Many female skiers with a solid foundation of basic or alpine skiing skills want to try freeriding. However, many worry about whether they can do it, or have no idea what width or characteristics of skis they can ride. In such cases, pro shops are the go-to place for help choosing the right skis for your first freeriding adventure. Pro shops offer persuasive advice, combining their extensive knowledge and user feedback to compare and evaluate products from multiple angles. Let's ask a discerning pro shop for some highly recommended skis for those trying freeriding for the 2023-2024 season, or for women just starting out
INDEX
ARMADA｜ARW 94
It's not too thick or too thin, and has just the right shape, making it easy to use in a variety of situations!
Like the ARV series, the ARW series has also had a size update! The ARW94 has just the right shape, not too wide or too narrow, making it perfect for everything from the park to the slopes and side country. Its smooth glide makes it a versatile ski
We want you to enjoy skiing freely, regardless of genre or category♪ This is a luxurious board that will satisfy all the desires of female skiers, whether it's on groomed terrain, in the park, on rough conditions, or on fresh snow. You can have fun
jumping around, and of course it's better to feel good when skiing, and if possible, you'd even like to plunge into fluffy powder♪ This luxurious model will satisfy the desires of a female skier with just one board, regardless of genre or category♡ If you're particular about looks, the graphics are great too, and you'll feel excited just looking at them from the lift☆
The ultimate all-mountain freestyle ski. This versatile ski can be enjoyed on the slopes, in powder, or in the park. It shares the same basic structure as the ARV106, but uses poplar ash for the core, making it lightweight at 750g, yet still provides a firm footing for comfortable turns. The edgeless, 3D Smirtech top and tail ensures a good swing in powder and easy butter tricks.
The rocker isn't too deep, and the camber is solid, allowing you to ride confidently on the slopes. Compared to the ARV, the more flexible top and tail will encourage more creative line-taking! Available in sizes up to 188cm, this ski is a versatile choice for men and women to choose from.
Reviewer: PADDLE CLUB Staff / Koji Kato
ARMADA｜ARW 116 VJJ UL
From the best powder riding to on-piste carving, it's versatile enough for any situation
The reason I recommend this model is that it's lightweight and easy to handle, allowing anyone to enjoy powder riding. It also offers excellent on-piste turning performance despite being a powder ski, making it highly versatile in all conditions. If I'm unsure of the conditions and can only bring one ski, I always take the JJUL.
Its appeal is endless: - Anyone can easily enjoy the best powder riding. - Its excellent maneuverability makes turning easy on-piste and in spring snow. - Despite being a powder ski, it also allows for sharp carving on-piste. - Its ultra-lightweight design 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 Bin, you can cover both backcountry and slopes with just one ski. * The ZERO ARV116JJUL and ARW 116 VJJUL have the same specs but different cosmetic designs, so choose the unisex model you prefer.
The best thing about it is the good looks! The design of the board is also important to women. The simple and clean design gives off a mature, feminine vibe. But it's not just the design; the performance of the board is also outstanding. It uses a lightweight core material, making it easy to maneuver. And while lightweight boards can sometimes seem unstable, this board contains titanal, so you can step firmly on it both on and off the course
This ski received positive reviews in the 2022/2023 season, and this season it will be available in a new color, light blue. The skis are lightweight yet sturdy, making them perfect for all-around skiing in any situation
The moderate rocker shape delivers the control you expect, while the flexible flex and lightweight wood core make it easy to perform tricks in the park! This freeriding model is also great for all terrain, not just the park, and offers excellent gliding performance. It's easy to handle for everyone from entry-level to high-end skiers! The beautiful design is especially popular with women. It's also highly rated by men!
MOTHER TREE is a women's model with firm tension and a reliable flex, even at high speeds. It's a perfect fit for a wide range of women. This is the model we've recommended for three consecutive years in our pro shop project!
With a flex and binding position designed specifically for women, these skis are lightweight, easy to maneuver, and easy to handle in any snow condition, making them recommended for female freeskiers. Not only are they light, they are also stable and easy to turn on the slopes, making them great skis to enjoy on a variety of runs
When you think of Salomon, you probably think of "slightly heavy and sturdy skis" (sorry if that's just me), but the redesigned QST series has evolved into the complete opposite ride feel. The skis have a "soft" feel that is typical of international brands. The skis were very impressive, flexing cleanly from tip to tail.
In terms of maneuverability, the skis have a quick feel underfoot. Long vertical turns allow you to pull the turn without the torque of the ski getting in the way. These are super-excellent skis that can do anything. While freeride skis often have a wide variety of personalities depending on the style, the QST series skis are sure to suit a wide range of skiers!
Reviewer: Ishii Sports Yodobashi Kofu Store Staff / Amari Yuki
LINE | PANDORA 104
Intuitive operation, lightweight, and easy to use for female skiers
The PANDORA series is a freeride ski series that is intuitive to use and lightweight, making it easy for female skiers to handle. In addition to the 104, the 94 is also recommended
These are all-around skis with a slightly powder-oriented feel. All types of the PANDORA series receive high praise every year. The snow quality is particularly good at ski resorts around Morioka, so even on groomed runs, the width doesn't matter at all. That's why I chose the 110. The excellent rocker balance and gentle flex in the nose make for easy maneuverability in everything from powder to rough conditions.
The tail provides a long contact surface and effective edge, allowing you to finish the latter half of a turn firmly. However, it's also very easy to slide, so control is no problem when you need it. First, try skiing casually with your body upright, and you'll be able to get the hang of the position.
It has been significantly redesigned for the 2023-2024 season, and is now more solid than last year's model. I think it's much easier to ski sharply on packed snow as well as in powder. It's relatively lightweight, but the swing weight feels even lighter, making it very easy to control in powder and moving well. I would also recommend the 180cm size for energetic women!
We recommend these skis to women who are looking to try freeskiing. They're light and easy to handle, even if you're not confident in your physical strength. They're soft, so you can easily enjoy a little fun by bending the skis . They have a standard waist width that's suitable for a variety of courses , making them perfect for enjoying the true feel of freeskiing. They're also reasonably priced and easy to get your hands on! There are other brands with similar concepts, so it might be fun to explore and find a design you like.
Despite being a major brand, ELAN boasts originality and creativity that sets it apart from other brands. Its long-established history and quality are unmatched. ELAN has long been known for producing excellent skis, and in recent years, its freeskiing capabilities have also been remarkable.
This RIPSTICK, in particular, boasts exceptional off-piste maneuverability thanks to its lightweight carbon rods for increased stability and SST sidewalls. On-piste, the Amphibio system (which varies the amount of rocker between the inside and outside, achieving both maneuverability and stability!)—also used in ELAN's alpine models—provides performance on par with demo models. And yet, its light weight makes this an all-mountain freeski, especially recommended for women!
The RIPSTICK 94W is an asymmetrical ski with camber on the inside and rocker on the outside. This shape allows for extremely smooth turns. It also uses carbon underfoot, making it lightweight and stable at high speeds. Because it's light and easy to turn, it's a recommended model for women
These skis feature the maneuverability of SL skis and are highly versatile, handling everything from groomed runs to powder. Though the waist is modest at 105mm, the 150mm top and fish-fin-like tail shape work together to provide more buoyancy and maneuverability than you'd expect in powder. The skis are light, not too stiff, and have a cute top sheet design, making them a great choice for those who are worried about whether they can handle a board that's too wide, but also feel unsatisfied with a board that's too thin, or for those buying their first freeski
