The Best All-Mountain Skis of 2024

Many skis designed for beginners are not well-rounded enough to grow with you as your skills improve. Thankfully, the Experience Skis are the exception to this rule. With high-quality construction, low weight, and an easy-to-handle narrow width, these skis possess all of the standard characteristics of a great beginner option.

For such a user-friendly ski, we love that these are also relatively stable and powerful, traits that are much appreciated after transitioning away from the bunny slopes.

With a moderate rocker profile near the tips, these skis are less likely to flap and chatter at high speeds than most beginner options. The Rossignol Experience 76 Skis also has excellent edge hold, which comes in handy on hardpack and frozen groomers.

In softer, deeper snow, the narrow width isn’t ideal. Still, for the price, these skis can handle a broad range of snow conditions — just like an all-mountain ski should.

For a somewhat fat ski, the QST 106 is surprisingly quick edge to edge. Our testers found themselves making quick turns and grinning like goofs while skiing groomers. And that is the ski’s weakness!

Put it into tighter terrain and soft snow, and unleash the beast! The QST 106 is incredible in moguls, trees, and buffed steep terrain. It slashes across rough snow, making easy work of some of the worst conditions we skied this season.

We took this ski to Copper Mountain, Arapaho Basin, and Crested Butte in Colorado. And our testers agree — if they had to pick one ski to ride in-bounds at resorts in the West next season, this would be it.

The one weakness of the QST 106 is ice, which it handles okay given its fat waist. If we expected to ride exclusively groomers or more East Coast or Midwest terrain, we’d probably look elsewhere. For everything else, the Salomon QST 106 is built to excel.

For an in-depth rundown, check out our full review of the Salomon QST 106.

Black Crows describe the Black Crows Camox Birdie ($850) as a “mid-fat all-terrain ski,” which is a playful ski that can also be stable at speed. We liked the design, the double rocker, and this ski’s maneuverability on the mountain. In fact, the brand’s motto for this ski is, “I’ll do anything you want.”

These skis have a pretty standard 97 mm waist width, and a full poplar wood core with fiberglass laminates. They weigh about 3,400 grams — a little over 7 pounds, making it a fairly lightweight ski, too.

Overall, this ski champion is speedy, sweeping S-turns on corduroy, weaving through trees and lifts in deep snow. The Black Crows Camox Birdie is not the lightest ski, yet makes the day super fun and helps us access a swath of terrain.

For a more comprehensive review, read our full review of the Camox Birdie ski.

Do you love to hit bumps or rollers with abandon? Do you like to pop out the tails and “surf” any little piles of snow you come across? Then the Bent is aimed squarely at you. And if you like to do it while carrying a lot of speed, this ski should be squarely in your crosshairs.

We tested the 180 cm model, 110 mm underfoot. While this isn’t the largest Bent Chetler (the 120 mm version is venerable among powder hounds), it’s still a lot of ski. And we found we got the most out of it when we let it run fast but with loose input.

The Bent 110 has a light wood core. At just under 8 pounds per pair, the Bent Chetler is remarkably light for its size and design. And the lack of carbon or metal in the core allows it to flex fairly easily.

As a result, we found the Bent pops over and around choppy snow more than through it. This underscores this ski’s primary goal as “Fun” with a capital F.

Can “fun” be a downside? Well, maybe. If you charge hard and want a really locked-in ski, the Bent Chetler is not a good choice. Sure, it carves well, but for those who mostly want to charge the fall line, a ski with a stiffer, metal design will provide more power and control.

But that’s not for everyone. One of our testers, for instance, is pretty light (150 pounds), and while he considers himself a powerful skier, he loves to goof off with his planks. The Bent Chetler is an accomplice for goofy side missions. It wants to find the little powder stashes and send them flying into the air. And it has enough backbone to find the couloirs and keep us upright even when we get in the back seat after an off-balance drop.

Expert-level skiers looking for a fun-forward ski that can handle everything from powder to packed snow should look hard at the Atomic Bent 110.

