By: Jordan Sunshine: Ski Buyer | September 22, 2023
The leaves are turning, mornings are a little cooler, and when the wind blows right, you can imagine winter’s imminent arrival. So it’s time to get the gear out of the closet, go over your equipment, and lust after new skis. Indulge yourself. No one has ever regretted buying new skis, and winter is right around the corner!
The 2024 ski landscape is embracing versatility with the emergence of more approachable do-everything skis, marking a shift towards designs that cater to a broader spectrum of skiers. The integration of profiled metal and tail rocker in many models is a game changer, offering a blend of stability, ease of turn initiation, and playful performance. These innovations are not only lowering the entry barrier for novice riders but also providing seasoned skiers with adaptable options for varying terrains and conditions. The blend of profiled metal provides a smooth yet energetic ride, while the tail rocker adds a playful dimension, making each descent a unique adventure. The continuous evolution in ski design underscores the industry's commitment to enhancing the skiing experience for riders of all levels, ensuring there's a perfect pair of skis for every enthusiast out there.
The Blizzard Black Pearl 88 Skis have been a fan favorite for many years, and there's no sign of a letup. Smooth, balanced, and supremely capable in variable conditions, they offer a versatile ride that won't let you down on firmer snow, or at faster speeds. And that's not all. This year the Black Pearl 88 has been redesigned with input from Blizzard's trailblazing Women 2 Women project, engineered with a women's specific TrueBlend Flipcore layup that allows you to squeeze the juice out of every run.
Dimensions (mm) | Turning Radius (m) | Original Price |
128 - 88 - 110 | 14 | $699.95 |
Introducing a backcountry ski for the most creative, pow-hungry earn-your-turners in the land. The Season Pass Skis are a wider, lighter take on the ultra-versatile Nexus skis because the crew at Season knows why you tour. Built with an ultra-light wood core of Poplar and Paulownia and a nearly symmetrical twin shape, the Pass is light enough for full days on the trail but stout enough to shred hard on the way down. Never has there been such a wealth of options for skiing beyond the confines of the resort - the Season Pass pushes the envelope for the most playful and imaginative among us. This ski might be understated, but it’s sure to overdeliver.
Dimensions (mm) | Turning Radius (m) | Original Price |
146 - 115 - 142 | 17 | $849.00 |
Long the standard by which high-performance all-mountain skis are gauged, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis haven't lost a step as they've evolved - rather, they continue to get more and more versatile without giving up the tenacious ability to hold an edge and scribe a precise turn they've always had. This season's M6 continues to walk the walk with its Tailored Titanal Frame and Tailored Carbon Tip construction, leaving it up to you to put it through its paces.
Dimensions (mm) | Turning Radius (m) | Original Price |
135 - 96 - 119 | 18 | $749.00 |
The philosophy of taking your tricks out of the park and into the pow has been a trend that suited the Bent Chetler line of skis perfectly, but for years, skiers had to choose between the powder hungry 120 and the more low tide-oriented 100. No longer. The Atomic Bent 110 Skis fill the niche so perfectly that they've quickly become the fastest skis to sell out at evo in a long, long while. With an all-purpose twin shape, Combining Powder Rocker with HRZN tips and tails for better float in the deep, and a relatively light construction that lends itself to creativity in the air, the Bent 110 does it all with a big smile.
Dimensions (mm) | Turning Radius (m) | Original Price |
133 - 110 - 124 | 18 | $749.95 |
Want an all-mountain destroyer that will happily navigate tight trees and stubborn rock-infested steeps, with enough edge grip to handle the hard groomers on the way back to the lift? The Salomon QST 98 Skis are a winner in this popular category, with weight-saving use of C/FX Carbon-Flax fiber and Cork Damplifier tips and tails to keep swing weight down but smooth performance up.
Dimensions (mm) | Turning Radius (m) | Original Price |
133 - 98 - 121 | 17 | $649.95 |
In areas of the country that get regular snowfall - and snowfall that's not always powder - the Nordica Enforcer 100 Skis are a staple of the all-mountain category. This is the all-mountain design that sets the bar for performance that spans all snow types from powder to mank, rides with a trademark smoothness that assures confidence on the toughest terrain, and lets you have it all without being particularly demanding. Iconic? Superior? Legendary? Yes, all of the above, and if you don't own one already, you'll be that much older when you join the crowd.
