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We purchased and tested 15 pairs of the best all-mountain skis for women, with award winners from top brands like Nordica, blackcrows, Blizzard, DPS, Volkl, Elan, and Stockli
We purchased women's all-mountain skis from Nordica, blackcrows, Blizzard, DPS, Volkl, Elan, Stockli, Armada, Fischer, HEAD, Rossignol, Faction, Dynastar, and Atomic. Then we tested them all side by side to find the very best.
Credit: Marc Rotse
By Renee McCormack ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated November 14, 2025
Over the past decade, our team of professional ski instructors has been testing the best all-mountain skis for women. Last season, we purchased 15 of the most popular models to test side by side, with a member of our team skiing a different pair every day.
We now have two top recommendations, defined by their width underfoot. The Nordica Santa Ana 97 is our favorite all-mountain ski under 100 mm. With a powerful edge hold and a smooth, confidence-boosting ride, the Santa Ana 97 is more lively than ever, making it a fun, versatile daily driver.
If you live in a climate where it snows regularly, the blackcrows Atris Birdie is a bit more tuned for skiing powder. It brings a touch more playfulness and floatation to the table, thriving in the mixed conditions you regularly encounter while skiing off-piste.
Many skiers, especially intermediate skiers, just want a ski that's fun and forgiving – if this sounds like you, our recommendation is the Elan Ripstick 94 W. This ski is lightweight, easy to maneuver, and downright fun. If you're making your first ski purchase, it's a ski that will grow with you as you progress in your skills.
If you are buying your first pair of skis, check out our in-depth buying advice article to help guide your selection. If you're looking to step away from the resort, check out our review of the best backcountry skis.
Editor's Note: We updated our review of the best all-mountain skis for women on November 14, 2025, adding new skis from blackcrows, Volkl, Elan, HEAD, Rossignol, Faction, Dynastar, and Atomic.
The Nordica Santa Ana 97 has consistently achieved top marks across ski reviews for many years, “but these new improvements to the design have taken it to the next level,” our lead tester touts. By removing some of the heavy ABS plastic in the tip and redesigning the tail, this ski can feather turns and spin on a dime, giving you the confidence to smear through bumps and dip through the trees. The lighter, slightly more rockered tip also keeps this 97mm ski afloat in powder, and a new core construction adds energy that previous versions lacked. While it maintains its classic stability underfoot, it's now also super fun to ski. As one tester put it, “the new-and-improved Santa Ana 97 sets a new benchmark in the all-mountain ski category.”
Comparing this side by side with the older model, the newfound energy of the Santa Ana 97 was immediately apparent. “This new design has an added 'pop' at every turn transition, which was lacking in previous versions,” one tester commented. This improved responsiveness made it easier to vary turn size at will, even in a carved turn. Although Nordica advertises this ski with a 17.5-meter turn radius, our testers had no problem getting it to carve a 15-meter arc.
The Nordica Santa Ana 97 is the ultimate all-mountain ski. It will take you from powder to hard-pack without missing a beat.
Credit: Ryder McCormack
Although the Santa Ana 97 feels lighter and livelier than ever, it's actually one of the heaviest skis we tested, weighing 8.8 pounds per pair. Fortunately, this heft only adds to its sense of stability – this ski is easy to get airborne, and even easier to land. At the highest speeds, we noticed that the softer tip engages slightly slower than previous versions. Despite the pronounced rocker, it doesn't flap around, but it also doesn't grip quite as well as the Volkl M7 Mantra W, which has a bit more material in the tip.
The only other downside our testers could ascribe to this ski is inherent within its everywoman quality of versatility. “The Santa Ana 97 is really good at everything, but it's not perfect at any one thing,” admits our lead tester. Even though being a Jill-of-all-trades means not excelling in one particular metric, our test team agrees that the redesigned Nordica Santa Ana 97 is the epitome of an all-mountain ski.
The blackcrows Atris Birdie stands out for its rare ability to balance width, power, and precision. With exceptional flotation in powder, it glides effortlessly through soft snow while maintaining confidence in variable conditions. The Atris Birdie thrives when fresh snow inevitably turns to chop, charging through chunder with a smooth, controlled feel that keeps you flowing instead of fighting this ski. One tester exclaimed, "This ski doesn't just survive variable conditions, it actually makes them fun!"
Despite its 105-millimeter waist, the Atris Birdie easily adapts to a variety of conditions. This ski performs just as well arcing big turns in open bowls as it does navigating glades or carving groomers. The Atris Birdie is essentially a powder ski when you want it to be, and an exceptional all-mountain ski the rest of the time.
Even though the blackcrows Atris Birdie excels off-piste, don't discount its impressive all-mountain performance on-piste.
Credit: Renee McCormack
Its only real shortcoming is in tight moguls, where its generous width is a bit more difficult to pivot than the slightly more narrow DPS Wailer 100. There simply isn't enough room in the trough of a zipper line for 210 millimeters of ski. It also might just be a bit of overkill, width-wise, for an East Coast skier who spends more time on hardpack than in powder. The Nordica Santa Ana 97 is only a touch behind the Atris Birdie relative to powder performance, but is finer-tuned for firmer snow conditions.