In testing, our team loved the Ripsticks, especially given the feathery weight of the skis. At 7 pounds, 4.4 ounces per pair (180 mm, tested), they’re definitely on the low end of the spectrum for all-mountain skis, and the rider will notice this under their boots.

But they sure do carve well. The Ripsticks felt very locked in on hard carves, resulting in the somewhat puzzling feeling of power. Yet, lay off the gas and the skis become very playful. They were happy to slip sideways while we goofed around at lower speeds.

One downside, as to be expected with lighter skis, is they did chatter a bit at high speed, especially on harder snow during carves. Given the use of carbon tubes for added power at a lightweight, this is no surprise. Carbon skis do tend to produce a bit of chatter, and these are no exception. But for a ski that could easily serve as an uphill touring stick, the Elan Ripstick 96 did impress.

Final note — the Elan Ripstick 96 is the only asymmetrical ski from our test. That means there is a “right” and “left” ski, which you must wear on the correct feet.

For 2022-23, the Ranger 102 (in much more muted colors) is wicked fun, yet easy to ski. Ripping laps from Crested Butte to Copper Mountain, the ski hit a sweet spot. It carves reasonably well, has modest pop, and is generally a ton of fun.

But where it really thrives is inspiring confidence. We took it through some very tricky terrain at pretty high speed and found that its significant tip and tail rocker made easy work of steep moguls and buff. One of our primary testers considers himself an expert skier, but he’s a few steps below the true pros. And for him, the ski did not seem to limit his skiing in any way.

If this ski has a downside, it’s that it really doesn’t carve hard and won’t pop you quickly from edge to edge. It’s clear that Fischer dialed back the wild camber of the previous edition here. For intermediate skiers, this is probably a good thing.

And for those who still may feel timid in the steeps, this ski should help you overcome the pucker factor. Anyone who wants a really fun ski that seems to enhance their skills should take a look at the Fischer Ranger 102.

What is freestyle? Imagine a teenager growing up in a mountain town, surrounded by videos of pro athletes, the pressure to compete with their peers, and the ever-present need to go faster and bigger. Someone who skis like that would surely enjoy the Koala. 

While the Koala comes in waist widths of 103, 111, and 118 mm; we tested the new 111 mm at 176 cm. Squarely aimed at the middle of the family, this ski carves well enough on hardpack and of course, is excellent on soft snow for being only a few millimeters wider than some all mountain skis. 

The Koala accomplishes this through a symmetrical amount of rocker on the tip and tail, allowing the skier to pivot whenever they want and to float through soft snow with ease. The large amount of rocker made this tester wish they had sized up to 184 cm. Underfoot, the ski has a camber profile with a very stiff flex that locks in hard carves and holds a smooth arc. 

However, the DPS Koala is not what we would consider a true all-mountain ski. It suffers most when the skier slows down and has to employ small tight turns in variable snow. The waist of the 111 mm ski certainly shows there and the stiff underfoot flex requires the skier to input a lot of force to turn sharply. As such, moguls and trees would be quite a task on these skis if the snow conditions are less than good. 

The DPS Koala is what we would categorize as an “aggressive freestyle ski.” It loves to charge hard and fly through the air. However, the design has less tolerance for low-speed shenanigans than say the Atomic Bent 110. The flex of the ski immediately underfoot is a 10 out of 10 in stiffness. This gives the ski great power and stability at speed, as well as on takeoff and landing. 

However, the Koala 111 feels a little sluggish when going slow. Despite the turn radius, it doesn’t feel overly excited to turn. The stiffness of the ski makes it lively and responsive, when being driven hard. But at lower speeds, the ski requires the skier to exert a bit of effort to respond.

Closer to the tips and tails, the stiffness of the ski rounds out to a 7 out of 10, creating a smooth progressive flex that allows the skier to stay in control. The tips can be loaded up into turns knowing that the overall backbone of the ski is strong and will support the skier around their foot. 

Considering our experience, we trust that intermediate to expert-level skiers who love to ski fast while looking for natural jumps and waves to slash will love the DPS Koala 111.

