Intro
We recently published several of our reviewers’ selections for both 5-ski and 4-ski quivers and now we’re once again asking them to cut those down, this time to three skis.
To be clear, there is no single perfect quiver for everyone. It all depends very much on where you ski and how you ski. So our selections below should not be viewed as our answer to the question, “What are the best skis out there?” Instead, these are our reviewers’ personal picks, and their rationale for why they’d choose them. As always, we’re interested to hear what you’d pick for your own 3-ski quiver, so let us know in the Comments section at the bottom.
More Ski-Quiver Guidance
For more general suggestions — as opposed to what we personally would pick — check out our 21/22 Buyer’s Guide.
And if you’d like to get our recommendations for assembling your own ski quiver, then become a Blister Member, submit your question via the Blister Member Clubhouse page, and we’ll help you decide.
Four Questions
For each of our reviewers, we asked them to answer the following questions:
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
Luke Koppa
(5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg)
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
Compared to the 5- and 4-ski quivers, this one is where it starts to get significantly trickier — despite the fact that my 3-ski quiver doesn’t actually look that different from my bigger quivers.
Touring Ski — Line Vision 98, 186 cm + Moment Voyager XII
This is the one easy choice for me — I picked this combo for my do-everything touring setup in my 4-ski quiver, so I’m not really conflicted here. The Vision 98 will handle the occasional mid-winter pow day while also working quite well for most of the spring touring I do. And most importantly for me, it’s a lightweight ski that caters to my personal skiing style, so I can ski how I prefer to.
Playful Resort Ski — Line Sir Francis Bacon, 184 cm
This one was really tough. Not because I don’t love the SFB (I very much do), but because it’s not really the most versatile ski and the ski in this slot is the one I’d be using the most.
I debated going with something narrower and more versatile like the Nordica Soul Rider 97, K2 Reckoner 102, or maybe the new J Skis Fastforward / Masterblaster (haven’t skied those two enough, though). But for this quiver, I really want this ski to just be super playful. The SFB fits that criteria, and while it’s not totally ideal for super firm snow, it does carve really well for what it is and it’s just so fun at mellow speeds that I won’t get really bored when the conditions and terrain aren’t ideal.
I’d be breaking out this ski on most of my resort days, especially when it hasn’t snowed in a while. It’ll make those days (and sometimes weeks) between storms very enjoyable.
Stable Resort Ski — Dynastar M-Free 108, 192 cm
I was stuck between this and the 186 cm Rossignol Blackops Gamer, but I think the 192 cm M-Free 108 is probably the more sensible pick. It’s a bit more manageable at slow speeds (despite its length), and I think it’ll probably work a bit better on the days when it has not snowed but I still want to hit some steeper / bigger terrain.
So I’ll be using this ski when it has snowed, I want to go fast, and/or I otherwise want a very stable ski that still feels comfortable in the air and isn’t a huge chore to maneuver around. Maybe I’ll be wishing for more flotation on a few days and I’ll certainly miss the Gamer if the chop is really deep and dense, but overall, I’m pretty happy with this choice. Despite this and the SFB being nearly identical in terms of underfoot width, they’re wildly different skis that serve very different purposes.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
Primarily, the skis that were in my bigger quivers.
I’ll really miss the Line Blade at the beginning and end of the season, but apart from ice, the SFB is still really fun on piste and I enjoy it more in steeps, trees, and bumps.
I’ll miss the Rossi Gamer if / when we get a properly deep pow and chop day. The M-Free 108 will still be great, but the Gamer can’t be beaten (for my preferences) when I feel like making big turns and bouncing around in deep chop.
I also debated going with the Majesty Superwolf as my dedicated touring ski and putting a 50/50 binding on the Line SFB (like I did in my 5-ski quiver). For this smaller 3-ski quiver though, I’ll be spending a ton of time skiing the SFB in the resort, and given how rare my mid-winter tours are, I think I’ll just put a potentially more durable alpine binding on it and be happy with the Vision 98 for all the touring I do.
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
For how I’ve laid out this quiver, I don’t see anything that would realistically replace these skis, because each one is unique.
