski bindings are so precise, it's crucial to have them mounted to the BSL and not the Mondo Point.
HOW CAN I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR FREE MOUNTING OFFER?
We offer FREE mounting if you provide your actual Boot Sole Length ("BSL") in mm in the “sole length” box below selecting length of ski. If the box is left blank, the skis and bindings will be sent separately and unmounted. We cannot guarantee mounting if your BSL is provided after the original order is placed. If you need to find your BSL, but would still like to submit your order, please enter "I will provide" in the Sole Length box and we will hold your order for mounting. Please note: We are unable to mount Look Pivot bindings because the actual boot is required due to the extremely small amount of adjustment in the heel. Please remember, you will still have to take them to a certified technician at a local ski shop before your first run. They will need to set the forward pressure, DIN, toe height, and test the bindings with your boot to ensure safety.
ALPINE SKI SIZING
This guide is for Alpine Skis. For help with Nordic Ski sizing, please call us at: (877) 812-6710.
Ski Sizing can be tricky, thanks to a combination of the ever changing ski technology. It used to be that if you extended your arm upwards, you should be able to reach the tips of your skis. Then parabolic shapes came along. Then skis got wider. Then rocker technology came along, and, long story short, there’s way more room for preference and interpretation than ever before. The good news is that the all around quality of skis is increasing, making it more possible than ever to find a ski that fits your specific style and preferences. The bad news, is that it can be a bit more difficult to do- but that’s why we’re here. Take a look at the chart below, and if you have any trouble figuring out your size range, scroll past the cart to where we provide more information regarding these categories.
Sometimes you just need to speak to a expert, so if you're still having trouble picking a size, please give us a call at (877) 812-6710.
Rules of Thumb:
Adults: Between Chin and Eyebrows
Kids: Between Chest and Chin
Height
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
3'
65-75 CM
65-75 CM
65-75 CM
65-75 CM
3'2"
75-85 CM
75-85 CM
75-85 CM
75-85 CM
3'4"
80-90 CM
80-90 CM
80-90 CM
80-90 CM
3'6"
85-95 CM
85-95 CM
85-95 CM
85-95 CM
3'8"
90-100 CM
90-100 CM
90-100 CM
90-100 CM
3'10"
95-105 CM
95-105 CM
95-105 CM
95-105 CM
4'
100-110 CM
100-110 CM
100-110 CM
100-110 CM
4'2"
105-115 CM
105-115 CM
105-115 CM
105-115 CM
4'4"
110-120 CM
110-120 CM
110-120 CM
120-125 CM
4'6"
115-118 CM
118-121 CM
122-125 CM
125-132 CM
4'8"
121-124 CM
124-127 CM
127-130 CM
130-138 CM
4'10"
124-129 CM
129-134 CM
134-139 CM
139-148 CM
5'
134-139 CM
139-144 CM
144-149 CM
149-160 CM
5'2"
139-144 CM
144-149 CM
149-154 CM
154-165 CM
5'4"
144-149 CM
149-154 CM
154-159 CM
159-170 CM
5'6"
149-154 CM
154-159 CM
159-164 CM
164-175 CM
5'8"
154-159 CM
159-164 CM
164-169 CM
169-180 CM
5'10"
159-164 CM
164-169 CM
169-174 CM
174-185 CM
6'
164-169 CM
169-174 CM
174-179 CM
179-190 CM
6'2"
169-174 CM
174-179 CM
179-184 CM
184-195 CM
6'4"
174-179 CM
179-184 CM
184-189 CM
189-200 CM
6'6"
179-184 CM
184-189 CM
189-194 CM
194-205 CM
6'8"
184-189 CM
189-194 CM
194-199 CM
199-210+ CM
Skill Level Descriptions:
Beginner: Chances are you’ll know if this is you. Beginner skiers are classified as people who have never ever skied, right up to those just starting to dabble in Intermediate trails. Chances are if you’re the type of skier who typically skis with a “ski-mentor” or a friend who’s job it is to get you down the mountain. Skill wise, you’ll be able to control your speed with snowplowing, wedging, or forming a “pizza”. Turns will be slow and steady, and at the end of your time as a beginner, you’ll be starting to tip your skis to turn rather than pushing yourself to turn with your heels.
