EDITOR'S PICKS
#1 Rossignol – BC110W
The BC110W is built 17.3 from the same mold as the wildly popular S7, but with different fibers in the core to reduce weight. “This is a great tool for big-mountain skiing,†said one tester. “It carves and shreds with confidence. Maybe a little stiff for jibbing around, but it’s a beast in every other arena.
Carving: 4.3 Playfulness: 3.3 Stability: 4.7 Float: 5
OVERALL: 17.3
#2 K2 – Missbehaved
Redesigned for 2010-2011, the Missbehaved comes back bigger and better. Unlike most girls, the Missbehaved wasn’t afraid to beef up its mid-section, changing from 98 mm underfoot last season to 102 mm for 2011. The ski also has more tip and tail rocker, allowing for more float in the pow.
Carving: 4 Playfulness: 4.7 Stability: 3.7 Float: 4
OVERALL: 16.4
#3 Scott – Lola
The tip and tail rocker Scott introduced to the women’s line this year in the Lola model were “as floaty as a bowl floating in dish water,†said one tester.Scott designed the Lola to be a female’s one-ski quiver, and with the versatile waist width and sidecut, our testers felt the company was right on.
Carving: 3.3 Playfulness: 4.3 Stability: 4 Float: 4.8
OVERALL: 16.4
#4 Armada – ARVW
Armada has pleased our chicas once again with the ARVW. “It’s super playful and willing to go everywhere… like a loyal yellow lab,†said one tester. “This ski will do anything and everything. It’s all good in the Armada hood,†said another.
Carving: 4 Playfulness: 4.3 Stability: 4 Float: 4
OVERALL: 16.3
#5 Elan – Boomerang
Stability paired 16.1 with excellent performance in deep snow is the name of the game for this new ski from Elan. After the success of the men’s Boomerang last year, Elan shrank the model down to 168 cm to fulfill the women’s need for a powder stick that wasn’t necessarily playful, but was more stable for charging big lines and choppy crud.
Carving: 3.3 Playfulness: 3.1 Stability: 4.7 Float: 5
OVERALL: 16.1