But for Western skiers who prioritize stability, power, and a graceful ride regardless of snow conditions, the buck stops with the Atris Birdie. This ski delivers the rare combination of playfulness and composure that makes it one of the most confidence-inspiring all-mountain skis we've ever tested. Our lead tester sums up the Atris Birdie perfectly: “This ski is built for hard-charging women who ski big and smile often.”
The Atris Birdie acts like a powder ski when you need one, and like a carving ski when you don't.
The Elan Ripstick 94 W is our top choice for intermediate skiers for its smooth, confidence-building ride and versatility in a wide range of conditions. From the first turn, it feels intuitive and easy to control, making it ideal for skiers who are refining their technique and want a ski that rewards steady progress. Its effortless turn initiation, balanced flex, and reliable floatation in soft snow make it equally enjoyable on groomers or in fresh powder – even dense Sierra Cement. Perhaps the best part is that it's one of the most budget-friendly skis in our entire test.
Lightweight and lively, it encourages playful exploration of the mountain without ever feeling demanding. One tester pointed out the ease with which the ski “just hooked up” as soon as she rolled it onto edge. Another described the sensation of turning them as “effortless,” which comes down to the unique design of its Amphibio sidewall profile. All of our testers agreed that it handled like a much narrower ski on groomers.
The Elan Ripstick 94 W strikes the right balance of fun and stability at a price point that makes it a great first ski purchase.
Credit: Renee McCormack
The Ripstick 94 W isn't really designed to bulldoze through chunky, variable conditions. It has a well-defined speed limit, above which it starts to feel nervous. However, those performacne compromises are part of what makes it so approachable. It remains composed and fun in smoother, more consistent snow, where its light, agile feel shines brightest.
The Head Kore 93 Ti W is a similarly fun option for intermediates at a slightly lower price point, but it offers less versatility across the range of resort terrain. While the Ripstick 94 is perfect for folks starting to explore off-piste, the Kore 93 Ti W is better suited for frontside carvers. For intermediates looking to expand their comfort zone and spend more time on snow without feeling overpowered, the Ripstick 94 W delivers stability, forgiveness, and plenty of smiles in equal measure.
Easy to ski and easy on the wallet, the Ripstick 94 W offers a great value option for intermediate skiers.
We were thrilled to discover the fully redesigned Blizzard Black Pearl 94 is every bit as trustworthy as previous versions we tested, and so much more fun! It still contends with other top competitors on-piste, holding its own on steep, hard-pack terrain and laying deep trenches on groomers nearly as well as the Volkl M7 Mantra W. However, the new Black Pearl 94 “has some new pep in its step,” as our lead tester puts it, which really enhances its versatility as a much more playful all-mountain ski. Despite its mere 94-millimeter waist and relatively subtle rockered tips, this ski also floats shockingly well in powder.
Both its powder performance and playfulness are huge improvements over previous versions. Unlike years past, this new and improved version is a fun and accessible ski, regardless of your experience level. Much of that comes down to its lightweight build – the Black Pearl 94 weighs only 7.36 pounds per pair. Compared to most other skis in our tests, it is at least half a pound lighter – often over a pound lighter – than other skis we tested, which makes it supremely agile.
From powering down steeps to blasting early morning groomers and everything in between, the Black Pearl 94 is a joy of an all-mountain ski.
Credit: The GearLab Team
The Black Pearl 94 is a total joy to ski in bumps and, really, anywhere on the resort. In every type of terrain, in any snow condition, our testers agreed that this ski excels, just as long as you're making close to a 15-meter turn. Don't worry if this sounds complicated – you're likely already making that size turn. This is the size turn that most intermediate to early-advanced skiers are comfortable with because it keeps their speed under control.
If you're someone who mostly likes to haul tushy down every run while cutting larger radius turns, you'll likely be happier with the aforementioned Volkl M7 Mantra W or the longer carving Fischer Ranger 102 if you want to arc big turns in powder. Even though the Black Pearl 94 can manage these larger, faster turns, it simply isn't the turn shape where this ski shines. As one of our testers aptly put it, “If you're happy making quick, agile turns in any terrain, the Black Pearl 94 is a winner.”
No one was surprised that the DPS Wailer 100 came out on top as our favorite powder ski among the all-mountain skis we tested (skis that generally measure around 100 millimeters underfoot). It's handmade in Utah by a company with deep roots in innovative design of prized powder skis. What amazed our testers was how this ski transformed the daunting experience of learning to ski in powder into something approachable and even enjoyable for beginners.
With a snug turn radius and a penchant for buttery, smeary turns, the redesigned Wailer 100 delivered a joyful experience for intermediates and professionals alike on our test team. With an ability to quickly pivot on a point, this ski dances gracefully through tight trees, “spinning like a little lavender ballerina,” as one of our testers put it. This ability to change direction instantaneously applies to any condition – the Wailer 100 pivoted just as well in fresh, mid-season snow as it did around slushy, springtime bumps.
The fast-turning Wailer 100 is the epitome of playful. From powder to bumps and steep faces, our testers fell in love with this ski.
Credit: The GearLab Team
The advertised 15-meter turn radius is already tight for a 100-millimeter-waisted ski, but our testers measured the true turn radius at an even tighter 12.5 meters. The Wailer 100 does wail and whine a bit when pressed into a larger radius turn – it's a ski that knows itself, and it wants to make short turns. Even though the Elan Ripstick 94 W advertises a much longer 18-meter radius, both of these powder hounds bound down the hill better by keeping their turns short.
