The skis on this page are out of date.
Click here to see the current, 2012-2013 all-mountain ski reviews.
Top 10: big-mountain skis | powder skis | park skis | women’s skis | microbrews
As seen in the 2012 FREESKIER Buyer’s Guide
It’s one thing to make a ski that floats in powder. It’s another thing to make a ski that excels in the park. It’s yet another to make a ski so adaptable you can actually depend on a “one-ski quiver.” These are skis so multifaceted you can ride the hardpack of the East Coast or the scary descents of Chamonix with them under your feet. That said, if all you ski is park, get a park ski. If all you ski are big lines in Cham, get a big-mountain ski. These are for those who dabble in them all. With that, here are the most versatile skis on the market, the Top 10 All-Mountain skis as rated at our Aspen Ski Test.
#1. Salomon — Twenty-Twelve
Overall Score: 16.2
Endorsed by one tester as “the best single ski for your quiver,” the Salomon Twenty-Twelve lives up to the hype. Click for full review and scores.
#2. Volkl — Mantra
Overall Score: 16.2
What made our ski testers clamor for the Volkl Mantra? Why were they calling it, “flawless at speed; a great all-around ski; and certified hot!”? Click for full review and scores.
#3. Kästle — FX 94
Overall Score: 15.7
Kästle’s FX series was built for precision and adventure, and the FX 94 lives up to the billing. Click for full review and scores.
#4. Atomic — Theory
Overall Score: 15.6
The Atomic Theory blew testers away with its versatility. One tester said it “was one of the most playful skis of the test,” while another described it as “fast as f-ck.” Click for full review and scores.
#5. Nordica — Soul Rider
Overall Score: 15.5
Versatility and playfulness are the names of the game for the Nordica Soul Rider. Click for full review and scores.
#6. Nordica — Hell and Back
Overall Score: 15.4
With tester comments like “fast,” “stable,” and “built for extreme aggression,” the Nordica Hell and Back’s niche is pretty well carved out. Click for full review and scores.
#7. Blizzard — Bushwacker
Overall Score: 15.3
Touted by one tester as “The easiest ski to carve. Ever,” the Bushwacker takes what Blizzard skis do well and runs with it. Click for full review and scores.
#8. Blizzard — Bonafide
Overall Score: 15.2
While some all-mountain skis take a do-everything-okay approach, the Blizzard Bonafide is more polarized. It might not be the vanilla all-rounder that some crave, but what the Bonafide does well is carve stably. Click for full review and scores.
#9. Kästle — BMX 98
Overall Score: 15.2
The BMX 98 is an all-mountain ski that leans to the big-mountain side. Kästle’s stiff construction coupled with a liberal sidecut meansthe BMX 98 will have you scoring up the hardpack. Click for full review and scores.
#10. Rossignol — Experience 98
Overall Score: 15.1
The widest of Rossignol’s Experience series, the 98 was built for speed. Yes, it’s a directional ski, but you’ll have so much fun going forward, you won’t even think about going switch. Click for full review and scores.
Top 10: big-mountain skis | powder skis | park skis | women’s skis | microbrews