The Vision 98 is very light but also has a lot of rocker and centered mount point; the SFB is unrivaled in terms of playfulness; the 192 cm M-Free 108 offers a blend of stability and maneuverability that I haven’t found with any other skis in its class.
That said, there are tons of skis that I considered for each of the spots.
If the J Skis Fastforward or Masterblaster turns out to be pretty playful once more of the mountain opens and I can get them into some bumps and steeps, I could maybe see myself going with one of them as a more stable narrower ski, and then opt for a more playful wider ski. But I really want a ski that makes chop fun, and I doubt those J Skis could match a wider ski in that regard.
The RMU Apostle 3.0 106 is currently my top contender for replacing the SFB, but I need to spend more time on it on firm snow to see how it compares on firm groomers.
And as I alluded to in my 5-ski quiver, if Rossignol ever makes that Blackops 110, that’d be the one ski I could see potentially replacing the M-Free 108.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
Line is typically the brand that makes skis that fit the most of my personal quiver niches, so they’re once again my top pick:
Line: Vision 98, Sir Francis Bacon, Outline
I debated including the Blade instead of the Outline, but I kinda need the SFB in my quiver and the Outline definitely handles chop better than the SFB (though I’ll definitely miss having a heavy charger).
Kara Williard
(5’9”, 153 lbs / 175 cm, 69.4 kg)
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
Scaling down to a 3-ski quiver didn’t feel that hard, knowing that there are skis (and bindings) that can make a lot of things possible all at once. These days, we are in a pretty good place to have smaller quivers that provide a lot of versatility.
Ski #1 All-Mountain Resort Ski — Volkl Secret 96, 170 cm + Look Pivot 14
Consistent with last round, the Volkl Secret 96 was a ski that I was thoroughly impressed with across most conditions last season. It’s a strong and powerful ski that provides confidence on firm or inconsistent snow conditions in a way that a more playful ski like the Sheeva 10 cannot. I appreciate how well the Secret 96 carves, despite it not being very narrow, and because of its width and overall stability, it felt really good on pretty rough snow conditions like off-piste crud. I would choose to ski this almost any day at the resort, unless I was specifically looking for something a little quicker, more forgiving in the tail, or if there was a few inches or more of soft snow, in which case I would look to the Sheeva 10 or my resort powder ski, listed below.
Ski #2 50/50 Ski — Blizzard Sheeva 10, 180 cm + Salomon Shift MNC
This is my go-to 50/50 option. Even revisiting it on some early morning groomers after a skin up the resort a couple mornings ago, I realized this ski still performs well across a lot of different conditions; it’s fun to carve for its width, but it’s also fun to make quick and playful turns in committing terrain. It’s a ski I can trust across a wide variety of backcountry terrain, while also offering a bit of a deviation from my daily resort ski, the Secret 96. The Sheeva 10 also just offers a noticeably smooth and damp ride for how easy it is to ski.
What I am sacrificing here is weight — this is a pretty heavy touring setup — and I have realized this over the past few years of touring on it. But I would still prefer more versatility for resort skiing rather than going with a lightweight setup for the fewer days I am in the backcountry.
Ski #3 Resort Powder Ski — Nordica Santa Ana 110, 179 cm + Look Pivot 15
This is getting redundant, but my powder ski remains the same. Unfortunately, we still haven’t been able to get on the latest version, so here I’m referring to the previous-generation 19/20 ski.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
I struggled a bit because I tend to just like heavier skis, so it was hard not to put all of my favorite, somewhat heavier, very stable skis as my daily resort ski. Contenders included the Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free, the 4FRNT MSP CC, and the Nordica Santa Ana 98.
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
After a couple of recent days on the Head Kore 85 W, I am interested in trying the Kore 97 and 103 to perhaps give myself the option of a fairly lightweight, but highly versatile touring setup. I’ll be spending time on all these Kore skis this season to find out.
I also thought about bringing in a lighter powder ski and putting a Shift on it, to further broaden my options for backcountry days. If I had gone this route I would pick the K2 Mindbender 106C Alliance, since that ski is on the lighter side of things, but has also been a ski that works well in a lot of conditions while being really fun in soft snow.