It's also important to note that the Ripstick 94 W performs nearly as well as the Wailer 100, yet costs half as much – our testers were certainly wailing when they caught sight of the price tag on these pink powder beasts. But to its credit, the Wailer 100 is a much more versatile all-mountain ski than the Ripstick. If you'd like to learn how to ski powder like a pro, our test team agrees that nothing beats the accessibility of the Wailer 100. And among the professionals on our team, testers were constantly battling over who would take this ski out on a powder day – one, in particular, would get up an hour early just to snag it, claiming, "first out the door, best dressed on the snow!"
The Volkl M7 Mantra W is a powerhouse built for skiers who thrive on strength, precision, and speed. It shines brightest on-piste, earning near-perfect marks for its fierce edge hold and rock-solid stability on groomed runs. On firm snow, it grips like a race ski, offering an exhilarating, confidence-inspiring ride. At 8.4 pounds per pair (at the 170 centimeter length we tested), it's one of the heaviest skis in our lineup, and that weight translates directly into unstoppable momentum and stability at speed. One tester even claimed she was hearing the mantra, “I've got you,” from the ski all the way down the mountain.
Crud performance tends to expose weaknesses in most skis, but the M7 Mantra W is one of the few that charges right through it. It transforms post-storm chop into something that feels surprisingly manageable, handling tracked-out snow with the same composure it brings to groomers. A slightly softened flex compared to older versions makes it a touch more accessible, but it remains best suited for advanced to expert skiers who ski fast, drive hard, and prefer a ski that meets them with equal force.
This ski's mantra is “Fast is Best”. If you're a strong skier who likes to make large sweeping turns at high speeds, then the M7 Mantra W is the boss.
Credit: Renee McCormack
While this new flex pattern has made the M7 Mantra W a bit more forgiving, it's still an unapologetically powerful ski that demands energy and commitment from its rider. It's not particularly nimble in tight trees, and its preference for carved turns over skidded ones can make bumps a workout even for strong skiers. Those who love carving at speed will adore it; those looking for a more agile, easygoing ride might find more fun in the Blizzard Black Pearl 94.
Despite improved rebound and responsiveness compared to past versions, the M7 Mantra W remains focused on power rather than play. One tester quipped that it's “about as playful as a freight train,” but that's exactly why it appeals to expert skiers who want to charge the mountain with unwavering confidence. Unfortunately, it is not suitable for intermediate skiers, who will find it unwieldy and lumbering – these skiers will have a much better experience with the Elan Ripstick 94 W or Head Kore 93 Ti W. With its blend of precision, stability, and unflappable composure at high speeds, the M7 Mantra W remains one of the most capable all-mountain tools for aggressive women who like to ski hard, fast, and fearlessly.
The M7 Mantra W is able to tip on edge and drive through carves much like a classic slalom ski, yet has the waist width to make it a versatile all-mountain ski.
Our testers couldn't quite figure out what was so special about the Stockli Nela 88 at first. With the Stockli name and reputation, we assumed it would excel at speed on hardpack snow – which it does. But we didn't anticipate something atypical of a frontside carver: the uncanny ability to maneuver nimbly through a mogul field. It turns out that the Nela 88 is full of surprises, as these two traits are normally mutually exclusive.
“I loved that I could blast down a groomed run and then dart into an adjacent bump line,” lauded one of our testers, noting that the Nela 88 had the same self-assured stability in both cases. In our zipper line tests, the blend of progressive flex combined with just the right amount of stiffness kept our testers in the sweet spot in the moguls for far longer than any other ski in our lineup. It also carves a clean arc quite well and holds its own in choppy snow following a storm. And it does all this while remaining accessible to any level of skier – anyone from upper-intermediates to experts will appreciate this ski's frontside versatility.
Powerful and nimble, the Stockli Nela 88 is a rockstar mogul ski.
Credit: Marc Rotse
But the Nela 88 offers little to no rebound at the end of a turn, so don't expect it to feel fun or lively in that traditional sense. This lack of kickback does make it easier to stay in contact with the snow – a technique most skiers find crucial in moguls. If bump skiing is your jam or you're dreaming of becoming a mogul master, then the Nela 88 is the specialty tool for the job. If you'd rather have a carving ski with a bit more energy, check out the Volkl M7 Mantra W.
This ski also does not perform particularly well in more than six inches of powder, nor does it excel in the crud as well as a more off-piste tuned ski, such as the DPS Wailer 100. Like DPS skis, Stockli skis tend to be very expensive, and this one is no exception. However, if you're looking for a quick ski, both on groomers and in the bumps, the Nela 88 delivers an exceptional ride.
The same design that benefits the Nela 88 in the bumps makes it an excellent carving ski.
Credit: Marc Rotse
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Our dedicated test team spent all of last season testing the newest models ahead of their release date to deliver this comprehensive review just as these skis are hitting the market.
Credit: Renee McCormack
Why Trust GearLab
Our team is composed of professional ski instructors at Mammoth Mountain, California. Collectively, this group of women subjected these skis to more than 75 individual tests to evaluate their performance across the board. We test products side by side to rank each pair of skis within each metric. These all-mountain skis represent some of the most popular models available, so a low score doesn't mean a particular pair isn't worth consideration. A low score only means that a certain ski didn't perform well relative to the rest of the field, and often, low-scoring models still shine in certain situations.