Dimensions (mm) | Turning Radius (m) | Original Price |
133 - 100 - 121 | 18.4 | $799.99 |
Can't decide between a powder ski and and all-conditions ski? Get the best of all worlds with the Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis, and don't look back. With an all new design featuring FluxForm Titanal around the perimeter of the ski and a perfectly tuned TrueBlend Freeride core, the latest Ruster 10 is a little less "carvy" than the old version, and more confident at speed. With a waist of 102mm but plenty of surface area at the tip and tail, the R10 is the most versatile (and popular) of the outstanding Rustler series.
Nic, Customer Care Representative: "The ski can charge, turns on command, and inspires confidence in steep terrain. Great for the aggressive all mountain skier looking to tackle advanced terrain off the groomers."
Read Blizzard Rustler 10 In-Depth Review
Sammi, Product Content Writer: "The Sheeva 10’s live up to their purpose as a middle ground yet powerful all-mountain ski. What you sacrifice in tight turnability, the Sheeva 10 gains in stability and speed."
Read Blizzard Sheeva 10 In-Depth Review
Dimensions (mm) | Turning Radius (m) | Original Price |
134- 102- 123 | 17.5 | $799.95 |
From the park to the pow, the Armada ARV 100 Skis are designed to be a twin tip, double duty crusher. Equipped with W3Dgewall sidewall construction, these mid-wide baddies are durable enough to smash some rails and slide into that untouched park adjacent pow run on the ride out. Their Caruba core keeps things light and floaty, and Armada's classic buttery flex gives them a smooth and easy to maneuver ride.
Alex, Digital Content Manager: "I found the new ARV 100 to have a very good balance of forgiveness and playfulness at lower speeds, without feeling gutless or floppy at higher speeds - in fact, I was impressed by how much I could push it all while being able to control turn shape with ease. A wonderful option for intermediate to expert skiers looking for a fun, easy-ride all over the mountain."
Read Armada ARV 100 In-Depth Review
Dimensions (mm) | Turning Radius (m) | Original Price |
128 - 100 - 120 | 18 | $699.95 |
Get your carve on with the Elan Ripstick 96 Skis, an every day ripper that excels on hard stuff and still delivers when it gets soft and creamy. From carving corduroy to hitting your fave stash, these bombers are made for heavy hitters who cut turns all the way across the run and don't mess around. Their asymmetrical amphibio profile gives you targeted precision exactly where you need it, while a Tubelite wood core with carbon keeps things light, agile, and ready to send side hits. Elan skis always deliver, and the Ripstick 96 is no exception.
Jake, Studio Photographer: "Fast, stable, fun, poppy are just a few of the adjectives that help describe the feelings while on this ski. The Ripstick holds true to its namesake and just wants to rip down every run."
Read Elan Ripstick 96 In-Depth Review
Dimensions (mm) | Turning Radius (m) | Original Price |
136 - 96 - 110 | 18 | $749.99 |
The all new K2 Mindbender 106 C Skis are designed to deliver lightweight all mountain performance in a powerful package. Push your skiing to new levels and indulge in all different types of snow thanks to spectral braid tech, a lightweight aspen wood core, and K2's signature playful flex. Lively, lovely, and built to shred, the Mindbender 106 C fills a gap in K2's lineup: freeride performance without the extra weight of metal. Don't be afraid to hit your favorite bootpack or play out of bounds, these freeriders will have you shredding till the sun goes down.
Andrew, EDI Coordinator: "I appreciated the longer radius and balanced weight in a time where there’s been a huge push for short radiuses and minimized weights. The Mindbender 106C feels natural at higher speeds but still makes you want to pop off every natural feature in sight and slash your way down any face."
Read K2 Mindbender 106 C In-Depth Review
Dimensions (mm) | Turning Radius (m) | Original Price |
137 - 106 - 127 | 18.9 | $699.95 |
Our ski buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things skiing stemming from years of experience in the ski industry in tandem with their countless hours spent on slopes everywhere from groomers to the remote backcountry around the world. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.