I also considered the Rossignol Blackops Rallybird Ti, which was a ski I included in my 5-ski quiver. If I were to go with a lighter powder ski, it’s also not too far off to think that I would mount one of these options with the Salomon Shift MNC, and then put an alpine binding (Look Pivot 15) on my Sheeva 10 to use as my more playful resort ski. I’ve always had good experiences with the Shift, even skiing inbounds, so I am favorable to that option.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
Nordica: Santa Ana Unlimited 93 (lightweight touring), Santa Ana 104 Free (50/50 ski), Santa Ana 110 Free (resort powder ski).
But, just to switch it up a bit:
Blizzard: Black Pearl 97 with Pivot 15 for a daily resort ski, Sheeva 11 with Pivot 15 for resort powder, and the Sheeva 10 with Salomon Shift MNC for 50/50 ski.
Volkl: the Secret 96 for daily resort ski, the Blaze 94 with Shift, and the Blaze 106 as a resort powder ski, though this is mainly conjecture since I haven’t yet skied the Blaze series, but hope to spend some time on them this season.
Dylan Wood
(5’11”, 155 lbs / 180 cm, 70 kg)
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
Okay, now my quiver starts to look a little different at 3 skis.
Ski #1 (Do-it-all Touring): J Skis Slacker, 188 cm + Marker Duke PT 12
I’m going with the Slacker for my do-it-all touring ski because it is light enough for longer tours, floats well in powder, and is damp enough to smooth out a lot of variable backcountry snow conditions. I’d also be more than happy with this ski when my day in the backcountry involves building and sessioning a jump. I’d probably mount at +1 cm of the recommended line to make switch takeoffs and landings easier as well as make the ski a bit more balanced, and I don’t think this would take much away from the Slacker.
And I’m going with the Marker Duke PT 12 for great downhill performance in a lighter package than the 16.
Ski #2 (Daily Driver): Sego Comp 110, 187 cm + Look Pivot 15
Yep, I’m still keeping this ski around because I really get along with it and I am not sure there is another ski out there that suits my skiing style so well.
The Comp 110 can charge hard, but it is also easier to throw sideways and shed speed than more traditional, less tapered, less rockered chargers like, say, the Volkl Katana 108. The Comp 110 is also very versatile in terms of snow conditions, and it has a twinned tail which opens up some more trick possibilities.
Ski #3 (Fun Times Park/Spring Skiing): K2 Reckoner 102, 184 cm + Look Pivot 15
I also want to keep this ski around because of how fun it is and how much it allows me to make the terrain available more fun.
I definitely need something for the park because I don’t want to slide rails on the Comp 110. The Reckoner 102 makes for a pretty versatile park ski. I also want something really easy-going and playful for slushy spring days. The Reckoner 102 is one of the most playful skis I’ve ever been on, and it is really easy-going.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
It was hard to cut the Line Vision 118, but it is just too wide to use as a do-it-all touring ski and the Comp 110 does well in powder, so I can’t justify having the Vision 118 for inbounds pow days.
I also wish I had a fun carver in my quiver, like the Black Crows Mirus COR or Line Blade, but with only three skis in a quiver, I would prefer the versatility of a more traditional ski.
The 4FRNT Raven is a big contender for my do-it-all touring ski, but it isn’t as freestyle-friendly as the Slacker. I suppose there is a way of going about this where I’d have a pair of Daymakers and skins for the Reckoner 102 and I can instead have the Raven as my dedicated touring ski, and that is quite honestly a feasible choice if I were willing to spend the extra money on those accessories.
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
Again, the Armada Stranger looks really good on paper to replace the Reckoner 102 and be a more fun ski for carving tight turns. Same goes for the Season Kin. Hopefully I can get on these skis soon.
The ON3P Woodsman 110 could also very well replace the Sego Comp 110 as my daily driver. I am guessing it might be a bit more loose and better in powder, but it is hard to say until I get on the new Woodsman.
The Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104 could also potentially fit in as my do-it-all touring ski as a lighter and narrower alternative to the Slacker. I’ll be getting on this ski this season, for sure.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
I feel like with only 3 skis, the possibilities really start to open up here.
1. 4FRNT: Raven, MSP 107, Switch
I’d have Daymakers and skins for the Switch for the reasons I discussed above.
