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The Scores (out of 10)

• Overall Score: 7.11/10
• Rank: #9
• Hard-Snow Integrity: 7
• Stability at Speed: 7.25
• Carving: 7
• Quickness: 8
• Responsiveness: 7.75
• Playfulness: 7.25
• Forgiveness: 7.25
• Crud Performance: 6.5
• Versatility: 6.5

The Specs

• Price: $850
• Lengths: 149, 158, 166
• Dimensions:Ìę124-75-109
• Radius: 12 (158cm)
• Level: Novice to Advanced

In a Nutshell

• Pros: Quickness, Responsiveness
• Cons: Versatility, Crud Performance

​​Dynastar hasn’t been on SKI’s Top 10 list in a couple of years, but this year the brand once again stood out with the E-Lite 8—a fun little gal that turns on a dime and arcs short turns without a second thought.

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A new addition to Dynastar’s E-Lite on-piste collection, the E-Lite 8 doesn’t contain any metal and instead sports a hybrid poplar bidirectional core—the same wood core that is in many of Dynastar’s race-oriented skis. Our testers with racing backgrounds said that this ski feels incredibly similar to a slalom ski. Short and whippy, it has plenty of snap and energy at the end of its turns, and it immediately dives into the following turn to keep on trucking.

It’s fast as all get-out, tying for second place in the Quickness category and taking fourth in Responsiveness. Anything you tell this ski to do, it does, and does it happily. “This little ski crushed turns and did everything I told her to do,” said tester . “She hammered any and every size of turn and I enjoyed every second of it.”

The ski prefers to stay on the groomers, though. It’s just a little too soft to take it into the trees and moguls without it bouncing you around. It also doesn’t have the hard-snow integrity of some of the other skis in the test—so keep it on the softer groomers for the best possible outcome.

All of the women testing the ski were a little disappointed with the entered ski’s length topping out at a shorter 158cm, but were pleasantly surprised by the ski’s stability considering its smaller stature. “The ski was short, but didn’t feel as short as it was,” said tester . “Easy to turn ski that’s quite stable. It’s a fun little ripper.”

Go Deeper: Here’s How the Dynastar E-Lite 8 Compares to Its Closest Competition

Verdict: It’s a fun ski for any beginner to intermediate skier who is looking to work on her turns and build her skills on the hardpack, and it might even inspire her to jump into a NASTAR course to enact her ski racing fantasies.

“Pleasantly surprised with the stability on this fun, snappy, energetic ski,” stated tester Tracy Gibbons. “Great for those who like to ski on the groomers and make nice fall-line carved turns.”

 grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons.

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The Scores (out of 10)

• Overall Score: 7.79/10
• Rank: #4
• Hard-Snow Integrity: 8.22
• Stability at Speed: 8.22
• Carving: 7.89
• Quickness: 7.67
• Responsiveness: 7.56
• Playfulness: 6.67
• Forgiveness: 6.33
• Crud Performance: 6.67
• Versatility: 7.44

The Specs

• Price: $700
• Lengths: 163, 170, 177, 184
• Dimensions: 129-88-113
• Radius: 17 (177cm)
• Level: Strong Intermediate to Expert

In a Nutshell

• Pros: Hard-Snow Integrity (#4), Stability at Speed (#2)
• Cons: Forgiveness (#8), Playfulness (#6)

For years, the łŐö±ô°ì±ô Kendo has been known as a hard-charging and stiff ski, but this season our testers got a chance to see the other side of its personality. While it still hunts for speed and power, łŐö±ô°ì±ô’s Tailored Titanal Frame technology, which reduces the amount of metal in the ski based on its length, allows this year’s model to show off its playfulness. It’s a refreshing change for advanced skiers, and it also welcomes a more intermediate crowd to the łŐö±ô°ì±ô community.

Read more: See how the Kendo stacked up against the rest of the competition.

Don’t get us wrong—this ski is still damp, allowing a more advanced skier to find its energy out of a turn when dropping a hip on hardpack. “It feels like a race-charger,” said tester Chad Jacob, a race coach from New York. “Very damp and fun—a classic ripper,” agreed tester Tommy Flitton, who coaches freeride teams at Snowbird and Alta. While these are expected comments to describe a łŐö±ô°ì±ô ski, the test crew’s notes this year took on a surprising tone: There was energy in these skis.