Intermediate: Congratulations! You’ve made it to the next level in skiing. Rather than snowplow your way down blue squares, you’re able to use the shape of your skis to make parabolic or carving turns. You’re likely still pretty cautious in regards to your speed, but are able to stop on demand and have a bit more confidence that you’ll make it to the bottom in one piece. Most intermediate skiers will be tempted to wander off trail, but may not be brave enough quite yet. Some certainly will, but if off-trail skiing becomes your preference, chances are you’ve graduated to the next level.
Advanced: This might be one of the hardest groups to identify. If you know you’re not an Intermediate skier still, but aren’t quite confident enough to call yourself an expert, then chances are this is you. Ski lengths on our chart above will fall somewhere between your nose and eyebrows. This is what used to be referred to as “Expert” until rocker skis came along and let experts go back to over head ski lengths. Characteristics of an advanced skier would be: the ability to ski most, if not all trails, an ability to ski fast, regular ability to ski off trail, and more traditionally, the ability to link full carving turns at full speed.
Expert: Hands down, you’re the best skier on the mountain. Ok, so maybe not the best, but you certainly could be a contendah, kid. Black diamond, double black diamond, centuple black diamond, it doesn’t even matter. You’re that good at skiing. Heck, you could probably even ski blindfolded and with your hands tied behind your back. Well, maybe not, but you get my point. If you’re truly an expert skier, you probably know it.
Other Considerations:
Weight: There’s no easy way to say it, but skiers who are carrying around a bit of extra weight should consider staying to the higher side of the scale. More weight means the skis will feel softer, and shorter. With a bit of extra length, the skis will have a more accurate flex and better weight distribution. Conversely, skiers who are exceptionally light should stick towards to smaller side of the scale, for similar reasons.
Use: This is a question that’s most relevant to advanced or expert skiers: Where are you skiing? If you’re looking to buy a powder ski, the natural notion is to go a bit longer. In most cases, this is the right call, but skiers should be geo-conscious before buying more than they can handle. For example, East Coast skiers may have visions of skiing wide open powder fields, but the reality is that 9/10 they’ll have to navigate tight trees before finding their 100 yard straight shot of glory. Out West, where things are a bit more open, it’s not uncommon to see skiers on skis much taller than themselves. Powder is likely the most common reason to adjust your ski size, but other specialties such as ski racing, park skiing, and moguls can all skew what size is proper for you.
Preference: Finally, there’s preference. While this isn’t a free pass to say “screw all that, I know I need 210’s!,” it is an official recognition that different skiers have different preferences which can easily change the length of ski they purchase. Myself? I size up. I like the extra stability on groomers, and with 102mm waist widths, the extra length allows me to use these skis in light powder on those rare East Coast days.
SKI POLE SIZING
Alpine (Downhill) Pole Sizing
The nice thing about sizing ski poles is that it's relatively straight foreword. To determine your size, simply flip a ski pole over, grab it under the basket, and place the handle on the ground. If you're holding the right size pole, you'll notice that your elbow forms a perfect 90 degree angle between your bicep and forearm. If the pole is too long, then your forearm will be angled slightly up. Too short, and you'll find your forearm angled downward. Of course if you don't have ski poles to try this out on, you can always use the chart below. Finding the proper length ski pole is important as ski poles too long will actually shift your center of balance to behind you, and a pole that's too short will put it in front of you.
Skier Height:
3'2 - 3'4
3'5 - 3'8
3'9 - 4'0
4'1 - 4'4
4'5 - 4'8
4'9 - 5'0
5'1 - 5'3
5'4 - 5'6
5'7 - 5'9
5'10 - 6'0
6'1 - 6'3
6'4 - 6'6
Ski Pole Length (IN):
32"
34"
36"
38"
40"
42"
44"
46"
48"
50"
52"
54"
Ski Pole Length (CM):
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
135
Nordic (Cross Country) Pole Sizing
Cross-country pole sizing is easy as well. For classic or touring poles, the correct size pole should reach your armpit. For skate skiing, poles should be a bit longer. The rule of thumb for skate poles is that they should come between your lip and your nose. So you can measure yourself, or you can just check out our handy-dandy chart below.