2. Sego: Condor 108, Comp 110, Big Horn 96
I could also very well have the Comp 104 as a Daily Driver and instead have the Big Horn 106 as a park/pow/spring ski.
3. Armada: Tracer 108, Declivity 108Ti, Stranger
Lots of mystery with this quiver, but seems appealing.
4. Moment: Wildcat Tour 108, Commander 108, Wildcat 101
I’ll definitely be skiing the Commander this season.
5. J Skis: Slacker, Masterblaster, Vacation
I’m pretty interested in the new Masterblaster as a daily driver, and I am curious if I will end up preferring it to the Hotshot. We will see.
David Golay
(6′, 165 lb / 183 cm, 74.8 kg)
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
This was actually the hardest quiver for me to piece together — more so than the smaller ones to come. We’re getting down to a small enough number of skis that it’s really time to start prioritizing versatility over having a dedicated ski for every niche, but we still have enough options that there are a lot of different ways to approach putting the 3-ski quiver together. So with that said:
Ski #1: 4FRNT Raven, 184 cm + G3 ZED 12
This is going to be the lone carryover from my bigger quivers, but I’m holding steady here — the Raven is easily the most versatile touring ski I’ve tried for the majority of the mid-winter touring I do. I’ll miss having a really big powder touring setup on some of the deepest days and the Raven isn’t the most confidence-inspiring ski on very firm spring days, but it’ll cover all the bases well enough.
Ski #2: Prior Husume, 188 cm + Look Pivot 15
I was struggling with this quiver slot, and then I remembered the Husume. It’s both a great variable conditions charger and floats very well for its size, making it a really good choice for the wider resort ski in my quiver. I’ll sometimes miss having a looser, surfier powder ski, but the Husume is still a lot of fun in deep snow and is great once things start to get really chopped up. And while it’s not a very energetic or engaging carver, it’s at least fine on some firmer snow, too. Which brings us to:
Ski #3: Volkl M6 Mantra, 184 cm + Look Pivot 15
I admittedly haven’t skied the latest Mantra M6 yet, but given what Jonathan and Luke said about it not being a major departure from the prior M5 generation, I’m willing to take their word for it and go with the M6 here. I probably could have just stuck with the Mantra 102 that I had in my bigger quivers, but given that I’ve gone a bit narrower on my wider resort ski in this quiver, I think it makes sense to do the same in this slot and widen the gap a bit. The M6 should be a bit more engaging on piste, and while I’d expect it to give up a bit compared to the 102 in terms of suspension and stability in heavy chop, that’s a tradeoff I’m fine with, given the option to just grab the Husume instead.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
I thought pretty hard about putting the K2 Mindbender 108Ti in here in place of the Husume, but ultimately the crud-busting capabilities of the Husume won out. The Mindbender is a vastly more energetic carver and also floats especially well for its size, but while it’s fairly stable overall, its shovels can feel like they’re folding up a bit while skiing very fast through dense, heavy chop — something I really like doing, and that the Husume does extremely well. And since I still get a narrower resort ski in this quiver, I’m not too bothered that the Husume isn’t very exciting on piste.
And this is probably cheating, since it’s not in their standard lineup anymore, but ON3P does have a custom program and if I could talk Scott Andrus into making me a 189 cm Wrenegade 114 again I’d be very happy with that in place of the Husume — even if I have to let him put the mythical Jonathan Ellsworth x Vladimir Putin top sheet on them to make it happen.
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
I’d love to get on the ON3P Wrenegade 110 Pro one of these days, but haven’t made it happen yet. I’ve been a big fan of a few different iterations of the Wrenegade (and still regularly ski a pair of the 2010/11 model) so I’m curious to see how the current ones stack up.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
I’m going to mix things up and pick K2, with the Wayback 106, Mindbender 108Ti, and Mindbender 99Ti. I admittedly haven’t skied the Wayback 106 but I think I’d be pretty happy with this one. I’d miss having a more full-on charger in the quiver, but there’s no perfect answer to this question (and it’s certainly no coincidence that my real-world quiver has skis from a bunch of different brands).
A Blizzard quiver of the Zero G 105, Bonafide 97, and Rustler 11 might work pretty well too, though I’ve only skied the Rustler 11 out of those three.
