If there’s one thing that skis in 2022-23 do it’s… everything. Brands are putting a premium on multi-discipline skis that can take on the entire mountain and a variety of snow conditions. So long are the days of skis designed specifically for one style of skiing; nowadays, it’s all about versatility. And the same goes for boots: Manufacturers across the board are creating products designed to help a skier perform in an array of scenarios. Rockered, rubbery GripWalk soles are becoming the norm—even on alpine boots—as are multi-norm certified bindings that accommodate these soles. All in all, skiing’s hardgoods category heading into next winter is defined by all-around solutions that put an emphasis on every skier’s unique style of riding.
SKIS
Armada
Whitewalker 121: Sammy Carlson is one-of-a-kind, and he needs more than a single unique ski to handle all the creativity he unleashes on the hill. The Whitewalker 121 is the big brother to the original Whitewalker, designed for Sammy’s full-throttle charging on the deepest days. It’s the ultimate pow-crushing freestyle tool. The 121 waist delivers massive float to swivel, slash and stomp forwards, backwards and sideways in the most epic conditions. The ultralight core means the Whitewalker 121 is light enough for big days in the backcountry during huge storm cycles, while the stout flex with Swivel Tech 3D beveling in the pin tip and tail deliver versatility for everything from charging steeps to buttering pillows.
Armada
LOCATOR series: There’s an all-new archetype for touring skis built around downhill performance. The Locator Series is designed for adventures beyond the ropes where untouched powder and steep lines await. Combining phenomenal performance characteristics with super light weights, the four skis in this collection are the ultimate tools explore the mountains anywhere your legs, lungs and willpower can take you. Locator Series skis are balanced to excel on the up and the down in the enormous range of conditions found in the backcountry with float, stability and versatility at weights that won’t sap the energy needed to charge the descents. It’s okay to draw outside the lines. There are no limits to where we can go.
Atomic
Bent 110: The Atomic Bent 110 takes a similar approach to the mountain as the Bent Chetler 120, with slightly less width. It’s Jossi Wells’s go-to ski for backcountry freestyle, charging lift-served pow laps and days where it’s deep, but not 120-deep. The Bent 110 is designed with HRZN Tech Tip and Tail for a playful performance and better float through blower without adding bulk to the ski. The 110 features a bit less rocker in the tail than the 120 but still charges through variable chop and crud. A Light Woodcore reduces weight and keeps the performance responsive. With topsheet and base art by Chris Benchetler, the 110 is wholly reflective of his approach to the mountains: creative and unique.
Atomic
Bent 90: The Atomic Bent 90 is the ski Nico and Miguel Porteous refer to as “the Swiss Army knife” – the perfect all-mountain/park ski. HRZN Tech Tip & Tail give the Bent 90 the ability to float through pow laps in the morning and send the park in the afternoon. A Light Woodcore keeps the weight down and the performance responsive. Extra-durable Resist Edges provide lasting durability for endless rail slides. While the Bent 90 is a narrower ski than the bigger Bent Chetler 120, it still maintains the same attitude of creativity, self-expression, and versatility that make the entire range so effective. With topsheet and base art by Chris Benchetler, the Bent 90 channels a unique approach to the mountain both in design and aesthetics.
Black Crows
atris & atris birdie: This is the third edition of this iconic blackcrows ski that first appeared in 2014. For this new 2022 version, here it is very slightly refined, to gain even more accessibility and versatility. It is truly the everyday big mountain ski, for skiers who like it when it excels in powder but who want impeccable behavior in all conditions. The vocals have been revised and will distinguish it from its predecessors for the discerning eye, but the essential is inside, for a ski that achieves its objectives and delights the heart of the most demanding.
Black Crows
captis & captis birdie: This is a brand new version of the popular blackcrows ski, accessible and more sensual than consensual. Its freestyle heritage and reasonable but consistent width make it an all-terrain ski that holds its edge well for carvers, and is easy to steer to suit all styles. This new version is more incisive but also more playful, with a ski that is more grippy but still easy to handle, a pleasure to enjoy all winter in all conditions.
Black Diamond
Helio Carbon 95: A mid-sized carbon ski that’s built to slay backcountry turns from the Cordillera Blanca to the Canadian Rockies, the Black Diamond Helio Carbon 95 balances playful, soft-snow performance with precision. The Helio 95’s pre-preg carbon fiber layup and full-perimeter ABS sidewalls has improved dampness for a smoother ride, while the engineered paulownia core keeps the ski light for long tours. The Helio 95 also maintains a smooth flex and torsional stiffness for reliable, responsive skiing on the way down. Early rise in the tip and tail improves flotation and trail-breaking efficiency, and an ABS tail protector also has an integrated skin-clip tab to keep your skins secure.
