The new Women’s Impulse Ti 98 from Black Diamond may be a bit too slim to pull out on powder days, but in-betweener days are exactly where this ski shines. Whether you prefer hike-to terrain from the resort or blasting through inbounds stashes, this ski is versatile enough to sneak through steeps, bumps and glades like it ain’t no thang. “I was surprised by the ability this ski had to lay into a turn,” said one of our testers. “The turning radius was quick and reliable.” With exactly the same construction as the unisex Impulse Ti 98, the women’s version comes in shorter lengths (161, 168 and 175 cm) and a different topsheet color, so the choice is truly yours. The extra boost in the updated Impulse Ti 98’s performance can be attributed to a layer of Titanal added to the poplar wood and fiberglass core, making the ski feel less chattery at higher speeds and stable through variable conditions.

A rockered tip and tail promote float in soft conditions and deflection in the chunder, while traditional camber underfoot provides edge hold and confidence, no matter what kind of terrain or conditions you encounter. Just take it from our tester, “The ski was super responsive and would be a great choice for an everyday resort ripper when there is little-to-no fresh snow. Perfect for going fast, making lots of turns, and generally just having a damn good time.” While Black Diamond is known for producing backcountry-centric skis, rest assured that the Impulse Ti 98 can hold its own inside or outside the resort boundary.