The 9 Best Skis of All Time According to Our Testers

The perfect ski is akin to the Holy Grail. It’s a legend we all believe in because as anyone who loves the sport knows, magic happens. The right ski on the right day with the right conditions on the right slopes makes us feel like a superhero. Then we spend the rest of the season, and every season after, trying to match that perfect moment.

We can’t control snow, but the one element of that elusive “perfect ski day” that's within our reach is choosing the right ski. So, in honor of this pursuit, here are our nine nominees for the best skis ever, which we’ve found have that mystical harmonic convergence. This list was compiled by ski fanatics, former pros, and of course, our core test team, with athletes from six countries represented.

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While many of us might personally avoid a term like "best of all time" to describe a ski (as any ski on a list like this is often best for something specific), if we had to tap a single pair for that honor, we've agreed it would be the Atomic Bent Chetler 120—which performs about as flawlessly for every condition as you could hope from a single pair of boards. It's especially heavenly in deep powder.

The caveat? The interface between skis, you, and the snow-of-the-day is pure alchemy. It’s a unique interaction between the material and composition of the ski and your particular style. Some skis are simply a great fit, while others you learn how to drive over time. A good ski keeps up with our daily ambitions. But a great ski opens the door to better technique and future aspiration.

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Finally, while we all have wild powder dreams, the vast majority of time for most of us will be spent on hard-packed slopes and groomed runs. While it’s easy to get goo-goo eyed over those big wide boards, chances are that a true carver will better cover most of your days on the slopes. Pick the wider powder board for your second ski. If your plans are something in between carving and floating, we’ve got a few spectacular both-base choices for you here, too. Whether you're squeezing in a day or two a month on the slopes, a week-long ski vacation, or that bucket list heli trip, here they are: our votes for the nine best skis ever made—so far. And if you just can't read enough about great skis and other top ski gear, check out our current best skis of the year lineup, plus best ski jackets, best ski pants and bibs, best après ski items, and more.

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Best Skis of All Time at a Glance

• Best Overall: Atomic Bent Chetler 120

• Best Big Mountain Crusher: 4FRNT Raven

• Best for Carving Groomers: Fischer Curv GT 80

• Best for Variable Conditions: DPS Carbon Kaizen 105

• Best Power Transmission and Stability at Speed: Black Crows Corvus Freebird

• Best for Mixed Snow Conditions: St?ckli Stormrider 95

• Best One Quiver Ski for Pushing Limits: Volkl Blaze 106

• Best for Freeride Explorers: Salomon QST 106

• Best for the Backcountry: 4FRNT MSP 107

Best Skis of All Time

Best Overall: Atomic Bent Chetler 120

This floatation-friendly ski gets high marks as a lively, directional performer. The overly rockered nose and tail makes it easy to pivot, whether you’re cresting pillows in Japan or floating freshies in Utah. The ski, designed by freeride icon Chris Benchetler, has won a hefty number of awards since its launch in 2009. But you don’t need to be a pro to rock the Atomic Bent Chetler 120, as the ski is surprisingly forgiving, with reliable stability at speed when you’re running it out back to the lift (or heli pad). The ski has a light wood core, single layer of carbon to dampen and strengthen the ski without diminishing its liveliness. The topsheet features artwork by Benchetler himself.

• Sizes (cm): 176, 184, 192

• Sidecut (mm): 143, 120, 134 (184)

• Radius (m): 19

• Weight (g): 1,800

Best Big Mountain Crusher: 4FRNT Raven

Testers from the Oregon Cascades to the French Alps universally love the 4FRNT Raven. “Love at first turn,” as one tester put it. This ski is svelte, light, and agile, delivering both uphill efficiency and big mountain performance. If you hunger for pristine powder and hard to reach alpine terrain, the fully rockered profile keeps your tips elevated while breaking trail. When you strip off your skins and tackle that technical line, the pre-bent rocker shape allows for quick adjustments and superior speed control. This is the ski you need to escape the crowds and dive into pristine slopes, designed for quick slashes and speed adjustments with a neutral, centered stance. Built with a high-quality Aspen and Maple core sourced from Canada, these skis are packed with energy and pop. Proprietary pre-stretched carbon fiber stringers inside the core maximize stability and energy without adding weight. This material outperforms traditional fiberglass, providing the liveliness you crave while keeping your skis light on your feet. Plus, the tip features a chatter-reducing Neoprene insert, and the sintered Race Base ensures unparalleled speed and glide. This is the ski you need to escape the crowds and explore new lines.