Skier Height:
4'11"
5'0"
5'1"
5'2"
5'3"
5'4"
5'5"
5'6"
5'7"
5'8"
5'9"
5'10"
5'11"
6'0"
6'1"
6'2"
6'3"
6'4"
Skate (CM):
130
132
135
137
140
142
145
147
150
152
155
157
160
162
165
167
170
172
Classic/Touring (CM):
120
122
125
127
130
132
135
137
140
142
145
147
150
152
155
157
160
162
We're looking for your Mondo Point size, and the conversion is easy! Find your street shoe size on the chart, determine men's, women's, or kid's, and find the corresponding Mondo size! Please keep in mind that ski boots DO NOT come in half-sizes. If you measure a Men's 8/Mondopoint 26, please select 26.5, for example.
BOOT SOLE LENGTH: What is it?
Your boot sole length is the actual length of your ski boot, in millimeters. This is the number that our ski techs will use to mount your bindings. While you’ll still need a final adjustment done before you can ski, providing us with your boot sole length is absolutely crucial if you’d like us to send your skis pre-mounted with your bindings.
HOW DO I FIND IT?
Finding your Boot Sole Length (BSL) is easy. On your ski boot, there will be a 3 digit number on the outside or inside heel of one or both of your boots. Keep in mind that there shouldn't be a decimal (ex. 28.5). If the number you see has a decimal, then you’re probably looking at your Mondo Point size which isn’t accurate enough to use when mounting bindings. Other hints that you're looking at the Mondo Point and not the BSL would be if it looks something like "270/275" or if the number is found on the bottom of the boot. If you’ve looked all over and still can’t find your BSL, it’s also acceptable to measure along the bottom of the boot from the very tip of the toe, to back of the heel- just make sure you measure in Millimeters!
ISN'T THE BSL THE SAME AS MONDO POINT?
Nope! The mondo point size is the generic boot size that every boot maker uses it. Think of it as a shoe size, like a "size 11" for example. The boot sole length is the literal length from toe to heel of that boot, measured in millimeters. It's entirely possible and very common for boots with the same Mondo Point to have different Boot Sole Lengths. Because ski bindings are so precise, it's crucial to have them mounted to the BSL and not the Mondo Point.
HOW CAN I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR FREE MOUNTING OFFER?
We offer FREE mounting if you provide your actual Boot Sole Length ("BSL") in mm in the “sole length” box below selecting length of ski. If the box is left blank, the skis and bindings will be sent separately and unmounted. We cannot guarantee mounting if your BSL is provided after the original order is placed. If you need to find your BSL, but would still like to submit your order, please enter "I will provide" in the Sole Length box and we will hold your order for mounting. Please note: We are unable to mount Look Pivot bindings because the actual boot is required due to the extremely small amount of adjustment in the heel. Please remember, you will still have to take them to a certified technician at a local ski shop before your first run. They will need to set the forward pressure, DIN, toe height, and test the bindings with your boot to ensure safety.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI SIZING
Fitting cross country skis is different then fitting alpine skis. Instead of fitting the ski by height, the skis that we carry are fit by weight. Check the charts below to see which size you need. Still have questions? Don't hesitate to give us a call at (877) 812-6710 and let us help you.
Last season, the Black Crow Atris got a bit of an upgrade as subtle changes to its shape and construction resulted in a noticeably more well rounded skis. With so much gear to review and so little time, this ski regrettably slipped through the cracks last year and we never got around to giving it the full review treatment that it deserves. Now that we know it’s back for the 2024 season unchanged besides a strong graphical upgrade, we figured it’d be the perfect time to dive into this ski and share the updates that make it one of our favorite mid 100mm s free ride skis available. Find out all you need to know about the 2024 Black Crows Atris in this comprehensive ski review, brought to you by Bob!
