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We purchased and tested 14 pairs of the best all-mountain skis for men, with award winners from top brands like Volkl, Armada, Blizzard, DPS, Fischer, and Head
We purchased the best all-mountain skis from Volkl, Armada, Blizzard, DPS, Fischer, Head, Faction, Nordica, Dynastar, Kastle, Rossignol, Black Diamond, and K2, and tested them all side-by-side.
Credit: Marc Rotse
By Bobby Garrett ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated November 14, 2025
Our team of professional ski instructors have been testing the best men's all-mountain skis for more than a decade. We purchased 14 of the best skis on the market to test side-by-side, with our expert team putting more than 50 days on each pair.
The Volkl Mantra M7 remains our top choice as the most versatile all-mountain ski on the market. Even after comparing it against a new crop of skis last season, it continues to prove itself as more than just a jack-of-all-trades. If you're an advanced-expert skier who prefers a powerful, stable ski, the M7 Mantra will inspire confidence in any terrain.
The completely redesigned Head Kore 94 Ti stands out for its overall value. Our team appreciated the considerable improvements to stability, energy, and edge grip in all snow conditions. If you're an intermediate-advanced skier looking for an all-mountain ski to help progress your skills, the Kore 94 Ti is it.
Check out our in-depth buying advice article to help you home in on the best pair of skis for your needs and budget. If you want to take your skiing off-resort, we have a whole other review of the best backcountry skis.
Editor's Note: We updated our review of the best all-mountain skis for men on November 14, 2025, adding new skis from Blizzard, DPS, Fischer, HEAD, Nodrica, Kastle, and Rossignol.
Yet again, and for good reason, the Volkl M7 Mantra is our all-mountain ski of choice. Apart from the topsheet, the M7 Mantra remains unchanged from last year, when it underwent some fine-tuning. Volkl carried over the core principles of its predecessor, the M6 Mantra, and improved on some of its technologies to increase the stability and playfulness of the M7. We've been regularly testing the Mantra since its second generation, and even though Volkl has historically been known for making overly damp skis, this new version is more energetic than ever before.
Volkl continues to innovate and improve upon technologies that have helped define the success of the Mantra line. With the M7 Mantra, Volkl introduces their new 4D Radius Drive, which builds upon the 3D Radius that was integral to the carving performance of the M6. In the front of the ski, the new sidecut blends a 20-meter radius in the shovel for faster turn initiation with a more open 40-meter radius in front of the binding for added stability. There is a 15-meter radius underfoot to engage the ski's cambered edges better, and a 25-meter radius from the rear binding to the tail helps smooth out turn transitions.
From pushing the throttle on wide open groomers, to smoothly pivoting through bumps, to cutting up fresh corduroy, the M7 Mantra impressed us at every step of our test.
Credit: The GearLab Team
Our head tester admits that “this new blended sidecut requires some getting used to.” After just a few runs, however, he got the hang of it. Volkl also implements a new iteration of their Tailored Titanal Frame, which is specifically tailored to each length and extends metal to the very edge of the ski. This makes the M7 torsionally stiffer, and our team agrees that no other ski in our lineup combines vibration dampening and rebound quite like it. All of this technology provides you with a solid ride regardless of terrain or snow conditions.
At only 96 millimeters underfoot, this isn't a standout powder ski, though one tester remarked that “it was particularly fun to bust through pockets of powder.” That title is reserved for the Blizzard Rustler 9, which is the all-mountain designed specifically for deep days. It's the unrivaled combination of agility, power, and high-speed control that makes the M7 Mantra so confidence-inspiring. However, it is important to point out that the M7, like the similar albeit more energetic DPS Wailer 100, is a ski best piloted by advanced and expert skiers. For intermediate skiers seeking a more laid-back ride, the Fischer Ranger 96 is an easier-going alternative.
The redesigned Head Kore 94 Ti offers the best blend of performance and value of all the all-mountain skis we tested. It has a more traditional all-mountain shape, with less width at the ski tips and a more subtle rocker profile. Although this combination results in less flotation in powder, it has considerably more edge feel and offers a more precise turn than directly comparable skis. “The updated Kore 94 is much more exciting than the version I skied previously,” admitted our lead tester. Intermediate-level skiers on our team noted how they felt more stable at speed, especially on firm snow. And a more cambered profile allowed our expert skiers to push the limits of the Kore 94 Ti, even in crud.