Our team has logged thousands of hours on snow testing skis, which helps them highlight the strengths and weaknesses of every ski. We design our testing metrics to be both comprehensive and mutually exclusive and assign awards when a ski excels for a particular purpose. We balance performance and price to help you find the best value for your next one-ski quiver.
Our testing of women's all-mountain skis breaks down into six rating metrics:
Our two lead testers are industry professionals based in Mammoth Lakes, California, USA.
Our lead testers, Renee McCormack (left) and Hilary Roache (right).
Lead tester Renee McCormack is a fully certified, PSIA Level III Alpine Instructor and has been a ski instructor for the past seventeen years at Vail and Mammoth Mountain. Renee is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 145 pounds. She generally prefers a stronger, stiffer ski with a decent sidecut. She believes that an all-mountain setup should perform well in all conditions, including on-piste groomers, where we often spend portions of our day.
Hilary Roache grew up in Australia and worked as a ski instructor in Vermont, Colorado, Utah, Austria, and New Zealand before finally settling in Mammoth Lakes eleven seasons ago. Hilary holds PSIA Level II and NZSIA Level 2 certifications. Hilary is 5 feet 3 inches tall and 120 pounds, so some of the women's all-mountain skis in our test sizes were on the larger side for her. She enjoys skiing groomers and carving up the slopes when she teaches, but her real passion is powder skiing.
Both Hilary and Renee come from a long history of ski instruction and a personal passion for the sport, and each has different styles, preferences, and abilities, which helped us better understand the advantages and faults of each ski. Hilary and Renee often put their students on the skis they're testing for GearLab to gather a wide variety of feedback. They also offer the skis to fellow instructors, coaches, and skier friends to solicit their thoughts. Testing the same skis with multiple testers helps us provide you with a fuller picture of how a ski feels.
From early groomer laps to full powder days, our team skis together so that they can discuss, exchange, and compare skis on the slopes.
Analysis and Test Results
You are probably a sensible person who only wants to own a single rockin' pair of skis that will take you anywhere on the mountain, any day. Here is the theory behind all-mountain skis: these are skis designed to take you all over the mountain, regardless of the type of snow conditions. Certain manufacturers use different terminology for this ski category, often referring to it as “all-mountain” or occasionally “freeride.”
Regardless, an all-mountain model strives to do it all — carve clean arcs on groomers, maintain stability at speed, withstand crud and bumps, and stay afloat in powder. The top-rated all-mountain skis are all capable of handling a wide variety of conditions, and they all emerged as high-performers within the women's all-mountain ski realm, where versatility is crucial.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Due to the “jack of all trades” nature of all-mountain skis, they are already the ideal purchase for a cost-conscious skier. Everyone is looking to stretch their dollars where they can, so we compared each model's list price and total score to identify the best value-for-money purchases. Among all of the specialty “quiver” skis on the market, the sub-category of all-mountain skis – ones that generally measure between 90 mm and 105 mm underfoot – offer an exceptional dollar-per-use ratio because you only have to purchase one ski for every day of the season.
Skis are expensive. Our hope is that by spending some time with our reviews, a thoughtful approach will land you the perfect ski for your needs and budget.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
The Elan Ripstick 94 W is an affordable, well-rounded option for intermediate to advanced skiers. Its value comes not only from its price tag, but also from its accessibility. Advanced to expert skiers should consider investing in the Blizzard Black Pearl 94. It's a bit more expensive than the Ripstick, but it offers the power and versatility that higher-level skiers demand, whether that's now or next season.
The Ripstick 94 W is just as fun skiing groomers as it is in powder.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Even though the DPS Wailer 100 is an exceptional powder ski in the all-mountain category, its price point may put it out of reach for many skiers. For the cost-conscious powder hound, it's important to point out that the blackcrows Atris Birdie hits a perfect score as well in this metric, but it costs roughly 30% less.
The Atris Birdie is sturdy in soft powder, on firm groomers, and in steep crud, making it a highly versatile all-mountain ski.
Credit: Marc Rotse
We also want to highlight the fact that the average cost difference between most of the skis in this review is between $50 and $150. We've written in-depth articles on every ski in our review, so you can dig deeper into the differences. It's well worth your time to consider your abilities and goals and match them to the perfect ski rather than just focusing on the cost alone. The best ski for you might not be the same as the one for your bestie, even if you're both shopping on a budget.
There are so many skis on the market these days. We thoughtfully curate our selection so that you're only choosing between models that present the best performance for the price.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Stability at Speed
We want our skis to make us feel like super-heroines while flying down the mountain instead of leaving us tentative or unsure. We want to exert pressure on them, make them bend, and know they won't slip out from under us or chatter around at high speeds. To this end, we examined how each pair of skis performed at higher speeds. Do they offer a smooth and seamless ride, or do the tips flap incessantly? Can they keep their edge when carving through a fast, high-pressure turn, or do they tend to wash out? Are they dampening, softly absorbing bumps and uneven terrain, or do we get bucked around and launched out of balance?