A large rocker tip that is 50 mm wider than the ski’s waist creates a planing platform like the nose of a boat that the skier can drive through any snow surface. The nose is noticeably softer with a 6.5 out of 10 stiffness. This allows the skier to adopt a forward stance at all times, even in 6 inches of fresh snow. 

Solid camber underfoot with an 8 out of 10 stiffness creates reliable grip and helps the ski feel planted on and off the piste. The relatively short turn radius creates a ski that loves to turn. While turn initiation requires little effort, the ski is capable of making nearly any size arc. Firm edge pressure results in high G, short turns, while longer arcs are held smoothly by just easing off the turn. 

A nearly flat tail provides plenty of support for an off-balance skier and also creates a solid backbone with a 7.5 out of 10 stiffness for finishing turns. The lightly rockered tail means this ski will smear sideways to allow skiers to exit their turns or pivot, however the Shaman 99 prefers that the skier finish their turn and eagerly dives into the next one. 

The short, rockered tail also means that this ski is not particularly suited for skiing backward. We did find that on smooth flat groomers, the ski is capable of carving backward but would be challenged by any kind of unevenness in the snow surface. 

A forward stance, forgiving tips that love to be driven, and camber underfoot are the hallmarks of a true all-mountain ski. This ski excels in bumps and trees where forward pressure creates great directional control around obstacles and aids in speed management. 

The Shaman 99 is equally at home on groomed runs. Fresh corduroy begs the skier to leave trenches behind. We noticed that at high speeds, the medium-soft rockered nose allows the tips to flap a little. Tip flap is not nearly as pronounced as some skis with a similar design and is easily forgotten by the grin-inducing turns. 

We also tested the Icelantic Shaman 110 ($899), a ski with the exact same shape but a wider footprint. This ski excelled in powdery conditions and variable snow with a nearly unsinkable nose. The trade-off came in firm snow performance, as a wider underfoot ski flexes torsionally more. The Shaman 99 would suit most skiers as a one ski quiver, while the Shaman 110 creates a great option for skiers at mountains with regular powder days. 

Icelantic is a certified B Corporation, as well as certified Climate Neutral, representing their commitment to preserving winter sports and their company culture of leaving the world a better place. 

All abilities of forward facing skiers that enjoy the art of the turn and exploring all over the mountain will love the Icelantic Shaman 99, all while knowing they are supporting a small Colorado company that is ethically conscious.

New to the Faction lineup for 2022-23 and carrying over into the 2023-24 season, the Faction Dancer 2 integrates an elliptical sidecut. This maxes out versatility with a longer turning radius underfoot and shorter in the tip and tail, giving the ski a more versatile feel and allowing it to maintain great edge hold without any compromise in the maneuverability category. 

Produced with 100 percent renewable energy, Faction has stepped up its environmentally-conscious practices with the Dancer 2. Faction repurposes the scraps from making other skis into future models, including recycled bases, topsheets, and sidewalls in the raw materials to build each Dancer 2, which reduces waste, emissions, and overall environmental impact. Plus, as a member of 1% for the Planet, a bit of your money spent on this ski automatically goes towards environmentally-conscious non-profits.

Faction builds in an Anti-Chip microcap, which increases the ski’s edge hold, responsiveness, and durability. We appreciated this ski’s stiff but poppy feel, accentuated by the poplar, ash, and beech core, which is all responsibly sourced from near Faction’s factory in Austria. 

A nod to Faction’s freestyle roots, this ski has a playful feel that testers noted is just as at home in the park as in the steeps in firm conditions. The Dancer 2 has ultra-thin Titanal sheets integrated throughout to increase stability, but its overall lightweight construction occasionally gets pushed around in heavy chop and chunder. With its stiffer tails and more moderate flex profile in front, we found that the Dancer wanted to place us in more in the backseat, rather than an aggressive stance. Depending on your skiing style, this may be a bit of a turnoff.

For intermediate to advanced skiers looking for an adaptable all-mountain daily driver specializing in firm snow, the Faction Dancer 2 is a solid choice.

The Blizzard Rustler 9 ($750) has been a mainstay in Blizzard’s lineup for many seasons now, and is a favorite of hard-charging all-mountain skiers–and for good reason. This year’s Rustler 9 is back and slightly revamped for the upcoming season, with a wider waist and details that make it more versatile and energetic than ever. 