Head changed the woodcore from karuba and poplar to karuba and beech, which adds a bit of stiffness and vibration dampening to the blended woodcore. The stiffness is enhanced by adding two sheets of titanal, which is reminiscent of the old Monster design. An additional layer of graphene supports vibration dampening, especially as you push the Kore 94 Ti's speed limit. Testers with a race background were particularly impressed. “The changes to the construction give the Kore 94 a more traditional, giant slalom-type feel on groomers,” described one tester.
While you can put the pedal to the metal with the Head Kore 94 Ti, intermediate skiers will also appreciate that the snappy feel of this ski doesn't disappear in skidded turns.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
While all of this power may come across as intimidating, our team agrees that the Kore 94 Ti is the ideal ski for an intermediate-advanced skier looking to progress their skills. The confidence they experienced carving on-piste continues off-piste. The longer effective edge maintains contact with the snow better than skis with a more pronounced rocker profile, like the DPS Wailer 100. Even through the most uneven snow surfaces, our intermediate-level testers greatly appreciated the consistently stable ride.
The real tradeoff with the more traditional design of the Kore 94 Ti is that it tends to sink in powder. If you're lucky enough to live in a place where it snows frequently, it's worth considering the similarly approachable but much more powder-friendly Fischer Ranger 96 over this ski. If price is no concern, the DPS Wailer 100 is equally intermediate-friendly and notably more versatile than either of these skis. But we really want to emphasize the point of price, because it costs 2/3 more than the Kore 94 Ti.
From frontside carving to off-piste crud, the stability of the Head Kore 94 Ti is confidence-inspiring.
Even though it takes home an award as our favorite carving ski, the Armada Declivity 92 Ti very nearly unseated the M7 Mantra as the best overall all-mountain ski. With a slalom-like profile up front, the Declivity 92 Ti carves and smears easily. One tester aptly noted that the rear end “seems to have the personality of a GS ski.” An articulated layer of titanal blended with a layer of elastomer provides both dampening at speed and the explosive rebound that makes this ski incredibly quick edge-to-edge.
Aside from the unique composition of the Articulated Titanal Banding (ATB), the build of Declivity 92 Ti is surprisingly simple, which speaks to the experience of the designers at Armada. This ski is impressively smooth under the feet of an advanced- to expert-level skier, and our team agrees that it inspires confidence with every turn.
From romping down steep faces to blasting early morning groomers, the Declivity 92 Ti was consistently one of our testers' favorite skis throughout the season.
Credit: The GearLab Team
Despite its well-rounded performance in our tests, this ski can be a bit tricky to maneuver in deep snow. At only 92 millimeters at its waist, it's certainly on the narrower side of the all-mountain skis in our lineup. Even seasoned powder skiers on our test team noted that it was difficult to pivot the Declivity 92 Ti in powder – one commented that this ski “required aggressive maneuvers to get it back to the surface.”
Both the Blizzard Rustler 9 and the DPS Wailer 100 offer better floatation and improved maneuverability in deep powder, though neither is as versatile as the Declivity 92 Ti in other conditions. Only the formidable Volkl M7 Mantra truly rivals the Declivity 92 Ti for its ability to bust through crud. This is particularly impressive because each M7 ski is 4 mm wider and 0.6 pounds heavier than the Declivity. Its relatively lightweight is what makes the Declivity 92 Ti supremely fun to carve, but it also impressed our test team with its prowess in any type of terrain.
Among all of the all-mountain skis we tested in a sub-100-millimeter waist width, the Blizzard Rustler 9 reclaims its throne as our top choice for deep powder days. The core principles remain very similar to Rustler models we've tested in the past – the blended beech, poplar, and paulownia that make up the Blizzard's Trueblend Free Woodcore drive this ski's snappy rebound, while well-placed sheets of titanal, particularly along the edges, provide unmatched torsional rigidity. Combined with its relatively wide tip and tail dimensions, especially for its reasonable waist width, the Rustler 9 provided our testers with an exceptional all-mountain ski with an affinity for powder.