The Volkl M7 Mantra W takes the cake as the most stable competitor in the test. If you like to go fast and feel supported, the M7 Mantra W is a sure thing. The Blizzard Black Pearl 94, Nordica Santa Ana 97, blackcrows Atris Birdie, and Stockli Nela 88 are all quite stable as well. Like Volkl, Nordica, and Blizzard (among many other companies) use titanal to increase stiffness, often with a bit of carbon in the tips. Interestingly, blackcrows has chosen a simple but hardy layup of poplar wood and fiberglass for the Atris Birdie. This classic design is already naturally damp, so the ski clearly doesn't require any additional metal to enhance the feel. Regardless of the approach designers take to achieve this goal, stability-focused construction ultimately translates to success in this metric.
If you want to go fast regardless of terrain or snow conditions, the Volkl M7 Mantra W is one of the most stable skis we've tested in years.
Credit: Renee McCormack
Most of the skis in the all-mountain division now have rockered tips, primarily intended to help the skis stay afloat in deeper, fresh snow. When skied on groomers at high speeds, these rockered tips often appear unstable (as they flap their wings). The Dynastar M-Pro 98 W has such extremely rockered tips that it becomes difficult for them not to flop vertically when moving quickly on hard-packed snow.
While some skis are only stable on groomed runs, the Santa Ana 97 can find an edge almost anywhere.
Credit: Ryder McCormack
However, some skis, like the Santa Ana 97 and the Atris Birdie, have enough sidewall underfoot that despite their slightly flapping tips, you still maintain enough edge hold and stability underfoot. The discussion of edge-hold is also related to the carving metric. Like the M7 Mantra W and the Black Pearl 94, some skis have carbon specifically in the tips to help dampen the ride in the front.
Unlike other skis with more pronounced rocker profiles, you can confidently push the Black Pearl 94 through fast turns without fear of tip-flap.
Credit: Renee McCormack
Weight
The weight of a ski can significantly impact overall stability, particularly at high speeds. Depending on a ski's dimensions and the choice of materials used in its construction, a ski can feel stable and reliable, wild and unpredictable, or somewhere in between. Unfortunately, it does seem common that when a ski is very stable at higher speeds, it also tends to be stiffer, heavier, and perhaps a little unwieldy for lighter, less powerful skiers.
Despite a revised construction that makes it more accessible than ever before, lighter-weight testers still found the relatively heavyweight Volkl M7 Mantra W more difficult to bend and maneuver. While it excels at barreling down a run in large, high-speed turns, it lacks agility.
Despite its heavy-metal build, the shape and flex pattern of the Santa Ana 97 make it easier to carve tight turns.
Credit: Marc Rotse
The Santa Ana 97 is also quite heavy, which similarly contributes to its stability at higher speeds. Yet, the flex pattern allows it to be finessed into a tighter, carved turn as well as a smeared, buttery skid. This is a great example of the specs alone not giving you the full picture of the “feel” of the ski.
A lightweight ski like the Blizzard Black Pearl 94 can also be appreciated when post-holing through thigh-deep spring slush and clambering across boulders to “get the shot”. Or just for the slog from the parking area!
Credit: Nate Greenberg
The Stockli Nela 88, the blackcrows Atris Birdie and the Blizzard Black Pearl 94 manage to break the mold – they are lighter weight skis that are still incredibly stable underfoot. Not only did our smaller testers have an easy time flexing the Black Pearl 94 through turns, but everyone agreed that it felt light underfoot, agile, and fun in all types of terrain. The Atris Birdie has a sturdy feel in all snow conditions, but also features a smooth flex pattern that allows it to feel lively and energetic. The solid construction of the Nela 88 provides a stable ride, but it lacks the dynamic feel of other lightweight skis.
The same characteristics that make the lightweight Ripstick 94 W extremely easy to ski at medium speeds are the same ones that make it unsuitable for experts who prefer to go fast.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Some models, like the particularly lightweight Elan Ripstick 94 W, feel a little unnerving at speed and flap crazily down the hill. Perhaps designers are trying to make these skis lighter or softer for female skiers. Whatever the case, they are less comfortable at speed, which does not instill the confidence we desire to reach our maximum velocity threshold. This ski is suitable for an intermediate skier traveling at moderate speeds, but we don't recommend it for experts who require more support.
The softer flex, lighter weight, and large rockered tips of the Dynastar M-Pro 98 W all contribute to a wobbly feel at high speeds.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Carving Ability
If you love shredding fresh corduroy and leaving two deep trenches in your wake, then it's critical to choose a ski that performs well in this metric. We asked ourselves: How easy is it to turn each competitor? Will the skis turn when requested, or do they prefer to go straight ahead? Can you tip them on edge, have them engage, and ride the rail? Do they stay engaged when you do? What is the turn radius, and does the ski feel like it wants to make a tighter or larger turn?
Skis with a smaller turn radius are sometimes better at carving, but this is not a given. Turn shape and size are mainly products of a ski's sidecut, though they are also affected by the ski's flex pattern (the way it bends as you ski it). If a ski has a pronounced hourglass shape – wider at the tip and tail and skinnier underfoot – it will likely offer a smaller radius turn. Conversely, a ski with a straighter design from the tip to the tail, like the Armada Reliance 92 Ti or the Stockli Nela 88, can result in a larger turn radius.
The turn radius of the Stockli Nela 88 felt a little longer than advertised.
