Alpine skiers, who compete against speed in a world of fractions of a second, generally possess high skiing skills. Undaunted by icy race burns and able to unleash their strong mentality in stoic pursuit of time, they're sure to enjoy freeskiing at a high level. But what kind of fat skis are best for enjoying deep powder? That's where pro shops come in. Pro shops offer persuasive advice, allowing them to test ride numerous brands and models on the snow and integrate their extensive knowledge to evaluate products from multiple angles. We asked current and former alpine skiers who are looking to branch out into freeriding for the 2023-2024 season to recommend fat skis that will help them demonstrate their technical abilities
INDEX
ARMADA｜ ARV94
Highly versatile and versatile freestyle skis that give you peace of mind
ARV 94｜D=123-94-118mm (178cm) ｜L=157, 164, 171, 178, 185cm ｜R=17m (178cm)｜￥99,000
ARMADA's ARV94 features an ultra-lightweight Karuba wood core that enhances spin performance in the air, and special sidewalls that can withstand the impact of jibs and boxes. It's a versatile, multi-purpose freestyle ski, making it easy to handle and a reliable choice for alpine skiers looking to tackle jumps and jibs
The BLADE LINE is a carving machine that's hard to believe it's a fat ski. It's great for both rough terrain and smooth runs. It's perfect for alpine skiers who want to enjoy sharp turns even on fat skis!
We recommend the "BLADE OPTIC 96" and "104" from LINE's "OPTIC" series. Both skis contain metal, which may seem stiff for freeride skis, but the adoption of gas pedal metal technology gives them a flex that's not too stiff. You'll experience strong edge grip and stability, plus excellent maneuverability underfoot
People with a background in alpine skiing already have skiing skills, so I'd love for them to try out some harder fat skis (laughs). The "BLADE OPTIC 114" is a fat ski that feels solid and can be enjoyed on flat terrain. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun riding it at full speed
The FACTION "DANCER 3" was originally designed for freeride competitions! With a 21m radius and double metal construction, it's a solid, stable ski ideal for alpine racers. However, its tip and tail rocker and easy-to-handle 106mm waist provide buoyancy and excellent maneuverability, making it a true all-around freeski!
The double metal provides exceptional stability. It requires a certain level of skill, good positioning, and power, but once you've mastered it, it will be the best ski you can get. Advanced skiers will find it easy to handle and maneuver, but here you'll want to go all out with a GS feel. With so many skis these days being too loose, a model that offers a good ride is a rare find. Incidentally, the "AGENT" series, which has been adjusted by replacing the metal with carbon, is a touring ski that can also handle serious skiing on the slopes. If you're not confident, start here
The DECLIVITY 82 Ti is a freeski that can be enjoyed by alpine skiers and beginners alike. It's a sturdy ski with metal construction, an 82mm center width, and a 15-16m radius, making it a shape that even competitive skiers can enjoy. The 82mm center width may seem wide at first, but once you're riding, you won't feel any discomfort
The DECLIVITY 108Ti is built with carbon and metal components, allowing you to ski at high speeds on a variety of slopes. Its edges have excellent grip, but the rocker at the top and tail allows for freestyle maneuvering. The center is set back, making it a versatile freeride model that's also great for powder. The DECLIVITY 108Ti is designed for experts who are familiar with basic and racing boards
The skis' ease of release during long turns is on par with alpine skis!
FR-XXP｜D=116-78-106mm｜L=168cm｜R=17.4m｜¥110,000
The FR-XXP skis are slightly wider than alpine skis, allowing for carving and shifting freely even during freeride. The skis' ease of release during long turns is comparable to alpine skis, and a single FR-XXP can handle both big and short turns, making it suitable not only for freeriding but also for basic certification and prize tests. They also provide stable skiing in powder and ungroomed runs
Reviewer Material Sports Hakuba Store Staff / Hirofumi Mochizuki
ATOMIC｜MAVERICK 100 Ti
Titanium sheet provides grip on icy roads and stability at high speeds
The MAVERICK 100 Ti has a titanium sheet sandwiched between its core, providing a firm grip on icy surfaces and high-speed stability. It's sure to satisfy even alpine racers
FACTION's PRODIGY 4 is built tough enough to handle the leg power of alpine racers. Feel confident and ready to dive into any snow surface! Whether it's hard pack or the finest powder, this is the ski you can rely on to support your devastating runs
While it prioritizes powder, the "QST BLANK" boasts exceptional sharpness and speed despite its 112mm center width. For those with an alpine background who excel at applying pressure and speed to their skis, this powerful ski is perfect for those who want to leverage that foundation to enjoy freeskiing. The "double sidewall" underfoot provides incredible edge grip and vibration absorption, resulting in amazing turning performance even on groomed slopes. In powder, the
underfoot section doesn't flex unnecessarily, leading to a fast and responsive ride. Based on a wood core, it offers a wide range of riding characteristics, while the "C/FX" construction, a blend of carbon and hemp, combines the responsiveness of carbon with the mild, supple feel of hemp, and the "cork damper" provides stable, chatter-free handling.
The tip and tail are more flexible than the underfoot section, with a deeper rocker, providing a floating sensation using the full length while still accommodating movements such as slides and sharp turns. The shape, with the wide point at the top and tail positioned closer to the feet, provides excellent edge contact, enabling powerful turns even on hard-packed snow. On groomed slopes, the length from the top wide point to the tail wide point allows for sharp turns, while in powder, the full length enables speedy and playful riding. This is a truly appealing ski that offers two different riding experiences in one.
Reviewer: PADDLE CLUB Staff / Koji Kato
I think the weight, thickness, and sense of speed of the QST BLANK skis are perfect for people with a background in competitive skiing
The main reason I chose BLIZZARD's "RUSTLER10" is simply because "it doesn't chatter." That's all there is to it. Having transitioned from competitive skiing to the world of freeride, and skiing on various slopes, my "thinking, style, and mindset" have changed, and it's true that I no longer ski as aggressively as I used to. However, the skiing style that underlies alpine competitors is still racing.
A ski that has minimal vibration even when you put in a lot of effort and pick up speed, and has high performance, is what I feel is most easily accepted by alpine competitors. The "RUSTLER series" is backed by the fact that many riders in the freeride scene use these skis. They must feel safe whether you're jumping, turning, or speeding down bumpy slopes.
From this season onwards, changes to the core material and the placement of reinforcing materials have made the ski itself more flexible and less chattering than previous models. It has evolved into such a ski. Also, since it's a very quick-moving ski, users who imagine large groomed slopes and wide runs should not hesitate to choose a slightly longer size! Regarding binding selection, since the skis themselves are very strong, we recommend bindings that can hold down the boot welt.
Reviewer: Ishii Sports Yodobashi Kofu Store Staff / Yuki Amari
BLIZZARD | RUSTLER11
The carving performance is also good, and the board returns firmly when you step on it
The RUSTLER 11 has excellent carving ability and a firm return to the board when you push off. Its firm flex makes it especially recommended for alpine racers who want to enjoy high speeds on open runs
