Recommended skis | 2021-22 season must-see! Highly rated reviews from pro shops | Top products recommended by experts

Staff member　
Sota Umino

Recommend:SKI SHOP VAIL's
top recommendation is season., a brand founded by Eric Pollard. It was originally scheduled to launch in Japan in the 2022-2023 season, but due to its overwhelming popularity, it will be available from next season. We will also be stocking it! It has a cool swallowtail design. I tried it out and it's quite soft, similar in feel to LINE's Sakana. It seems to be in great condition. It's a bit pricey, but it's generating a lot of buzz, and it seems that only a very limited number will be imported into Japan. It's likely to be first come, first served.

Staff member　
Shunsuke Murai

Recommend:PeakPerformance Futako-Tamagawa
offers excellent buoyancy in powder, allowing for high speeds and wide turns, while also providing high carving performance on groomed slopes. This single board can handle everything from groomed runs to backcountry.

Staff member,　
Ikutaka Yamauchi

Recommend:PeakPerformance Sapporo.
Its fun is one of a kind. The swallowtail's unique turns are addictive. Recommended for those who like the snappy feeling in the latter half of turns.

Manager　
Shinji Oguchi

Recommend:Sanwa Sports Websports
The 2021 season saw the release of ICELANTIC's first pro models, the SABA PRO and NIA PRO! These are not signature models for specific riders, but true PRO models packed with the know-how of riders worldwide! For the 2022 season, these PRO models will be released in three versions: two SABA models and one NIA model.

The SABA PRO 117, with its 117mm waist width and reflective rocker (full rocker), gives the impression of being a ski primarily for off-piste. But that's not the case at all! It's the ultimate ski that lets you ski anywhere effortlessly, like a tank, regardless of snow conditions, turn radius, or skier (level, gender, etc.)! Honestly, I was surprised! However, because it's a full rocker, you need to be mindful of letting the ski move away from you rather than trying to manipulate it unnecessarily!

Staff　
member Reon Nakamura

Recommended:BLACKDIAMOND
skis for securing climbing skins. Developed by Hoji (Erik Jorefson) himself, it not only prevents the skins from shifting or peeling off during ascents, but also allows for shorter skins than usual, saving space in your backpack and reducing the weight of the skins by approximately 500 grams. Of course, it comes with pre-cut POMOCA FREE PRO 2.0 skins.

Staff member　
Yukio Shirasuna

Recommend:Ski Pro Shop Piste.Unlike many lightweight touring skis, the fluttering during skiing is surprisingly suppressed. Despite its light and nimble handling, it boasts impressive performance with firm grip, sharp turns, and exhilarating acceleration. And yet, it's one of the few skis that's easy to handle, even for women or those with less strength.

In the peak season, these skis can be used as light, carving semi-fat skis, and are also great for side country skiing. They're also perfect for backcountry skiing from early spring onward. The adorable banana-colored design is refreshing, but the depth of their performance, which goes beyond their lightness and ease of use, is a real eye-opener

Advisor　
Junhiro Murai

Recommend:The COMPASS HOUSEhas the same 139mm nose as the ARMADA JJ, a 100mm center, and a square tail, resulting in a fairly strong radius. The flex pattern is slightly stiffer in the nose and softer in the tail. It flexes easily, making it ideal for carving tight turns beyond the radius. This board is perfect for a variety of fun riding styles, from cruising on the slopes to playing on spring terrain.

Owner:　
Mikiya Tanno

Recommend:TRUNKBASEis wide yet lightweight. It's a freeride ski with high gliding performance, and its versatility allows it to handle a wide range of activities including groomed slopes, powder, freeride, jumps, and touring.

SKI Advisor Kiyuji Okayama

Recommend:AlpenOutdoors Flagship Store Kashiwa Store.
The 100mm waist offers surprisingly responsive handling and is easy to carve on groomed slopes, while its control in powder is outstanding! It's my number one mountain ski.

Owner:　
Takao Ban

Recommend:Ski & Snowboard Shop Narrows. This
is an advanced model with firmness and strength. It's a super all-round ski that's great for everything from hard-packed slopes to powder and spring snow. It's also capable of high speeds, so those accustomed to looser skis might find it a little challenging!

Owner　
Kohei Takada

Recommend:Paddle Club Nagoya
offers a lightweight design despite being a freeride model, allowing you to conserve energy during climbs—a crucial factor in backcountry skiing—before you begin your descent. Furthermore, its performance incorporates know-how honed through racing, providing not only high-speed stability but also stability in all snow conditions, including powder and granular snow. This ski truly shines in situations with rapidly changing snow conditions and slopes.

Store Manager　
Hiroshi Fujisawa

Recommend:Ishii Sports Sapporo Store.
The 120mm center width makes this board exceptionally light. The Horizon Tech top section enhances off-road capability and provides excellent speed in powder. Since I don't do tricks, I find it easier to ride with the center position lowered.

