Most manufacturers have increased their attention on other segments, but the 90-100mm class is still a bread-and-butter category. It is business as usual here, with the cream still rising to the top: Tecnica Group cousins Bonafide and Enforcer are the benchmark skis that others are trying to knock off the pedestal. Armada is getting some attention, and Völkl is taking a whole new approach to ski design by expanding its very good 3D.Ridge construction across the collections.
"All New" means the ski is an all-new design and construction. "NGT" refers to New Graphics Technology, ie, only the graphics have changed. "New Construction" means the ski has the same name and similar graphics but an updated construction or shape. "Carrover" means it is exactly the same.
Armada ARV 96
Dimensions: 125-96-117
Radius: 19m@ 77cm
Sizes tested: 177, 184
Design: All New
Armada is growing up, and I don’t think enough people are noticing. The ARV 96 is a perfect example: it is an evolution of the ski that started it all from Armada, playful and jibby with only 8 mm of taper so it is almost as comfortable skiing switch as it is skiing regular.
Armada Invictus 99Ti
Dimensions: 133-98-123
Radius: 20.5m@179cm
Size tested: 179
Design: All New
Armada hasn’t failed to disappoint me with the Invictus series: first there was the 108Ti, then the 89Ti, and now the 99Ti. When will people wake up and realize Armada is designing some of the best skis on the market?
Dimensions: 133-98-118
Radius: 21m@180cm
Size tested: 180
Design: Carryover
Blizzard didn’t break what wasn’t broken, all the way down to the graphics. The 2017 Bonafide is a complete carryover. For the past 5 years, the Bonafide has been my reference ski for this category and testing conditions. I always start the day on it when I am testing skis in this category.
Dimensions: 131-95-114
Radius: 18m@178cm
Size tested: 178
Design: All New
See the Long-Term Test thread.
Dimensions: 132-95-115
Radius: 17m@184cm
Size tested: 184
Design: Carryover
Again, as I said last year, this ski is just stupid fun. I really like the direction K2 has taken of late with their playful skis; the Pinnacle 95 is at the forefront here. While there might be better skis for firm conditions in this category, the Pinnacle never neglects to put a smile on my face.
Nordica Enforcer 93
Dimensions: 126-93-112
Radius: 16.5m@177cm
Sizes tested: 177, 185
Design: All New
Nordica Enforcer 100
Dimensions: 133-100-121
Radius: 18.5m@185cm
Sizes tested: 177, 185
Design: NGT
There's not much I can say about these two skis that I haven’t said in the past year, LTT: Enforcer 100, LTT: Enforcer 93. These are the reference for anyone looking for versatility in this segment.
Dimensions: 128-98-118
Radius: 17m@180cm
Sizes tested: 188
Design: New Construction
This is the newest evoluotion of the Sin 7 with a new name and a new purpose, which is to have more power. Rossignol upgraded the core and added a carbon Alloy Matrix, which integrates carbon fibers and basalt into the construction. Did make a difference? Yes, the newly named Sky 7 is a bit stronger, but powerful skiers should still look elsewhere.
Dimensions: 138-99-120
Radius: 19.4m@181cm
Size tested: 181
Design: All New
Welcome back to the game, Mr. Salomon. Yes, you lost your way over the past half-decade; the Sentinel didn’t sell; the BBR 10.0, well, we won’t get into that; the Quest was fall-off-the-bone easy; and the Q-Lab was too much for most skiers. Now, we have the QST 99, which is the best ski for the majority of skiers that you have come out with in way too long. Easy, fun, and surfy all still with power to let 'em rip.
Dimensions: 133-98-113
Radius: 20.1m@177cm
Sizes tested: 177, 184
Design: NGT
I have taken every chance to commend Völkl on its new direction, and I want it to keep going. While the 90Eight is an NGT design, there were none to ski at last year's testing so I was excited to test them this year after skiing its big-brother 100Eight. It lived up to my expectations: it is a light, lively ski that still has a backbone. This is the ski we expected the Kabookie to be.
Carryover or skis I didn’t get a chance to get on: Atomic Vantage 90 CTi and 100 CTi, Dynastar Cham 97 2.0, Head Monster 98, Kästle FX95 and FX95 HP, Stöckli SR95, Völkl Mantra.
"All New" means the ski is an all-new design and construction. "NGT" refers to New Graphics Technology, ie, only the graphics have changed. "New Construction" means the ski has the same name and similar graphics but an updated construction or shape. "Carrover" means it is exactly the same.
Armada ARV 96
Dimensions: 125-96-117
Radius: 19m@ 77cm
Sizes tested: 177, 184
Design: All New
Armada is growing up, and I don’t think enough people are noticing. The ARV 96 is a perfect example: it is an evolution of the ski that started it all from Armada, playful and jibby with only 8 mm of taper so it is almost as comfortable skiing switch as it is skiing regular.
- Who it is for? Still one of the youngest demographics for Armada.
- Who is it not for? Frontside-only guys; look to the Invictus 99Ti instead.
