Also read: Top 10 park skis | Top 10 women’s skis | Top 10 powder skis | Top 10 all-mountain skis

The big-mountain ski category caters to skiers who enjoy gnarly descents—whether in the backcountry or within the confines of the resort. They need a ski that can handle variable conditions while also floating above deeper snow that may be found along the way. A total of 21 big-mountain skis were bestowed with editors’ picks badges in our 2015 Buyer’s Guide, but we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 below.

Read more about how FREESKIER tests skis.

1. Atomic Vantage Ritual

Overall Score: 21.91

“The Ritual returns this year to the delight of many big-mountain rippers. The selling point of this ski is its stability, derived from a titanium backbone…” Click for full review and scores.

2. Head Collective 105

Overall Score: 21.62

“The Head Collective 105 skis feature sandwich cap construction with tip and tail rocker for great performance and easy maneuverability in variable conditions….” Click for full review and scores.

3. Blizzard Cochise

Overall Score: 21.43

“The Blizzard Cochise ski is a bad mother that rails on the firm stuff and drives through turns with the help of a cambered midsection and flat tail….” Click for full review and scores.

4. Fischer Big Stix 110

Overall Score: 21.10

“Our testers raved about the Fischer Big Stix 110 skis’ do-everything nature. Among its features are tip and tail rocker for added float, camber underfoot for stability…” Click for full review and scores.

5. Armada Invictus

Overall Score: 21.05

“A new offering from Armada, the Invictus is built for speed. The tester comments confirm: ‘Hot mama charges!’, Hauls ass.’, ‘She likes it fast and hard.’…” Click for full review and scores.

6. Blizzard Peacemaker

Overall Score: 21.01

“A rockered tip and tail is paired with camber underfoot for a well-rounded ride, and its shorter turn radius translates to nimbleness…” Click for full review and scores.

7. Kästle FX104

Overall Score: 20.60

“An editors’ pick three years running, the Kästle FX104 skis are happiest when the afterburners are engaged. Its ash and silver fir wood core adds stability and torsional rigidity…” Click for full review and scores.

8. Salomon Rocker 2 108

Overall Score: 20.50

“The Salomon Rocker 2 108 skis have been refined over the last couple of seasons and hit this year with our testers thanks, in part, to a weight-reducing…” Click for full review and scores.

9. Nordica Helldorado

Overall Score: 20.26

“An aggressive ski for the hard charger, the Nordica Helldorado skis’ double sheet of metal enables the ski to truly rail on the hardpack…” Click for full review and scores.

10. K2 Shreditor 112

Overall Score: 20.23

“It’s pretty much impossible not to have fun on the K2 Shreditor 112 skis. Rockered tip and tail with a moderate amount of camber underfoot…” Click for full review and scores.

Also read: Top 10 park skis | Top 10 women’s skis | Top 10 powder skis | Top 10 all-mountain skis