All-mountain skis are just that – a one-quiver board that is designed to do a lot of things well. Here’s how our Gear Institute testers found this year’s model to stack up against each other.
Black Diamond Verdict
The BD Verdict is recommended for skiers who long to make damp, consistent arcs in varied terrain. If you want a lively feel underfoot, there are other skis with more spring in this review. It’s a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Stable; predictable turn shape; swingweight. The Bad: Lack of energy; plank-like feel. Retail Price: $799. Gear Institute Rating: 78
Read the full report here.
Nordica Hell and Back
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The Hell & Back is a versatile ski with fantastic edgehold that makes a confident mid-radius turn no matter where you take it. A ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Stability; versatility; edgehold. The Bad: Float; forgiveness. Retail Price: $799. Gear Institute Rating: 78
Read the full report here.
Atomic Theory
The Theory is a great ski for a wide range of lift-served skiers. It is easy to turn, has a lot of energy, and will definitely fulfill a lot of skiers’ needs. It’s a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Lots of energy; stability; ego builder. The Bad: Not damp; easy to over-edge. Retail Price: $550 Gear Institute Rating: 91
Read the full report here.
Armada ARV Ti
Armada’s ARV ti has a penchant for the off-piste, tearing up terrain like the bumps, chutes and zipper treelines, but does fall off in hard snow performance. A ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Loves to go fast. The Bad: Not for heavy edging; doesn’t respond well to short turns or slow skiing. Retail Price: $799. Gear Institute Rating: 79
Read the full report here.
Fischer Watea 96
Fischer’s Watea 96 offered up middle of the road performance in a category with several all-mountain standouts. It’s a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls, packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Forgiveness; smooth flex; quickness. The Bad: Stability and hold. Retail Price: $750. Gear Institute Rating: 74
Read the full report here.
Faction Prodigy
The Prodigy is lots of fun in the powder and skiing off-piste, but suffers at high speeds and hitting the hardpack. It’s a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Consistent and predictable round turns; easy edge to edge. The Bad: Skis shorter than its length; long turns; not for hard snow. Retail Price: $729. Gear Institute Rating: 74
Read the full report here.
Ramp Groundhog
Lighter, West Coast-raised all-mountain skiers will enjoy the Ramp Groundhog’s responsiveness. Hard-edgers will be underwhelmed. It’s a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls, packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Soft snow; bumps; easy turning. The Bad: Hard snow; easy to overpower. Retail Price: $599. Gear Institute Rating: 76
Read the full report here.
Head Venturi
The Head Venturi is a very responsive ski with super versatility and true all-mountain performance. It’s a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls, packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Versatile; easy steering. The Bad: Small sweet spot. Retail Price: $575. Gear Institute Rating: 86
Read the full report here.
Salomon Quest
Salomon’s Quest 98 is a fun soft-snow ski that felt overmatched by high speeds and expert-level off-piste conditions. It’s a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls, packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Bumps and soft snow. The Bad: Hard snow. Retail Price: $699. Gear Institute Rating: 86
Read the full report here.
Kastle FX94
Kastle’s FX 94 is a mid-radius turning machine that grabs hold of an arc and doesn’t let go until you’re done with it. Great for plowing through crud and holding on groomers, but not for float and versatility. A ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Stability; edgehold; bumps. The Bad: Not versatile enough for off-piste. Retail Price: $1079. Gear Institute Rating: 79
Read the full report here.
Volkl Mantra
The Volkl Mantra is a pleasure to ski in all terrain conditions, and makes short and long turns with an equal mix of ease and grace. It’s a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls, packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Edgehold; fun and easy to ski. The Bad: Lack of pop. Retail Price: $825. Gear Institute Rating: 93
Read the full report here.
K2 Annex 98
The Annex is a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls, packed powder and fresh snow. If you’re one of K2’s many diehard fans, this’ll fill your frontside bill. For a truer “all-mountain” feel, the Atomic, Blizzard, Rossignol and Volkl in this category might be of more interest. The Good: Quick and lively; easy turn initiation. The Bad: Sticks to mid-radisus turns. Retail Price: $840. Gear Institute Rating: 78
Read the full report here.
Blizzard Bonafide
With high marks for carving and stability in particular, the Bonafide is on fire anywhere the snow is hard, whether it’s freshly buffed or windblown steeps. It’s a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls, packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Stable and versatile. The Bad: Better on-piste. Retail Price: $850. Gear Institute Rating: 91
Read the full report here.
Rossignol Soul 7
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The new Soul 7 is a fantastic ski for West Coast and Rocky Mountain lift-served skiers with a wonderful mid-radius turn shape that excels in softer snow conditions. It’s a ski for lift-served skiers who want to ski all conditions and terrain, including groomed, moguls, packed powder and fresh snow. The Good: Forgiving; stable; fun; light. The Bad: Not the best carver. Retail Price: $800. Gear Institute Rating: 94
Read the full report here.
