Ice Sports

Good Powder Skis For Your Winter Adventure

By Biraj Khanal / 30 January 2024 11:14 AM

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Powder days are the holy grail for skiers, offering untracked bliss and weightless carving. To conquer these soft mountains, you need the right weapon: powder skis.

These beasts have broad waists (100mm or more), which maximizes buoyancy and keeps you surfing on top rather than sinking knee-deep. Rockered profiles, with higher tips and tails, improve float and maneuverability, allowing you to glide over the pow effortlessly.

However, snow skis aren't simply for showboating. Stiff flex ensures stability at high speeds, allowing you to confidently blast through chop and crud. Their tough build guarantees they can withstand the demands of off-piste terrain.

Powder skis unlock a world of possibilities, transforming any snowy slope into your playground. 

1.Atomic Bent Chetler 120

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Price:

  • $799.95 on Evo
  • $975.00 on Atomic

Dimensions: 143-120-134mm
Lengths: 176, 184, 192cm

The Atomic Bent Chetler 120 is a legendary powder ski designed for expert skiers who love deep snow and playful terrain.

It's known for its float, maneuverability, and poppy performance, making it a favorite among backcountry skiers and free riders.

Exceptionally wide 120mm waist delivers incredible float in deep snow, thanks to HRZN Tech Tip and Tail with 10% more surface area.

While powder-focused, it can handle variable snow conditions and even groomed runs with surprising ease.

2. Salomon QST Blank

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Price: $799.95 on Evo and Salomon

Lengths: 178, 186, 194 cm

Dimensions: 138-112-127 mm @ 186 cm

The Salomon QST Blank is a versatile all-mountain freestyle ski designed for intermediate to advanced skiers who love exploring the entire mountain.

Blends rocker and camber for playful pow performance and confident edge hold on groomers.

Poplar wood core with fiberglass laminates offers a sweet spot for playful tricks and predictable carving.

Freestyle skiers who want a ski that can handle terrain parks and beyond can have the Salomon QST ski. 

The C/FX technology absorbs chatter while keeping the ski nimble.

3. Moment Wildcat

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Price: $799.99 on Moment Skis

Dimensions: 141-116-131mm

Lengths: 164, 174, 179, 184, 190, 196cm

The Moment Wildcat is an all-mountain, freeride ski designed for advanced to expert skiers who enjoy charging hard through any terrain.

It's known for its stability, power, and playful performance, making it a favorite among skiers who demand the most from their gear.

Its wide 108mm waist provides ample float in deep snow and also has stiff flex for stability and power at high speeds.

Rockered profile with early rise in the tip and tail for maneuverability and a playful feel.

4. Rossignol Sender Free 110

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Price: $899.95 on Evo

Lengths: 176, 184, 191 cm

Dimensions: 140-110-133 mm 

Carving through pow, charging through crud, buttering side hits – the Rossignol Sender Free 110 does it all.

This burly yet surprisingly playful freeride ski thrives in big mountain terrain, tackling deep snow, chopped-up pistes, and everything in between with confidence.

Wide 110mm waist effortlessly floats in pow and carves through variable snow.

Rockefeder profile combines rocker in the tip and tail for a float with camber underfoot for edge hold.

Full Titanal construction delivers unmatched dampness and stability at high speeds.

5. Dynastar M-Free 118

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Price: $1000.00 on Dynastar

Dimensions (mm): 145-118-135

Available lengths (cm): 180, 189

The Dynastar M-Free 118 is a versatile, big-mountain ski designed for advanced to expert skiers who crave powder days and explore the entire mountain.

With its wide 118mm waist and progressive rocker profile, it excels in deep snow but remains maneuverable on groomers and hardpack.

Early rise in the tip and tail for floatation and maneuverability, with camber underfoot for edge hold and stability.

Poplar wood core offers a good balance of weight, dampness, and elasticity for a playful and responsive feel.

6. Nordica Unleashed 114

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Price: $899.99 on Evo

Dimensions (mm): 146-114-135

Available lengths (cm): 174, 180, 186, 191

The Nordica Unleashed 114 is a modern freeski designed for advanced to expert skiers who love charging through deep snow and playful terrain.

It's known for its float, maneuverability, and poppy performance, making it a favorite among backcountry skiers and free-riders.

Terrain-specific metal and carbon fiber construction enhances edge hold and dampens vibrations for a smooth ride.

ABS sidewalls ensure direct power transmission and edge hold. Backcountry skiers seeking a wide ski for off-piste adventures can have hands-on these skis.

7. Blizzard Rustler 11

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Price: $849.95 on Blizard - Tenica

Dimensions (mm): 142-114-132

Available lengths (cm): 168, 174, 180, 186, 192

The Blizzard Rustler 11 is a flexible all-mountain ski aimed at intermediate to expert skiers who appreciate exploring the entire mountain.

It is well-known for its playful performance, stability, and predictable handling, making it a popular choice among skiers looking for a versatile ski.

TrueBlend Wood Core with a mix of poplar and bamboo for a lively and responsive feel.