Kristin Sinnott
(5’8”, 125 lbs / 172 cm, 56.7 kg)
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
Once again, no big changes for me as I chop another ski from my quiver. This time, I’m saying goodbye to the Volkl Secret 96. And while that’s a bummer, admittedly, I’d be quite happy all season long with this quiver.
Narrower All-Mountain Ski: Blizzard Black Pearl 88, 165 cm
These would be my primary early season and travel skis but they would definitely still get skied throughout the season. For travel, these aren’t the skis I would take to somewhere like Revelstoke, but if given the opportunity to ski back east later this season or to ski somewhere like Sun Valley, I’d be happy on these skis.
Backcountry Setup: Elan Ripstick 94 W, 170 cm + Shift bindings
I’ve been gravitating towards skis in the 93-98mm waist lately, so the Ripstick 94 W feels like an easy choice for a do-it-all backcountry ski. I would probably be fine mounting them with a pin binding, but I like to keep my options open and have chosen to go the Shift route in this quiver so I can use them on resort as well as in the backcountry.
Wider All-Mountain Ski: Wagner Summit 106, 172 cm
I haven’t skied the Summit 106 yet this season and I do think I will wait for a bit more snow before pulling these out, but I can’t wait to hop on them again. These will likely be my preferred ski all winter long.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
The Volkl Secret 96 was a bit hard to not include, but I opted to go with a lighter ski for my mid-waist ski.
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
The Nordica Santa Ana Unlimited 93. I’m a fan of the Santa Ana series and if the Unlimited skis similarly to the Santa Ana 93, it could replace the Ripstick 94 W.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
Nordica, with the Santa Ana Unlimited 93, Santa Ana 98, and Santa Ana 110.
Eric Freson
(5’10”, ~175 lbs / 178 cm, 79 kg)
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
I typically divide my time roughly 70/30 between backcountry skiing and resort skiing in Crested Butte. So I’m going to put more weight on having conditions-appropriate tools in the backcountry, where that can really make or break having a good day. Fundamentally, I’m also pretty stubborn, and will work hard to make the ski I want to be riding work regardless of the conditions, making my choices skew toward the “hammer meet nail” side of the spectrum more than “right tool for the job.”
Ski #1: Everyday Touring Ski — 4FRNT Raven, 184 cm + Marker Kingpin 13
For all the same reasons as it was in my 4-ski quiver:
Fundamentally, this is a setup I can trust anywhere I might find myself in the backcountry. The Raven is light for its size, predictable on firm snow, loose in soft snow, and at 184 cm long and 104 mm underfoot, it offers the right mix of stability and maneuverability to accommodate me if I have a rope and ice axes in the pack, or a GoPro on my head and a mouthguard in my mouth. For a ski like this, I love the centered skiing stance the Raven encourages, I like its stiff underfoot flex, and I like its overall extreme versatility. The new 4-Lock skin system also eliminates tail clips, and makes skins shorter, lighter, and more compact. What’s not to like?
I have had good experiences with the Marker Kingpin 13 — it has release value settings that are high enough that I’m not constantly stressing about pre-releasing, a bit more elasticity than a traditional tech binding, and it’s quick and easy to get in and out of, even in treacherous spots.
Ski #2: Big Day Touring Ski — 4FRNT Renegade, 191 cm + Marker Duke PT 16
Same as with the Raven, no changes here:
I have owned the 4FRNT Renegade in its various iterations since its inaugural release (bring back the full-width wood core and no sidewalls!). Having skied many, many wide and soft-snow focused skis over the last 15 years, I still haven’t found anything to displace the Renegade as my go-to “soft snow, big days” ski.
Fast, smooth, and predictable, the Renegade lets me focus on where I am headed rather than where I am when skiing. At 122 mm underfoot, I will never be wanting for more flotation on deep days, but with a very stiff flex pattern both underfoot and torsionally, I have skied Renegades in some truly heinous backcountry conditions without too much drama, either. It’s quick to get on top of the snow, very easy to pivot, and you can shut it down in a moment.
I don’t think it would be fair to call the Renegade totally “practical,” but if I know there are 6+ inches of fresh snow and I’m not trying to skin all the way from Crested Butte to Aspen, I typically reach for the Renegade over just about anything else.