Over the last year,  has been focusing on improving the Kendo 88’s handling to find that pop and zing so many skiers desire. Specifically, they tailored the amount of metal to each ski length, which customizes the dampness—meaning the longer your ski, the stiffer it will be, while shorter skis have less stiffness. Now it doesn’t mean that the ski isn’t damp—it’s not particularly forgiving—but with the right ski length selection, the ride offers play, power and speed in one fell swoop.

Related: Learn how to wax your skis

With past complaints focused on the Kendo 88’s long turn radius that performed medium-to-long turns exclusively, łŐö±ô°ì±ô also tuned down the ski’s center radius, which helped make this ski a touch more agile than in years past. This meant that testers actually enjoyed taking the Kendo 88 into the trees and softer conditions—terrain and conditions one tended to avoid on the old Kendo 88. Given its dampness, the ski still requires some attention in that mixed terrain, but testers agree it’s now much more fun and maneuverable than past iterations.

łŐö±ô°ì±ô also updated the Kendo 88’s tip this year, putting in carbon fiber strands along the energy transfer lines. This process lessened the amount of carbon in the tip from previous versions of the ski, which used to make the ski feel planky. With this new technology, it’s easier to initiate turns and tip this ski on edge.

The ski looks like an all-mountain ski versus a traditional groomer ride, but testers agreed that the Kendo 88 likes the hard snow the best, as it lacks some mercy in the crud. “On groomers this thing rips, but with an 88 waist there’s enough ski to allow for some dabbling off-piste from time to time,” said tester Jon Sexauer. “But it’s not the most forgiving ski around.”

But on groomers, the Kendo’s new personality really shines. “This is a good ski for the masses,” said Flitton. “It’s not overly stiff, but meant for a skier who wants to go fast and not slow down for nothin’.”

 grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons.

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The Scores (out of 10)

• Overall Score: 7.14/10
• Rank: #10
• Hard-Snow Integrity: 7.8
• Stability at Speed: 8
• Carving: 7.6
• Quickness: 5.2
• Responsiveness: 5.8
• Playfulness: 5.4
• Forgiveness: 5.2
• Crud Performance: 5.8
• Versatility: 6.4

The Specs

• Price: $1,349
• Lengths: 165, 170, 175, 180, 185
• Dimensions: 128-84-114
• Radius: 16.3 (178cm)
• Level: Advanced, Expert

In a Nutshell

• Pros: Hard Snow Integrity, Stability at Speed
• Cons: Quickness, Forgiveness

Montero translates to “hunter” in Spanish and the name felt appropriate for this Stöckli ski that liked to stalk and prey on fast and firm groomers. Stiff and conventionally built, the Stöckli Montero AR is a predictable and stable ride for a frontside resort cruiser. Its vibrancy comes out when you put more velocity into each turn, while its full wood core with two sheets of metal makes for stability and stiffness. “This ski likes to go fast,” said tester Chad Jacob, a race coach from New York. “It comes alive at speed and the stability is amazingly strong.”

A new ski on the market, the Montero AR replaces the acclaimed Stöckli Laser ski of the same waist width from years past. It is a cross between the Laser GS—a giant slalom-esque carving ski—and its all mountain-leaning sibling, Montero AX. It is still designed for on-piste skiing, but at 84mm underfoot and with more off-piste construction changes, it does have the ability to dash into the soft snow.

However, while the ski sports a little bit of tip and tail rocker to allow access to the chop and chunder on the side of the trail, this ski really just wants to cruise on hardpack. And with the Montero’s desire for speed, in addition to its genetic stiffness, testers all agreed that the ski is better suited to a more advanced skier that would be comfortable and confident at those high speeds. Not everyone can, or should, ski this beast.

Read more: See how the Montero AR stacked up against the rest of the competition

Testers also didn’t love the singular turn shape of the Montero, which restricts its versatility in terrain. And because of its burliness and flat camber, this ski lacks the energy and rebound that many of the other skis in the frontside category demonstrated. “This is a predictable and stable ski that will not let you down, but it lacks turn shape versatility and forgiveness,” said tester Dylan Hall. But many of the other testers, did agree that if you stayed on top of your turn and didn’t get lazy, this conventional-style ski could rip some serious arcs. “Rewards a strong forward move into the fall line with a kick,” said Jacob. “Only strong skiers need apply here.”