Our testers all agree that the Rustler 9 incorporates just the right amount of camber to make its behavior powerful and predictable. “Regardless of how dense or wet the snow was (and we get some pretty heavy snow here at Mammoth), I could ski the Rustler 9 confidently in any conditions,” lauds one tester. Even at just 98 millimeters underfoot, this ski can charge, float, and smear just as well as a ski with a wider waist width. The benefit of keeping it relatively narrow underfoot is that the Rustler 9 thrives in the choppy conditions that close out every powder day at the resort.
The Blizzard Rustler 9 is just as effective off-piste as it is on.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Astute readers will notice that the Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98just outscores the Rustler 9 in our powder performance metric. So how does the Rustler end up as our top pick for powder days? Even though the comparatively lightweight Impulse Ti 98 is a powder specialist, it lacks the versatility of the Rustler 9 once the slopes are cut up. Once fresh snow turns to crud, the Impulse 98 Ti is downright scary, while the Ruslter 9 continues to charge hard.
The similarly powerful Volkl M7 Mantra will carry you through more than just the fresh tracks of the morning, but its heavier-weight frame tends to sink more than the Rustler 9. It's important to point out that some of our lighter-weight skiers found both of these skis a bit overwhelming – if you're on the smaller and lighter side, yet you still like to ski your skis long, it's worth considering the particularly playful DPS Wailer 100 over either one of these skis.
Every tester on our team felt like the DPS Wailer 100 gave them the freedom to show off their unique style. “Regardless of the terrain or snow conditions, I always felt like I could ski exactly the way I wanted to ski on the Wailer,” commented one tester. Compared to skis like the Volkl M7 Mantra, there's a bit of a speed limiter on the Wailer 100. However, with a 15-meter radius, this ski is designed to playfully explore the whole mountain, rather than just racing back to the bottom. Combined with a distinct sidecut and rocker profile in the tip and tail, our testers enjoyed easily smearing through soft snow, pivoting through narrow corridors, and arcing down gullies. “I never felt like I was locked into one type of turn on this ski,” noted another tester.
Unlike more powerful skis like the M7 Mantra or even the more playful Rustler 9, DPS chose not to include titanal in the construction of the Wailer 100, instead opting for a more traditional layup of a blended woodcore wrapped in a more modern carbon-fiberglass weave. Despite its middle-of-the-road weight listed at nine pounds per pair, this ski feels much lighter in weight, and thus more maneuverable, than its competitors.
No matter the terrain or conditions, the DPS Wailer 100 is an exciting ride.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Its distinctive design – which features a taller stand height than many other skis we tested – combined with a bit of extra width underfoot, makes the Wailer 100 versatile in firm conditions and in powder. On early morning groomers, this ski bounces between turns with a progressively satisfying snap. In powder, the uniquely shaped tips make it easy to float, pivot, and smear. This versatility is where the Wailer 100 separates itself from other similarly-scoring all-mountain skis – it doesn't compromise performance when the conditions change.
But all of that performance comes at a cost. The Wailer 100 is almost 40% more expensive than the similarly versatile M7 Mantra, which is already an expensive ski. For the expert skier focused on powder days, it's worth considering the more powerful Rustler 9 over the Wailer 100 based on price alone. Lighter-weight skiers drawn to the light swing weight of the Wailer 100 should also look at the Fischer Ranger 96, which offers similar flotation in powder at a more digestible price point. However, the versatility and playfulness of the Wailer 100 is unmatched, and if you're looking for uncompromising performance, it may well be worth investing in this ski.
The lightweight feel of the Wailer 100 had us dancing through glades.
We would be remiss not to highlight the Fischer Ranger 96. While many of the other award-winning skis excel in one way or another, the Ranger 96 is one of the few skis that earned scores better than seven across the board – the other ski being the much more expensive DPS Wailer 100. Although it's not a dedicated mogul ski, the Ranger 96 earned the highest marks in our Bumps metric thanks to its playful, predictable, and stable construction.
Fischer remains secretive about the core materials in this ski, but our team agrees that this is the best version of the Ranger 96 yet. At a listed weight of 9.2 pounds per pair, it's one of the heavier skis we tested. Yet, the lighter-weight, athletic skiers on our test team especially enjoyed this ski. “I had just as much fun carving groomers as I did skiing powder,” announced one particularly enthusiastic tester. Whatever makes up the core allows the Ranger 96 to bend, absorb, and react to terrain changes predictably, offering a stable platform for lighter-weight skiers.