- Insider tip: Armada hasn’t forgotten where it came from, these are for their core skiers.
Armada Invictus 99Ti
Dimensions: 133-98-123
Radius: 20.5m@179cm
Size tested: 179
Design: All New
Armada hasn’t failed to disappoint me with the Invictus series: first there was the 108Ti, then the 89Ti, and now the 99Ti. When will people wake up and realize Armada is designing some of the best skis on the market?
- Who it is for? Anyone. This ski just rocks, it's one of the most playful 98-100s out there, yet still handles firm conditions.
- Who is it not for? Skiers stuck in the 00s.
- Insider tip: The 179 was perfect, sizing is on.
Dimensions: 133-98-118
Radius: 21m@180cm
Size tested: 180
Design: Carryover
Blizzard didn’t break what wasn’t broken, all the way down to the graphics. The 2017 Bonafide is a complete carryover. For the past 5 years, the Bonafide has been my reference ski for this category and testing conditions. I always start the day on it when I am testing skis in this category.
- Who it is for? The Bone is on the power side of the scale.
- Who is it not for? Lighter finesse skiers can get bucked off this bull.
- Insider tip: If you want a little more power, consider a 3° side bevel.
Dimensions: 131-95-114
Radius: 18m@178cm
Size tested: 178
Design: All New
See the Long-Term Test thread.
- Who it is for? Finesse skiers, and skiers in the Mountain Time Zone who ski lighter snow. Technical skiers who will trust the ski.
- Who is it not for? Bigger guys can overpower it.
- Insider tip: The F95 knows how to make a turn, there's no need to force it.
Dimensions: 132-95-115
Radius: 17m@184cm
Size tested: 184
Design: Carryover
Again, as I said last year, this ski is just stupid fun. I really like the direction K2 has taken of late with their playful skis; the Pinnacle 95 is at the forefront here. While there might be better skis for firm conditions in this category, the Pinnacle never neglects to put a smile on my face.
- Who it is for? These love soft snow and hanging out in the trees.
- Who is it not for? Ice wizards; if most of your skiing is on hard snow, there are better options.
- Insider tip: Size up, they ski short.
Nordica Enforcer 93
Dimensions: 126-93-112
Radius: 16.5m@177cm
Sizes tested: 177, 185
Design: All New
Nordica Enforcer 100
Dimensions: 133-100-121
Radius: 18.5m@185cm
Sizes tested: 177, 185
Design: NGT
There's not much I can say about these two skis that I haven’t said in the past year, LTT: Enforcer 100, LTT: Enforcer 93. These are the reference for anyone looking for versatility in this segment.
- Who it is for? East Coasters, the 93; Westerners, the 100.
- Who is it not for? People looking for a deal; these will be selling at near MAP for a while.
- Insider tip: Get next year's ski now.
Dimensions: 128-98-118
Radius: 17m@180cm
Sizes tested: 188
Design: New Construction
This is the newest evoluotion of the Sin 7 with a new name and a new purpose, which is to have more power. Rossignol upgraded the core and added a carbon Alloy Matrix, which integrates carbon fibers and basalt into the construction. Did make a difference? Yes, the newly named Sky 7 is a bit stronger, but powerful skiers should still look elsewhere.
- Who it is for? Lighter finesse skiers looking for a playful ski that turns very tight.
- Who is it not for? Normal-sized to bigger skiers who charge.
- Insider tip: Even the little guys need to size up.
Dimensions: 138-99-120
Radius: 19.4m@181cm
Size tested: 181
Design: All New
Welcome back to the game, Mr. Salomon. Yes, you lost your way over the past half-decade; the Sentinel didn’t sell; the BBR 10.0, well, we won’t get into that; the Quest was fall-off-the-bone easy; and the Q-Lab was too much for most skiers. Now, we have the QST 99, which is the best ski for the majority of skiers that you have come out with in way too long. Easy, fun, and surfy all still with power to let 'em rip.
- Who it is for? A lot of skiers, especially those who want a surfy ski that will not beat them up.
- Who is it not for? Precision skiers might want a bit more bite.
- Insider tip: Nailed the sizing.
Dimensions: 133-98-113
Radius: 20.1m@177cm
Sizes tested: 177, 184
Design: NGT
I have taken every chance to commend Völkl on its new direction, and I want it to keep going. While the 90Eight is an NGT design, there were none to ski at last year's testing so I was excited to test them this year after skiing its big-brother 100Eight. It lived up to my expectations: it is a light, lively ski that still has a backbone. This is the ski we expected the Kabookie to be.
- Who it is for? Lighter strong skiers who want a Völkl but want camber.
- Who is it not for? 11/10th skiers, the Mantra is still for you.
- Insider tip: There is a top end, but the rest of the attributes are great.
Carryover or skis I didn’t get a chance to get on: Atomic Vantage 90 CTi and 100 CTi, Dynastar Cham 97 2.0, Head Monster 98, Kästle FX95 and FX95 HP, Stöckli SR95, Völkl Mantra.