At nearly $1,400, the ski is the priciest of the top frontside skis of this season, so keep that in mind as you budget for this coming season. But its conventional construction will appeal to someone looking for a narrower all-mountain ski that can lay over medium-sized turns on steep terrain.

grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons.

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The Scores (out of 10)

• Overall Score: 7.29/10
• Rank: #7
• Hard-Snow Integrity: 7.88
• Stability at Speed: 8
• Carving: 6.75
• Quickness: 6.75
• Responsiveness: 6.75
• Playfulness: 6.5
• Forgiveness: 6.5
• Crud Performance: 7.5
• Versatility: 6.75

The Specs

• Price: $700
• Lengths: 165, 172, 179, 186
• Dimensions: 121-88-109 (172)
• Radius: 15.5 (179cm)
• Level: Advanced, Expert

In a Nutshell

• Pros: Crud Performance (#2), Hard-Snow Integrity (#7)
• Cons: Playfulness (#8), Forgiveness (#7)

Confident, dependable and staunchly reliable, the Nordica Enforcer 88 has been one of the top frontside skis on the market for many seasons. And the 2023 version is no different. “This ski just flat-out performs,” said tester Sam Cox.

Year over year, Nordica remains at or near the top of each category for good reason—the brand’s skis are high performers with great versatility. But they aren’t for everyone—they’re stiff and burly, requiring some strength to get them around, and the Enforcer 88, the narrowest in the Enforcer family with the most amount of metal in it, is no exception. However, if you can hit the accelerator, it’s hard to top the Enforcer 88 as a high-performance frontside ski. “So many years as a staple at the top,” said tester Matt Schiller. “It’s a constant reminder of a great ski brand doing amazing things.”

Related: Learn how to wax your skis

This year, Nordica decreased the amount of plastic in the tip, extended its lightweight wood core, and added full-length carbon strips throughout the ski to decrease weight. These tweaks increased playfulness in the ski, while maintaining the power and stability that has made the Enforcer series so well known.

Whether shredding hardpack or exploring the soft snow on the side of the trail, the Enforcer 88 does it all. It certainly likes speed and inspires the skier to explore more and see how hard they can push the equipment under their feet. “You just feel confident on every turn that you can trust it and drive it,” said tester Chad Jacob.

Read more: See How the Nordica Enforcer 88 Compares to Its Closest Competition

Just make sure to eat your Wheaties when taking out this ride. If you’re feeling a little off or consider yourself more of a novice, the ski might feel too stiff and demanding. Testers agreed that stronger skiers who like a beefy stick got much more out of this ski than others who lack the weight and power to turn it or prefer a softer ride. “It’s just not the ski for me,” said Gabe Glosband, who at 5’8”, 155 lbs is lighter than some of the other testers. “But many heavier and stronger people love it.”

For those who consider themselves tough enough to turn the Enforcer 88, it’s a ride that can take you from bell to bell on any kind of surface. Its early rise tip and slight tail rocker make even the cruddiest snow feel smooth and buttery. “It’s a big mountain GS ski that can plow crud and variable conditions for days,” said Schiller. “Don’t be deterred if the snow looks challenging. This is certainly your driver to smooth out any road.”

 grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons.

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The Scores (out of 10)

• Overall Score: 7.78/10
• Rank: #5
• Hard-Snow Integrity: 8
• Stability at Speed: 8.2
• Carving: 7.8
• Quickness: 7.6
• Responsiveness: 7.8
• Playfulness: 6.8
• Forgiveness: 7.2
• Crud Performance: 6.8
• Versatility: 7.6

The Specs

• Price: $1,249
• Lengths: 154, 161, 168, 175, 182
• Dimensions: 126-83-112
• Radius: 16.3 (175cm)
• Level: Advanced, Expert

In a Nutshell

• Pros: Hard-Snow Integrity (#5), Stability at Speed (#3)
• Cons: Playfulness (#6), Crud Performance (#7)

The KĂ€stle MX83 is a beast—in a good way. It arcs perfect turns down hardpack at high speed, allowing for the throttle to be pushed and new edge angles to be discovered. While this ski is truly designed early morning laps on firm groomers, it could bop around in the afternoon bumps once the snow warms up (if your legs are still feeling springy enough to actively steer this ski through the mogul field).