DTC Line Technology utilizes carbon fiber reinforcements for torsional stability and power.

Amphibio® Technology features rockered outer edges for easy turn initiation and sidewall underfoot for edge hold.

8. Line Skis Pescado

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Price: $899.95 on Line Skis and Evo 

Dimensions: 158-125-144mm

Lengths: 180cm

The Line Pescado is a powder ski designed for expert skiers who want the ultimate in float and playful performance.

It's known for its float, maneuverability, and poppy performance, making it a favorite among powderhounds and backcountry skiers.

Directional back-mounted stance allows the tail of the ski to sink in deeper snow, thus raising the tip and giving you more control through the deepest of the deep.

Partly Cloudy™ Core with a mix of poplar and paulownia for a lightweight and responsive feel.

9. Fischer Ranger 116

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Price: $899.99 on Fischersports

Dimensions (mm): 147-116-137

Available lengths (cm): 180, 187, 193

The Fischer Ranger 116 is a powder-focused ski designed for expert skiers who crave deep snow adventures.

It boasts a wide 116mm waist that provides excellent floatation in even the deepest conditions, while its rockered profile and tapered design enhance maneuverability and control.

Sandwich sidewall construction offers stability and power at high speeds, ensuring a smooth and confident ride.

Pappel/beech wood core provides a strong and lively feel, balancing weight and performance.

Strategic use of Titanal reinforcement optimizes flex and torsional stability for precise control.

10. Völkl Revolt 114

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Price: $699.99 on Evo

Lengths: 177, 184, 191 cm

Dimensions: 146-114-128 mm 

The Völkl Revolt 114 is a directional large mountain ski developed for advanced skiers who want maximum stability and performance in difficult terrain.

It has a wide 114mm waist, full-length sidewalls, and a progressive flex for precise control and edge grip at high speeds.

The Revolt 114 is also intended to be lively and nimble, making it an ideal choice for both off-piste and on-piste skiing.

11. Black Diamond Impulse 112

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Price: $849.95 on Black Diamond Equipment

Dimensions (mm): 139-112-126

Available lengths (cm): 181, 186

The Black Diamond Impulse 112 is a versatile all-mountain ski aimed at intermediate to expert skiers who like exploring the entire mountain.

It's a favorite among skiers who desire a single ski that can do everything because of its fun performance, stability, and predictability.

The 112mm waist provides adequate float in powder while being nimble on groomers.

Amphibio® Technology has rockered outside edges for quick turn initiation and a sidewall underfoot for edge grip.

Eligible for skiers who prefer exploring the entire mountain, including groomers, snow, and trees.

12. Head Kore 111

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Price: $849.00 on Evo

Dimensions (mm): 140-111-127

Available lengths (cm): 177, 184, 191

The Head Kore 111 is a lightweight all-mountain ski designed for intermediate to advanced skiers seeking a playful and versatile ride.

Known for its playful performance, stability, and predictable handling, it's a favorite among skiers who want one ski to do it all.

It is a great option for advanced to expert skiers looking for a versatile ski that can handle any terrain.

Its ERA 3.0 technology features a rockered tip and tail for easy turn initiation and camber underfoot for edge hold.

13. Faction La Machine Max

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Price: $908.90 to $949.00

Dimensions: 148-126-139mm

Length: 178, 186cm

The Faction La Machine Max is a high-performance, freeride ski designed for expert skiers who demand the ultimate in floatation, stability, and power in deep snow and challenging terrain.

It features a wide 118mm waist, a full-length Titanal reinforcement layer, and a progressive flex pattern that provides exceptional float in deep snow while maintaining stability and precision at high speeds.

It is a great option for expert skiers who are looking for a high-performance freeride ski that can handle the most demanding terrain. 

14. K2 Mindbender 116C

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Price: $749.95 on K2 Skis

Dimensions (mm): 143-116-132

Available lengths (cm): 177, 182, 187, 194

The K2 Mindbender 116C is a powder-focused ski designed for expert skiers who crave deep snow adventures.

It boasts a wide 116mm waist that provides excellent floatation in even the deepest conditions, while its rockered profile and tapered design enhance maneuverability and control.

A patented, variable-angle fiber reinforcement that allows for precision-tuned torsion and flex, resulting in a lively, energetic, and composed ski with stability and control while remaining maneuverable.

It's 116mm waist delivers exceptional float in deep powder, making it ideal for off-piste exploration and big mountain terrain.

15. 4Frnt Renegade

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Price: $799.00 to $999.00 on 4Frnt

Dimensions: 137-122-130mm

Lengths: 177, 184, 191cm

The 4FRNT Renegade is a legendary powder ski designed for expert skiers who crave deep snow adventures and big mountain terrain.

With its wide waist and rockered profile, it excels in floating through fresh powder but still maintains maneuverability on groomers and hardpack.

Stiff flex for stability at high speeds and powerful turns, but still playful enough for bumps and playful skiing.

Varies depending on the model year, but typically uses a lightweight wood core with Titanal reinforcements for stability and power.