In previous years, the construction of the Rustler 9 used to vary slightly, with shorter models with a slightly narrower waist than their longer counterparts. For the 2023-24 season, the waist width will be standardized at 96 mm (rather than the previous 94), enabling the Rustler 9 to take on a wider variety of conditions with ease. 

This year’s Rustler 9 also features a shorter turning radius and shorter effective edge, which translates into a more playful feel than previous iterations, and a more approachable ski than the standard Blizzard construction. While the ski maintains its signature stability at speed, minor tweaks make this year’s iteration more freeride-leaning while still excelling on-piste.

While the true-blend wood core keeps the ski responsive and friendly for skiers of all abilities, the Rustler 9 is most at home at high speeds, and our testers noted that it was nonplussed by firm snow, and exhibited virtually no chatter.

Blizzard used their proprietary Dynamic Release Technology (D.R.T.), which adds both a specifically-shaped underfoot Titanal reinforcement for better edge hold, and carbon flipcore to maintain flotation and to give this businesslike ski a playful edge. This enabled testers to have fun on the Rustler 9 all over the mountain.  

If you’re looking for a well-balanced all-mountain ski that specifically craves and excels on the hardpack without shying away from whatever the day might bring, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is a reliable pick.

Our testers raved about the hard-charging Dynastar M-Pro 99, which had the chops to cut through any type of snow with ease, from heavy powder, to crust, to tracked-out bumps. The poplar PU core, blended with strategically placed Titanal and fiberglass, gives the ski an incredibly stable and precise feel, across all conditions. Dynastar calls this the “Rocket Frame,” and it lends a rocket-like feel to the ski. 

Dynastar debuted the M-Pro series in 2021, which includes more PU (polyurethane) material throughout the core construction rather than just the sidewall, to increase stability and dampen the ski’s ride. While we loved how this feels on the slopes, we’d love to see Dynastar incorporate more of an eco-friendly replacement than petroleum-based products for a more environmentally-conscious ski. 

One of the only categories where this ski lost points was in the maneuverability department. This ski certainly prefers being able to push the gas pedal, and sometimes has a hard time turning on a dime in the trees or while skiing moguls, especially at lower speeds. 

The mounting point on the M-Pro 99 is further back than many other skis we tested, giving you plenty of tip flotation to work with in powder, and the ability to really drive the ski in all conditions, including challenging afternoon chop that can give other skis trouble. 

For fast, aggressive skiers, the Dynastar M-Pro 99 has your back all over the mountain.

Our testers didn’t rate the Blade Optic 96 as a particularly stiff ski (it’s softer in the tips and tails than other models tested here), but Titanal reinforcement throughout the ski adds rigidity without making the ski too damp. Dubbed commandingly, Line’s “Gas Pedal Metal Overdive™” construction places chevron-shaped metal reinforcements that taper from the area underfoot to tips and tails, interspersed with sustainably sourced aspen. The result is a lively and playful ski that still inspires confidence in firm and challenging snow conditions and stays planted when you need it to. In this regard, Line has achieved the best of both worlds.

The 18-meter turning radius of the Blade Optic 96 is fairly standard for skis in this category, but testers noted that it skis a bit on the longer side and isn’t modest when it comes to fast, long-radius turns. The Blade Optic 96 is beefed up with Line’s signature “Fatty” base, which gives them some extra thickness in the bases and edges to promote durability. 

The Blade Optic 96 falls on the heavier end of the spectrum for all-mountain skis of similar width, and this extra weight contributes to their poise in choppy conditions, and also their propensity for high speeds. We found that we were able to push this ski into the realm of tip chatter on groomers with them pointed, but other than that, this ski felt stable even with its notable tip rocker. 

That rocker and tip rise paid dividends in the powder and the Blade Optic 96 floats better than other skis of the same width. If you’re after an all-mountain charger that performs well day in and day out, you won’t go wrong with the Line Blade Optic 96.

