The Best Women's Powder Skis

Powder skis are is designed to perform in soft snow—wherever you find it. Waist widths start at the century mark (or 100 mm underfoot), and all models have some amount of rocker in the tip for flotation. Swing-weight reduction technology includes removing or lighting tip mass to eliminate chatter. Skiers have a choice with the kind of binding paired with powder skis, including an alpine touring binding to earn turns in the backcountry or a traditional alpine binding for chairlifts rides, though either way the emphasis is on the downhill.

If you are looking for women-specific powder skis, first determine which type of ski you want. Do you want a surfy, bi-directional purely powder ski or a powder ski that is more directional in terms of having lots of girth as well as enough sidecut to handle hard snow underfoot? You can see this reflected in the amount of tip and tail rocker (or in some cases reverse camber, which means a full-rockered ski) as well as the shapliness of the ski. Some women-specific skis are slightly different than the equivalent men’s versions in terms of shorter lengths, reduced weight and stiffness and different topsheet artwork. Similar to how a women’s jacket is more likely to fit a woman’s body shape better than a men’s jacket, a women’s pair of skis will most likely better fit a woman’s dimensions and be easier to turn and maneuver.

Review Year

Best in Class

Overall Rating

Price

Name	Overall Rating	Ratings	The Good	The Bad	Price
Rossignol Soul 7 Ski Test Results 2016	94 Best in Class 2015	Responsiveness 9 Float 9 Sluff-ability 10 Stability 9 Hard Snow Pleasure 8 Value 9	Does everything well Easy to maneuver yet strong enough to blast through anything So fun to ski Great float Very good hard snow performance	Can feel light Not the most powerful ski in the category	MSRP $850.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Atomic Automatic 109 Ski Test Results 2016	93	Responsiveness 8 Float 9 Sluff-ability 9 Stability 10 Hard Snow Pleasure 8 Value 9	Performs on and off-piste Easy to steer in the mank and crud Very accurate, easy turning ski Damp and powerful	Can overpower some lighter skiers For advanced to experts only	MSRP $725.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Fischer Ranger 108ti Ski Test Results 2016	93	Responsiveness 10 Float 9 Sluff-ability 8 Stability 9 Hard Snow Pleasure 8 Value 9	So responsive Fun at any speed Very stable Easy to maneuver Handles all terrain	Not as surfy Wasn't as playful in the bumps	MSRP $850.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Salomon MTN Lab 115 Ski Test Results 2016	93 Best in Class 2015	Responsiveness 8 Stability 8 Float 9 Firm Snow Survival 9 Forgiveness 10 Value 9	Easy to ski Great agility and responsiveness Super stable Great float Nice mix of edge hold and slarve-ability	So maneuverable they can wander if you're not focused They could get tossed around in the chop Woven carbon construction leads to slightly hollow feel	MSRP $950.00 BEST DEAL $487.50 Jans
Rossignol Super 7 Ski Test Results 2016	92	Responsiveness 8 Stability 8 Float 9 Firm Snow Survival 9 Forgiveness 9 Value 9	Easy to ski Super versatile Playful and stable Great float Awesome edge hold (when you need it, that is) Nimble in all off-piste conditions	Loses some stability at top end speeds Stronger skiers can overload the tip	MSRP $850.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Volkl 100eight Ski Test Results 2016	91	Responsiveness 9 Float 8 Sluff-ability 8 Stability 9 Hard Snow Pleasure 9 Value 8	All-around performance Lightweight but still powerful Very turny Nimble Responsive	Not as much float as other skis in the category Wasn't as responsive in deeper snow	MSRP $825.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Blizzard Bodacious Ski Test Results 2016	91	Responsiveness 8 Stability 9 Float 8 Firm Snow Survival 9 Forgiveness 8 Value 9	Surprisingly easy to ski Mobile to stable Prefers fast and straight but can still be versatile Easy to access power Some of the best hard snow performance in this category	Not as lively More work for short, quick turns Mixed reviews on the updated tip construction	MSRP $840.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Head Monster 108 Ski Test Results 2016	90	Responsiveness 8 Float 7 Sluff-ability 8 Stability 10 Hard Snow Pleasure 9 Value 8	Powerful ski Solid and stable Fun to carve Lots of energy No speed limit	Too much ski for some of our lighter testers More power than float Stiff ski Not as surfy	MSRP $800.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Nordica Nrgy 107 Ski Test Results 2016	90	Responsiveness 9 Float 8 Sluff-ability 7 Stability 10 Hard Snow Pleasure 8 Value 8	Lots of "Energy" Exciting ski True all-mountain performance Easy to maneuver Good carve	Not as much float as other skis in the category Lost performance in deeper snow	MSRP $850.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Salomon Q-105 Ski Test Results 2016	89	Responsiveness 9 Float 9 Sluff-ability 10 Stability 7 Hard Snow Pleasure 6 Value 8	Very maneuverable Effortless float Light feel Fun in deep snow Playful and surfy	Not a hardpack ski Has a speed limit Can be overpowered by bigger skiers	MSRP $725.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Nordica Patron Ski Test Results 2016	89	Responsiveness 8 Stability 10 Float 8 Firm Snow Survival 8 Forgiveness 7 Value 8	Fun at all speeds--but especially at high speeds Easy to control in a turn High marks for stability Playful Great for skiers who like to drive	Not as forgiving One of two narrowest skis in the category May be more of an all-mountain powder ski than a surf ski	MSRP $849.