When outside temperatures start to drop and sunshine gives way to storms, skiers thoughts turn to the powder days that await. Sure, we’d love it if everyday on skis was like the ones we dream about, deep untracked snow on uncrowded slopes, but unfortunately that is not always reality. That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun on the mountain however. Skiing is all about turning, and ripping turns down groomers can be as fun as a powder day – almost. That is why we’re stoked to get out edges back this winter with a selection of skis that is designed to make turning fun again.
It may be second nature to skiers, but it all boils down to the turn. Without turning your first run will certainly be your last. Turning can be much more than just the way you change directions. It can be an art, a rebellion against the laws of physics, and it’s always a reflection of your style. No two skiers will make the same set of turns down the mountain — and that’s why we love it! Lucky for us, there is a whole new crop of skis dialed in to let you leave your own mark.
Many skiers have written off carving-specific skis as a thing of the past. While fat and rockered skis certainly have gotten better on piste, there is still nothing like a dedicated carver. You’ve probably noticed, but there’s a retro renaissance happening: dad hats, mom jeans, the list goes on… Point is, our parents had things figured out a bit more than we once thought – and the new wave of high performance carving skis makes it all the more apparent. These skis are build to rip groomed and hard snow like a race ski, but don’t need a closed course to do it.
Whether you used to race or you just have a need for speed, there’s no denying that laying down railroad tracks on fresh corduroy is one of the most fun things you can do on skis. Modern carving skis are capable of holding an edge like none other. Specs like narrower waist widths, flat tails, and aggressive camber profiles are designed to deliver the specific turn shapes and snappy edge-to-edge performance we love. Check out skis like the Atomic Redster X9, Salomon S/Max Blast, and Blizzard Firebird WRC to get your fix.
All mountain skis have gotten really good in recent years, and the concept of the “one-ski-quiver” is nearly ubiquitous, yet there’s a growing niche in this category of skis that can truly carve. Highlighted by this year’s exciting new offerings like the Line Sakana and redesigned Volkl Mantra M5. This class of skis is almost just as fun after the freshies are pillaged. These are some of the best all mountain skis available in our opinion.
Imagine a ski that you can explore off-piste with by morning but still have a blast arcing turns on groomers in the afternoon. Sound like a tall order? It is, but this new crop of skis has risen to the occasion and offer incredible performance both on- and off-piste. Skis like the Rossignol Experience 94 Ti, Blizzard Sheeva 9, and Elan Skis Ripstick 96 are go-tos in this category. Don’t sleep on ’em.
“Many skiers approach the mountain with a definitive style that they apply everywhere – a style that’s been well documented in the park and backcountry, but not necessarily inbounds, on relatable terrain. What we’re seeing now is a reaction to a snow culture that has been totally focused on park and pow – the creation of products and films for the skiing we do the majority of the time.”
Eric Pollard
Professional Skier & Ski Designer for Line Skis
No we’re not going to ditch our powder ski, we still love out fatties, we’re just bringing some more fun hard-snow focused compliments into the quiver. Not every day can be a powder day, which makes a great case to pick up a pair of skis that can make any snow conditions fun. Make the mountain your playground and leave your mark however you see fit.
PS: For snowboarding trends for the coming winter check here.