Recommended skis [110mm or wider] | 11 skis with high reviews from pro shops to watch for the 2023-24 season

Professional shops are a great source of help when choosing new skis. They allow you to test ride numerous brands and models on the snow, and by combining their extensive knowledge and user feedback, they can compare and evaluate products from multiple angles, making their advice persuasive. Skis, in particular, are a great reflection of the discerning eye and attention to detail that only a professional shop can offer. Let's ask a discerning professional shop to tell us about the most noteworthy skis for the 2023-2024 season

Skis with a waist width of over 110mm offer overwhelming buoyancy from their wide body, allowing for unrestricted maneuverability in powder. Many skis are wide and have a softer flex, but this zone demands balanced performance, including a certain degree of edge grip and turning ability. This selection includes skis that are versatile enough to be enjoyed not only in powder but also on the slopes for cruising and playing with the terrain

ATOMIC｜BENT 110

The popular BENT series is perfect for anyone from freestyle to freeride. Starting with the 2022-2023 season, the 110mm center width, a new addition to the BENT series, has been eagerly awaited by BENT CHETLER fans.
Like the other center width models, the skis feature HRZN Tech construction for improved buoyancy, providing just the right amount of softness for smooth ski movement and excellent control in powder. The skis' lightweight construction also makes them ideal for backcountry climbers.

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ICELANTIC｜SHAMAN 2.0 110

More freedom! No need to worry! If only there were skis that you could enjoy skiing on...this is exactly what you'd want!

◆Official website: https://icelanticskis.jp/

Waist 110mm, top 160mm! Tail 130mm! Radius = 13.5-17m. The concept of these incredible dimensions seems to have been created with the idea of ​​making skis fun and nimble everywhere, not just off-piste but on-piste and in the park.

In recent years, FREESKI has become increasingly specialized, with many specialized models being released. Of course, this is a natural evolution, but I was looking for skis that would allow me to ski more freely and without any restrictions, and now they have released skis that fit my imagination! There is also the slightly narrower SHAMAN 2.0 99, which I also recommend as a variation!

You can enjoy gliding all day without getting tired

This ski is our top pick for the season, offering unimaginable maneuverability and performance regardless of snow conditions, from slopes to powder!
It also received high praise from participants at our test ride event hosted by our shop, Mt. Peaks (lol). The exquisite combination of materials makes this the perfect ski for long, comfortable skiing, without tiring the rider.

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ROSSIGNOL｜SENDER FREE 110

A Rossignol masterpiece that I saw at FWT and that made me think, "This is going to win!"

This 2023-2024 season masterpiece, created by Rossignol for freeriding, was also seen at the FWT (Freeride World Tour) (a limited edition model available at select stores). While freeriding has become increasingly popular in recent years, skis with a center width of just under 110mm have become more common, and Rossignol has finally released the perfect 110mm center width, perfect for both powder and hard-riding. This twin-tip ski combines the buoyancy of

powder with the power of hard-riding. Packed with Rossignol's technology, the PEFC-certified poplar wood core offers the ride quality you expect from wood, while the Damp Tech at the top and tail provides exceptional vibration absorption for stability. The titanium underfoot provides grip and sharp turns, while the Air Tip facilitates easy swing-like turn initiation. This ski is exceptionally well-balanced.
The recommended binding position is 3cm back from center, which is quite set forward, but there are progressive and directional settings available, with 2cm of backrest for those prioritizing gliding. The directional setting, with an additional 2cm backrest, is recommended.

At 2,240g (measured at 184cm), they're on the heavy side, and feel quite solidly built and hard-spec, but the flexible top tail allows for freestyle movements like butter tricks, slides, and slaps, while the firmness underfoot allows for sharp turns. The stability of air landings is also outstanding, making these skis a winner. While not recommended for everyone, they're a masterpiece worth giving to skiers who are confident in their skills.

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FACTION｜MANA 3

A single ski that can be enjoyed for a long season

◆Official website: https://jp.factionskis.com/

This ski is recommended for those who want to enjoy jumping and hitting natural terrain like in a park, but the camber and firm underfoot make it fun to carve on flat terrain as well. The twin tip makes it easy to turn, and the light and stable feel of the waist makes it easy to ignore, making it recommended for skiers who don't jump

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BLIZZARD | HUSTLE 11

It really shines in powder! It's fast and, as the name suggests, lets you "hustle."

◆Official website: https://www.tecnica-group.com/

First, when selecting skis, I have one criterion: skis that are perfect for freeskiing but also allow for comfortable carving turns on flat terrain. While there are many different approaches and styles, this is my foundation. While there are many excellent skis out there that are specialized for big mountain skiing and powder skiing, many skis are still limited in terms of rider and location. Therefore, I naturally select skis that are easy to use on both the slopes and backcountry.