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Dynastar Cham 2.0 107 Ski Test Results 2016	88	Responsiveness 9 Float 8 Sluff-ability 8 Stability 8 Hard Snow Pleasure 7 Value 8	Great surf and sluff-ability Responsive and maneuverable Super predictable in soft snow Quick turns Fun float	Can skid at higher speeds Not for hard snow Need to stay balanced--can over ski the shovel	MSRP $800.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Kastle BMX 115 Ski Test Results 2016	88	Responsiveness 7 Stability 9 Float 8 Firm Snow Survival 8 Forgiveness 8 Value 8	Great float Solid feeling underfoot Blasts through crud Nice swing weight Exciting ski	Not playful Needs to be skied aggressively Prefers mid to long radius turns (not short)	MSRP $1,049.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Armada Invictus 108ti Ski Test Results 2016	87	Responsiveness 8 Float 8 Sluff-ability 9 Stability 8 Hard Snow Pleasure 7 Value 7	Smooth turn Confident and predictable Plows through mank Easy to initiate Good float	Not quick Prefers longer turns Less hard snow performance	MSRP $875.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Blizzard Cochise Ski Test Results 2016	86	Responsiveness 8 Float 6 Sluff-ability 7 Stability 10 Hard Snow Pleasure 8 Value 7	Great edge hold Very accurate and predictable at mid to long-radius turns Powerful Top marks for stability--especially on groomers Easy to initiate	Very little float Prefers hard snow Not playful or surfy	MSRP $900.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Kastle BMX105 HP Ski Test Results 2016	85	Responsiveness 7 Float 7 Sluff-ability 7 Stability 9 Hard Snow Pleasure 8 Value 7	Superior stability Blows through crud Powerful and confident in all conditions Some of the best hard snow performance in this category	Not as playful Prefers longer turns Not as surfy Pricey	MSRP $1,149.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Line Supernatural 108 Ski Test Results 2016	84	Responsiveness 7 Float 8 Sluff-ability 7 Stability 8 Hard Snow Pleasure 7 Value 7	Great round turns Excellent in powder Playful yet damp Easy to initiate	Not as stable at speed Needs to be steered Doesn't offer as much energy underfoot	MSRP $880.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Atomic Bent Chetler Ski Test Results 2016	84	Responsiveness 8 Stability 6 Float 9 Firm Snow Survival 7 Forgiveness 7 Value 7	Buttery turns Easy to pivot and turn Turns the whole mountain into a terrain park Fun to ski	Not as good at higher speeds Lower marks for overall stability Needs to be turning (or jibbing)	MSRP $900.00 BEST DEAL N/A
K2 Pinnacle 118 Ski Test Results 2016	84	Responsiveness 7 Stability 8 Float 8 Firm Snow Survival 7 Forgiveness 7 Value 7	Nice mix of playfulness and stability Likes speed Light but stiff Nice platform underfoot Got decent scores in every category	Very damp Needs to go fast Have to work to make short turns Not especially playful	MSRP $1,000.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Scott Punisher Ski Test Results 2016	83	Responsiveness 6 Float 8 Sluff-ability 7 Stability 8 Hard Snow Pleasure 7 Value 7	Loves the fall-line Eats up the mank Rips powder Busts crud Very surf able	Best in soft snow More of a big day ski Hard to edge	MSRP $700.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Volkl V-Werks BMT 122 Ski Test Results 2016	83	Responsiveness 7 Stability 9 Float 8 Firm Snow Survival 5 Forgiveness 7 Value 7	Smooth and stable Good float Very light Easy to turn	Not versatile More backcountry minded Work to get on edge on-piste	MSRP $1,375.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Head Cyclic 115 Ski Test Results 2016	82	Responsiveness 6 Stability 8 Float 8 Firm Snow Survival 7 Forgiveness 6 Value 7	Fast and stable Damp in the crud Can load up for turns Good hardback performance	Feels heavy Not as much float Not playful	MSRP $800.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Dynastar Cham 2.0 117 Ski Test Results 2016	81	Responsiveness 6 Stability 8 Float 8 Firm Snow Survival 6 Forgiveness 6 Value 7	Great in powder Stable Good turn initiation Loves the fall-line	Very stiff Feels like a lot of ski Not versatile Needs to avoid firm snow	MSRP $850.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Armada Norwalk Ski Test Results 2016	78	Responsiveness 6 Stability 6 Float 9 Firm Snow Survival 3 Forgiveness 7 Value 7	Superior float Very playful Great of jibbing Easy to initiate thanks to the tip rocker	Has a speed limit Kicked around in crud Felt flat on the groomed	MSRP $825.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Fischer Big Stix 122 Ski Test Results 2016	78	Responsiveness 6 Stability 7 Float 10 Firm Snow Survival 4 Forgiveness 6 Value 5	Excellent float Plows through chop Good stability, especially in mid-radius turns	This is a lot of ski Feels sluggish compared to narrower models Not playful	MSRP $900.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Line Mordecai Ski Test Results 2016	75	Responsiveness 5 Stability 6 Float 7 Firm Snow Survival 6 Forgiveness 6 Value 5	Playful ski Easy to stay centered Makes a fun schmear turn in the powder	Stiff tail Not a high speed throttle ski	MSRP $960.00 BEST DEAL N/A
Scott Scrapper Ski Test Results 2016	72	Responsiveness 5 Stability 6 Float 7 Firm Snow Survival 3 Forgiveness 6 Value 5	Solid platform Good float Good stability	Very stiff tail Not as responsive Slower edge to edge	MSRP $800.00 BEST DEAL N/A