Credit: Marc Rotse
However, in another case study that reveals that the specs don't tell the whole story, the Atris Birdie has very little sidecut and an advertised 19-meter radius. Yet, due to the smooth and accessible flex pattern, our testers felt it could make a much tighter turn much more easily than its shape would suggest.
Our testers felt they could easily bend the blackcrows Atris Birdie into a tighter carve than the 19-meter radius written on the ski.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Another factor within the carving metric is a ski's agility when moving from one set of edges to the other. Edge-to-edge quickness is often a function of a ski's waist width (skinnier skis are generally faster to switch edges). Still, it's also related to the sidecut and the turn radius. Some skis, like the Santa Ana 97, will rock quickly over from one edge to the next, instantly engaging the new edge and initiating a new turn. Other contenders are a bit more sluggish.
The Santa Ana 97 has no issue transitioning from upright, easy-going turns to deeply cut carves.
Credit: Ryder McCormack
At 94 millimeters underfoot, the Elan Ripstick 94 W moves relatively quickly from edge to edge and has a nice rebound to spring you from one set of edges to the next. However, due to its Amphibio design feature, which makes the inside ski difficult to carve, we had to deduct a couple of points.
The unique Amphibio design of the Ripstick 94 W ski, which helps it excel in powder, makes it difficult to carve evenly.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Edge hold within a turn is an important element of our carving metric. Can we trust the ski's edge to lock into the snow when we're railing turns? If we turn at speed, will these planks hold their course through the turn, or will they stutter or slip away?
The M7 Mantra W locks into an edge and only releases once you apply enough pressure to do so.
Credit: Marc Rotse
The top skis in our carving tests are very different skis, yet they earned their top marks thanks to exceptional edge hold. The Volkl M7 Mantra W is more of a classically powerful front-side carver with a tenacious grip that likes making large, sweeping turns. Contrastingly, the Black Pearl 94 is quick edge-to-edge, with a razor-sharp edge hold that promotes tight turns.
The Santa Ana 97 is just as comfortable acring a carve as it is in a smeared turn. This makes it easy to shift between turn shapes from one to the next.
Credit: Marc Rotse
The Santa Ana 97 also excels at laying down tracks and can easily maintain an edge throughout the turn, but it blends its turn shape a bit better than either the M7 Mantra W or the Black Pearl 94. Carving each of these skis is a blast, but your experience will feel significantly different on each ski.
Even though the Black Pearl 94's turn radius feels tighter than the advertised, this ski can still make nice sweeping carves.
Credit: Renee McCormack
Turn Radius
The printed turn radius was not always spot on in our tests. Both the DPS Wailer 100 and the Black Pearl 94 felt even tighter than the claimed 15-some-meter radius. The M7 Mantra W also claims an average 15-meter radius, but it felt quite a bit longer on snow – our test team agreed that it felt closer to 18 meters.
Interestingly, the Atris Birdie has the least amount of sidecut in the test group, as well as the longest advertised turn radius. However, its progressive and accessible flex pattern allows the skier to make a much tighter turn than suggested – everyone agreed that this ski comfortably carves closer to a 16-meter radius.
The M7 Mantra W's radius felt a bit longer than the printed 15.2 meters, but the solid construction and tenacious edge grip create an impressive, large-radius carved turn.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Powder Performance
If you've only ever skied on rental skis or skis less than 90 millimeters underfoot, then all of the skis in this review are going to blow your mind in powder. Most of them will make even the seasoned fat-ski chick feel like a superstar in the soft stuff. These boards all do a decent job of keeping you on top of the snow, therefore making powder skiing feel effortless (not an easy feat). In general, the wider the tips and waist, and the more rocker in the tips, the more the ski will help you float closer to the surface of the deeper snow, making it easier to maneuver as there's less resistance. Sometimes, the skinnier skis in this review were decidedly harder work in the powder, as they sink into the mire, making it tougher to make that turn happen.
Even though all the skis in our review are a significant step up compared to a standard rental ski or a race ski, there is an equally substantial jump in performance between these and a true powder ski (skis that generally measure 110 mm and above in the waist). When the snow gets really deep, many of these all-mountain models just can't hang.
If you love coming out for freshies, the Atris Birdie is a great choice with its wide waist and early rise rockered tips.
Credit: Marc Rotse
The blackcrows Atris Birdie makes powder skiing feel like flying through the clouds – its impressive 105-millimeter waist, combined with early-rise rockered tips and an ideal flex, creates a truly magical experience in fresh snow. The high-rise rockered tips on the DPS Wailer 100 help even novice powder skiers stay on top of the fluff, while the ski's geometry helps it pivot on a dime. The Elan Ripstick 94 W's unique Amphibio profile helps it stay closer to the surface, making it easier to turn in deeper snow.
The DPS Wailer 100 features a wider waist and an extremely defined early-rise rockered tip, a fantastic combination for powder skiing.
Credit: Scott Rokis
The design of a ski's tip certainly plays a role in its keenness to float. The Santa Ana 97 is a prime example. By removing material from the tip and slightly increasing the rocker profile, the Santa Ana went from a modest powder ski to one of our favorites under 100 mm. The relatively narrow, 97 mm waist doesn't inhibit its powder prowess at all – we were pleasantly surprised by its powder performance, even on the deepest days.