And after a season of abusing the Market Duke PT 16, I have been left impressed. I didn’t experience any pre-release or forward pressure issues during my time with the Duke PT, the toe piece was really quite easy to switch in and out during transitions and was not incredibly snow sensitive, and finally, it skis like a traditional alpine binding. I do wish it had a larger riser, as I’d typically be mounting this binding on bigger/heavier skis and can use every advantage when pointing heavy setups uphill.
Ski #3: Resort Ski — Rossignol BLACKOPS Sender Squad, 194 cm + Salomon STH2 16
I included this as my resort pow ski in my 4-ski quiver, but it’s versatile enough to handle all my resort days in a 3-ski quiver.
If you remember from years past, I’m a big fan of the Blizzard Bodacious, and have used it as a daily driver at the resort without complaint. So is it really that much of a surprise what I’m going to go for here? I’d much rather have too much ski than too little ski at the resort ten times out of ten, and if conditions are progressing past chalky towards bulletproof, I’d never be riding lifts anyway.
The Sender Squad displaced the Sender Ti as one of my go-to skis last season which came as a bit of a surprise given the generally tight and technical terrain that Crested Butte Mountain Resort features so predominantly.
It’s 194 cm long, very, very damp, yet is relatively approachable with its forward mount point and not overly crazy stiff flex pattern. It’s fun in soft snow, but more importantly and more special (to me) is its top-shelf ability to soak up shitty runouts. It’s heavy, it’s damp, it skis with a bit more forgiveness than you’d expect with its more forward mount, and it isn’t so much work to pilot you can’t still have fun on the front side.
As far as alpine bindings go, I like stiff springs, good power transfer, a smooth ride, and I don’t like feeling the elasticity / heel rotation of Look Pivots. Salomon’s bindings have served me well for many years, and are what I would use here.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
First and foremost… the original Blizzard Bodacious. Come back!
Not in my quiver of 4, but I thought seriously about swapping out the Rossignol Sender Squad for the 192 cm Dynastar M-Pro 105 in a resort quiver of one. Similarly long, with great suspension, and heavy, the M-Pro 105 has a more traditional mount point and a bit more bite in firm snow. I could see this being enjoyable in the earlier part of the season especially, before as much of the off-piste terrain is open and I’m just trying to imitate Drew and leave railroad tracks everywhere. But ultimately, I’d still rather have the looser and more pivoty Sender Squad in the bumps, tight terrain, and chopped-up snow that I’m most frequently encountering at Crested Butte in the end.
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
In a three ski quiver, the Folsom Blister Pro 104 makes a very strong argument for a more practical single resort ski setup to replace the Rossignol Sender Squad. At Crested Butte its combination of excellent damping and suspension, coupled with a loose and pivoty feel, lends itself really well to our tight and technical terrain and would arguably be a better single resort ski choice on all but the biggest days. It was on my feet when I skied in the CBMR FWT Qualifier last season.
I find the BP104 to have a bit more edge hold on firmer or groomed snow, but not in a dramatic enough way for me to give up a weapon like the Sender Squad on the bigger days and at higher speeds. If I spent more time in the bumps or on the front side of the resort even after the extreme terrain had opened for the season, I’d probably go with the Blister Pro 104 to lose a bit of width underfoot and have something a bit more manageable and more fun at slower speeds. But again, hammer, meet nail.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 4-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
For a single-brand quiver of three, I’d go with 4FRNT for another year. In my mind, 4FRNT still makes some of the most interesting skis from one brand today, and would cover me in about any conditions I might encounter.
The Raven and Renegade would stay as backcountry tools, admirably covering a huge range of conditions. I’ve really enjoyed 4FRNT ski shapes, and I think the MSP 107 is enough ski for me to be content with it as an everyday resort bruiser. If I skied at a resort that received more snow than Crested Butte, I would opt for the Hoji with the changes they made to this year’s ski, but there are still too many early and late season days where the longer effective edge and greater grip and precision of the MSP 107 on firm snow conditions would see it winning out for me personally.