You can't knock it 'til you've tried it; the Fischer Ranger 96 is a supremely fun all-mountain ski.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
While our lightweight testers felt that this ski was playful and supportive in every condition, the heavier testers on our team had a more difficult time with this ski. Fischer offers more than one ski in the Ranger line, and based on their Shaped Ti technology, the length of the titanal sheet is tailored to the width of the ski – the Ranger 96, as the narrowest ski in the lineup, has significantly less titanal in the front of the ski than wider models. As a result, our heavier testers noted that the tips on the Ranger 96 would unexpectedly fold, especially if they hit an uneven patch at high speed. For these testers, it was best to stick to more moderate speeds and softer snow.
The Head Kore 94 Ti is a similarly playful ski that can handle higher speeds, especially for larger body types. If you're willing to trade a bit of playfulness for improved performance in powder, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is a suitable alternative. Folks who focus on frontside carving may want to drop a few millimeters underfoot for the similar energetic, but much more stable Armada Declivity 92 Ti.
Regardless of the conditions, the Ranger 96 is among the most playful skis we tested.
Our test team spent last season testing the newest skis well ahead of their release date. The result? This comprehensive review hitting stands just as these skis come on the market.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Why Trust GearLab
Our reviews are based on the collective experience of a group of professional ski instructors at Mammoth Mountain, California. This group is reflective of a variety of skier and body types and tested these skis on a wide variety of terrain and in every type of snow condition. Our extended test period of several months allows in-depth examination, lengthy conversation, and, ultimately, a well-rounded conclusion of each ski's pros, cons, and specialties.
Our testing of all-mountain skis breaks down into five rating metrics:
Stability at Speed tests (20% weighting of total score)
These skis undergo more than 50 individual tests to compare and assess their performance. We directly compare them using side-by-side testing to rank each pair of skis within each metric. The all-mountain skis included in this review represent some of the most popular options on the market, so a low score does not mean that a particular pair of skis isn't worthy of your consideration. It simply means that they did not perform as well relative to the rest of the competition.
The most important aspect informing our expertise in ski testing is the total amount of time spent on snow – over the past decade, our expert panel has logged thousands of hours while testing the best all-mountain skis on the market. We design our testing metrics to be both comprehensive and mutually exclusive to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of every ski. We also assign awards when a ski excels for a particular purpose. We put in the work of testing so that you can more easily pick out your next perfect pair of skis.
Bobby Garrett leads up our test team at Mammoth Mountain. Bobby is a PSIA Western Region Alpine Examiner and has instructed at Bear Mountain and Mammoth Mountain in California and at Perisher in Australia. He is 5' 11" (178 cm) tall and weighs 250 lbs (113 kg). Bobby also enlists the help of fellow professional ski instructors to test these skis. The variety of height, weight, and skier ability offers indispensable insight into what ski best fits what type of skier.
We test these skis throughout the season to make sure they receive a fair assessment in all conditions.
Analysis and Test Results
The perfect all-mountain ski may seem like a unicorn, especially when searching through the plethora of options out there. Before choosing a ski, we encourage you to identify your true skiing ability first. It's common to hear skiers describe themselves as advanced or expert, even though they avoid this type of terrain when the snow conditions are tricky or bumpy. Be honest with yourself and choose a ski that you can grow with rather than hope to grow into.
Another key consideration is to be aware of your own style preferences regarding things like waist width, sidecut, camber profile, and weight. Wider skis can be more versatile in softer conditions, but can also feel slow edge to edge, seemingly providing less confidence in turn transition. Narrower skis require less movement to tip onto their edges and are torsionally more stable. However, they also require more balance to stay upright in soft snow. The skis that score well across the board are the most versatile and represent the characteristics of a true all-mountain ski – these are the skis that perform well no matter the terrain or snow type.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
If you're looking to choose one ski to do it all, the chances are that value is an important factor in deciding on your next pair to purchase. Fortunately, the all-mountain category generally offers plenty of bang for your buck. Unfortunately, ski prices have tended to creep up across the board to the point where there is little difference in price between the highest and lowest performing models in our review.