• Lengths (cm) 170, 177, 184, 190

• Dimensions (mm) 121-104-112

• Turn Radius (m) 29

• Weight (gm) 1658

Best for Carving Groomers: Fischer Curv GT 80

If you're a former ski racer or just want to feel like one, the Fischer Curv 80 is your ticket to precision turns. Designed for high-level carving and for skiers who thrive on hardpack, the Curv embraces Fischer’s long legacy of industry-leading alpine racing technology. Testers from Stowe to Whistler noted its excellent agility, rebound, and stability at speed. One tester noted that "these narrow-waisted skis know what to do when you tip them up on edge and apply a little pressure. There’s plenty of G-force in the arcs for the most discerning adrenaline junkie.” Featuring a full beech wood core and thick titanal laminates, the ski has an updated sidecut to enhance liveliness, while E-Triple Radius technology allows for intuitive arc adjustments, so you can lean confidently into every turn. It’s not too wide, so it is very manageable all day long, and the tailored binding plate adds just enough power to the ski for every level of skier from intermediates to the best of the best.

• Lengths (cm) 145, 152, 159, 166, 173, 180

• Dimensions (mm) 128-80-113

• Turn Radius (m) 14

• Weight (g) 1950

Best for Variable Conditions: DPS Carbon Kaizen 105

The Kaizen 105 seamlessly fuses cutting-edge innovation with high-performance versatility. Its rocker/camber/rocker profile features 40 percent tip and tail rocker, making it a standout in both powder and variable conditions. With a unique split core of poplar and ash, this ski maximizes damping for an energetic ride while enhancing stability with a longer effective edge. Perfect for skiers of all levels, the Kaizen 105 takes cues from DPS's classic designs, delivering longer turns and superior edge hold. Weighing between 1,590 and 2,076 grams, it offers agility for high-speed descents and quick maneuvering on technical terrain. Crafted from premium carbon fiber with a sintered World Cup race base, it promises exceptional speed and responsiveness. Made in Salt Lake City, the Kaizen 105 also champions sustainability with bio-based materials in its sidewalls. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty and a "Revive" program for trading in old skis, ensuring a dynamic ride on every adventure.

• Lengths (cm) 155, 163, 171, 179, 184, 189

• Dimensions (mm) 135-105-119

• Turn radius (m) 18

• Weight (g) 1981 (184 cm)

Best Power Transmission and Stability at Speed: Black Crows Corvus Freebird

Our test team has been smitten with the Corvus Freebird for years—not just for its fabulous hot pink topsheet, but for its mind-blowing stability at speed and power transmission that doesn’t require legs like young oaks. This is definitely not a beginner ski; it’s a tool that can easily get away from the unprepared. We thought it was perfection until we tested the new model with titanal reinforcement underfoot, which boosts stability and power even further. “If you’re a control freak about skiing, the new Corvus Freebird is for you,” says one tester. “It delivers absolute power.” The reverse camber underfoot ensures you float effortlessly in deep snow, while the flat tail provides precision on firmer terrain. The Corvus Freebird’s shape—a blend of freeride-oriented design with a carbon and fiberglass hybrid construction—enhances agility. “The progressive shape is playful without sacrificing precision,” says one tester after a season in the French Alps.

• Lengths (cm) 170, 183.4, 188.2

• Dimensions: 183.4 cm

• Turn Radius 21m

• Weight: 2000g

Best for Mixed Snow Conditions: St?ckli Stormrider 95

The Stormrider 95 is a fast ski that earns an A-plus from our hard-charging testers. A staple in St?ckli’s lineup for more than two decades, the 2024 model absolutely rocks. Swiss-made precision ensures fast arcs and smooth power transfer, and testers loved the redesigned, slimmer tail that felt lighter, softer, and more maneuverable than before. The new freeride rockered tip was effective in reducing swing weight while enhancing stability. In fact, everything seems lighter with the new ski. Inside the core, lightweight polymers have replaced some of the metal and wood, shaving off about 50 grams. Its completely revamped construction, geometry, and slightly forward binding point enhance maneuverability, providing a first-rate skiing experience. It’s a true speed demon on groomers and hardpack, yet surprisingly versatile in crud. The ski also features a Polywall sidewall that offers excellent dampening and impact resistance. Perhaps the best feature is St?ckli’s “Solid Metal Edge Light,” an edge that is set more shallow into the ski to allow for longer edge life, lighter weight, and better durability—maintaining the same edge width but reducing overall weight. Testers felt that they could go from hardpack to powder without breaking a sweat. And the brand’s iconic titanal topsheet really resists scratches and chips. After a season in the Swiss Alps, this ski held up better than anything else we tested.