Black Diamond
Helio Carbon 104: The Helio Carbon 104 is built for dawn-to-dusk backcountry missions where slashing powder stashes is the name of the game. Balancing playful, softsnow performance with a lightweight build and technical precision for when conditions are variable, the Helio 104 features a pre-preg carbon fiber layup with full-perimeter ABS sidewalls for improved dampness and a smooth ride, while the engineered paulownia wood core keeps it lightweight for big vert days in the backcountry. The Helio also maintains a smooth flex and torsional stiffness for reliable, responsive skiing on the way down. Early rise in the tip and tail improves flotation and trail-breaking efficiency, and an ABS tail protector also has an integrated skin-clip tab to keep your skins from sliding off.
Elan
Ripstick 104 Tour: The Ripstick Tour 140 is Glen Plake’s new Elan signature ski boasting a lightweight construction for efficient accents with the downhill performance of the award-winning Ripstick and the style of Plake himself. The Ripstick Tour 104s are 300 grams lighter compared to it Freeride predecessor Ripstick 106. The skis’ graphics are notoriously bright and wild like Plake’s mohawk style. The skis’ asymmetrical Amphibio profile is matched by a hot pink left ski and a hot orange right ski finished with hot green sidewalls. The guts of the ski stay true colors to the existing award-winning Ripstick skis with an upgraded internal carbon, laminated wood core construction to maximize weight savings, without compromising performance. The Ripstick Tour skis debut the new Carbon Bridge Technology where a single carbon rod is placed on the top of the skis for ultimate stability, rebound, dampening and vibration absorption through the tip of the ski. Further weight reduction is achieved with the new 360 ABS sidewalls shaping the ski with pyramidal sides and additional reinforcement underfoot for enhanced tear resistance and adaptability for new hybrid binding systems.
Elan
Ripstick 94 W Black Edition: The NEW Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition is the brand’s first freeride women’s black edition ski, giving the award-winning chassis a state-of-the-art carbon construction upgrade where performance meets elegance, with zero compromise, only more potency. The skis feature Elan’s Carbon Line Technology, the most advanced asymmetrical ski design offered for women in the world, renown for making the skis’ versatile, easy to handle and extremely stable. The skis also include Elan’s latest carbon construction technology known as QuadRod, which amplifies the carbon-perimeter Tubelight Woodcore with an additional two carbon rods, which are aligned by not connected, to the forebody and tail of the ski to give it more horsepower and strength with the desired flex for demanding performance.
Fischer
Ranger 102: The newly re-designed Ranger 102 is an all-around master of any terrai. A full array of well thought-out, subtle features makes the Ranger 102 usable for any situation and is the ideal choice for freeriders who like flying down a groomer as much as carving a turn through powder. This ski is easy to steer, agile and stable at speed. Its excellent ride quality comes from applying the calibrated Flex Cut and Titanal reinforcement exactly where needed.
Fischer
Ranger 108: The New Ranger 108 is a must-have for adventurous freeriders. This powder specialist is a powerful playful freeride ski that still has precise edge control and sports a poplar/beech wood core construction, Shaped Ti, and a freeski rocker that make big turns in powder a breeze. This ski was developed for wide-ranging versatility on powder days and calibrated Flex Cut and Titanal reinforcement provide stability and maximum control on any descent.
K2
Mindbender 99Ti: The Mindbender 99Ti boasts the most well-rounded skill set among its peers thanks to a moderate waist width, Titanal Y-Beam construction, and our All-Terrain Rocker profile. Striking the perfect balance between agility and stability, this is the go-to ski for confident ripping all over the mountain.
K2
Mindbender 99Ti W: The Mindbender 99Ti W is built for women who demand ultimate versatility from their freeride skis. Our Titanal Y-Beam construction keeps things damp and stable when speeds are high and conditions are choppy, while the All-Terrain Rocker profile and moderate waist width maintain quickness and agility when you find yourself in tight spots or technical terrain.
Line
Blade Optic 104: The most versatile ski in the Blade Optic Collection, the Blade Optic 104 is right at home charging big mountain laps to cruising smooth turns on early morning corduroy and everything in between. Equipped with our Gas Pedal Medal Overdrive tech, you’ll harness the power of an innovative layup of titanal to feel enhanced edge grip, stability, and control under your feet. Get ready to kick it into top gear and ski with confidence on the Blade Optic 104.
Line
Blade Optic 96: Ideal for anyone who enjoys high-speed skiing with confidence, the Blade Optic 96 represents the narrowest ski in the Blade Optic collection that harnesses the power of Gas Pedal Metal Overdrive. With a chevron shape of titanal underfoot that expands into the forebody and rear of the ski, you’ll experience immense edge grip on hard snow, with a powerful, smooth ride in cut-up snow and chop.
RMU
North Shore 116: The North Shore line has been RMU’s quintessential freeride line. Now, we welcome the newest member, the North Shore 116. RMU enlisted its roster of Athletes, Ambassadors and staff to build the ultimate Freeride weapon. With a 116 waist, snappy and stable wood core, bomber construction, these skis are ready to take on any type of terrain you can throw at them. They thrive in soft snow, crud, and want you to ski fast, but they are just as comfortable getting through tight trees and stomping off the biggest drops.
