![]() ![]() The latter two are especially popular among hard chargers, with sturdy builds that include two sheets of metal in the construction. Their collection features a host of our favorite one-quiver designs, including the Rustler, Bonafide, and Brahma. What we don’t: Not as beginner-friendly as the brands above.īased in Austria and owned by the Tecnica group, Blizzard is a clear leader in the all-mountain market and a strong presence in the touring world too. What we like: Sturdy designs and a leader in women’s-specific skis. Popular models: Brahma, Black Pearl, Bonafide, and Rustler For the non-skiers among us, K2 also has a solid collection of snowboards and splitboards. Like Rossignol, K2’s touring collection is limited (they currently only offer the Wayback and women’s Talkback), but that ski nevertheless is a great value at $750 for the 96- and 106-millimeter models (most competitors clock in around $800 or more). ![]() Stepping up to the 99Ti variation, you get more widespread appeal with excellent stability, a planted design, and a fairly forgiving ride. The Mindbender is one of our favorite skis in K2’s current lineup: The 85-millimeter version is great for riders from beginner to advanced, with good float for its width and a smooth and effortless feel on hardpack. In fact, we learned how to ski on some used K2s (the discontinued Perfect Luv) and recently taught a friend on the same pair, which just goes to show how durable and long-lasting these sticks are. Credited with creating the first fiberglass skis, K2 is another classic brand with a strong commitment to innovation and huge presence on the mountain-take one look at the lift lines and you’re bound to spot at least a few pairs. K2 has been a mainstay in the ski industry since the 1960s, with an extensive lineup that covers a wide range of ability levels and riding preferences. What we don’t: Only one backcountry offering. What we like: Durable, long-lasting designs from beginner to expert. But initial reviews have been mostly positive, and we can’t fault Rossignol for taking the leap of faith. Our experiences with the all-mountain-ready Sender 104 Ti nicely sum up our overall impressions of the latest offerings: It retains a good dose of the Soul’s energy and soft-snow flickability but isn’t as easy or natural to drive, especially over tricky terrain (intermediates in particular will likely find it tougher to control). Both range from beginner-friendly and binding-equipped models (the Black Ops 92 and Sender 90 Pro) all the way up to wide, powder-ready offerings (the Black Ops 118 and Sender Squad). But a couple seasons back, Rossignol made the bold choice to completely ditch the proven line and go in a new direction with their Black Ops and Sender collections (the two were formerly grouped under the same “Black Ops” name). Their “7” series was wildly popular for years within the all-mountain freeride category-including the Soul 7, whose yellow tips were a common sight on the mountain. ![]() All in all, this is a storied brand with a wide reach, and their skis are typically well made and noticeably high-quality. And we appreciate that Rossi’s technology and innovation trickle down from the top of their lineup all the way to beginner designs like the Experience 76. Their backcountry collection is decidedly limited compared to some of the other brands below, although their partner company, Dynastar, has a handful of more powder-friendly options. Rossignol’s current lineup includes everything from resort-friendly models that are staples in rental fleets-their Experience is a big hit for groomers and East Coast hardpack- to capable big-mountain and freeride designs. What we don’t: We miss the discontinued “7” series.įounded in 1907 and headquartered in the French Alps, Rossignol has pioneered ski innovation since their inception and continues to impress. What we like: Wide range of well-made designs for all ability levels. Popular models: Experience, Sender, and Black Ops For more information and our top picks in each category, see our ski gear reviews. Below we break down our favorite ski brands, including a brief history, each company’s most popular models, and what sets them apart from the competition. But for many, supporting a brand they know and trust helps a great deal with the buying decision. The industry is vast and expanding by the year, making choosing the right ski an intimidating process. There’s nothing quite like getting first tracks at the resort, nailing a new trick in the terrain park, or finding fresh pow in the backcountry, but skiers need the right tool for the job. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |