We Tested the Best New Skis for 2024
New skis can turn a ho-hum season into magic. Storm days become powder days and hardpack evolves into an opportunity to link tight turns on your carvers. While it’s difficult to sift through all the new skis out there, we’ve done the heavy lifting by testing the season’s most promising candidates and whittling the list down to the best dozen pairs of performance skis for 2024. Though if we have to pick one overall ski to recommend, it's the Volkl Blaze 114. The ski consistently put a smile on our testers' faces and excelled across a range of conditions—icy to powder—unlike any other.
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If you're on the fence about investing in new gear, and holding onto your old boards— even as backups—now's the time verify that your bases are waxed, edges tuned, your skins still attach to your skis, and bindings are set to the correct DIN. Double check those bindings. Have you lost or gained weight? Are the mounting screws still tight? Make sure your skis are in at least as good shape as you are.
This applies to the rest of your ski kit—and we're busy testing the best new ski apparel and gear of 2024. So, if you're ready for some upgrades there, too, stay tuned. Right now, it's time for your annual gear inspection. Check your boot soles for wear and your goggles for scratches. How old is your helmet, and did you have any crashes last season that diminished its effectiveness? If backcountry is your game, put new batteries in your avi-beacon, and consider a refresher course on how to use it.
Now, let's take a close look at what's happening (or should be) underneath all that—on the most exciting dozen pairs of skis for 2024. These boards will perform for anyone, but for those struggling to make the transition from intermediate to hard-charging expert, they're serious game-changers. Read on for our picks to gear up with the best skis for this season.
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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.
Related: Powder Paradise: Snowcat Skiing at Colorado’s Purgatory Resort
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.
Best Overall Mountain Performer: Volkl Blaze 114
In 2023, testers reached for the Volkl Blaze 106 more than any other ski. This year, we tried out the new Volkl Blaze 114 and were equally impressed. In addition to the warm fuzzies we got knowing that the ski is produced in the most environmentally friendly way possible (the base is recycled material, and the isocore inside the wood core is sourced from recycled PET bottles rather than the standard PU foam), this ski had testers busting out their happy dances. “Expect to charge hard all day, every day,” says one tester. The Blaze 114 was gutsy in ever-changing big mountain conditions where we experienced everything from steep, icy moguls to deep crust to unexpected powder pockets. “This ski let me push myself in steeper, more unpredictable conditions than I’ve ever dared,” says another tester, noting that the tip and tail rocker, combined with the slim titanal sheet in the center of radius sidecut, helped him make precise turns even when he was punching above his weight class.
We also highly recommend the Volkl Blaze 106 to complete your two-ski quiver. Its 146-106-128 3D-radius sidecut and new suspension tip—a rubbery material on the tip and tail that acts like a bumper in windblown conditions and ups the float factor—make it a favorite for big mountain crushers. Its light weight (1,828g at 186) also makes it great for touring when paired with a Duke PT or Kingpin. It’s forgiving enough for a broad range of abilities. More powerful skiers will get the most out of it, but intermediates won’t be overpowered.
Sizes (cm): 166, 176, 184, 192
Sidecut (mm): 154-114-136 (184)
Radius 1 (m): 39 (184)
Radius 2 (m): 18 (184)
Radius 3 (m): 29 (184)
Weight (g): 1,945 (184)
Best Ski for Power and Speed: Peak 98 by Bode Miller
Bozeman-based Peak Ski Company has an impeccable pedigree. Co-founder, Olympic gold medalist, Bode Miller, is America’s GOAT male alpine ski racer. He takes gear seriously. (In 2023, we tested the Scarpa 4-Quatro ski boot Miller worked on, and it performed flawlessly all season.) The Peak 98 by Bode is a ski that you can really stand on. You can charge with it, lay it over with all your might, and it won’t overreact. Even our less-than-pro-skier testers found the Peak 98 by Bode initiated turns easily without requiring superhero power. It’s one of the most diverse skis we’ve skied. It can pop, bounce, and noodle through a wide variety of resort and big mountain terrain while offering plenty of bite for carving purists. The core is a paulownia/ash laminate that’s sandwiched between two layers of titanal. Peak’s “Keyhole Technology” creates an oval cutaway on the top layer; you get horsepower for trench-carving turn initiation, but the ski still cruises when you’re in the back seat enjoying the sights.