On snow, this ski feels significantly heavier and damper, and as a result, less playful, than its cousin and predecessor, the Pagoda RP series. The Kaizen 105 blends some tried-and-true DPS construction tactics with some innovations, like “Split Core.” The Split Core features narrow slats of interlocking poplar and ash wood, with a full-length, thin carbon laminate overlay, and a bit of underfoot reinforcement for better stability.

On a powder day, we found the Kaizen 105 to be a bit slow when compared to other skis tested, both in terms of glide, power transfer, and edge-to-edge speed in moguls and on packed powder and groomers. The DPS Phantom permanent wax treatment is a great addition, but may also need to be supplemented with wax for the fastest possible glide. 

The Kaizen comes in an impressive size range, from 155 to 189 cm, and skis more true-to-length, rather than short, like other DPS models. The Kaizen 105 features a more tapered, traditional all-mountain shape, while the Kaizen 100 and 112 maintain the DPS-style shovel tip and tail taper, and shorter turning radius. If you’re looking for that trademark DPS feel, those models might suit you more. But, we did find that the Kaizen 105 has more dampness and composure in less-than-ideal conditions, where its lighter, more nimble predecessors might get knocked around. 

As always with DPS, you’ll pay a premium for sustainably produced and aerospace-grade materials, and the Kaizen 105 tops out the price spectrum for all-mountain skis that we tested. If you’re not looking to break the bank, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

For the discerning and experienced skier with money to spend, the DPS Kaizen 105 is a handmade precision instrument that ticks all the all-mountain boxes.

The ZAG Slap 92 is a versatile, groomer-leaning all-mountain machine, back for the 2023-24 season as the narrowest offering of the Slap line, and perhaps the most versatile overall.

The bases of the ZAG Slap 92 are made from 85 percent recycled ski scraps, and 30 percent of the ski’s resin is also recycled material. The full wood core, composed of poplar and paulownia, keeps the ski light, playful, and poppy. ZAG integrated unique rubber inserts underfoot that they call the “AdaptiveAbsorber,” which give the ski a dynamic rebound and quick, responsive turn initiation. This construction also helps the ski better absorb impact, making for a more effortless ride overall. 

The flex pattern of the ski lends itself to a smooth, easy style, perfect for a day full of sunny groomer cruising and exploring the steeps. But, for those who like to ski aggressively and fast, the Slap 92 may leave them wanting something stiffer and heavier for less chatter and more brawn. The ski lends itself to more low-stress playful freeriding than a high-stakes, hard-charging style.

While these skis are capable in powder for their size, they wouldn’t be our first choice for deep days. With its narrow waist, the ZAG Slap 92 wouldn’t be our top all-mountain pick for a snow climate that has frequent deep days, like Jackson Hole or Mount Baker. But, for the Alps and southern Rocky Mountains, it would be the ideal ski.

The ZAG Slap 92 is a highly accessible ski to all levels of all-mountain skiers, and a great choice for those who favor groomers and on-piste skiing.

Elan added carbon rods throughout the ski for stiffness and pop without extra weight, and implemented a relatively soft flex profile, which makes this ski both uber-forgiving and the life of the party in soft snow. However, its performance suffered from this on firm snow and ice, occasionally struggling to hold a hard edge.

The Elan Playmaker 101 gets its feel primarily from Elan’s “Surf Rocker,” which lends the ski a loose, fun style. They’ve also employed this Surf Rocker in the back of the ski, which features a true twin tip for effortless switch riding. Elan enthusiasts will find parallels to the feel of the tried and true Ripstick series, but with a surfier, more freeride personality that’s also at home taking occasional park laps.

However, when the snow was less than ideal, or conditions worsened at the end of the day, the Playmaker 101 lacked a bit of power in the chunder and chop compared to heavier and stiffer models. We can accept this tradeoff considering its low weight. The Playmaker would be great mounted with a hybrid binding to take on both lift-served and human-powered skiing. 

The Playmaker is offered in two widths, the 101 and 91, and both feature a wide size range intended to be a unisex ski. We find that the 101 hits the sweet spot for a daily driver for most Rocky Mountain locations, both in bounds and out. 

