K2 Annex 108 Skis
BEST FOR: An all-around good time.
THE TEST: The doesn鈥檛 really have a weak spot. The wood core and metal construction make chatter a nonissue. There鈥檚 just enough sidecut to rail groomers. And a bit of tip rocker and tip taper make the Annex loose and surfy in resort powder. 139/108/127
THE VERDICT: A versatile tool that, thanks to built-in skin attachments, is backcountry-ready.
OVERALL: 3.5
TURNING PlEASURE: 4
Line Influence Skis
BEST FOR: Your 100-day season out west.
THE TEST: The is a ski you use all day every day. There鈥檚 enough rocker and width to float in soft snow, sufficient taper to keep it loose in crud, and enough camber and tail to power through turns. 鈥淭he soft tip eats up variable snow, but there鈥檚 great power underfoot,鈥 said one tester. 145/115/131
THE VERDICT: Traditional鈥攊n a good way. A tester favorite.
OVERALL: 4.5
TURNING PlEASURE: 4
Blizzard Cochise
BEST FOR: Charging hard.
THE TEST: In open terrain, the let us bypass the fear governor and open up the tear ducts. There鈥檚 rocker, sure, but none of the nervous fluttering associated with banana skis. Credit Blizzard鈥檚 Flipcore design. At lower speeds, the ski feels sluggish, but if you prefer to keep it pegged, it inspires confidence. 135/108/123
THE VERDICT: If you wore a race bib in your youth, look here.
OVERALL: 4
TURNING PlEASURE: 4.5
Atomic Ritual Skis
BEST FOR: Daily ripping.
THE TEST: The was the skinniest ski in this category. But because the rocker extends 20 percent down the tip and 15 percent along the tail, it was stiff enough to float in the heaviest snow. The Ritual excelled in soft bumps, scraped-out chutes, and boot-deep old snow鈥攖he stuff we ski more than we let on via Instagram. 137.5/103/123.5
THE VERDICT: The most versatile of toys.
OVERALL: 4.5
TURNING PlEASURE: 4
Salomon Q 115 Skis
BEST FOR: 鈥淏ig turns in soft snow,鈥 as one tester put it.
THE TEST: Salomon skis tend to be loose and easy to whip around, with a sweet spot as big as France. But what surprised us about the brand new was the power it delivered. There鈥檚 rocker but also a burly laminated wood core paired with big weight savings in the tip and tail. 139/115/131
THE VERDICT: Testers praised the Q 115 for top-end speed and instantaneous response.
OVERALL: 3.5
TURNING PlEASURE: 4
Nordica El Capo Skis
BEST FOR: Powder skiers who can arc a turn on hardpack.
THE TEST: Quality matters. And this , with its two layers of titanium and vertical sidewalls, is an ultra-premium product鈥攅ven at that price. Proof: the trenches we left on the mountain at Snowbird. 137/107/125
THE VERDICT: Our ski of choice for places where groomed runs access powder.
OVERALL: 4
TURNING PlEASURE: 4.5