THE SKIERS WHO DITCHED RACE GATES FOR RAILS AND JUMPS WILL HAVE THE ABSOLUTE TIME OF THEIR LIVES ON THE ROSSIGNOL BLACKOPS 98. When the snow isn’t deep enough for the 118, the partial twin tip design with tip and tail rocker and a 98-mm waist makes it the ideal ski to turn the entire mountain into a natural terrain park while still being able to slice through groomers and frozen crud, alike, thanks to traditional camber underfoot. Designed in collaboration with Parker White, the Rossignol BlackOps 98 can hold up to high speeds, big airs and landings taken all the way to the bottom. “Stiff enough to execute a white knuckle bombing raid on powder-piled piste, but reactive enough to deploy covert missions through the thick glade,” says tester Derek Depiero.

Explore the 2023 FREESKIER Buyer’s Guide