Ex-racers loved the ride, and KĂ€stle is proud of its race-inspired construction that makes the ski damp and powerful. But that makes this ride best suited to a more advanced skier with strong legs. The MX83 performs optimally when it’s driven, not ridden. “This ski’s carefully crafted construction yields a home run for the groomer-loving, wind-in-the-face soul skier,” said tester Matt Schiller. Tester Otto Gibbons, a buyer for Sturtevant’s ski shop in Bellevue, Wash., added, “A nice, wide GS ski that is not overly demanding. Lay them over and let ’em rip.”

Read more: See how the MX83 stacked up against the rest of the competition

While this ski is truly designed for those early morning firm groomers, it could bob around in the afternoon bumps once the snow warms up—if your legs were feeling strong. At 83mm underfoot, looks more like an all-mountain ski than some of the other skis at that waist width and handles the crust on the sides of the trail nicely because of its shape. The ski lacks a little liveliness and snap at the end of each turn and prefers medium-radius arcs, which didn’t surprise, given the absence of rocker in the ski and its stiffer construction. “Classic KĂ€stle: power and dependability, but lacking energy,” said tester Dylan Hall.

Related: Do these stretches to feel less sore after skiing

KĂ€stle is proud of its race-inspired construction that leaves the ski damp and powerful, which means this ride is best suited to the advanced and expert skier with stronger legs. It might even inspire those skiers to jump into the local beer league race or NASTAR course.

“Best for the accomplished skier,” said tester Tracy Gibbons. “Great for ex-racers or technically savvy skiers.” And Hall agreed. “For the advanced skier,” he said. “And probably best for the East Coast.”

 grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons.

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The Scores (out of 10)

• Overall Score: 7.34/10
• Rank: #7
• Hard-Snow Integrity: 7.29
• Stability at Speed: 7.86
• Carving: 7.57
• Quickness: 7.2
• Responsiveness: 7
• Playfulness: 6.43
• Forgiveness: 6.57
• Crud Performance: 6.43
• Versatility: 7.43

The Specs

• Price: $600
• Lengths: 151, 159, 167, 175
• Dimensions: 122-84-105
• Radius: 15m
• Level: Intermediate, Advanced

In a Nutshell

• Pros: Carving, Versatility
• Cons: Playfulness, Crud Performance

​Sturdy, powerful, and balanced, the Salomon Stance W 84 is what the Frontside ski category is all about. Just a hair narrower than an all-mountain ski, but with the flex of a groomer ski, it does it all—from bumps and trees to on-piste carves.

Related: These are the best stretches to do after skiing

Salomon’s Stance line launched during the 2020-’21 season and the 84mm model is a new addition to the acclaimed line—last season, the slimmest model was the Stance 88 W. Its caruba and poplar core makes the ski agile, combined with a good amount of Titanal and carbon to generate stability and dependability when taking it to high speeds, which testers were pleased about

“An approachable ski that can handle a bit of speed with easy steering at medium to low speeds too,” said Jackson Hole-based tester . “Predictable and invokes a sense of trust and confidence on-piste.”

Testers were happy about the Stance W 84’s ability to get on edge and cut into a sheet of ice, and others applauded its user-friendliness and approachability. “New skiers and casual skiers—this is your ski,” said tester and SKI Magazine Editor-in-Chief .

The ski steers nicely at all speeds, which makes for a smooth ride even in variable snow. “Easy and non-fatiguing,” said Krass. “I could cruise bell to bell with this fun and easy groomer ski.”

Also Read: Find Out How the Salomon Stance W 84 Compares to its Closest Competition

However, the Stance W 84 lost points in the energy department—scoring some of the lowest scores in the Playfulness category. Testers also criticized its lack of personality, stating that it could use some additional liveliness and excitement and bemoaning a shortage of pop and energy at the end of the turn. But at $600, it’s a more affordable option for those looking to add a skinnier ski to their collection.

It would be a great ride for any skill set, but casual skiers heading out for a weekend day would enjoy this the most. “I had zero issues with it,” said tester , an ex-U.S. Ski Teamer. “It’s more of an all-mountain ski than a strict groomer tool, but can still rip some lovely turns. I would recommend this ski to a lot of people.”

 grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons.

