Atomic Vantage 86 C
Dimensions: *123-86-106.5
Radius: 18.2@173cm
Sizes: 157, 165, 173, 181
Size tested: 181
Design: All New
*scaled sizing
The Vantage 86 C has great grip and is a fun ski to rip on. It does have a tendency to want to finish turns sooner than I intend, so stay on top of these to keep them under your control.
Head Supershape iTitan
Dimensions: 138-81-118
Radius: 15m@177cm
Sizes: 156, 163, 170, 177
Size tested: 177
Design: Carryover
I was able to make all sorts of turn shapes with this performer; it is not a one-trick pony. Moving forward or aft on the ski doesn’t cause problems due to its huge sweet spot.
Head V-Shape V8
Dimensions: 130-75-112
Radius: 13.2m@170cm
Sizes: 149, 156, 163, 170, 177
Size tested: 170
Design: All New
This 75mm-waisted ski is a solid performer. It has good grip and is pretty turny. The V8 is very playful but it does have its limits.
Head V-Shape V10
Dimensions: 139-85-121
Radius: 13.6m@170cm
Sizes: 163, 170, 177, 184
Size tested: 170
Design: All New
I hadn’t skied Heads lately, and after skiing this one I kind of regret it. I really enjoyed these skis. They are turny and stable at speed. You can ride them fast and furious, and they will just say, "That’s all you got?" I didn’t get to ski them in softer snow, but I suspect that with their 85mm waist, they do quite nicely in crud and off piste, too.
K2 Super Charger
Dimensions: 127-76-107
Radius: 17m@175cm
Sizes: 168, 175, 181
Size tested: 175
Design: Carryover/NGT
The Super Chargers have a race-like quality to them. They are fairly stiff and demand your attention. If you slack off and get in the back seat, they will run straight away from you. Stand over them and they perform with energy and snap.
Liberty VMT V76
Dimensions: 126-76-106
Radius: 15m@179
Sizes: to come
Size tested: 179
Construction: All New
Liberty showed me that my conception of them as a freeride company was all wrong. The VMT 76 is an outstanding ski. Easy to ski, ready to go, it handles the piste like a thoroughbred. I would consider this ski for my quiver if I had a vacancy.
Liberty VMT V82
Dimensions: 129-82-110
Radius: 16.5m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Size tested:
Design: All New
I always thought Liberty was just a park and freeride ski company, but this ski changed my mind, big time. The 82 is stable and right at home making turns of all sizes. A real eye-opener.
Rossignol Experience 84 Ai
Dimensions: 126-84-116
Radius: 15m@176cm
Sizes: 152, 160, 168, 176, 184
Size tested: 176
Design: All New
I have an older pair of Experience 83s, and these are quite similar. They are stable, easy to turn, and grip well. You can easily get them to bend into a tighter turn shape, but they are most comfortable making GS-style turns.
Rossignol Hero Elite MT Ti
Dimensions: 123-74-109
Radius: 14m@167cm
Sizes: 159, 167, 175, 183
Size tested: 175
Design: All New
The Hero Elite MT Ti reminds me a lot of my Rossi Experience 83. It is easy to ski, but if you want to kick in the afterburner, it will fly right along with stability and easy-to-control turn shape.
Stöckli Laser AX
Dimensions: 123-78-110
Radius: 15.6m@175cm
Sizes: 159, 167, 175, 183
Size tested: 175
Design: Carryover/NGT
I visited Stöckli’s tent with antici… …pation as I had only been on its race skis. Well, Stöckli's recreational skis are equal in quality and comparable in level of performance to the race products. Despite being a high-end rocket ship, the AX skis quite easily when not pushed to the limit. This one had me grinning from ear to ear with its strong turns of any size and high stability. These skis rock.
Stöckli Laser SX
Dimensions: 120-72-99
Radius: 15.4m@170cm
Sizes: 149, 156, 163, 170, 177, 184
Size tested: 170
Design: Carryover/NGT
Here we have another solid-performing Stöckli product. Turns on the Laser SX are smooth and easy, and you can vary their size to anything you want. There is a level of precision here that mortal skis just do not have.