Sizes (cm): 160, 168, 178, 184, 190
Sidecut (mm): 128-98-116
Radius (m): 24 (184)
Weight (g): 1,978 (184)
Best Backcountry Ski: Fischer Transalp CTI 98
When you’re exploring contour lines on a backcountry map, you never know what might come next. The new Fischer Transalp 98 CTI lets you focus on downhill delights without the worry of excess luggage on the uphill slogs. Testers loved the ski's lightness, especially when boot packing up hundreds of feet of vert to access untracked couloirs. Don’t be fooled by its welter-weight stats, the Transapl CTI is the holy grail of light and strong. It surfs well in pow despite its relatively narrow waist, and testers liked its quick turn initiation and release. A unique milling pattern reduces the weight of the wood core by about 25 percent without impacting flex or torsional stability. The Transalp CTI 98’s power transmission is noteworthy—designers use a titanal insert under foot which translates to power without excess weight. Testers deemed this a ski that won’t hold back experts, but one that will up any skier’s game. Skins are easy to secure in the cutout tip hole and notched tail. We also like that the skis are manufactured in the Ukraine with a laser focus on sustainability.
Sizes (cm): 155, 162, 169, 176, 183
Sidecut (mm): 134-99-119 (183)
Radius (m): 23 (183)
Weight (g): 1,500
Best Twin Tip Ski: Elan Playmaker 101
“Fun, forgiving, snappy,” were the adjectives testers used for the Elan Playmaker 101. Based in the Slovenian Alps, Elan is known for its hand-crafted performance skis. This twin-tip freeride ski has a 3D Trapezoid shape that proved stable and precise underfoot both on hardpack and knee-deep pow. The smoother rocker profile provides just enough pop to inspire spontaneous natural hits (and forgive tired knees). The Playmaker 101 features a light, laminated wood core with equally featherweight twin carbon rods that run the length of the ski. Testers noted that the 360-degree sidewalls authoritatively gripped hardpack with recognizable edge power. You can also get the Playmaker 91 ($600,122/91/116). It’s narrower underfoot, which ups the carving factor; if you’re mainly dicing corduroy or twisting in the terrain park, it’s a great choice for your daily driver, and with a 122cm shovel, it'll keep you afloat when you venture off-piste.
Sizes (cm): 164, 172, 180, 188
Sidecut (mm): 132 / 101 / 122 mm (180)
Radius (m): 18.1 (180)
Weight (g): 1,760 (180)
Related: The 15 Best Men's Hiking Boots For Any Kind of Terrain
Best Freestyle Ski: Line Bacon 108
Testers have long loved the iconic Sir Francis Bacon ski and this new version (the brand sadly dropped the ski’s honorary title and first name) crushed all expectations. Not only did Line Bacon 108 nail the graphics (as usual) but the layup, with its versatile 108 mm waist, low-swing weight (thanks to less plastic and more bio-resin in the tips), and ramped durability does pretty much anything the freestyle skier asks. This year’s Bacon 108 doubles down with a design that’s ultra-capable in crud and swoopy on the groomers. It's built to withstand the demands of the adventurous freerider who wants to ski everything, along with a few style points for smears and slices 'n' dices. The amped up sidewall stretches to the ski's core while adding more material to the steel edges. The increase of the bonding surface area creates sidewalls that can withstand brutal edge impacts, like sliding rails.
Sizes (cm): 166, 172, 178, 184, 190
Sidecut (mm): 142-108-137 (184)
Radius (m): 17.4 (184)
Weight (g): 2,180 (184)
Best Powder Ski: Nordica Unleashed 114
Nordica’s Unleashed 114 was termed “a confidence booster” by testers starting to ski the steeps. A steep shovel helps with lightning-quick tip initiation, and this big-boy ski is comfortable in spicy terrain where Vallen?ant turns are a given, not an option. The tuned tail is designed for swiveling and riding switch, although we think of this ski more as a lively directional driver. Inside is a carbon reinforced wood core with a sheet of Nordica’s Terrain Specific Metal (TSM), a lightweight layer of metal tuned specifically for its 114mm waist. Its core construction, combined with less heavy ABS plastic on the tip, made for good edging and a smooth ride.
Sizes (cm): 174, 180, 186, 191
Sidecut (mm): 146-114-135 (186)
Radius (m): 20.4 (186)
Weight (g): 1,850
Best Sidecountry Explorer: Peak 104 by Dav
Peak reached out to two-time World Extreme Skiing champ, Chris Davenport, on the Peak 104 design. The goal was to produce a ski with great float for backcountry powder that would still be fun on the chop and groomers that most of us mortals ski at our local resorts. It's also light enough for serious boot packing and skinning. The ski checks all those boxes, with a paulownia/poplar-Isocore core construction and the full metal titanal in the upper laminate. Testers also deemed the ski to be incredibly stable on the steeps, with a floaty, surfy feel in deep powder. “The Peak 104 by Dav is ideal for confident skiers who dive into the fall line,” says one tester, “but it can be laid-back and playful too.”