Bonus post alert! For the past couple of month’s Jeff and Volk’s Andy Mann had been trying to align schedules to setup an interview to discuss all of the exciting updates coming to Volk’s 2024 line. Eventually realizing that an in-person meetup simply wasn’t going to happen, they decided to hold the discussion via video chat. While Andi was driving. At night. Long story short here, while the interview itself didn’t go according to plan, we feel compelled to share it anyways as we’re quite grateful for the efforts of one man and one Mann. Anyways. There’s some good stuff in here, so if you’re looking to get the jump on the latest 2024 ski preview from Volkl, click in and give this interview a watch/listen!
If you read last week’s Top Five Friday, you probably have a good idea of what’s in store for you this week as we previewed a couple of really exciting contests that were underway at the time of publishing. This week, we’ll circle back and tell you all about the results from the 2023 Red Bull Playstreets and 2023 Kings and Queens of Corbet’s- both of which surpassed our expectations. Of course we’ll also bring you up to speed on the latest from Mikeala Shiffrin who, after yet another amazing week, broke yet another record. Finally, for those who could care less about competition, we’ve got an article regarding a multimillion dollar class action lawsuit facing Alterra, as well as a number of excellent edits. Find out all you need to know from this week in ski news in this edition of Top Five Fridays!
Last year, Nordica snuck an intriguing new technology into the Wild Belle 84- its double core technology. After successfully trialing the unique construction concept in this ski last year, Nordica decided to roll it out in a big way for 2024, bringing into a number of their frontside skis, ranging in skill level from intermediate to ultra expert. Amongst this roll out is a brand new ski: the 2024 Nordica Steadfast 85 DC. We recently had the opportunity to hop on this ski alongside our regional Nordica reps, where we all put this thing through the paces here at Stowe. The short story is, this ski rips, and we think a lot of our customers are going to love it. The long story, of course, can be found in this full review of the 2024 Nordica Steadfast 85 DC. Click through and enjoy!
This week in ski news, we have a noticeable shift in coverage as compared to recent weeks which have been chock full of competitive coverage. Don’t get us wrong, we’ll still recap the latest results from the FIS World Championships and preview a couple of freeskiing events that are currently underway and which we’ll recap in full next week. The difference though, is that our focus this week is on a trio of lifestyle stories, including excellent participation in an uphill clinic put on by the National Brotherhood of Skiers this week, Eldora Mountain’s weekly coworking sessions, and news of a second lift coming to Silverton. Find out all about the latest round of ski news, and check out our favorite edits of the week, in this edition of Top Five Fridays!
Sometimes when we’re tasked with testing a brand new ski, there’s a bit of discussion in regards to who’s best suited for the task. Other times, the decision is obvious. The latter was the case when we learned that Elan was introducing a Ripstick inspired twin-tip series with the 2024 Playmaker 91 and 101: Jeff would write the review. With a background in freestyle skiing and significant experience skiing and developing the latest iteration of the Ripsticks, there are likely few more qualified people in the world to share their initial thoughts and feelings on the new 2024 Elan Playmaker 101. In this review, Jeff does just that, and we have a feeling you’ll like what he has to say. Enjoy!
Pretty much from the moment the men’s Elan Ripstick Black Edition skis were released, a core sect of women’s Ripstick lovers immediately began demanding a women’s black edition ski. Amongst those was our very own Emily, who loved the 2023 Elan Ripstick 94 W, but whose aggressive skiing style badly wanted a more serious version of the ski. Luckily for Emily, as well as aggressive female skiers everywhere, Elan eventually heard the call and released the 2023 Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition. A carryover ski for 2024, Emily recently put the ski to the test, and while the black on black tiger stripe graphics are incredibly cool, they weren’t what impressed her most about the ski. To find out what did, click through and read her full review of the 2023/2024 Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition!