Stöckli Stormrider 95
Dimensions: 131-95-120
Radius: 17.2@175cm
Sizes: 157, 166, 175, 184
Size tested: 184
Design: New Construction
I really liked this ski as it is quite similar in style to my own 2018 K2 Pinnacle 88s. The width makes them a strong off-piste ski that can work the groomers with ease. In typical Stöckli fashion, they are sturdy, strong, and responsive.
Völkl Deacon 76
Dimensions: 122-76-103
Radius: 18.3m@176cm
Sizes: 171, 176, 181
Size tested: 176
Design: All New
The Völkl Deacon 76 is a fun ski for those who like to charge on the slopes. It has an easy-to-find sweet spot, but does require more input than skis like the Rossi Hero Elite MT Ti. Grip is good, and the ride is exciting.
Dimensions: *123-86-106.5
Radius: 18.2@173cm
Sizes: 157, 165, 173, 181
Size tested: 181
Design: All New
*scaled sizing
The Vantage 86 C has great grip and is a fun ski to rip on. It does have a tendency to want to finish turns sooner than I intend, so stay on top of these to keep them under your control.
- Who is it for? Advanced skiers will enjoy the race-inspired performance.
- Who is it not for? Lazy skiers need not apply
- Insider tip: The 86 has tenacious grip for a midfat; it wants to run.
Head Supershape iTitan
Dimensions: 138-81-118
Radius: 15m@177cm
Sizes: 156, 163, 170, 177
Size tested: 177
Design: Carryover
I was able to make all sorts of turn shapes with this performer; it is not a one-trick pony. Moving forward or aft on the ski doesn’t cause problems due to its huge sweet spot.
- Who is it for? The skier who likes to take the reins or relax and enjoy the ride.
- Who is it not for? Dunno. It seems like a real winner for intermediates and up.
- Insider tip: Very forgiving for the amount of performance the ski provides.
Head V-Shape V8
Dimensions: 130-75-112
Radius: 13.2m@170cm
Sizes: 149, 156, 163, 170, 177
Size tested: 170
Design: All New
This 75mm-waisted ski is a solid performer. It has good grip and is pretty turny. The V8 is very playful but it does have its limits.
- Who is it for? Folks who like to make a lot of small turns.
- Who is it not for? People who like to rip big turns on the groomers.
- Insider tip: This is an iRally for the intermediate to advanced skier.
Head V-Shape V10
Dimensions: 139-85-121
Radius: 13.6m@170cm
Sizes: 163, 170, 177, 184
Size tested: 170
Design: All New
I hadn’t skied Heads lately, and after skiing this one I kind of regret it. I really enjoyed these skis. They are turny and stable at speed. You can ride them fast and furious, and they will just say, "That’s all you got?" I didn’t get to ski them in softer snow, but I suspect that with their 85mm waist, they do quite nicely in crud and off piste, too.
- Who is it for? Hard-charging skiers who want a high-performance ski.
- Who is it not for? Wimps. These skis want to go!
- Insider tip: Fun, stable, and boy do they want to turn.
K2 Super Charger
Dimensions: 127-76-107
Radius: 17m@175cm
Sizes: 168, 175, 181
Size tested: 175
Design: Carryover/NGT
The Super Chargers have a race-like quality to them. They are fairly stiff and demand your attention. If you slack off and get in the back seat, they will run straight away from you. Stand over them and they perform with energy and snap.
- Who is it for? Someone who likes a hard-driving carving ski.
- Who is it not for? Skiers who want an easy and forgiving ski.
- Insider tip: They are rather stiff; if you get in the back seat, they want to straighten out and go.
Liberty VMT V76
Dimensions: 126-76-106
Radius: 15m@179
Sizes: to come
Size tested: 179
Construction: All New
Liberty showed me that my conception of them as a freeride company was all wrong. The VMT 76 is an outstanding ski. Easy to ski, ready to go, it handles the piste like a thoroughbred. I would consider this ski for my quiver if I had a vacancy.
- Who is it for? Skiers looking for performance and forgiveness in a ski.
- Who is it not for? Conformists.
