The Best Women’s All-Mountain Skis of 2023

In other words, all-mountain skis are like duct tape; no matter what situation you find yourself in, they’re the perfect tool for the job. Versatility is the name of the game in this category.

Though the definition of “all-mountain” varies by retailer and brand, all of the skis on this list perform well across a broad range of skiing styles, terrain, and snow conditions. The market is packed with many high-quality models, and it can be daunting to sift through the seemingly endless options. To help streamline your selection process, we’ve included our favorite all-mountain skis in a variety of sub-categories.

If you’d like to learn more about all-mountain skis and how they’re defined, check out our buyer’s guide and FAQ section at the end of this article. For a quick look at how these skis stack up, see our comparison chart.

Otherwise, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys or jump to the category you’re looking for:

The Best Women’s All-Mountain Skis of 2023

Best of the Rest

Women’s All-Mountain Skis Comparison Chart

Women’s All-Mountain Ski	Price	Profile	Sidecut radius (m)	Waist widths (mm)	Lengths (cm)
Blizzard Black Pearl 97	$700	Camber in the middle, rocker in the tip and tail	Short (13 on 153, 14 on 159, 15 on 165)	82, 88, 97	153, 159, 165, 1771
4FRNT MSP CC	$729	Camber with a gradual early-rise in the tip and tail	16 (on the 165 length) for a moderate turn radius, 15 on the 159, 17 on the 17	99	159, 165, 171
Atomic Vantage W 75 Skis + Bindings	$380	Traditional camber, with minor rocker in the tail	Short	79, 82	140, 147, 154, 161
Icelantic Maiden	$849	Rocker tip and tail and camber underfoot	16 (on the 169 cm) and moderate, 13 on the 155, 14.5 on the 162	101	155, 162, 169
Renoun Earhart	$899	Camber underfoot and rocker in the tip and tail	14.5 (on the 170) short and 12m (149cm), 12.5m (156cm), 13.5m (163cm), 15.5m (177cm)	88	149, 156, 163, 170, 177
Völkl Blaze 106 W	$650	Camber underfoot, rocker in the tip and tail	16 (in the 172 length) medium, and 13 in the 158, 14 in 165cm	106	158, 165, 172
Elan Ripstick 94	$650	Rocker in the tip and tail	13.2-16.2 (15m radius in the 162 cm)	94	146,162,170
Volkl Kenja 88	$700	Subtle rocker tip and tail	13 (on the 163 length) and short in the center, long on the tip (23) and tail (21)	88	149,156,163,170
Moment Bella	$769	Rockered tip and tail, camber underfoot	19 (on the 172) and moderate, 15 in the 152cm, 17 in the 162cm, 21 in the 179cm	106,108	152, 162, 172, 179
Nordica Santa Ana 93	$700	Rockered tip and tail, camber underfoot	13.3 (on the 151) and short to moderate, 14 on the 158cm, 16 on the 172cm, and 17 on the 179cm	93	151, 158, 165, 172, 179
Rossignol Rallybird 92	$650	Rockered tip, camber underfoot	Short, 12-16 m (14 meters on the 162 cm length)	92, 102	154, 16, 170

Why You Should Trust Us

The GearJunkie product testing team is made up of intermediate to expert alpine and backcountry skiers. We’ve skied runs in-bounds and hut-to-hut all over North America, including bell-to-bell resort powder days, ski-to-surf trips on Vancouver Island and in California, and backcountry hut adventures. We’ve trained for the country’s toughest skimo races and enjoyed cross-country laps on countless miles of nordic trails.

Among our testers, Snowsports Senior Editor Morgan Tilton started alpine skiing in her backyard at Telluride Ski Resort at age 4. Now, three decades later, she backcountry skis in addition to snowboarding, splitboarding (note: split-skiing is by far the most awkward form of skiing), and backcountry snowmobiling in Gunnison country, where she lives today.

Editor Mary Murphy has been testing ski equipment for three seasons at GearJunkie and has been on skis since age 4. She learned to carve slopes in Summit County, where she still skis today at her home mountain Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.

We took this season’s newest all-mountain skis up and down the lifts for hundreds of inbounds runs at more than a dozen resorts across the state and out-of-state. While testing skis in-bounds, we assessed a range of factors including each design’s stiffness, maneuverability, and playfulness as well as the ski’s energy, damping, chatter, weight, shape, edge hold, and turn initiation.

The size, width, base and edge tune also influence how a ski performs. We considered what type of skier and conditions are a best fit for each ski.

We’ve tested these skis while carving turns in a range of snow conditions affected by ice-cold temperatures, blizzards, blustery wind, intense sun, and even rain.

In addition to our team’s experience, we consider the most innovative, award-winning, and bestselling skis on the market as well as a broad range of price points and a variety of features and applications.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best All-Mountain Skis

‘All-Mountain’ Defined

All-mountain skis are designed to do it all. No matter where you are on the mountain or what the snow conditions are, all-mountain skis are up to the task.