RMU
Professor 121: RMU’s Professor was the brand’s first powder specific ski we produced back in 2009. Now returning in 2022, the Professor is completely redesigned with RMU athlete Benny Smith to pay homage to the pedigree of the original Professor. With a new slightly tapered shape, rocker tip and tail, this ski is super fun to pivot and surf in deep snow. Take your playful approach on the mountain to the next level with the all new Professor.
SCOTT
Men’s & Women’s Pure Mission 98 Ti: Inspired by Jérémie Heitz freeride skis, the all-new SCOTT Pure Mission 98 Ti is a freerideall mountain weapon. Whatever the snow and the conditions, the new Pure Mission 98 Ti will allow you to enjoy the mountain every day of the season. The titanal and sandwich construction deliver the stability and performance needed when the light wood and carbon fibers make the ski maneuverable. For those who enjoy as much resort skiing as backcountry, the SCOTT mission is BACK.
BOOTS
K2
Mindbender 130: The Mindbender 130 is the versatile freeride boot you need for both chairlift-assisted and human-powered endeavors. When it comes time to venture beyond the resort, flip the Powerlock Spyne into walk mode and appreciate the impressive 50-degree range of motion as you power uphill to your next objective. Built with a heat-moldable Powerlite shell, Friction Free Cuff Pivot, tech fittings, and a burly 130 flex.
K2
Mindbender 115 W: The Mindbender 115 W is built for women who need one boot to rule the resort and the backcountry. A stiff 115 flex, heat-moldable Powerlite shell, tech fittings, and a walk mode boasting a 50-degree range of motion guarantee you’ll be ready for whatever the mountain has in store, whether inbounds or out.
Dynafit
TLT: Tour. Lite. Tech. This name has stood for speed, lightness, and efficiency for ski mountaineering since 1984. With the TLT X, we’re penning a new chapter in winter 2022-23 and continuing the history of the most successful ski touring boot series ever. Developed for ambitious athletes, the TLT X is the boot of choice for big challenges on alpine terrain where total reliability and trust is demanded. At just 1,030 grams and a cuff rotation of 60 degrees, the TLT X ensures a natural, energy-saving walking motion on the climb. The innovative Twistfit closure system enables fast, precise fit adjustments via an easily rotated adjustment dial. A full-wrap cable not only guarantees a secure hold at the instep but also at the heel, thus ensuring stability and superior power transfer on the descent.
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Fischer
Ranger 130 Pro GW DYN: Updated for winter 2022/23, the Ranger 130 Pro GW DYN now sports a TPU shell—a high quality plastic blend— and a high-performance liner to increase the downhill capabilities of the boot even more. Mainstays of the Ranger 130 like the Original Dynafit tech toe inserts, the integrated ski/walk mechanism located on the uppermost buckle and the GripWalk/Vibram sole will remain for comfort while skinning or at the end of the day when ski mode is no longer a necessity. And the Fischer Ranger 130 Pro GW DYN now comes in a new Cola color for added radness.
Scarpa
SCARPA 4-Quattro XT and SL: Combining top-tier alpine performance with high functionality for touring and backcountry travel, the new SCARPA 4-Quattro XT and SL are the lightest GripWalk hybrid ski boots in their class. As a category leader in ski boot performance, SCARPA puts decades of experience to work in the 4-Quattro series to create boots ideal for expert skiers and snow professionals. Moreover, sustainability is at the forefront of design with a shell and cuff made from renewable, plant-based sources.
Tecnica
Zero G Peak: For a long while, there’s been a narrative that lightweight boots can’t deliver heavyweight performance and fit. So when we set out to create Tecnica’s very first sub-1,000-gram boot collection, our mission was to flip that narrative on its head. Five years of prototyping and millions of vertical feet later, the all-new Zero G Peak Boots have arrived just the way we imagined, and the way you deserve. Like all Tecnica products, performance and fit come first—made possible with a powerful overlap cuff design and customizable CAS liner-shell system. Carbon and grilamid combine to make the shell both lightweight and rigid, and the Zero G Peak Carbon edition offers an extra-stable carbon cuff. Yes, skimo racers and world-record-setters will love the Peak boots, but that’s not why we made them. We made them for any skier ready to move better in the mountains and rewrite the lightweight narrative.
BINDINGS
Armada, Atomic & Salomon
Strive 14 GW: Low center of gravity of the LDN Toe places the binding closer to the ski for better next-to-snow feel, more direct response and quicker reaction throughout the turn. A slightly ramped chassis positions the skier in a more neutral stance while preserving the natural flex and arc of the ski. Robust and extremely lightweight, Strive shaves weight without compromising durability by using just enough metal where it’s needed most. The result is an all-mountain binding with a lower swing weight for easier maneuverability and strong, proficient skiing all day long.