- Insider tip: Remember, you heard it hear first: Liberty VMTs are damn good.
Liberty VMT V82
Dimensions: 129-82-110
Radius: 16.5m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Size tested:
Design: All New
I always thought Liberty was just a park and freeride ski company, but this ski changed my mind, big time. The 82 is stable and right at home making turns of all sizes. A real eye-opener.
- Who is it for? Someone looking for a nice all-around performer.
- Who is it not for? The biggest of chargers.
- Insider tip: Yes, the accolades are true.
Rossignol Experience 84 Ai
Dimensions: 126-84-116
Radius: 15m@176cm
Sizes: 152, 160, 168, 176, 184
Size tested: 176
Design: All New
I have an older pair of Experience 83s, and these are quite similar. They are stable, easy to turn, and grip well. You can easily get them to bend into a tighter turn shape, but they are most comfortable making GS-style turns.
- Who is it for? Laid-back skiers will love these.
- Who is it not for? Skiers looking for an aggressive ski with lots of pop.
- Insider tip: Short and long turns are in this ski's bag of tricks.
Rossignol Hero Elite MT Ti
Dimensions: 123-74-109
Radius: 14m@167cm
Sizes: 159, 167, 175, 183
Size tested: 175
Design: All New
The Hero Elite MT Ti reminds me a lot of my Rossi Experience 83. It is easy to ski, but if you want to kick in the afterburner, it will fly right along with stability and easy-to-control turn shape.
- Who is it for? Like the Supershape iTitan, it suits anyone who likes to make race-like turns as well as kick back and take it easy.
- Who is it not for? Lightweights; this ski expects some input.
- Insider tip: Don’t be afraid; it is as docile as my Experience 83.
Stöckli Laser AX
Dimensions: 123-78-110
Radius: 15.6m@175cm
Sizes: 159, 167, 175, 183
Size tested: 175
Design: Carryover/NGT
I visited Stöckli’s tent with antici… …pation as I had only been on its race skis. Well, Stöckli's recreational skis are equal in quality and comparable in level of performance to the race products. Despite being a high-end rocket ship, the AX skis quite easily when not pushed to the limit. This one had me grinning from ear to ear with its strong turns of any size and high stability. These skis rock.
- Who is it for? Strong skiers who want race-inspired performance in a recreational ski.
- Who is it not for? Beginners.
- Insider tip: Do you really need that first born?
Stöckli Laser SX
Dimensions: 120-72-99
Radius: 15.4m@170cm
Sizes: 149, 156, 163, 170, 177, 184
Size tested: 170
Design: Carryover/NGT
Here we have another solid-performing Stöckli product. Turns on the Laser SX are smooth and easy, and you can vary their size to anything you want. There is a level of precision here that mortal skis just do not have.
- Who is it for? Skiers that demand performance from their skis.
- Who is it not for? The meek, but then again, thats why there is the AX
- Insider tip: Do you really need that second born either?
Stöckli Stormrider 95
Dimensions: 131-95-120
Radius: 17.2@175cm
Sizes: 157, 166, 175, 184
Size tested: 184
Design: New Construction
I really liked this ski as it is quite similar in style to my own 2018 K2 Pinnacle 88s. The width makes them a strong off-piste ski that can work the groomers with ease. In typical Stöckli fashion, they are sturdy, strong, and responsive.
- Who is it for? Me. Seriously, though, the SR 95 could easily be a one-ski quiver for someone who needs to deal with natural conditions and groomers.
- Who is it not for? Those with deep pockets and short arms.
- Insider tip: It is Stöckli on 95mm skis, need I say more?
Völkl Deacon 76
Dimensions: 122-76-103
Radius: 18.3m@176cm
Sizes: 171, 176, 181
Size tested: 176
Design: All New
The Völkl Deacon 76 is a fun ski for those who like to charge on the slopes. It has an easy-to-find sweet spot, but does require more input than skis like the Rossi Hero Elite MT Ti. Grip is good, and the ride is exciting.
- Who is it for? Skiers who like a performance ski with plenty of snap.
- Who is it not for? Anyone who won't take charge.
- Insider tip: The ski requires input; you need to stay centered.