The reason I recommend these skis is because they're "fun to ride." That's the most important thing when skiing, right? Until now, Blizzard skis have been known for their strong metal laminate construction. While this image has been widely accepted, the HUSTLE skis are constructed with a new core and carbon fiber.

While the sidecut itself is the same as Blizzard's RUSTER, the ski's behavior is completely different. The new core itself is light, allowing for a beautiful flex underfoot. Add in the carbon response, and you get the impression that these skis are nimble and flex well.

Powder skis are where these skis really shine. They're incredibly fast, and as their name suggests, they "hustle." They don't sink as deep as metal skis, so they're great for skiers who aren't used to powder. I've used these skis as my main ski this year, and they performed flawlessly on everything except the wind pack and hard powder on the Happokita slopes! On

the slopes, it depends on the bindings you pair them with, but you're guaranteed to have some fun carving turns. Since these skis' greatest selling point is their lightness, I recommend separate bindings. The lower the mount hide (binding height) the better, as this ski's lightness will be maximized! Since these skis have a very wide range of terrain, I think you can choose any binding you like.

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LINE｜BLADE OPTIC 114

Flexible flex and torsion

◆Official website: https://lineskis.com/ja-jp

Although it contains metal, the flex and torsion are flexible, making it ideal for freeriding.
It's like a combination of the metal technology of the LINE BLADE model and the VISION freeride model.

It can handle backcountry areas with a wide range of snow conditions, as well as more difficult snow conditions. When you think of metal, you might imagine that it's stiff, but these skis are characterized by a good flexibility that isn't too stiff. It's the perfect ski for freeriders who want to ski any mountain and any kind of snow.

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VÖLKL｜REVOLT 114

It has excellent maneuverability and stability at high speeds, making it ideal for vertical sliding

◆Official website: http://www.mdvsports.co.jp/

You can glide through powder and hard snow without losing speed. This fun board responds to strong and quick movements. It is especially maneuverable and stable at high speeds, making it ideal for vertical dropping

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ARMADA｜ARV116 JJUL

When the conditions are unpredictable and you can only take one bike to the mountains, this is the one to go with

◆Official website: https://armadaskis.jp/

Lightweight and easy to maneuver, anyone can enjoy powder riding. Despite being a powder ski, it also has excellent on-piste turning performance, making it highly versatile for all conditions. If I'm unsure of the conditions and can only take one ski to the mountain, I always take the JJUL.

The ARV116 JJUL's strengths and appeal can be summarized as follows:
・Anyone can easily enjoy the best powder riding. ・Excellent
maneuverability and easy turns on-piste and in spring snow. ・
Even though it's a powder ski, it allows for sharp carving on-piste.
・Despite being ultra-lightweight, it provides a sense of security and stability.
・It allows for agile maneuvering like a park ski (for jump tricks, butters, etc.).
・By attaching the SHIFT Binding, you can cover both the backcountry and slopes with just one ski.

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ATOMIC｜BACKLAND 117

Skiing that gives you peace of mind even as your speed increases

◆Official website: https://atomicsnow.jp/

These skis are recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers who want to make firm turns even in powder. The bindings are positioned in a classic position, and there's just the right amount of flex to prevent excessive flex when accelerating, giving you a very stable and secure feeling. These skis are recommended for skiers who want to take on wide slopes

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ARMADA｜WHITEWALKER 121

Whether you're just starting out in powder snow or are an advanced snowboarder, there's no limit to your level

◆Official website: https://armadaskis.jp/

The Sammy Carlson signature model, the WHITEWALKER 121, debuted in the ZERO series last season and sold out immediately due to its overwhelming popularity. This season, it's back with the same design and construction!
Compared to the ARV 116 JJ UL, the WHITEWALKER 121 offers superior gliding performance, stability, power, and a variety of riding styles. This is a highly recommended product for powder skiers seeking more speed and innovative turns!

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RMU｜BUTTERKNIFE

There are powder skis out there that don't need length!

The era of short fat skis has arrived! The Butter Knife's unique feature is its asymmetrical shape, resembling half a surfboard, giving you the sensation of surfing on your skis. Its center is 126mm, and it's available in one size (176cm).

With a firm tip and a flexible tail, even the short ski lifts the tip and sinks the tail, creating a natural shift. The asymmetrical radius (25m outside and 17m inside) is on the outside from the first half to the middle of the turn, creating a smooth, pulled turn, and then the inside radius in the second half, allowing for a clean, clean return to the turn, resulting in extremely smooth

turns. The tail shape is exquisite, allowing for excellent maneuverability and maneuverability. Its short length makes it extremely easy to handle, making it perfect for tree runs and terrain-adjusting riding. While its appearance may scare you off, this is a ski that even those who aren't particularly good at powder should definitely try.
With a wider range of widths available these days, powder skis don't require length! The recommended way to enjoy it is to use a closed stance and treat it as a single board like a snowboard, which will give you a more ski-surf experience!

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