2026 Editors’ Choice Ski Reviews

The Backland 109 is an enigma. The gram count suggests these are a lightweight ski worthy of the smallest pin binding, but testers found themselves wanting to bring them to the resort. “Extremely versatile. Inbounds soft-snow ski with a Shift or mount a pin binding for a backcountry schralp stick,” said a freeride coach.

Atomic reduced the amount of fiberglass in the core from previous iterations. Extra poplar is interlaid with karuba. Per the brand, this has a triple effect: weight savings, a reduced carbon footprint and better downhill performance.

Testers backed the performance claim, noting that the core updates worked well with the boat-hull-shaped 3D HRZN Tech Tip and the aggressive rocker profile. “The lightweight rockered tip provides excellent float in deep snow and the ski is ultra nimble and responsive edge to edge. Excellent in trees or tight terrain,” said an East Coaster. A California ripper added, “Great profile, camber/rocker combination. Floats great in the fresh but doesn’t beat you up in crud.”

Aggressive testers found themselves driving the Backland 109 through long-radius turns, with one 210-pound, 6’4” coach saying, “You can ride the full arc in deep powder without getting held up.” One of his smaller co-coaches added, “It will do whatever you tell it to do but will give the biggest reward if you drive hard.” However, a relaxed pow wiggler found herself schmearing medium- to short-radius turns in a variety of conditions: “This ski is built for a bit of everything. A timid skier could put an inbounds or Shift binding on them and enjoy a predictable and easy-to-drive ski.”

It’s probably a good sign when an editor tries to bring a pair of skis back to the condos with her midtest. While said editor tends toward lightweight over chargeability, these planks changed her mind: “They’re not super svelt, but I’m ready to make these freeride-forward, confidence-inspiring planks my quiver killer.”

Designed as a touring-specific model for Salomon’s QST line (now called the S/Lab QST), this three-time Editors’ Choice winner returns with a fresh topsheet, improved tail for skin retention and 100% recycled double sidewalls. Otherwise, construction remains the same: a karuba/poplar core reinforced by basalt fibers and fiberglass, a cork and impact-resistant plastic injected into the tip and tail, and the freeride profile (25% tip rocker and 17% tail rocker) of years past.

On snow, all that translates to a 6/7 for versatility, dampness, playfulness and responsiveness. “Damp in the tip, but stiff and supportive in the tail,” said a college alpine racer, though she did find it a little iffy in crud. “A great lightweight, stable and playful ski that just takes care of you,” summed up a Coloradan soul skier. “Holy fun,” agreed a lady who shreds.

Testers highlighted the Echo’s prowess in and out of bounds. How apt the weight is for longer tours seems to be in the eyes (or legs) of the beholder. One Montanan patroller found they ski big, so he recommended sizing down, a preference our editor seconded. After extended testing, she plans to lift in preparation for next season on the Echoes.

“A stable and wicked fun touring ski,” raved one tester after catching first tracks on a steep, open face on Rossignol’s Escaper 105. “Inspires confidence in all conditions.” The ski returns unchanged from its 2025 Editors’ Choice-winning debut, and testers again found plenty to love, giving the Escaper 105 top marks in versatility, stability and playfulness.

Rossignol achieves said versatility with a light poplar core (30% lighter than regular poplar), nano basalt stringers and nano titanal underfoot. “Nano technology gives a resort-capable feel in a lightweight backcountry package,” said one believer. An Aero Profile topsheet is designed to reduce swing weight, while a tip-to-tail basalt rail keeps the ski planted and stable at speed. The combination meant testers found the Escaper 105 excelled at everything from short- to long-radius turns.

Powder performance averaged a 6/7 thanks to generous tip and tail rocker paired with a lightweight tip that increases flotation while maintaining maneuverability, leading one to say, “floats great in the fresh but doesn’t beat you up in crud.” Testers were equally impressed by the hard-snow performance, rating it just as highly, with full alpine sidewalls and a long camber pocket providing confident edge hold. Lightweight did hinder these planks in crud, with one mulleted Montanan saying, “Edges felt inconsistent and washed out” in challenging snow.