The Playmaker 101 and all of Elan’s other skis are made in the Slovenian Alps in their factory, which runs production on 100 percent renewable green energy. The Playmaker series also integrates recycled and locally sourced materials.

For all levels of skiers who want a do-it-all ski that prioritizes fun above all, the Elan Playmaker 101 is one of the best choices this season, especially for those who want to venture into the sidecountry and backcountry.

For a fun, jack-of-all-trades daily driver for the serious resort skier, the Sender 106 Ti should be on your radar. This ski has both horsepower and the construction under the hood to back it up. It’s equally at home in a butter or a carve, and brings power and fun to any run on the mountain.

While the waist width is in the name, the underfoot measurement of the Sender 106 Ti varies by length, with the ski changing slightly. We could really feel Rossignol’s “Air Tip Technology”, which makes the ski more maneuverable and responsive while shaving weight at the tip. This, combined with the “Free Rocker” profile also paid dividends when skiing powder, maxing out the flotation. Overall though, for better or worse, we felt that this made the ski feel shorter than its advertised length on snow; consider sizing up if you’re in between lengths, which are quite limited on this model.

The poplar wood core is reinforced with carbon, basalt, and fiberglass stringers throughout for more stiffness and responsiveness. Then, to dampen the ride, Rossignol added “Damp Tech” to help reduce vibration and chatter at speed. The “Ti” moniker in the Sender’s name refers to the Titanal reinforcement along the ski, the final touch for making this ski a confidence-inspiring high performer. We found that Rossignol nailed the balance between performance and play with the Sender 106 Ti.

Although it’s a bit of an afterthought, the topsheet design leaves a bit to be desired, and our testers commented on the rather boring aesthetics that would easily get lost in a sea of other skis. But, if you don’t care about looks, the Sender 106 Ti makes up for its lackluster graphics in other categories. For eco-friendly bonus points, recycled materials are integrated into the bases, topsheet, and edges of the ski. 

For the traditional hard-charging all-mountain skier seeking out fresh turns, the Sender 106 TI is near the top of our list for a versatile and solid quiver of one.

We’ve skied the Enforcer for dozens of days at resorts across the West and have yet to find a place where it fails. From early-season manmade snow at Copper Mountain to a surprisingly soft powder day at Mammoth Mountain, the Enforcer 94 proved consistent and versatile.

On hard-groomed snow, it holds an edge well enough to carve where other all-mountain skis will skid. While carving isn’t its forte, it holds its own as well as any wider ski on the market.

But put it on softer snow, as we did after one of Mammoth’s few powder days this year, and it really shines. Our tester especially enjoyed its quickness edge to edge while dropping through Mammoth’s expert terrain.

The Enforcer also comes in 88 mm and 100 mm widths, but we especially love the 94 mm for its mid-skinny versatility. Essentially, this ski is designed to do everything well. As a result, none of its specs are particularly unusual or extreme. Instead, this is one of the few skis that truly performs well no matter what you throw at it.

A lightweight front end and liberal use of carbon fiber result in lots of pop, which comes in handy on moguls and trees. Overall, this ski is a great pick for intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers.

The one minor downside of the Nordica Enforcer 94 is that it may almost be too good. It excels in so many areas that it doesn’t really stand out in any either. It’s also incredibly popular, so it won’t stand out in the lift line. But for a ski that can do everything well, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option.

This ski is a bonafide groomer-centric speed demon. With a relatively narrow sidecut, the Keldo 88 certainly prefers firm surfaces over pillowy pow. Still, if you prefer to head off-piste occasionally, the Kendo won’t hold you back.

The Kendo 88, with its multilayer core, carbon tips, and titanium frame, is stiffer than many of the other options on this list. Beginner and intermediate skiers may find it a little on the unforgiving side.

However, if plentiful stability is your jam, you’ll rejoice at the Kendo’s high-speed handling. Even when the going gets rough and choppy, the Kendo zips through with minimal tip flutter.

For those seeking an all-rounder with a tendency for bombing down hardpack, the Völkl Kendo 88 is a top-shelf ski.