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As the ski season in North America comes to a close, so does SKI’s 2024-’25 gear-testing cycle. From the minute lifts started spinning in November 2023, our editors, contributors, and resident gear nerds were clicking into early editions of 2025 ski models to check out what brands had in the pipeline for next winter.
Testing kicked off in early December in Vail, Colorado, where we spent a week with 25 brands skiing their latest and greatest for 2025. Afterwards, our editors and veteran gear reviewers scattered to the winds to attend various trade sfhows and press trips to dig deeper into new ski technology, manufacturing processes, and rack up more laps on new skis. Then in March, we reconvened at Mt. Rose, Nevada, for the 2024 SKI Test, a week-long event where 30 industry pros tested 143 pairs of skis to inform the reviews in SKI’s upcoming 2025 Winter Gear Guide.
We’re not about to give away the winners and losers from the SKI Test—you’ll have to wait until the fall for that intel. But we know skiers are a curious bunch (especially during spring ski sales), so we’ll throw a dog a bone. Of the 150-plus skis we tested—both tried-and-true favorites and brand-spanking-new models for next winter—here are nine that made a winning first impression on SKI’s gearheads.
Since many ski brands have started dropping their new collections as early as the spring of the current season (as in, now), some of these skis are already available online. And if you want to score a killer deal, look for the 2023-’24 models of skis that are getting updates for next winter—they will be steeply discounted since everything’s gotta go to make room for the new versions. You’re welcome.
At a Glance
- Nordica Enforcer 99 ($800)
- Peak 104 by Dav ($869)
- Rossignol Arcade 84 ($850)
- Blizzard Anomaly 88 (coming fall 2024)
- Atomic Maverick 105 CTi ($975)
- Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition (update coming fall 2024)
- Icelantic Nomad 112 (update coming fall 2024)
- Dynastar M-Free 108 (update coming fall 2024)
- Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98 (update coming fall 2024)
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Nordica Enforcer 99
The only possible directive when redesigning a ski as classic as Nordica’s Enforcer 100 from the ground up is this: Do not mess it up. Well fear not, Nordica improved its benchmark ski in just about every way. The Austrian brand totally overhauled the ski for 2024-‘25, redesigning its tail shape for added maneuverability and putting the whole ski on a diet.
As someone who spends around 100 days on skis each year, I’m very skeptical about the impulse to serve intermediate skiers by dumbing down expert skis. But I can unequivocally say that Nordica nailed its updates to the Enforcer. Read more here. —Jake Stern, Outside Digital Editor
Peak 104 by Dav
I absolutely loved this ski and was really impressed by how intuitive it felt. It’s easy to get on edge and is fluid through every turn, but it’s also springy and energetic through a variety of turn shapes.
Compared to the Bode version (same shape, different construction), which feels far more planted, this one with Chris Davenport’s name attached was more my style. As someone who isn’t always looking for top speed, I liked the slightly softer design. It was interesting to test both constructions back to back and really feel how different they ski. There’s no learning curve with this one—a few turns made it feel like I’d been skiing this ski my whole life. —Lily Ritter, contributor
Rossignol Arcade 84
Flat ski coming fall 2024. System ski (with bindings) already available at Rossignol.
$850 with bindings from Rossignol
The Rossignol Arcade 84 was the biggest standout for me. It was so snappy, easy, and responsive—it corkscrewed down the fall line in perfect slalom turns with just the tip of your ankles. You could just think about turning, and it would dive into a perfect arc.
Easy to engage, perfect round turns, and easy exit to set you up for the next one. It put a huge smile on my face, and I didn’t want to hang it back up in the rack. With this ski in the quiver, high and dry groomer days are cause for celebration—not complaint. —Kimberly Beekman, contributor
Blizzard Anomaly 88
Coming fall 2024
For 2024-’25, Blizzard’s all-new Anomaly lineup is set to replace the brand’s Brahma, Bonafide, and Cochise skis. With four different waist widths (84, 88, 94, and 102 millimeters), the Anomaly family covers a lot of ground, which would have us believe that what Blizzard is going for is skis that can slap pow or groomers.
I found that each model lays over nice and easy, but also bends gently when you get into softer snow, or hit patches of variable. Curiously, I enjoyed the narrower-waisted Anomaly 88 most, even in deeper snow. Read more here. —Matt Coté, contributor
Atomic Maverick 105 CTI
The brainchild of Daron Rahlves, the new Maverick 105 CTI is one of those do-it-all skis that excels in almost all conditions. I like a ski that I have to push but isn’t a full-on plank, and the Maverick strikes that balance exceptionally well thanks to its mix of carbon and Titanal in the core.
I tested the Maverick 105 during an all-time storm in the Wasatch this January, and it kept me on top of the deep snow with just the right amount of surf. I’d put an A/T binding on this ski and use it as my one-ski quiver for deep backcountry days and all-mountain riding at the resort. —Kelly Klein, Outside Gear Editor
Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition
Updated model coming fall 2024
I wouldn’t normally grab a 94-millimeter-waisted ski for the sunny, groomed conditions we were met with during early-season testing in Vail in December, but Elan’s revamped Ripstick 94W Black Edition proved me wrong.
These slick-looking, all-black planks oozed stability over the hard-pack conditions, making me feel supremely confident. I loved the rebound energy that continuously propelled me into my next turn, and how responsive these skis were to changing turn shapes on a dime, from long sweeping arcs to short poppy bursts. They also had no trouble charging through the late-morning crud and chop that developed on the few early-season trails that were open. —Samantha Berman, SKI Executive Editor
Icelantic Nomad 112
Updated model coming fall 2024
Icelantic hasn’t hit all the right notes for me in the past, but I guess the company’s been working on its singing voice. The Icelantic Nomad 112 has a smooth, even flex that pairs intuitively with its turn radius, and enough torsional rigidity to command an edge yet release when wanted. It’s snappier than it is damp, which is refreshing in a fat ski, and—impressively—doesn’t chatter.
The swing weight (along with a judiciously mid-range overall weight that doesn’t feel as chunky as in years past) is balanced by a mount point that’s a great compromise between progressive and traditional. Basically, it’s a go-anywhere fun machine that doesn’t kick your ass. —MC
Dynastar M-Free 108
Updated model coming fall 2024
Dynastar’s all-new M-Free 108 feels like a giant GS ski with a freestyle pedigree. I know—every ski right now is “versatile.” But when you can lay down large, arcing turns with confidence on morning groomers, peel out the tails halfway, bust a carve switch, and pop back to forward to arc another, well… there’s clearly some magic under the hood. The M-Free 108 is for directional skiers who want to pop and slash without sacrificing torsional rigidity. There’s a reason it’s the weapon of choice for so many skiers on the Freeride World Tour. —JS
Black Diamond Impulse 98 Ti
Updated model coming fall 2024
Black Diamond is doubling down on its resort-oriented Impulse skis by adding a layer of Titanal to them—something that was sorely missing in their all-mountain line in the past. Whereas the previous model was out of its depth on hardpack, the addition of metal gives the new Impulse 98 Ti enough backbone to hang on firmer snow conditions.
I felt like I could rail on these skis on fairly hard early-morning groomers during testing in Vail in December, yet they retained the easygoing, forgiving nature of the previous model featuring no metal. It’s not for hard-chargers or East Coasters, but skiers out West looking for a more relaxed yet versatile one-quiver option should put this one on their list. —Jenny Wiegand, Outside Associate Gear Director
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