Ski Bum Reviews picks for the best skis for west coast skiers
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All Mountain skis are built to be the one ski that can do it all. They need to rip on groomers and float in the trees. What makes a good all mountain ski is dependent on location and snow conditions. For the west this means a ski that can float on powder days and still carve through groomed powder. When searching for all mountain skis for the west coast, advanced to expert skiers who like to ski off piste should consider skis with a waist width of around 100-110mm or more. Intermediate skiers who spend most their time on groomed trails should stick with a ski with a little narrower waist. There are other personal skiing preferences that will dictate the flex, shape and weight of the all mountain ski that will be best for you. These are Ski Bum Reviews picks for the best west coast all mountain skis.
Blizzard Rustler 10
Womens: Blizzard Sheeva 10
Some folks would have you believe that the one-ski quiver is a myth, but the Rustler 10 would beg to differ. It’s founded on two signature concepts: Carbon Flipcore D.R.T Technology and an innovative waist design. The longer the ski, the wider the waist, which gives freeriders and freeride athletes more control and float, even on steep terrain. The smooth rocker-camber-rocker profile make it responsive and stable, yet super playful in softer snow and on any type of terrain. The Rustler 10 eats up chalky bumps in the steeps, floats effortlessly through stashes of fresh in the trees, and is just as comfortable in the air as it is laying trenches on fresh corduroy. The Rustler 10 is the true one-ski quiver for the progressive freeride skier.
Elan RipStick 106
Womens: Elan RipStick 102 W
The Ripstick 106 is the ultimate freeride ski for any terrain. From boundary line to base lodge, peak to parking lot, and trailhead to tailgate this ski excels in all conditions. No wonder it's Glen's favorite ski from the Elan collection! There's a fine line to walk when building your freeride quiver - the widest skis lack performance on hardpack, while narrower skis don't offer enough floatation, causing you fall behind your buddies on deep days. The Ripstick 106 with Amphibio Carbon Line Technology is the solution, as it's the perfect width for a one-ski quiver and offers an unmatched duo of grip and floatation. It's built for skiers seeking exceptional performance while exploring the entire mountain. It's a smooth ride no matter where you take it - front side, steeps, trees, or exploring untouched terrain, this lightweight versatile ski is up for any challenge. Amphibio profile, Carbon Rods, and SST Sidewall supply the perfect blend of power, smoothness, maneuverability, and precision. It's hard to argue with Plake: »This is the one ski I can take anywhere in the world and trust it in any condition.«
Head Kore 105
Womens: Head Kore 103 W
The KORE 105 has versatility for all-mountain adventures thanks to a lightweight construction that reduces weight without sacrificing performance. As the ultimate lightweight freeride ski, the KORE 105 has versatility for all-mountain adventures. The KORE construction reduces weight without sacrificing performance, thanks to a combination of Graphene, Karuba wood and multi layers of carbon. The sandwich sidewall construction adds responsiveness on hardpack snow, and tip and tail rocker provides flotation for deep days. HEAD's new topsheet shape adds durability for hard-charging freeride skiers.
Volkl Revolt 104
Unisex
This is the second ski to come from the Built Together Team. And as before, hours, days and months of testing preceded the final design. Beneath the fantastic creatures and spirit animals lies a tip and tail rocker ski with full sidewall, 3D radius sidecut and a durable P-Tex 2100 base.
“... Jibbing, jumping kickers, or out in the backcountry – the Revolt 104 is fun wherever you take it and extremely versatile as well. The graphics are fantastic too and they never get boring, because you keep discovering new things in them,” says Paddy Graham. Enough said.
Nordica Unleashed 108
Unisex/Women's Specific: Unleashed 98 W
High fives and good times come standard with Nordica’s Unleashed 108. Built for the modern freeskier, it loves deep days and big terrain. Yet this daily driver is also at home in the trees and bumps thanks to a rocker profile that offers exceptional versatility. To elevate your confidence, the Unleashed 108 pairs a wood core with carbon and a sheet of terrain-specific metal. This enhances edge hold and dampens vibration for an especially smooth ride. Armed with traditional camber underfoot, the Unleashed 108 offers excellent response and plenty of pop. And its early rise tip and tail provide flotation on deep days and give you the freedom to approach any terrain and every turn with creativity. Playful and powerful, Nordica’s Unleashed 108 transforms the entire mountain into your canvas.
Rossignol Sender 104 TI
Womens: Rallybird 104 TI W
Fresh tracks to hardpack, the new Sender 104 Ti is your ticket to ride the whole mountain. It brings an effortless, responsive feel to go anywhere the snow takes you, inbounds or out thanks to it's double LCT and Air Tip technology. Our vibration dampening tech balances a lightweight paulownia wood core for the versatility to cruise or charge at will. Fly beyond the boundaries and roll through mixed conditions without hesitation.
Fischer Ranger 102
Unisex
A full array of fully thought-out features makes the Ranger 102 usable in any situation. It's the ideal choice for freeriders who like flying down a groomer as much as making a turn in powder. Deep-snow skiers benefit from the wider size, and this ski also has a smooth ride on groomers. Its excellent ride quality comes from a calibrated Flex Cut and Shaped Ti reinforcement exactly where needed. Agile, stable, and easy to steer, the Ranger 102 is the ideal skiing partner for enjoying a wide variety of skiing.
Atomic Bent 110
Unisex
The Atomic Bent 110 takes a similar approach to the mountain as the Bent Chetler 120, with slightly less width. It’s Jossi Wells’s go-to ski for backcountry freestyle, charging lift-served pow laps and days where it’s deep, but not 120-deep. The Bent 110 is designed with HRZN Tech Tip and Tail for a playful performance and better float through blower without adding bulk to the ski. The 110 features a bit less rocker in the tail than the 120 but still charges through variable chop and crud. A Light Woodcore reduces weight and keeps the performance responsive. With topsheet and base art by Chris Benchetler, the 110 is wholly reflective of his approach to the mountains: creative and unique.
Black Crows Atris
Unisex
For this new 2022/2023 version, it is slightly refined, to gain even more accessibility and versatility. It is truly the everyday big mountain ski, for skiers who like powder but who want impeccable behaviour in all conditions. The lines have been revised and will distinguish it from its predecessors for the discerning eye, but the essential is inside, for a ski that achieves its objectives and delights the heart of the most demanding ones.
Line Blade Optic 104
Unisex
The most versatile ski in the Blade Optic Collection, the LINE Blade Optic 104 is right at home charging big mountain laps to cruising smooth burns on early morning corduroy and everything in between. Equipped with our Gas Pedal Metal Overdive™ tech, you'll harness the power of an innovative layup of titanal to feel enhanced edge grip, stability, and control under your feet. Get ready to kick it into the top gear and ski with confidence on the award-winning Blade Optic 104.