The post 2023 Salomon Stance W 84 Review appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

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The Scores (out of 10)

• Overall Score: 7.76/10
• Rank: #5
• Hard-Snow Integrity: 8.14
• Stability at Speed: 8.14
• Carving: 8.14
• Quickness: 6.57
• Responsiveness: 7.43
• Playfulness: 6.71
• Forgiveness: 6.71
• Crud Performance: 7
• Versatility: 6.86

The Specs

• Price: $700
• Lengths: 149, 156, 163, 170
• Dimensions: 129-88-113
• Radius: 14 (163cm)
• Level: Strong Intermediate to Expert

In a Nutshell

• Pros: Hard-Snow Integrity, Stability at Speed
• Cons: Quickness, Playfulness

​â¶Ä‹Tłó±đ  Kenja is a dependable ski with confidence-inspiring energy
if you work for it. While it is more animated and livelier than past iterations, it’s still a burly ski—but that means when you hit the gas, it’ll blast into hyperspeed. And that’s a lot of fun.

Related: Our gear editor’s favorite tools for waxing her skis at home

The Kenja finished sixth in last year’s Frontside category and improved upon that performance in this year’s gear test, where it ranked fifth. Like last year, there were very few skis that rivaled the Kenja 88 in the Hard-Snow Integrity and Stability at Speed departments. “It was quite burly, but so stable,” said tester and former U.S. Ski Team member . “If you are willing to work for it, it’ll give you anything you want.”

It is certainly a beast of a ski, but if you put everything you have behind it, it’s a blast in all kinds of conditions, especially given its all-mountain build. At 88mm underfoot, it skews toward an all-mountain ski, but its Titanal frame construction and carbon tips give it the stability that makes it rival the best groomer skis on hardpack. It also touts a 3D Radius Sidecut design, which means it can quickly adapt to different terrain and skier input. There’s also a little tip and tail rocker, allowing a little surfy float for when you want to test the day-old powder in the trees.

Given its stout structure, the ski lacks some playfulness—but testers noted it’s definitely more lively than previous iterations. “More energetic and easier to initiate than its predecessor,” said tester Tracy Gibbons. “Really fun in a variety of turn sizes and frontside conditions. More friendly than the Kenja of the past.”

Read more: See how the Kenja 88 stacks up against the rest of the competition

A number of the testers suggested sizing down from your usual preference. łŐö±ô°ì±ô’s Tailored Titanal Frame technology in this ski means that shorter lengths of the ski feature less metal than the longer lengths in order to make sure flex and stiffness match the ski length. This gives the 149cm and 155cm Kenja a little more forgiveness and allows for more versatility. “This has the performance capabilities for someone looking to level up,” said tester and SKI’s Editor in Chief . “Fun to ski a bit short and rip around.”

By and large, more novice skiers may be outskied by this beefier stick unless they choose this ski in a short length, but advanced and expert skiers who want a stable ride will be pleased by the ski’s dependability and stability in a variety of conditions.

 grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons.

The post 2023 łŐö±ô°ì±ô Kenja 88 Review appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

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The Scores (out of 10)

• Overall Score: 7.26/10
• Rank: #8
• Hard-Snow Integrity: 8.63
• Stability at Speed: 8
• Carving: 7
• Quickness: 5.75
• Responsiveness: 6.63
• Playfulness: 5.5
• Forgiveness: 5.63
• Crud Performance: 5.36
• Versatility: 6

The Specs

• Price: $1,300 (with PRD 12 GW bindings)
• Lengths: 156, 163, 170, 177, 184
• Dimensions: 133-84-115 (170)
• Radius: 15.7m (170)
• Level: Advanced, Expert

In a Nutshell

• Pros: Hard Snow Integrity, Carving
• Cons: Forgiveness, Crud Performance

Testers were polarized on the Head Supershape e-Titan—some loved it, while others felt it wasn’t versatile enough. But at the end of the day all agreed it is a solid groomer ripper that gives back what the skiers puts into it.

The ski features Head’s EMC technology, which is an electronic dampening system that is designed to reduce vibrations, and testers did notice stability and smoothness in each turn, with many calling out how nicely it moves from edge to edge. “This ski sparks arcs,” said tester Tommy Flitton. “I was surprised how smooth the energy transfer is between turns.” Tester Peter Nestor agreed. “Pleasantly surprised by the smooth edge grip,” said Nestor. “Serious tool for a serious hard snow skier.”