Sizes (cm): 160, 168, 178, 184
Sidecut (mm): 135-104-123 (184)
Radius (m): 24 (184)
Weight (g): 1,861 (184)
Best All-Terrain Resort Ski: Volkl Secret 102
Curveball time. Volkl initially marketed the Secret 102 as a women’s ski due to its agility and ability to handle fast, quick turns despite its 102mm width underfoot. But this isn’t just a ski for your hard-charging, couloir-dropping gal pals. If you want lift in powder, plus precise turning power on everything from ice to crud, check out the Secret 102. The wood core ski is built with twin carbon tips and a tailored titanal frame—basically, making it the equivalent of an F1 car disguised as a big mountain ski. It’s a versatile all-mountain dominator that can manage every trick in the book, from pivoting and smearing to carving and hopping. We think the “women’s” moniker is due to the fact that the ski comes in shorter lengths; testers up to about 5’ 9, 160 lbs. rocked the 177.
Sizes (cm): 156, 163, 170, 177
Sidecut (mm): 140-102-123 (177)
Radius 1 (m): 28 (177)
Radius 2 (m): 18 (177)
Radius 3 (m): 26 (177)
Weight (g): 2,140 (177)
Related: Best Small 'Mom ‘n Pop' Ski Resorts to Avoid the Crowds
Best Ski for Intermediates: ZAG SLAP 98
ZAG is a Chamonix-based brand born and bred in the French Alps. We had a head-scratching moment with the name—based on the French acronym, SLAP, for Style Libre en Arrière-Pays (Freestyle Backcountry). That said, the ski’s performance needs no translation. The SLAP 98 features a 100-percent wood core (paulownia and poplar), which makes for a flexible, responsive ski with a smooth ride. Testers called this ski “trustworthy,” “approachable,” and “maneuverable.” While it doesn’t float quite as well as its big brother (the SLAP 104), it pivots nicely and inspired confidence in our intermediate testers.
Sizes (cm): 173, 180, 187
Sidecut (mm): 130-98-116.5 (180)
Radius (m): 20 (180)
Weight (g): 1.900
Best Ski for Mixed Snow Conditions: Line Pandora 104
While some of our most expert testers are female, we’ve never understood labeling skis by gender. Skis don’t care who is driving them; however, height and weight make a difference in what ski works best for each individual. The new Pandora 104 provides buttery performance across the board, and was especially kind to those who are bent on upping their status from intermediate to expert. Testers raved about the ski's lively rebound energy, and the fact that it fits nicely between trees and in the concave spaces of steep mogul fields. “Super responsive, quick to read the terrain, and on edge they just rip,” reported one tester.
If you’ve got a ski pal who crushes but doesn’t have the height or weight for a longer, heavier board, the Line Pandora 94 simply shreds, with an impressive weight-to-performance ratio. Just because you’re not of Amazonian stature doesn’t mean you can’t drop in with the pros. Testers recommend the Pandora 94 for anyone who wants stability under speed with hard-charging capability. Testers acknowledged that the Pandora intensified their “greed for speed,” but also liked the ski’s maneuverability in deep-pocket moguls. Carbon evenly distributed from tip to tail gives the aspen core ski added stability and a smooth but powerful flex.
Sizes (cm): 158, 165, 172
Sidecut (mm): 137-104-121 (165)
Radius (m): 14.6 (165)
Weight (g): 1,633 (165)
Best Ski for Carving Groomers: Nordica Steadfast 85 DC
Hands down, testers admitted that this ski encourages irresponsible, high speed fun. If you have an appetite for ripping turns on groomers and laying down arcs, consider the new Nordica Steadfast 85 DC. It’s a superbly capable carver that will hold and slingshot you into the next turn, again and again. The ski has good rebound, is balanced, damp, and lively, thanks to Nordica’s new Energy TI Double Core, which sandwiches the company’s Pulse Core elastomer layer between two poplar/beech wood cores, each of which is then flanked by a layer of titanium. Our testers found the skis to be quick edge-to-edge. Their only real issue was keeping under the speed limit.
Sizes (cm): 162, 168, 174, 179
Sidecut (mm): 137-85-116 (179)
Radius (m): 15.8 (179)
Weight (g): 2.211
Bindings: DIN 4-12 TC, FDT HP Free Demo Plate
Best Redesign We Want to Try: Blizzard Rustler Series
Blizzard redesigned the classic Rustler lineup—which are so new that we didn’t have time to test. Because we loved the original Rustler, we wanted to give them some ink. The new Rustler series comes in three models: the Rustler 11, available in five lengths from 168 to 192 cm; the Rustler 10, available in six sizes from 162 to 192 cm; and the Rustler 9, available in five lengths, from 162 to 186 cm. All models have a beach/poplar/paulownia core, with different densities of wood positioned at varying lengths throughout the ski, providing stiffness underfoot, softness in the tip and tail, and a graduated flex for each length. The skis use three sections of titanal to ensure stability without sacrificing torsional softness, while protecting the topsheet from chipping. Stay tuned.