While some skis are made for a specific purpose —  ripping through the terrain park, or racing through slalom gates, for example — all-mountain skis are far more versatile. With any of the high-quality skis on this list, you’ll be able to explore the resort as you please, from the wide-open groomers to the pow-laden trees.

There are no specific criteria a ski must meet to earn the all-mountain title. Many retailers and manufacturers have their own unique all-mountain standards. Generally, any skis that can handle a wide range of uses will have a few key characteristics in common.

Most all-mountain skis have a mid-wide waist between 75 and 105 mm. This width range sits between super-narrow and super-wide skis — and is ideal for all-mountain use.

Additionally, most skis in this category have a traditional shape and profile. With camber underfoot and rocker at the tip and the tail, all-mountain skis possess plentiful usability from fresh powder to icy crud.

Types of All-Mountain Skis

All of the skis on this list prioritize versatility and can readily venture onto all parts of the mountain. Still, “all-mountain” is ultimately a spectrum that contains multiple subcategories of skis. Many skiers like to explore the whole mountain while also maintaining a preference for a certain style of skiing or type of terrain.

Depending on where you regularly ski, you may be dealing with certain types of snow conditions throughout the season. If this is true for you, it’s very helpful to have an all-mountain ski with design elements that maximally support your specific personal needs.

Groomer-Leaning All-Mountain Skis

Skis in this category will perform at their best on groomed runs and firm snow conditions. Typically, groomer-leaning all-mountain skis have a relatively narrow waist width between 75 and 90 mm. On firm snow, an ultra-wide ski simply isn’t necessary.

Skis in the groomer-leaning category prioritize, stiffness, high-speed stability, and edge hold. While groomer-leaning all-mountain skis tend to sacrifice float in the deep powder, they’re unbeatable for hard carving and sending it down firm runs with control.

Groomer-leaning skis are especially worth considering for people in the Midwest and East Coast regions. On this list, the Blizzard Black Pearl 97 is one of our favorites in this category.

Powder-Leaning All-Mountain Skis

Powder-leaning all-mountain skis are built to thrive in the deep stuff. Generally, skis in this category have a waist width between 95 and 110 mm. If powder lines (and backcountry skiing) are your jam, these are the skis for you.

Skiers in regions with lots of snowfall such as the Cascades and the Wasatch — should certainly consider this category. For maximum floatability and a bit of playful flex, check out powder-leaning all-mountain skis such as the Völkl Blaze 106.

Waist Width

Waist width is the width of a ski at its narrowest point. All-mountain skis typically have a waist width between 75 and 105 mm. Within this range, narrower skis are generally better for high speeds and carving on hard surfaces, while wider widths are better for surfing through soft snow and powder.

Many ski models are available in various waist widths. If you like a specific ski and lean toward a certain type of terrain, be sure to select the best waist width for you. For every ski on this list, we’ve listed the waist widths it comes in.

Ski Length

Ski length is an important consideration, and most of the models on this list are available in multiple lengths. In the past, a skier’s height would determine their ideal ski length. In 2023, the process is significantly more nuanced.

While skier height remains an important factor, there are many other considerations for understanding ski length. Shorter skis are easier to handle and maneuver, which makes them a better choice for beginners.

Longer skis have more surface area, which means that they tend to feel more stable at high speeds and float better in powder. A skier’s weight can also have an impact on a ski’s flex, maneuverability, and power transfer. This sizing chart is an effective tool that will help you consider all of the relevant factors.

Ski Profile: Camber vs. Rocker

A ski’s profile impacts its overall performance. In 2023, the market is full of skis with all kinds of different profiles, from traditional to experimental and everything in between.

Skis with a more traditional camber profile are shaped like the letter “C” and rise up underneath the foot, making contact with the ground at the tip and the tail. While skiing, your body weight pushes the base of the ski against the snow.

During turns, the camber shape provides some lift and pop, which propels you into your next turn with an almost spring-loaded sensation. For pure carving purposes, traditional camber is still the leading ski profile, and many skis on this list feature some variation on the traditional camber shape. Traditionally cambered skis tend to be rockered or flat in the tip and tail.

A ski with a true rocker profile is shaped like a banana — the tip and tail of the ski are lifted higher than the underfoot area. Rocker profiles are newer to the ski design world, but they have plenty of advantages.

When skiing in deep powder, a rocker profile offers extra float and creates an effortless surf-like experience. The downside of rocker profiles is they generally don’t hold an edge as well as traditional camber, so they aren’t ideal for high-speed carving on firm surfaces.

Many of the leading all-mountain skis have a hybrid profile that combines aspects of camber and rocker. To learn more about ski profiles and the complex differences between them, check out this handy video from snow sports retailer evo.