The Head Kore 94 Ti scores well across the board, making it a highly versatile all-mountain ski that's only $50 more than the cheapest model in our lineup. The Kore 94 Ti is well-tuned for hardpack, which makes it a particularly excellent choice for East Coast skiers. Despite a relatively burly construction, many of the intermediate-level skiers on our team felt it was more approachable than intimidating.
The Head Kore 94 Ti feels purpose-built for frontside carvers who occasionally venture off-piste.
Credit: Marc Rotse
The Volkl M7 Mantra is the most versatile, expert-level ski we tested, and especially a solid choice for folks who want to ski fast. Like many skis on the market, Volkl increased the price, and it is now among the more expensive skis in this review. Yet it's still the ski we recommend to most advanced and expert skiers – its high-performance design and high-quality construction are all but certain to please for many years of skiing.
The M7 Mantra is still our pick for the best-performing ski this season, even if it is more expensive than in the past.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Stability at Speed
A ski's stability is particularly important at speed. A ski is stable when it stays on the ground, doesn't chatter through a turn, and always allows you to stay in control. We assess stability by testing in steep terrain where edge hold is critical, by going fast and challenging a ski to hold an edge, and by testing on firm and icy snow where vibration can sometimes shake your confidence.
A ski's stability is related to many factors, including its rocker-camber profile and its construction and stiffness. Stiffness is measured torsionally (think twist) and along the length of the ski, particularly in the tip and tail. Stiff models take more energy to flex and drive, but the result is better edge hold and stability at speed. Some examples are the Volkl M7 Mantra, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, and Rossignol Arcade 88. These skis handle speed and firm snow confidently and won't be nudged off course from imperfect grooming.
The Blizzard Rustler 9 has long been a fan favorite among all-mountain skis for its exceptional stability.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Models like the Nordica Enforcer 99 and Blizzard Anomaly 94 are also super stable. These skis are among the heaviest in our test, which helps them stay connected to the snow surface. The Blizzard Rustler 9 features strips of titanal that run the length of the edge, which aids in edge grip. Even with a more pronounced rocker profile, the Rustler 9 remains composed at high speeds.
Heavier skis like the Nordica Enforcer 99 are good at helping you do what you want, regardless of what the terrain is telling you to do.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Softer-flexing models like the Kastle Paragon 93 chatter more at speed and struggle to hold an edge on hard-packed snow. They prefer to dance through bumps in the snow rather than plow through it. Some of the chatter originates, in part, from this ski's semi-cap construction. This sidewall construction tapers to less material in the tip and tail, which benefits the ski's swing weight. This often results in a more playful design, but at the expense of stability at high speeds.
The Blizzard Anomaly 94 has a solid construction with a tapered sidewall, two features that contribute to its stability in any condition.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Weight
Weight often plays a significant role in the overall stability of a ski, primarily due to the materials used in its construction and its dimensions. Heavy models like to stay on the ground and can be more stable at speed. Lighter-weight skis like the Faction Agent 2 tend to be easier to use and more maneuverable, but also vibrate more, especially in icy crud.
Core materials such as wood and titanal tend to make skis heavier. Elastomer and carbon are core materials that can help reduce weight and make a ski feel lighter. Ski manufacturers that produce all-mountain skis combine these materials to create a unique feel. So even if skis weigh similarly, don't expect them to perform similarly.
The Faction Agent 2 is lightweight and playful, albeit at the expense of stability at high speeds.
Credit: Marc Rotse
A heavier-weight ski doesn't necessarily mean it is stiffer, and lightweight ones aren't always soft. Testers who enjoy being light on their feet and playing with the terrain tend to prefer lightweight and nimble skis such as the Armada Declivity 92 Ti. Friends that push their gear hard and shred aggressively – plowing through bumps and going fast – seemed to like heavier, stiffer models like the M7 Mantra.
The M7 Mantra feels traditionally stiff, and is one of the heaviest skis in our lineup.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Carving Ability
Ski resorts are typically well-maintained playgrounds. Groomed terrain accounts for most beginner and intermediate trails at most resorts. For the expert, groomed slopes are opportunities to open it up, make big turns, and push your limits in a more controlled environment. We scored each model based on its edge-to-edge quickness, carving ability, and edge hold for this metric. First thing in the morning is when our testers assess skis for their carving ability, before the carefully manicured groomers get cut up.
