This big boy is Kye Petersen’s go-to ski for the deepest conditions he encounters in his home of British Columbia and his travels the world over. Good news: The 2016-17 Kye 120 is 15 percent lighter than its predecessor, making ski touring a breeze. Yet, she remains plenty stable for burlier descents. Paulownia keeps the weight down while midweight, responsive poplar coupled with camber underfoot yields excellent turn initiation and edge hold. Tip and tail rocker add to its agile personality. Testers praised its “light but powerful” character, noting it was a “burly ski that’s confident at speed but also very nimble,” and that it’s “no wonder Petersen won Red Bull Cold Rush on these.”

*Ski dimensions are for the 182.