Here’s a summary of our Men’s Big Mountain Skis for the 2013-14 season, conducted by the Gear Institute Staff.
Rossignol Super 7
Incredible float, category busting versatility and agility in all conditions, and an eat-up-the-acreage energy, all helped set the Super 7 atop the testing pedestal. This is a big mountain ski for advanced to expert skiers who prefer to ski at higher rates of speed in primarily off-piste conditions. It’s forgiving, versatile and responsive. Retail Price: $850. Gear Institute Rating: 93
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Atomic Ritual
The Atomic Ritual is a great ski for a variety of conditions, with superior stability and strong performance especially on hard and soft snow. It is very damp and stable, responsive and easy to steer; agile in all conditions. Retail Price: $775. Gear Institute Rating: 88
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Volkl Gotama
Volkl’s Gotama is equally proficient off-piste as it is on the hardpack, making even arcs no matter what the condition or speed. This big mountain ski is ideal for advanced to expert skiers primarily used in off-piste conditions. Retail Price: $825. Gear Institute Rating: 87
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Blizzard Cochise
Big kudos to Blizzard for building a ski specfically for the real big mountain conditions most of us get. The Cochise has good turn initiation, power and swing weight but is not the most versatile of the bunch. Retail Price: $900. Gear Institute Rating: 87
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Nordica El Capo
A very fun ski all around, Nordica’s El Capo is a great pick for advanced skiers who want all-terrain options. It features great edge hold, versatility, stability and responsive swing weight; but got mid-range scores for float. Retail Price: $799. Gear Institute Rating: 86
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Salomon Quest 115
The Quest 115 is a big mountain ski for advanced to expert skiers who prefer to ski at higher rates of speed in primarily off-piste conditions. It’s good to have a ski like this from Salomon again — a solid pick for a variety of big mountain/all-mountain skiers. It’s fun and responsive but loses a little in the float and hardpack. Retail Price: $799. Gear Institute Rating: 86
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Head Collective 105
This is a great all-mountain pick for GS turn lovers who want to make wide, smooth arcs all over the mountain. The Head Collective is super stable with great edge hold but is not the most versatile ski in the bunch with a slower swing weight. Retail Price: $700. Gear Institute Rating: 86
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
K2 Annex 108
K2’s Annex 108 is easy to get an edge, especially in hardpack, and skis with a damp, predictable feel in all-mountain conditions. It’s great on-piste with predictable turns, is very damp, and is likely to power through crud rather than float. Retail Price: $840. Gear Institute Rating: 82
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Armada Norwalk
The Norwalk is a great big mountain ripper for long arcs, but offers little versatility. This Armada big mountain ski is for advanced to expert skiers who prefer to ski at higher rates of speed, better on groomed conditions. It doesn’t like short turns but does have easy initiation. Retail Price: $899. Gear Institute Rating: 82
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Dynastar Cham 107
Built for faceshot-filled arcs in a truly alpine setting, Dynastar’s Cham 107 is a lift-served ski for prime days and skiers who get a lot of those prime days in. It’s not confident on hardpack but is surfy and quick edge-to-edge. Retail Price: $850. Gear Institute Rating: 81
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Kastle FX 104
Kastle’s FX 104 drives the mountain in the passing lane, blowing through just about anything you can find to crush. It loves big arcs and rips the hardback but is not super versatile. Retail Price: $1099. Gear Institute Rating: 80
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Black Diamond Zealot
Black Diamond’s Zealot is a powder and backcountry specific ski best suited for skiers who skin, tram or traverse beyond the boundary ropes. Like other skis in the category, it’s a big mountain ski for advanced to expert skiers who prefer to ski primarily off-piste. It’s got great float and responsiveness but not playfulness. Retail Price: $879. Gear Institute Rating: 80
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
Ramp Peacepipe
For Rocky Mountain skiers looking for that quiver ski for especially light, perfect days, the Ramp Peacepipe is it. This big mountain ski has good float and is fun in soft snow but is not built for hardpack or high speeds. Retail Price: $699. Gear Institute Rating: 77
To read the full report, check out our Men’s Big Mountain Skis Test.