Store Manager,　
Minoru Takanashi

Recommend:TOYRU
is a powder ski with superb turning performance! It's a slimmer version of the legendary powder ski, the Genius, making it easier to handle. It retains the Genius's signature carving performance, speed, and turn control in powder snow, while improving ease of use in other conditions. It handles all conditions, including hard-packed snow and groomed slopes. The sharpness and release in powder, similar to a GS ski, is irresistible! For skiers who demand high-quality turns even in the backcountry!

Store Manager　
Keisuke Eguchi

Recommendation:Fullmarks Hakuba store
offers excellent handling in powder and smooth turns on groomed slopes. For more details, ask Eguchi at Fullmarks Hakuba store! However, "Don't trust the opening hours of the Hakuba store on days with good snowfall, because they'll be up in the mountains."

A great powder for women is this one (↓), MOTHER TREE105, also from EXTREM

Owner:　
Hirofumi Tabira

Recommend:Denkraft
skis will make you want to blast down a freshly groomed slope first thing in the morning! However, mastering them requires considerable skill and physical strength. If you want to ride these skis, you'll need to train during the off-season to master them. And I should add that you'll need decent boots to use these skis effectively.

Owner:　
Hirofumi Tabira

Recommend:Denkraft
metal inlays resembling fishbone. While this makes them slightly heavier, it actually contributes to their stability. There's a higher-end model, the BLADE, but for a more nimble skiing experience, the slightly lower-grade BLADE 95 is a great choice. New ladies' models, the BLADE W and BLADE 92, have been added this season, but for senior men who aren't confident in their physical strength, this is the one we recommend.

Staff member　
Kenichiro Takei

Recommend:PeakPerformance Jiyugaoka
race-style skis, so I like skis with a solid core and good edge grip. The QST106 has a center width that's great for both groomed slopes and powder, making it very easy to handle. It's also lightweight, yet it grips the snow well even at high speeds on groomed slopes without becoming unruly. It's a versatile ski that can handle everything from groomed to off-piste, so I highly recommend it.

Staff: Takeshi Yoshida

Recommend:Kleb Sports Muikamachi Store
offers all-around enjoyment on the slopes and sidecountry!

Owner　
Toshiya Ikeda

Recommend:PAPASU is
a versatile freeride ski that's perfect for everything from groomed slopes to sidecountry. It's a sturdy ski with titanium reinforcement. It'sgreat for everything from groomed runs to moguls, from carving to sliding, building upon your foundational skiing skills. This one ski is all you need (except the park)! Even experienced skiers who have used sturdy skis beforecan ride this with confidence.
This is the perfect first freeride ski for any skier! 

Staff member　
Keiji Takagi

Recommend:OFF-1 (Off One)
I highly recommend this ski because it underwent a major redesign in the 2022 model. It offers excellent cost performance as an entry-level freeski model. From the 2022 model onwards, the underfoot area has been updated with a sidewall structure, making it an all-mountain ski that can handle not only play but also serious skiing. I chose this ski because I thought it would be a great opportunity to try new things, such as skiing powder on the side of the slopes or skiing backwards, instead of using an all-around ski for groomed slopes. The top sheet is also made of a scratch-resistant material, so the cool graphics will last a long time.

Owner:　
Katsuhiko Odajima

Recommend:Mountain shop Niseko 343
freeride, all-mountain model. It features Y-shaped titanium plates on both sides of the top, throughout the foot area, and in the center of the tail, providing stability in all conditions, from powder to hard-packed slopes, and allowing you to enjoy performance even at high speeds. A highly satisfying board for buyers.

Staff member　
Minoru Kojiguchi

Recommend:the Shugakuso Hokkaido University store
Although categorized as a touring ski at

Owner:　
Haruo Morishita

Recommend:natural
The PRODIGY 1.0 has been continuously updated in pursuit of the best
With increased responsiveness, you can bounce rhythmically from small jumps to big kickers. Italso offers excellent shock absorption upon landing, significantly reducing impact, allowing you to enjoy jumping with confidence. The more advanced you are, the more you'll want to play around with this board outside of the park!
As a side note, the best position is 1-1.5cm back from the True Center.

Staff member　
Keiji Takagi

Recommend:The OFF-1
is a classic twin-tip ski that's perfect for all-around enjoyment on groomed slopes. If you're unsure which skis to choose, this is a safe bet. Its moderately wide center allows for sharp turns, and its light swing weight makes it easy to pick up, even for those who have previously used general all-around models suited for groomed slopes. It's also great for freestyle riding. While it's a well-known model among core park riders, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to try tricks.

Owner:　
Iwao Saeki

Recommendation:The Tyrol
twin tip allows for versatile riding regardless of snow conditions or slope type, making it ideal for terrain-based skiing. The moderate rocker provides a free and easy handling feel, from carving to drifting. Even in challenging snow conditions, the tail stays upright, making it easy to slide. The graphics are also exciting.