All-mountain skis with a more traditional design, like camber underfoot and a slightly narrower waist compared to the tips and tails, are usually preferred for carving and on-piste performance. Stiffer, more powerful skis like the Armada Declivity 92 Ti stand out for their ability to hold an edge and pop quickly back and forth between edges. However, slightly softer skis like the DPS Wailer 100 and Fischer Ranger 96 can handle a carve nearly as well, just generally not at the same speeds. These skis tend to be more forgiving when you find yourself slightly off balance, as the softer flex allows you to reorient rather than finding yourself flying into outer space.
The Declivity 92 Ti balances stability and a playful, energetic nature. It's unlike any other carving ski we've been on.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
The Declivity 92 Ti – our overall favorite carving ski – has a rockered tip for easy turn initiation and camber underfoot for better grip through a turn. This ski also brings a lot of energy to the table and easily pops between edges for a fun carving experience. The Blizzard Rustler 9 scores similarly to our favorite carving ski, yet looks quite different. It is noticeably wider; yet, when placed flat on the snow, its camber profile is surprisingly similar to that of the Declivity 92 Ti. This, combined with some similarities in their core materials, allows these skis to flex without compromising stability. The result for advanced to expert skiers is a consistent and exciting snap from the skis after each turn.
Rocker, Camber, or Both?
Many all-mountain skis have a certain amount of camber under the foot. This is visible in the space between the bottom of the skis and the snow when resting flat on the snow. This camber is also visible when the skis are placed base-to-base, but not pushed together so the binding brakes are locked. When this camber is compressed and released during a carved turn, the pop and energy generated help create the arched shape of a turn.
Rockered designs are the opposite – they form a bowl shape and are visible under the tips and tails of a ski that is resting on snow. This design shortens the ski's effective edge length, and less edge contact with the snow can make for quicker and easier turn initiation. With a more turned-up tip, rockered skis are more likely to float in soft snow without adding width underfoot.
Most all-mountain skis these days feature some combination of a rockered profile in the tip and tail and camber underfoot. This relatively modern design appeals to a wider range of skiing styles, making these skis more versatile in various conditions.
Sidecut Radius
A conversation that goes hand-in-hand with talking about carving ability is the discussion over ski geometry, specifically ski sidecut and the associated turn radius of a ski. All other things considered equal, a ski with a “deeper” sidecut – meaning a greater difference in widths between tip, tail, and waist – is going to have a smaller turn radius and is going to be better at carving a tighter turn. However, our carving champion, the Declivity 92 Ti, has a turning radius of 18 meters; we calculated the blended radius of the M7 Mantra at 17.9 meters. Both of these numbers are between classic slalom and giant slalom skis, so it's no surprise that they carve well.
The entire lineup of all-mountain skis we tested has a “medium-length” turn radius, falling somewhere between 15 and 20 meters. Our test team agrees that this is the most “versatile” turn radius because most turns, regardless of terrain, fall within this range. The DPS Wailer 100's 15-meter turn radius is the shortest in our lineup – while it can certainly make longer turns, it prefers shorter and medium-type turn shapes. Especially when tipped up on a high edge angle, the Wailer 100 tended to hook up and bend more quickly than other skis of the same length.
The DPS Wailer 100 features 40% rocker, which made carved turns off-piste easier.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Traditionally, a longer ski equated to a longer turn radius, which affected a ski's ability to cut a quick turn. We also understood that weight, waist width, the shape of the ski, and especially the camber profile all factored into how easily a ski will engage or release from a carved turn. However, these days, a number of manufacturers have been experimenting with “blended radius” skis, where different sections of the ski have different turn radii. Volkl's 4-Radius drive, featured in the M7 Mantra, blends 20, 40, 15, and 25 meter radii into the ski, which they calculate has an average 17.9 m turn radius.
The blended radius of the M7 Mantra effortlessly adjusts to pressure, allowing it to quickly adapt turn shape.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Rocker technology has become commonplace in ski design, and most of the skis in this review feature some type of rocker profile and early rise, which may begin closer to the front binding than the ski's tip. Camber purists are critical of this design because it shortens the effective edge of a ski. The Impulse Ti 98's pronounced rocker, which begins far behind its tips, is a good visual example of such a design. Its ski tips don't make contact with the snow unless the ski is tipped onto a high edge angle or is partially submerged. As a result, this and other rockered skis tend to score poorly for carving on hardpack. The trade-off is that they usually score higher for their soft snow qualities and playfulness since they are easier to pivot and steer into smeared turns.