• Lengths (cm) 170, 176, 182, 188

• Dimensions (mm) 132-95-120

• Turn Radius (m) 18.5 (182)

• Weight (g) 1830 (182)

Best One Quiver Ski for Pushing Your Limits: Volkl Blaze 106

If we had to sum up this ski in one word, it would be “money.” The Volkl Blaze 106 is the benchmark of aggressive versatility, whether you’re heading deep into uncharted backcountry or carving up a storm in Aspen. This ski has it all: stability, floatation, quickness, rebound, and it’s eminently forgiving. It's the best one-ski quiver for people who challenge themselves with ever-changing terrain. There’s an underfoot plate that adds edging power, plus a TPU strip that parallels the edges for vibration dampening and tracking. Pair it with the Marker Duke PT 12 binding for a setup that transitions effortlessly from resort to AT (alpine touring) mode.

• Sizes (cm): 165, 172, 179, 186

• Radius (m): 17 (180)

• Weight (g): 1,828 (179)

Best for Freeride Explorers: Salomon QST 106

If you seek the fringes of your resort, popping through boundary gates for some side-country snacking, the Salomon QST 106 is your ski. First released in the fall of 2016, this is the ski you’ll reach for 90 percent of the time. Our testers appreciated its “huge bandwidth," which dances through moguls and busts crud, yet edges like a dream when the best skiing of the day is the corduroy under the chair. The use of Cork Damplifier and C/FX Fiber rather than metal keeps the ski light. We like the new version’s longer rocker in the tip and tail for its quick turns and sure-footed agility.

• Sizes (cm): 157, 165, 173, 181, 189

• Sidecut (mm): 126-106-139 (181)

• Radius (m): 19 (181)

• Weight (g): 1,980 (181)

Best for the Backcountry: 4FRNT MSP 107

We first saw 4FRNT skis on the feet of expert big mountain skiers in the freeride mecca of La Grave, France. It's damn fun on steep, untracked freshies, and handles surprisingly well on icy mogul fields. Soft corduroy, steep and deep powder, and crusty old snow through tight trees brought testers to the conclusion this is the new standard for all-mountain cruisers. The 4FRNT MSP 107 has a wood core laminate with titanal for stiffness, resulting in a smooth flex throughout the entire length. It’s the perfect ski for dropping couloirs and riding fast down the steeps.

• Sizes (cm): 175, 181, 187

• Sidecut (mm): 138-107-128

• Radius (m): 20

• Weight (g): 2,050 (181)

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How to Choose the Right Ski

Ski choice is all about love—not numbers, size, shape, or price. Ultimately, that true magic between you and the ski will schuss far beyond the mere graphics of a topsheet (though affection has to start somewhere) and into the realm of pure on/off-piste performance, confidence, and enjoyment.

When you’re shopping, keep in mind your day-to-day reality on the slopes. Will you be primarily skiing thigh-deep pow, fast groomers, crunchy crud? Remember, skis with more rocker (rise in the tip and tail) can generally be skied slightly longer than those with a flat profile/base.

Our Testing Process: Why You Should Trust Us

Our team of nine testers knows how to do their homework. Collectively, we’ll rack up more than 1,000 on-snow days in a given season just testing out skis and gear to see if they live up to their promise. Most of us have been testing skis for over 20 ski seasons. We’ve skied New England and Eastern Canadian hardpack, Whistler powder, Pacific Northwest cement, and everything in between, including months in the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps.

Our testers have visited more than two dozen ski resorts in every condition imaginable, and skied plenty of peaks, steep slopes, and couloirs. We offer a combined ski history of more than 100 years of high-level race and big-mountain experience racked up from Japan to North America to the Alps.

We love reviewing skis, and have tested more than 300 pairs of them. We harnessed not only ambition, but wisdom and experience, with testers from their early 20s to seasoned vets. We also tested some skis on less experienced legs to assess how they performed for beginner and intermediate skiers. It's never easy putting so many great skis through their paces before whittling them down to our favorite dozen pairs of top performers—but it's always a ton of fun.