One of the few skis in the test without any metal in its construction, testers felt that beginners could access the power without much effort, while confident intermediate to advanced skiers could tap into that electrifying energy out of each turn. This set the e-Titan apart from more stiff and demanding skis in the test—many of which seemed to demand a resume that brags of a race background or tree trunk legs. The e-Titan is much more accessible and better suited for a larger community of groomer skiers.

Read more: See how the Supershape e-Titan stacked up against the rest of the competition

However, the e-Titan’s wider waist and stiff tip give the ski a single turn shape and it refuses to adapt to other turn shapes or styles, no matter how hard testers tried. Medium-sized turns at medium speeds were its sweet spot; if you have other ideas about how you’d like to ski, it takes some will power to force this ski. “It’s so regimented,” said tester Matt Schiller. “It fights you all the way down if you detract from its purpose.”

As a groomer-specific ski, it’s not surprising that it loves firm snow and hardpack on the frontside. What testers bemoaned is that the e-Titan lacks the versatility to meander off the groomed. “It feels like a plank under foot and it’s not nimble,” said tester Chad Jacob. “It’s impossible to maneuver through crud and piles of snow.”

But if you’re looking for a ski that can hang on the hardpack, consider this ride. Its strong and confident edge transfers and ability to carve make it a knife for those hardpack days. “The more energy you put in, the more energy comes out. I think it would be a great ski for any groomer at any resort,” said Flitton.

grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons.

The post 2023 Head Supershape e-Titan Review appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

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The Scores (out of 10)

• Overall Score: 8.66/10
• Rank: #1
• Hard-Snow Integrity:Ìę8.78
• Stability at Speed: 8.78
• Carving: 9.11
• Quickness:Ìę8.44
• Responsiveness:Ìę8.67
• Playfulness:Ìę7.89
• Forgiveness:Ìę8.11
• Crud Performance: 7.11
• Versatility:Ìę8.44

The Specs

• Price: $800
• Lengths: 160, 168, 176, 184
• Dimensions: 127-82-115
• Radius: 15 (176cm)
• Level: Intermediate to Expert

In a Nutshell

• Pros: Carving (#1), Stability at Speed (#1)
• Cons: Playfulness (#1), Crud Performance (#4)

Winner, winner, chicken dinner—the Rossignol Experience 82 Ti was named 2023’s best performing frontside ski after blowing testers away with its performance across nine skills categories at the gear test in Sun Valley, Idaho. “This is the ski!!” said tester , a freeski coach from Utah. “Rossignol knocked it out of the park with this ski,” said tester . “Racers, new skiers—everybody will be smiling.” The rest of the feedback from the test crew echoed the sentiment, confirming that the Experience 82 Ti is the benchmark ski for the frontside category.

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While this year’s frontside category showcased a number of different styles of frontside skis, ranging from race-inspired to narrow all-mountain,  entered a true frontside ski with two sheets of Titanal to establish stiffness, countered with a , giving the Experience 82 Ti plenty of recoil and energy. The ski is lightweight and forgiving, yet also has the ability to nuke turns at high speeds. The construction allows the skier to dive into each turn, no matter the turn shape or the speed. And since this year’s ski test was hosted at , a resort that boasts 3,400 feet of vertical drop of pure groomers, this ski shone like a diamond.

Though this is a carryover from 2022 without any construction updates, the Experience 82 Ti really impressed testers this year with its blend of performance and playfulness. It has a throttle that acquiesces to any and all speeds, allowing every skier to drive at their ability and comfort level. Intermediate cruisers could push their skills with the ski’s easy-going nature, while more advanced skiers will enjoy tapping into its reactiveness and power. Even at high speeds, testers noted very little chatter, thanks largely to Rossignol’s Drive Tip Solution, which blends directional fibers into the tip of the ski to eliminate vibrations, making power transfers from one turn to another easy as pie.