But on the whole, the high performance in a range of conditions shone brightest. As a 6’ Coloradan said, this ski is for “literally anyone who tours. If you’re new, it will guide you like a Sherpa. If you’re advanced, it will crush everything you ask of it.”

An Editors’ Choice winner last year, the Blaze 104 returns to the podium making it two for two since its redesign. “I tried to find something I didn’t like about this ski but really couldn’t,” laughed one tester. “A clear-cut winner. Loved the ease combined with precision,” agreed a ski instructor.

The Blaze 104 pulled in the plaudits with what Völkl calls 4D Radius drive by incorporating four different turning radii—approximately 20 meters at the tip, 40 meters in front, 15 meters underfoot and 25 meters at the tail of the ski. “Ability to go from whimsical Sgt. Pepper turns to Rage Against the Machine attacking at the drop of a beat,” confirmed an East Coast ripper.

Inside, two strips of beech are flanked by poplar and wrapped by a layer of glass for increased durability. A titanal binding plate extends edge to edge into full sidewalls. For an added bonus, the construction is environmentally friendly too, with foam stringers made from recycled bottles and sustainably sourced wood.

Eco-consciousness is great as long as it performs, and, averaging a 6/7 for versatility, perform it does. While a few testers noted the Blaze 104 skied better at speed and punished poor technique, most found the pop, float and drive a worthwhile tradeoff. Summed one Wasatch shredder, “These skis’ performance downhill was worth the extra weight walking up in almost every condition.”

Don’t let the pink topsheets and smaller size run fool you. These aren’t just a-shrink-it-and-pink-it version of Blizzard’s Rustler 10. According to a freeride competitor, these are “best for an aggressive skier who wants a do-all ski that can be set on edge and go fast.”

While the Sheeva core uses the same fiberglass wrap, carbon stringers and mix of beech, paulownia and poplar as its male counterpart, it differs in the titanal strips that Blizzard calls Fluxform. The W.S.D. version (women’s-specific design) has metal running outside the carbon stringers, which tapers at the tip for better flotation and widens at the tail for better stability but lacks the titanal-reinforced binding mount. “The titanal goes to the edge of the ski and helps to absorb features and reduce chatter,” said our freerider, who didn’t miss the extra metal underfoot.

In fact, many testers felt those few shaved grams moved the Sheeva solidly into the touring category without losing performance. “Best for someone with a racing background who is now backcountry minded,” said a former racer. Hard-snow performance averaged a 6.5/7, thanks to stiff camber underfoot and vertical ABS sidewalls, which, along with the bases, are made from recycled ski boots. The flex softens through the rockered tips, allowing that former racer to “turn their brain off” in crud. A collegiate racer, who enjoyed a variety of turn shapes and conditions, said, “This is a fun, all-around ski. They’re pretty light. They float in the powder and turn nicely on the groomers.”

The updated Helio Carbon 102 comes back with a new shape, core and mindset: picking up a few grams is worth it for a better descent. Testers agreed, with one saying, “It’s not the lightest ski, but the small amount of extra weight helps minimize chatter, making it an excellent ski for any conditions you might find yourself in.”

The weight comes from swapping light paulownia in
the core to poplar, which is slightly heavier but also poppier and tele friendly. For better torsional flex, Black Diamond cut back on carbon. There are still carbon stringers along the top and bottom of the wood core, but the 102 lacks the carbon overlay of its 104-millimeter predecessor. The same damping elastomeric (think rubber-like) material found in the Black Diamond Impulse is added to the tip, tails and edges. The result is “nothing unpredictable,” per an East Coaster who found the Helio’s sweet spot in long-radius turns. Others noted a little extra pop for snappy short-radius squiggles. A second East Coaster called them “light, nimble, playful and poppy,” and a Teton tester said, “Best for someone who wants a nimble and playful ski at a lightweight.”

Despite losing 2 millimeters underfoot, the Helio Carbon 102 still scored a 6/7 on powder performance thanks to slightly more rocker in the tip and tail complimenting a long, low camber pocket underfoot. The raised tip and core changes also made these planks more forgiving in variable conditions. “Light enough to tour, beefy enough to handle crud, wide enough for pow,” summarized a tester. “Handled steeps, pow, zipper crust and chop pretty well.”

