Edgehold and carving ability get top ranking for the V-Werks, a ski with a precise but still heavily confident feel, especially when cranking aggressive mid-range arcs on the steeps. A damp ski, the V-Werks loves nothing more than turning hardpack into carpet. It hugs you into every fall-line, and really does boost your confidence whenever you want to lean hard or stand high on your boots.

The main knock against this ski is that the lush damp feel comes at the cost of liveliness. And, if you want to swing the short turn, you may end up fighting it. Overall, it is easily one of the top skis in this category, with a specific market of skilled ex-racers, instructors and all-around frontside experts.