This week in ski news, we’ve got something of a follow-up issue as we recap the results from a number of competitions that we previewed with you last week. We’ll kick things off as we always do this time of year, with the latest updates from the world of FIS alpine racing, where Shiffrin continues to tally up the gold medals. From there, we’ll bring you a recap of X Games results, including news of multiple never-been-done tricks. Finally, we round out our competition coverage with a recap of two Freeride World Tour events, followed by an update from Japanese ski culture. Find out all the news you need to know, and catch a number of great edits and event recaps, in this edition of Top Five Fridays!
Have you found yourself drooling over Bob’s outerwear kit in this year’s reviews? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Lots of people have. This week, Bob put his pen to paper and wrote a bit about his Strafe Hayden Jacket and Summit Pants - an insulated kit that’s received plenty of compliments while simultaneously keeping him warm on the mountain. From fit to fabric, Bob breaks down the kit from head to toe in this review of the Strafe Hayden Jacket and Summit Pants. Enjoy!
Here on the East Coast, we’ve had what you might call a “firm” start to the year. As such, we’ve been thinking more and more about how traditional frontside skis have become a bit overlooked, despite being the perfect tool for a vast majority of ski days. Case in point: the all new 2024 Rossignol Forza series. Numbered to indicated edge angle potential, the new Rossignol Forza series offers something for everyone, starting with the entry level Forza 20, right up to the Forza 70 Master. This week, we’ll be focusing on a review of the 2024 Rossignol Forza 70, while also touching on the Forza 70 Master, Forza 60, and Forza 50. If you’re someone whose considering buying a dedicated frontside ski next season, you’ll for sure want to have the Rossignol Forza series on your radar. Click through to find out why!
This week in ski news, we’re talking about competition. As you’ve likely heard, Mikeala Shiffrin notched another two first place finishes, bringing her total to 84, and making her the most successful FIS female ski racer of all time. We’ll tell you all about that, as well as preview the upcoming X Games and Freeride World Tour stop, both of which are scheduled for this weekend. Finally, we round things out on a down note, as there’s big changes on the horizon for Warren Miller Entertainment. Find out all you need to know from this week in ski news in this edition of Top Five Fridays!
Last week, we shared Emily’s review of the 2023 Nordica Unleashed 98 W, an exciting new ski from Nordica for the 2022-2023 season. Today, we’re following that up with a review of the 2023 Nordica Unleashed 108. Much like the Unleashed 98 W, we were super impressed by the 108’s versatility. By bringing Santa Ana influenced construction techniques into a twin tip shape, Nordica has created a powder ski that’s powerful while remaining versatile. To learn more about Bob’s experience on this excellent ski, click through and read our full review of the 2023 and 2024 Nordica Unleashed 108!
As we get deeper into the season, we're continuing the trend of reviewing the ski kits you see our team of reviewers wear as they put skis to the test. This week, Jeff's checking in with a review of his Armada Grands 3L Jacket and Emmons 3L Bibs. Between the fit, features, and price point, this setup comes highly recommended. Learn more by checking out this all new gear review, fresh off the press!
Another week in the books, another round of ski news! This time around we’ve got a special edition of Top Five Fridays as Bob takes over highlight #1 to share some pretty significant announcements from the world of ski boots. After that, we’ll get back on track with coverage of the most recent FIS World Cup Alpine action, as well as a feel good story regarding Ukrainian refugees and a small ski area in Wyoming, and a story we’re very unsure about. Get the details of these highlights, as well as our favorite edits from the week, and more in this installment of Top Five Fridays!
New from Nordica for the 2022/2023 season is the Unleashed series. Taking cues from both the Santa Ana and the Soul Rider, the Unleashed skis are unique in that they offer a powerful twin tip platform. This week, Emily takes us through the details beneath the topsheet of the 2023 Nordica Unleashed 98 W, showing us how they're made and how they ski. For someone like Emily whose skiing features a mix of powerful turns, bump runs, and switch skiing, the 2023 Nordica Unleashed 98 W proved to be a candidate for a one ski quiver. To read the full extent of her review, click through!