The new Manti Ace (pronounced “man-tie”) is the latest in Voilé’s Ace line, which takes pre-existing Voilé models—so far, the Charger, Vector and now Manti—and swaps in a full urethane sidewall, tail protector and maple binding insert. Maple comes from the genus Acer, hence the name “Ace.” Plus, the hardwood addition makes the skis tele-binding compatible.

Where it’s siblings, the Vector Ace and two-time Editors’ Choice Charger Ace, reflect their parents’ long edge contact for carvability, the Manti Ace has a shorter camber pocket, early rise tip and gradual tail rocker. This profile, testers found, was best suited to medium-radius turns and earned these planks an average 5.5/7 for responsiveness. “The ski is responsive and eager, but it needs consistent input because it’s ultralight weight will let it easily wander or be deflected,” said a Montanan.

Testers agreed this ski excelled in soft snow thanks to ample rocker and a waist width that sizes proportionally with length (102-millimeter waist in a 171 versus 104 millimeters in a 181). “Built for a skier that wants uphill performance to ski pow,” said a Vermonter who took these planks out for some late day freshies. Said skier found the Manti Ace versatile but prone to being kicked around in crud. “Very easy to ski without any adjustments to style,” he concluded. The Manti Ace also comes in a women’s model, which features identical construction, but the smallest two sizes swap a 22-ounce glass layer for a 19-ounce one to maintain performance across length/weight.

Now in its sophomore year, the DPS Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 100 brings a lot to the table. Most importantly, it’s pink. Secondly, “It is a lot of fun!” according to one analytical Vermonter.

That fun comes from a carbon-flax laminate—flax woven at a 45-degree angle through unidirectional carbon. While DPS has always been known for carbon use, the evolution to a carbon-flax weave increases torsional damping without sacrificing carbon performance. Testers were impressed.

“Still an active ski but without the sudden jolt of traditional carbon,” said a strong-legged tester. “I love how easy this ski is to control in variable conditions,” agreed a Tahoe ripper who’s enamored with carbon skis. “From pow turns to the crud, this ski totally has your back.”

The carbon and flax sandwich a lightweight paulownia core, reinforced by dual poplar stringers for added durability. A short turning radius, long, low camber and a total of 39% rocker keep things playful. “Expert and beginner skiers alike will enjoy the spring this ski brings to the turn,” explained an expert skier. “It’s easy to release a turn, and the large tip and tail rocker keep it on top of the snow.”

Some lightweight testers had trouble holding an edge, with one saying, “Stiff flexing construction commands way more energy from its driver to ultimately get on edge.” A young racer added, “The tip felt wobbly and unstable at speed.” But for most, these pink sticks struck gold. “A wonderful do-it-all ski,” said a Wasatch kid. “It may not be the best at any one thing but it’s pretty fun just about everywhere.”

Testers save a 7 out of 7 overall score for their ride-or-die favorites. Völkl’s Rise 99 V-Werks earned five 7/7 and eight 6/7 scores for just
that. “This is an everyday, every condition ski,” waxed an East Coaster. “Plowed through crud, floated the pow, went down or across the fall line equally well and had exceptional edge grip.”

Inspired by the Mantra V-Werks, the Rise 99 V-Werks is Völkl’s touring-specific spinoff. These planks feature ample tip rise, long, low camber and light tail rocker. Like all V-Werks skis—Völkl’s top-tier line—it features a carbon fiber jacket to increase edge grip, and testers were impressed. “Carbon fiber topsheet and thicker tip to tail spine all stack up into crazy torsional rigidity,” noted a freeride coach. Another added, “The two-piece woodcore paired with carbon has a predictable and enjoyable flex along with a consistent dampness.”

A light paulownia core is balanced by beech and poplar underfoot to boost stability. A milled base and thin, partial sidewalls drop more grams and make room for added weight in a stabilizing titanal band near the binding.

Edge hold and versatility stood out across the board. “A ski so rockered would appear not so carvy on first look,” said a freeride coach. “Upon first turn, the laser-like slice to the carve is like no other I’ve ever felt.” When asked to nitpick, most testers landed on the same downside: price. As the freeride coach said, “Those with a good job will handle their hefty price tag, hopefully they can handle these powerful knives as well!”