While the Impulse 98 Ti has prowess in powder and even slush, its heavily rockered profile has a very short effective edge.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Powder Performance
Once you wander off the groomed trails, the mountain can throw any condition your way. We rate each competitor on its performance in different snow conditions, beginning with everyone's favorite: powder. We score this metric based on each ski's ability to float through powder and stay on top when the snow gets deep or heavy.
We searched for a surfy and floaty feel. We also awarded high scores to skis that retain predictable flex patterns in different densities of powder. Almost every model is fun in perfect powder because perfect powder is fun and easy to ski. There are, however, some notable differences across skis in terms of how they perform in the soft stuff.
Although it excels as a powder ski under 100 mm, the Black Diamond Impulse 98 Ti falters as a versatile all-mountain ski.
Credit: Marc Rotse
The Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98 shows the clearest preference for soft snow. The Blizzard Rustler 9 and DPS Wailer 100 are just behind in floatation but vastly outperform the Impulse Ti 98 overall. They were the obvious favorites in powder conditions with relatively wide waists, big shovels, and lots of rocker.
Although it has a penchant for straightlining, the Rustler 9 is fun and surfy in low-angle powder.
Credit: Marc Rotse
The less obvious favorites were the Volkl M7 Mantra and the Faction Agent 2. Despite these models' sportier profiles, they kept up with the very best to provide float and fun in the fluff. Similar to the Rustler 9, the M7 and Agent 2 are slightly more difficult to pivot or turn quickly at speed in powder – it is much easier to maintain your speed, float near the top, and quickly pivot to avoid obstacles while skiing the Impulse Ti 98 or DPS Wailer 100.
Even though it's one of the heavier skis in our test, the M7 Mantra surfs nearly as well as lighter weight competitors thanks to an enormous 139 mm shovel.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Waist Width
Although it's not everything, having a wider underfoot ski will probably make your powder day more fun. A wider tip with a bit of rocker helps to keep skis floating above softer, deeper, and more variable snow conditions. However, a wider-waisted ski will keep you there simply because it has a larger surface area to work with.
They are not true powder skis by modern standards, but all-mountain skis with waist widths closer to 100 mm – like the Impulse Ti 98, Rustler 9, or Wailer 100 – are going to be more playful and surfy in the light and fluffy than narrower models.
The Wailer 100 was nearly perfect for skiing boot-top powder.
Credit: Marc Rotse
One exception to the above is the 99 millimeter-waisted Nordica Enforcer 99. Despite sporting one of the girthiest midsections in our lineup this season, this ski loses its surface area advantage because it tends to flex too quickly and dive in deep snow.
The Enforcer 99 didn't light up until fresh snow warmed up to the point that hardly anyone would call it powder.
Credit: Marc Rotse
A ski that performed better than we expected in powder was the Armada Declivity 92 Ti. With the second skinniest waist width in our lineup, this ski was able to defy the odds in powder thanks to its wide tip width, which is 1 millimeter wider than our best scoring powder ski's tips. Aside from these outliers, wider waists perform better in softer snow and sacrifice a bit on firm surfaces.
Although it's only 92 mm underfoot, the Declivity 92 Ti features a 133 mm shovel, and floats surprisingly well.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Crud Performance
We all encounter difficult snow conditions at some point in the season, and having the right tool to get you through it is key. Variable-condition chargers are often well-rounded models that will always hold their own on the hill, anywhere, at any time. This often comes down to a ski's ability to absorb vibrations while remaining in contact with the snow. We rate crud performance based on each model's ability to dance through chopped-up powder and plow through variable conditions: think conditions like refrozen choppy snow, breakable crusts, or heavy slush.
Skis that are too stiff, like the Rossignol Arcade 88, often tend to hook an edge or release too slowly from a turn. Skis that are too playful or soft, like the Faction Agent 2, tend to get knocked around easily. Design features, like the pronounced tip rocker on the Impulse 98 Ti, are great for powder skiing but cause this ski to rattle around while skiing suncups.