Flex and Stiffness

Ski stiffness is a major performance factor that exists on a broad spectrum. On one end of this range, soft and flexy skis are easier to maneuver, more playful, and best suited for beginner to intermediate skiers.

Freestyle skiers who love to hit boxes and rails may also want a relatively soft and flexible ski. One of the downsides of soft skis is they’re prone to chatter at high speeds and feel harder to control.

Stiff skis are preferred by advanced, and expert skiers who crave high-speed stability and long, aggressive carves. These designs are built with rigid materials such as carbon fiber stringers.

The downside of stiff skis is they require power and refined technique to steer properly. For this reason, we don’t recommend ultra-stiff skis to beginners.

Most all-mountain skis fall somewhere in the middle of the soft-to-stiff spectrum. Groomer-leaning skis are usually on the stiffer side to best support speed and stability. Powder-leaning skis are more flexy in order to maximize surfability and play. If you’re looking for pure versatility, midrange flex is the way to go.

Turn Radius and Sidecut

The sidecut of a ski refers to the shape of the curve along either side of its length. To some degree, all skis have an hourglass shape, but the radius of these curves has a crucial effect on steering, speed, and stability.

Skis that are much wider at the tip and tail than in the waist will have a short turning radius. A shorter turning radius is great for quick and nimble movements in the trees and moguls. Anything less than 16 m can be considered a short turning radius.

Skis with a longer turning radius are generally preferred for riding fast and carving hard in wide-open bowls groomers. While a long turning radius makes sudden changes of direction difficult, it’s certainly an asset when laying down long, sweeping carves. Anything more than 20 m can be considered a long turning radius.

Many all-mountain skis have an all-around turning radius somewhere between 16 and 20 m. While a ski’s sidecut does partially define its personality, it won’t tell you everything about how a ski will actually feel on the mountain. Other factors — including flex and profile — combine with the shape of the sidecut to define the performance personality of any given ski.

• Less than 16 meters: Short turning radius
• 16-20 meters: Medium turning radius for more moderate and long turns
• More than 20 meters: Long turning radius, which is ideal for powder

The sidecut often changes according to a ski’s length, so be sure to look at the product specifics. In this guide, we list the sidecut for the specific ski length that we tested.

Parts of a Ski

In 2023, high-quality skis are highly engineered tools that pack lots of technology into a sleek package. The materials and construction that make up your skis will define your experience using them. A ski is truly the sum of its parts.

Though there are many different components of a ski, the most important ones to be aware of are the laminates, sidewalls, core, and base.

Core and Laminates

The core of a ski is the innermost material that defines the basic structure, shape, and flex. Most all-mountain skis feature a wood core made from aspen, poplar, beech, or a combination. Foam cores are commonly found in cheaper, beginner-level skis.

Around the core, additional layers of carbon fiber, metal, and other materials are added to increase or reduce characteristics such as pop, rigidity, and dampness.

Base

A ski’s base is the surface that comes in direct contact with the snow. There are two kinds of bases: extruded and sintered.

Generally, extruded bases are found on beginner skis due to their low maintenance requirements. Skis with extruded bases are increasingly rare, but if you’re looking to prioritize affordability and low maintenance, they’re a reasonable option.

Sintered bases are the norm for almost all high-quality skis on the market. Though these bases require frequent waxing and general maintenance, they’re the best option for consistent all-mountain performance.

Sidewalls

The sidewall is the material along the outer edges of a ski. Generally, sidewalls are made from plastic that protects the sandwiched core layers. Sometimes, the fiberglass and top sheet layer are extended to conceal the edge. The sidewall could also be a hybrid construction of both methods.

Women’s Skis vs. Men’s Skis

While some manufacturers make unisex skis, most models are specifically designed for either men or women. In the current market, men’s skis tend to have a slightly higher overall weight, increased rigidity, and a slightly setback mounting point to account for the way men tend to balance on skis.

Meanwhile, women’s skis commonly feature a mildly setback stance and are lighter and flexier. Though a women’s ski with enough rigidity for pure hard charging is harder to find, there are some excellent options available. On this list, the Black Pearl 97 is a women’s ski with all of the hard-charging power of any ski on the market.

It’s important to remember all skiers can absolutely enjoy both men’s and women’s models. Ultimately, it comes down to preference. The differences between men’s and women’s models are often subtle, and we recommend prioritizing performance and comfort over a men’s or women’s label.

Boot and Binding Compatibility

Skis are only one part of your shredding setup, and your boots and binding are equally important components of the system. It’s crucial that all aspects of your setup suit each other to provide the best performance possible.

A high-end pair of skis won’t be able to live up to its potential with low-quality boots or bindings. Generally, you want to match the strengths of your skis with boots and bindings with similar traits. For example, softer, more playful skis will work best with soft and playful boots and bindings.

Most boots and bindings can be mounted successfully to most skis, regardless of brand. Still, we recommend checking with the manufacturer’s specs to be absolutely sure.

FAQ

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