At 82mm underfoot, the Experience 82 Ti is too wide to be considered a carving ski, but that’s how it skis. It rails like a champion on the corduroy and looks to get on edge every chance it gets. With each turn, you’ll continue to gain confidence as an athlete, no matter what level you consider yourself. The ski would be a great fit for any groomer-lover across the country, regardless of the type of snow you’re likely to encounter—be it boilerplate, manmade, soft ‘roy, or a variable mix. “It’s a phenomenal choice for the widest of skier demographics,” said tester  , a professional bootfitter from Utah. “You’ll have complete confidence that you chose the right ski for whatever the mountain offers.”

Without a doubt, carving on groomed terrain is this ski’s strength, but testers were hard pressed to find a true weakness. This ski received its lowest marks in the Crud Performance and Playfulness categories, but even there, it performed among the Top 5 of all the frontside skis tested (and even scored the highest marks in Playfulness). This ski may not be the best choice for anyone looking for a frontside ski that can bust up crud off the groomed, but then again, that’s not really what this ski is designed to do.

žé±đ±ôČčłÙ±đ»ć:ÌęSee how the Rossignol Experience 82 Ti stacks up against the Blizzard Brahma 88

Testers’ one word of advice: Choose your length carefully. “Choosing size will be more important if technique and tip drive is lacking,” said Schiller. “Could be a handful if the weight and balance of the skier is less aggressive.”

But in the right length, this ski will do pretty much any skier’s bidding and make them look good. “This is a ski that could make lots of skier abilities happy,” summed up tester Chad Jacob, a race coach from New York. “It cruises and charges all the same, giving back as much as you want to give it.”

 grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons. 

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The Scores (out of 10)

• Overall Score: 7.88/10
• Rank: #2
• Hard-Snow Integrity: 7.67
• Stability at Speed: 8
• Carving: 8
• Quickness: 7.83
• Responsiveness: 7.83
• Playfulness: 7.83
• Forgiveness: 7.33
• Crud Performance: 8.17
• Versatility: 8.17

The Specs

• Price: $700
• Lengths: 165, 171, 177, 183, 189
• Dimensions: 128-88-110
• Radius: 16 (177cm)
• Level: Advanced, Expert

In a Nutshell

• Pros: Stability at Speed (#4), Crud Performance (#1)
• Cons: Forgiveness (#4), Hard Snow Integrity (#9)

The Blizzard Brahma 88 has consistently been a top performer at SKI’s gear test over the years, so it comes as no surprise that it once again landed at the top of the pile. Despite its wider 88mm waist, the Brahma 88 outperformed many of the narrower skis in the frontside category.

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It may not have a carving ski’s traditional build, but testers were stoked as soon as they hit that first turn off the   chairlift when they felt it attack turns like a giant slalom ski. It holds an edge like a dream and has a ton of power. That power comes from the Brahma 88’s construction. It has two sheets of metal, which makes it stiff and burly. That dampness makes it confidence-inspiring when you’re arcing down the fall line, whether on groomed snow or off trail. But it also makes this ski a touch intimidating at first. It takes more pressure to get it to bend and engage an edge. Blizzard’s ,, where the wood is densest underfoot and less dense in the tip and tail, attempts to soften up the areas of ski responsible for easier turn initiation and release. But don’t let that mislead you: The Brahma 88 is not a soft or forgiving ski. It skews toward advanced intermediate to expert riders. “Skiers must have the ability to access the edge and flex patterns,” notes tester Matt Schiller, a professional ski bootfitter from utah. “Larger and powerful skiers will rejoice—and those who do not mind higher speeds and aggressive styles.”

If you’ve got the skill and gumption to harness this ski’s power, you’ll be most impressed with its versatility. The Brahma 88 is a frontside ski that can crush short swing turns, but it can also bust through crud on the side of the trail with ease. As a result, many testers said it was the perfect one-ski quiver for those who ski on and off trail.. “I would love to ski this as a daily driver and hammer it on a low tide day,” said tester Tommy Flitton, who generally skis Snowbird in Utah. “Great ski for anyone looking to lay big, fast turns on and off-piste.”

See how the 2023 Blizzard Brahma 88 stacks up against the rest in the frontside category

Beginners might be a little overpowered by this ski’s stiffness, but if you consider yourself a strong skier with some even stronger legs, the Brahma 88 would be a great daily driver that can rip the whole mountain—from groomers to chunder. “Test history has proved it,” said Schiller. “Not a surprise, but more a long appreciation for quality brand development. Follow the hype, resist the negative perceptions and go enjoy.”

 grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons. 

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