Give the Aretha some R-E-S-P-E-C-T because she charges hard and won’t apologize for it. A rigid blend of ash and beech wood with added fiberglass in the core helps achieve this burly, stiff nature. The use of VibeVeil, an elastic membrane situated in the tips of the ski, helps reduce chatter and improve edge hold, too. One tester noted it’s “a great ski for a strong skier,” while warning tentative skiers that “you definitely need to be a powerful skier, but if you push it, it carves impeccably.” A full reverse camber profile ensures that although stiff and powerful, the Aretha is still nimble enough for any and all on-hill needs, from tree dodging to mogul crushing.

*Ski dimensions are for the 174.