Despite its heft, the Arcade 88 was predictably unpredictable in cruddy snow and challenged even some of our best skiers to keep it under control.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Heavier and stiffer skis like the M7 Mantra punch through – it tracks well through variable snow and is damp enough to keep you comfortable and confident through your turns. Rocker tips and slightly wider waist widths on skis like the Head Kore 94Ti or Blizzard Rustler 9 provide enough surface area, helping to keep you right-side up in conditions such as breakable crusts and heavy slush.
When the snow gets chopped up towards the end of the day, it helps to have a powerful ski like the M7 Mantra to push through the crud.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
The Rustler 9 remains especially composed when skiing through wind-affected slabs, which are commonly present on a roll over right before you drop into your powder stash. Even the playful DPS Wailer 100 tackled partially frozen suncups surprisingly well, albeit at moderate speeds.
The powerful Rustler 9 easily cut through wind-affected snow.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Terrain Playfulness
Playful skis are responsive and adapt well to changing terrain, making them downright fun to ski. Skis that feel lightweight, make a variety of turns intuitively, and have lots of pop are a go-to choice for folks who want to turn the entire mountain into a terrain park.
Gullies, side hits, and rolling terrain offer opportunities for expression for skiers who are light on their feet and creative. While we don't expect any of these skis to perform like a designated park ski, we should be able to spin and land tricks with confidence. We expect them to help us make the entire mountain feel like a natural terrain park.
The same snappy core that makes the Declivity 92 Ti so fun to carve also makes it a playful freeride ski.
Credit: Marc Rotse
The Faction Agent 2 impressed us with its ability to effortlessly pop into the air, flex in a forgiving manner upon landing, and confidently flip into skiing switch (backwards). The Armada Declivity 92Ti's highly charged camber made it easy to pop off any small wind lip. The DPS Wailer 100's light feel and short turn radius helped us to absorb terrain and switch up our turn shapes easily.
The Wailer 100's combination of weight, width, and flex enables it to adapt to any terrain quickly.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Bumps
When commuting around the mountain to find the best snow after a storm, you'll inevitably find runs chopped up into some sort of mogul field. These moguls range from consistently shaped zipper lines to erratically spaced and irregularly shaped.
Clunking a heavy ski like the Nordica Enforcer 99 through a mogul field can be exhausting and leave you gasping for air halfway down the run. Wider skis generally struggle to perform well in this metric, as they require more effort and skill to maneuver through tight spaces – the exception to this rule is the quick-pivoting Wailer 100.
The quick-turning Wailer 100 is something of a mogul master, especially considering its relatively wide waist width.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Skis with a consistent flex pattern, like the Rustler 9, have plenty of energy to pop from turn to turn. Skis that can turn dependably on command, like the M7 Mantra, give you the confidence to tackle even the tightest bump lines. Other skis with less width underfoot, like the Declivity 92 Ti, require less effort to tip on or off edge. As snow conditions, terrain steepness, and space between each mogul change, it is important to have skis that can pivot, smear, or carve as needed.
The forgiving yet consistent flex profile of the Ranger 96 made it a joy to ski in moguls.
Credit: Marc Rotse
While none of the skis in this test are designed specifically with moguls in mind, the Fischer Ranger 96 is a particularly fun bumps ski. Its large sweet spot and responsiveness edge-to-edge made skiing moguls feel almost easy. The twin-tip design of the Faction Agent 2, with its particularly playful feel, was intuitive to adjust in the moment. Issues with the Kore 94 Ti's stiffness disappeared as we used its energy to bounce from one mogul to the next.
The damp yet energetic Kore 94 Ti was fun to power through bumps.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Conclusion
We've all been there: we're looking for a new pair of skis ahead of the season, but we don't want to dump our life savings into several pairs. For the all-mountain review, we sought out products that are wide enough to handle soft snow but have dimensions and design features that allow them to rip up the hard-packed snow as well. Rest assured that there is a magical single ski out there for everyone, and we've made it our mission to help you find them.
Check out some of our other articles to help guide your next purchase, including a breakdown of this year's best ski gear. We also have in-depth reviews on other essential gear, everything from our favorite ski pants and ski jackets to gloves and helmets.