When Head set out to create the Crux line, (their touring-specific line of boots, bindings and skis), they didn’t forget their trench-laying heritage. The Crux line, including the 99 Pro, returns unchanged from its debut last year. So, it’s no coincidence that a collegiate alpine racer rated these “one of the best all-around skis at test this year.” She was impressed by the lightweight and ripability of these planks, calling them a 70/30 backcountry/inbounds ski.

That carving capacity comes from what’s beneath these skis’ transparent top sheet: a karuba core reinforced with damping graphene and fiberglass. A full triaxial carbon jacket, which gives the ski its characteristic crosshatched appearance, was praised by one ski coach as being “as aesthetic as it is functional in its delivery of torsional rigidity.” Adding to this unique construction is a low, long camber pocket, minimal rocker in the tip and tail and sandwich cap sidewalls—vertical sidewalls underfoot for better edge hold and a cap-style design in the tip and tail which saves weight.

According to an East Coaster, that translates to “an ultralight and responsive ski that is stable and reliable in all snow conditions and quick and nimble when necessary.” His praise, especially of the 99 Pro’s lightweight, was echoed by nearly everyone who hopped on them. “Ultralight for
the uphill with a predictable and energetic feel that will build confidence going down,” said a longtime Vermont tester. He was equally impressed on the descent, adding, “They left me wanting to ski them more to see if I could find a limit.”

In its third iteration, the MTN 96 Carbon is increasingly eco-conscious. The cork inlay and topsheet are bio-sourced, 100% and 77% respectively, while the base and ABS sidewalls are recycled, 50% and 100%. Per Salomon, that’s a 21% reduction in the impact of raw materials since the ski’s inception in 2017.

Sure, environmental impact is a complex thing to calculate, but ski performance after a week of hard testing is not. Good thing for the MTN 96, it glowed on snow, earning an average 6/7 rating after testers accounted for playfulness, dampness, turn performance and condition variability.

“Possible ski of the test?!” begged a tester with a long tenure rating backcountry planks. He added, “Built for the skier in the market for a quiver of one. Incredibly versatile!” Lending to these accolades are staples of the MTN 96: a karuba core, cork damplifier, and a rocker profile with 17% in the tip and 12% in the tail.

Thanks to a 128-millimeter tip and 114-millimeter tail, a Montanan snow safety expert said, “The ski carves short and floats long.” His better half docked points for being thrown a bit in crud, and a Vermonter found them squirrely when not driven hard. Still, said Vermonter concluded, “They were lightweight for the uphill and offered a great feel in all conditions on the way down, too!”

Unlike last year’s carbon-heavy model, the new Zero G 96’s only carbon comes in the form of stringers in fiberglass sheets above and below the core. To keep the stiffness underfoot while providing an overall more forgiving ride, an ash insert is set in the paulownia core with poplar stringers. “This subtle change provides a big difference in overall flex,” said a tall, skinny tester. “Great for lighter weight or less aggressive skiers looking to have a ski that is capable of all terrain without needing to overwork the ski.” A Montanan couloir skier added, “More forgiving than previous models, but still demanding.”

This new flex pattern works with the five-radius sidecut. To improve hop turnability, the 20 centimeters underfoot are straight before gradually curving into the tip and tail. Extra bite comes from partial sidewalls made from recycled ski boots. A Vermonter found the “five radius sidecut makes the ski snappy and easy to move,” but our Montanan wasn’t convinced: “Minimal underfoot sidecut aims to help steepen edge hold but provides inconsistent carving turns.”

Another new addition this year is a women’s model. The Zero G 96 W shares almost everything with the men’s but only has one set of carbon stringers along the bottom and comes in a shorter size run (157-178). Less aggressive testers enjoyed the reduced carbon. “One of the best in this category. Predictable with good turn initiation, yet soft and light for the long haul,” said one. Another noted a playful ride, saying, “Frickin’ fun right out of the gate. Poppy, lively, give back two times what you put into them with a capability to keep up.”