Lightweight tips and an ability to flat-pivot on the surface make the Santa Ana 97 a surprisingly fun powder ski.
Credit: Ryder McCormack
The Wailer 100 features a similarly shaped tip with even more rocker, along with an additional 6 mm of underfoot length to enhance buoyancy. Several pairs of skis in this review achieve flotation through their well-designed, wide tips, such as the Volkl M7 Mantra W and the Fischer Ranger 102.
The Blizzard Sheeva 9's rockered tips stayed afloat in fresh snow up to about eight inches deep.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Waist Width
A ski's performance in powder is related to its waist width (wider generally equals more surface area - and thus, more floatation) as well as the amount of rocker it has in the tips. Additional rocker (the more a ski's tip turns upward away from the snow at a certain point along the ski's length) helps a ski float without the addition of extra width.
Every ski in this review has a variation on a rockered design, which shifts the contact area between the ski and the snow towards the center of the ski, effectively shortening the “skiable” length. This “effective edge” length is felt more on groomers, but a ski with an “early rise rockered tip” is likely going to feel shorter than expected for a given length.
Although it's not one of our favorite powder skis, the Rossignol Rallybird Soul 102 is one of the widest skis we've tested.
Credit: Renee McCormack
For instance, if you normally ski a 160-centimeter on-piste ski, you may want to consider getting something in the 170-centimeter range if you're buying a ski with early-rise rocker. The blackcrows Atris Birdie is one of the widest skis, while the DPS Wailer 100 has some of the most prominent rocker of all the models in our review.
The pink tip of the DPS Wailer 100 is clearly rising above the rest (and rising sooner, too, if you look at where it leaves the snow).
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Our favorite powder ski, the Wailer 100, is remarkable in this metric because it is not the widest ski in this review. With a pronounced, early-rise rocker, it has all the markings of an ideal powder ski. However, its more reasonable waist width of only 100 mm allows a skier to turn easily and quickly in deep snow without the tips diving. Its ability to turn quickly makes it super fun for experts in the trees while at the same time welcoming novices to the joys of powder skiing.
Low-angle, wind-affected, and dense powder conditions are all on the table with the Wailer 100.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Another top performer in this metric, the Elan Ripstick 94 W, does not have a particularly wide waist nor an exceptional amount of rocker. It features a unique design, known as Ambibio Technology, characterized by dedicated left and right skis. The inside edge of each is built with a regular camber to provide edge grip on harder snow. The outside edge features a fully rockered design, shaped like a banana, with each end lifting off the snow, allowing for increased flotation in powder and enhanced agility in soft snow. Perhaps this rockered edge sets the Ripstick apart in its powder performance, making it ski like a dream in fresh snow.
The Ripstick 94 W has exceptional powder prowess, especially considering its mere 94 millimeter waist.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Crud Performance
For our review, we refer to “crud” as any version of variable snow (but not powder) on an ungroomed (or groomed too long ago to be noticeable) trail. Many days in springtime, the snow will be frozen sheets of ice in the morning and then form giant slush waves by mid-afternoon. But in mid-winter, you will sometimes find breakable crust in one spot and fun chalky wind-buff around the corner. Will your trusty toys blast through the irregularities, whether you're in soft or hard snow? When even the groomers are busted up, will you still feel like you're carving and crushing?
The Volkl M7 Mantra W easily manages choppy snow like a bully on the playground, as does the Nordica Santa Ana 97. These skis can blast through the rough terrain, and they're damp enough not to get tossed around in chunky snow. The meaty blackcrows Atris Birdie also carries enough weight to bust through chunky conditions. Despite having a larger surface area and wider tips, the nice flex pattern seems to smooth out turbulence.
Similar to driving on a washboard dirt road, pinning it through chunky snow is often the best way to avoid feeling all the undulations. The Atris Birdie is one of the best for this style of skiing crud.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Other skis, such as the DPS Wailer 100 and Blizzard Black Pearl 94, employ an alternative approach to the chop, utilizing their lightness and agility to skim the surface. However, it isn't as effective as the more aggressive tactic, so they don't score quite as highly in this metric.
The Black Pearl 94 deftly navigates steep, chunky snow, providing you with ultimate confidence despite its lighter-weight construction.
Credit: Renee McCormack
The Elan Ripstick 94 W isn't burly enough for experts to charge through crud at high speeds, but its more delicate management of choppy conditions makes it great for novices just stepping into ungroomed terrain for the first time. We were slightly disappointed by the Atomic Maven 94 CTI in this environment. It neither barged through it nor sucked it up, but rather threw us around, resulting in some minor humiliations.
The Nordica Santa Ana 97 slices through rough terrain so that you can just enjoy the views.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Terrain Playfulness
We're evaluating how fun the ski is to use in this metric. This metric can certainly be subjective from one tester to another and across different skier types, depending on factors such as ability level, height, weight, and preferences for turn shape and size. Playfulness can also be a fairly simple assessment; do you have fun on this ski? Are you looking forward to taking them on the hill and playing around on them — riding switch, maybe, or jumping off small features?
