Ski Gear to Stoke Summer Daydreams of Winter

Sure, we love summer. Sunshine, long days, mountain bikes, wake surfing on the lake — it’s all great. But deep down, we’re always looking forward to winter.

When we’re sitting outside, baking in the summer sun, our minds start to drift to cooler times and the powder days to come. We know we’re not alone here, standing in the bedroom with our ski helmets on, making sure our kit will be dialed when the flakes fly. So we went to evo to get the scoop on new drool-worthy skis for next season.

We talked to Matt Sklar from evo’s marketing team, who has been skiing for 24 years and is no stranger to the newest innovations in the ski game. He shared the stoke and gave us the rundown on some of the most exciting skis for the upcoming snow season.

evo’s Favorite Skis

“These five skis are some of my favorite skis and brands that evo sells, and they’re sure to spark daydreams,” Sklar said. “We ride and stand behind the gear we sell. You’ll definitely see these skis making their way into the quivers of evo employees. They’re all available now or on preorder at evo.”

Dynastar M-Free 108

Sklar’s take: While Dynastar has made skis for a long time, it has been a while since the legacy brand unveiled something that truly made me say “wow.” And wow is a good start, as these playful, 108mm-wide, powder chargers will drop your jaw again and again.

The tapered profile and rocker lines make this ski fun in all types of snow, while the stout flex keeps them composed and confident at higher speeds. These skis will be a “daily driver” for riders out West who like to stay nimble, poppy, and maneuverable.

Armada ARW 116 VJJ UL

Sklar’s take: My skiing dreams rarely consist of cruising groomers. Instead, when I’m spending my summer sitting in the air conditioning with my ski jackets on, I’m thinking about deep-powder days.

This ski is advantageous for women and shorter riders. The original VJJ was one of those sought-after skis that in-the-know riders would stockpile in their garages after Armada stopped making them. The new version is back and ready to roll, featuring a lightweight “UL” construction.

Their lower swing weight makes them easier to ski, and at 1,600 g in the 175cm size, they’re viable touring skis. This is one comeback tour that a lot of skiers will be excited about.

Black Crows Justis

Sklar’s take: Let’s be honest, groomer days can make up a major part of the ski season, so why not get a ski that makes them (almost) as fun as the deep pow? At 100 mm underfoot, this new offering from Black Crows is worth the look.

With a rather stiff flex, thanks to two sheets of Titanal in the layup, these might not be the best for beginners. But for advanced riders looking for speed and performance, they’re a blast. They still offer rocker and a medium turn radius to give them versatility.

Rossignol Black Ops Sender

Sklar’s take: Rossignol is giving us plenty to look forward to with a whole new ski lineup for 2020-2021. The 104mm-waisted Black Ops Sender is wide enough to be a one-ski quiver for most riders or a ski for everything but the deepest days in snowier locales.

Skiers familiar with Rossignol’s relatively soft offering of the past several years will be stoked on the extended Paulownia wood core and Damp Tech laminates that help smooth out vibration and reduce tip flap, giving them more stability at speed than their S-Series predecessors.

Line Blade

Sklar’s take: Innovation with ski gear often happens slowly, with subtle changes over the years. Sometimes companies swing for the fences, and Line has certainly done that with the Blade. The wild and extreme-looking shape all boils down to one thing: making turning fun.

Another evo employee captured the ski well, saying, “A Line ski designed for carving? What has the world come to?!”

This unique ski offers a shape and construction that performs differently than your traditional “frontside” ski. The huge tip instinctively seeks the fall line and helps pull the skier into each turn, making for a fun, intuitive carving experience. And at 95mm underfoot, the Blade rips variable conditions too.

Trew Gear Powfunk Jacket

Sklar’s take: Normally, skis get me most excited, but have you seen how good this jacket looks? As the exclusive retailer for Trew, evo is excited to have input throughout the design process, and the result here is amazing.

The 20K waterproofing and breathability ratings mean that this jacket can hold up to even the gnarliest weather, while the small details really put its usability over the top. From the robust zippers to the taped seams, it’s got you covered.

Marker Duke PT 16

Sklar’s take: Marker has come out swinging with its burly new touring binding, the Duke PT 16. The transformer-like operation and stout DIN range put this new binding up as a strong challenger to Salomon’s Shift. The PT toe piece swings forward to reveal tech pins for touring and locks back down for an alpine-style experience. The toe piece is removable for longer tours, moving 300 g from each ski into your backpack.

Sure, the 1,350 g per binding weight might not be for everyone, but skiers that need and want the confidence of a 16-DIN alpine binding will love the Duke PT.

This article is sponsored by evo and does not reflect the opinions of GearJunkie. Check out the brand’s skis and ski gear here.