The ski's rebound is one element of playfulness that seems consistent throughout the models that excel in this metric. A ski with a nice rebound will release quickly and smoothly after you bend it (at the end of your turn), creating an energetic and exhilarating transition from one turn into the next. After you've pressed the skis through the turn and you let go, do they pop back and spring easily toward the next set of edges? Or are they listless and lack energy and responsiveness? Overall, a more traditionally cambered ski will tend to excel in this regard; yet, we found that the Ripstick 94 W (with a bizarre Amphibio profile) had an exceptional rebound.
For a relatively soft ski, the Ripstick 94 W still features an explosive rebound.
Credit: Marc Rotse
The Blizzard Sheeva 9 provided all our testers, regardless of their size, with a very exciting rebound that made it fun to ski within appropriate terrain – nothing too deep or chunky or bumpy. One tester called the Black Pearl 94 “a bouncy ball of fun”, given its propensity for popping in the air and springing easily in new directions.
We loved getting airborne on the Wailer 100, and its rapid responses to your movements make it a riot to ski for all ability levels.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Both the Nordica Santa Ana 97 and the blackcrows Atris Birdie have decent rebound and are fun to go airborne. On the other side of the coin, the Volkl M7 Mantra W isn't exactly “playful” in a conventional manner. However, the feeling of confidence granted by this ski inspired us to ski fast and take chances, which is always enjoyable in itself.
The Black Pearl 94 is so lightweight and snappy, we couldn't help but pop off nearly every feature.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Some of the highest-rated skis in this metric – namely the Black Pearl 94, DPS Wailer 100, and the Sheeva 9 – have more to offer than just excellent rebound. All three have an impressive ability to pop airborne off practically any feature, and the former two feel like they can spin on a dime. There is a special sensation when it feels like you have nothing at all on your feet. Our testers all derive great pleasure from lightweight, playful skis like these.
The Blizzard Sheeva 9 is near the top of our charts in this metric due to its liveliness, agility, and rebound.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Other skis, such as the Rossignol Rallybird Soul 102, just felt like dead boards under our feet and weren't particularly joyful to ski. This outcome was particularly disappointing from a brand like Rossignol, as the discontinued Rossignol Soul 7 HD W was one of the most responsive and playful skis we've ever tested.
The “fun” on the Santa Ana 97 comes more in the form of stability and reliability, though the newest iteration of this ski has distinctly more pop to it than older versions.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Bumps
Most skiers have a love-hate relationship with them, but regardless, moguls are a fact of life for resort skiing. Even if you plan to avoid them at all costs, if you're skiing past noon, you'll often find yourself atop a pitch of bumps, possibly cursing the Olympic skiers who make them look so easy. Models with a tighter-feeling turn radius, such as the DPS Wailer 100 and the Blizzard Black Pearl 94, tend to perform better in tight, firm, evenly spaced bumps.
The Stockli Nela 88's combination of agility and stability makes it second to none in a mogul field – the narrow waist, shorter length, and less prominently rockered tip, along with the lack of rebound, create a ski that dominates in this arena. The lightweight Elan Ripstick 94 W frolicked through the bumps and outperformed many other competitors in this metric.
The Stockli Nela 88 is our choice for bumps for its uncanny ability to keep skiers in the zipper line.
Credit: Marc Rotse
While we appreciated the Head Kore 93 Ti W in softer, smaller moguls, we wouldn't be thrilled to ski it through firmer Volkswagen-sized bumps. Despite its penchant for higher speeds and larger turn shapes, the Nordica Santa Ana 97 can still hold its own in a mogul field. Even our smaller testers found it manageable and quick in the bumps.
You can actually see the Wailer 100 smearing as it pivots across these chunky spring bumps, flattening the snow behind it.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
If moguls are only starting to form in fresh snow, it might be wise to choose a ski with better crud-busting capabilities, like the Volkl M7 Mantra W. Because it does well in choppy snow, the blackcrows Atris Birdie also performs well in small, early-season bumps – but once zipper lines form, it's too wide to fit in the troughs. We would say that if you plan to spend any more than 5% of your time purposefully seeking out moguls, you should lean towards more on-piste-specific skis.
Lightweight, playful, and poppy, the Black Pearl 94 makes fast work of a bumps run.
Credit: Renee McCormack
A Note About Versatility
We chose not to specifically rate the women's all-mountain skis on their versatility because the most versatile and well-rounded skis will naturally perform well across all of our metrics and rise to the top of the podium. The least versatile skis tend to specialize in a particular zone, thereby making performance sacrifices in other areas.
The most versatile contenders in our review are the Nordica Santa Ana 97 and the blackcrows Atris Birdie. Each does well in all conditions, but also has its strengths and weaknesses. The Santa Ana 97 is narrower and slightly better suited for on-piste skiing, whereas the Atris Birdie soars in more challenging terrain, such as powder and crud, although it isn't ideal in moguls. Our testers believe that if you spend more time on groomers, the Santa Ana 97 is likely the right choice. If you love a powder day and don't specifically seek out moguls, the Atris Birdie is a great option.
A versatile ski makes us smile, no matter what terrain we find ourselves in.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Conclusion
If you're seeking the perfect ski to handle whatever Mother Nature throws your way, we have you covered in this women's all-mountain ski review. Whether you're looking for planks to help you stay afloat in soft powder, shred the groomers, or plow through crud, our top-ranked skis have the versatility to excel in all kinds of conditions and take you anywhere on the mountain.