Drew Kelly
(5’11”, 165 lbs / 180 cm, 75 kg)
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
Touring Ski — Rossignol BLACKOPS Sender, 186 cm + Marker Duke PT 16
I originally chose this setup for use in firmer backcountry conditions for both freeride and ski mountaineering applications. I wanted the ability to make super-g turns down a large face and not wonder about the performance of my equipment, but also have confidence skiing steep, icy, runneled couloirs — confidence to the point of being able to actually enjoy those types of adverse conditions (which tend to be more common than I would like). Sure, the setup is very heavy. But I’ve gotten used to it thanks to the consistently blissful ski experience I have with this ski and binding combo. And along the way, I’ve found that the big shovels (exaggerated by me mounting the binding two centimeters behind the “directional” line) of the Sender provide great float powder, which is why I’m choosing this as my single touring setup.
Daily Resort Ski — Folsom Cash 106, 188 cm
I had the chance to ski a demo version of the Cash 106 at the Blister Summit this year and was blown away. My daily resort setup is probably the category I am most particular about, yet I chose to demo the Cash 106 on an off-handed recommendation by someone I didn’t know. What I ended up loving about the Cash 106 was its versatility: it had the firm edge hold and plush suspension that was reminiscent of the Fischer Ranger 107 Ti (my 20/21 selection in this category) combined with the agility and liveliness of something like the old Blizzard Bonafide. I’d be curious if I would still choose this ski if I ever actually left the Gunnison valley and skied other resorts, but for the requisite hop turns, very variable snow and trail conditions, haggard bump lines, and my favorite groomed run (International), this ski felt like a perfect fit for me at CBMR.
Resort Charger / Pow Ski — Blizzard Rustler 11, 192 cm
Admittedly I did not try many choices in this category last year [Editor’s Note: we’re going to help Drew change that this season]. That being said, I skied the 192 cm Rustler 11 for about 15 days, and when mounted at -2 cm from the recommended line, I found it to float well, be very agile, and stiff enough in the shovel and toe piece area to aggressively drive. My one wish was that the tail was a little stiffer to prevent it washing out when trying to shut down speed in tight and steep terrain.
I am curious about mounting a Duke PT 16 on this ski as well, for the sake of having a backcountry pow ski that has the capability of landing cliff drops and pivoting easier in deep snow, but I still feel like I need to test the longevity of that binding on resort hardpack.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
The skis that really nag at the back of my brain are the K2 Mindbender 99 Ti in the 184 cm, and the Volkl Katana 108 in both the 184 or 191 lengths. Both the Katana and the Mindbender could fulfill the role of the Folsom Cash 106, but I’d also be interested in replacing the Rustler 11 with the Katana 108 in the 191 centimeter length.
I found the Mindbender 99 Ti to be simultanously very plush and poppy, while also being agile enough for me in the bumps. It took a little more speed to make this ski come alive though, as compared to the Cash 106, which is why I chose the Folsom for my daily resort ski.
The Katana 108 felt a little more damp but less forgiving, especially in firm bumps, than the Cash 106, but otherwise did everything impressively well. While I suspect the 191 centimeter length would be very unforgiving and clumsy when zipper-lining bumps, I think it would do well in the steeps, be plenty supportive in landing cliff drops thanks to its large sweet spot, and float pretty well in powder with those large shovels.
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
I have been interested in the Head Kore 105 for its potential as a do-everything touring ski. It seems like it may do slightly better than the Blackops Sender in variable conditions, given its more tapered shape.
And of course, the Volkl M6 Mantra is a ski I would like to try out as a consideration for my daily resort ski.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
I’m a little stuck between K2 and Volkl. Both are somewhat shrouded in mystery though … mainly, I’m wondering if the Mindbender 116 C is too soft in the tail for high speeds on corn snow, and if the deflection I experienced on the 184 cm Katana in very firm bumps would make the 191 cm too unstable / unpredictable in the extremes of CBMR.
K2: Mindbender 116C (touring), 186 cm, Mindbender 99 Ti, 184 cm, Mindbender 108 Ti, 193 cm
Volkl: Mantra M6, 184 cm, Katana 108, 191 cm, Blaze 106, 186 cm (touring)
Sascha Anastas
(5’1”, 100 lbs / 155 cm, 45.3 kg)
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
Everyday Resort Ski: Liberty Genesis 96, 165 cm + Marker Griffon
This requires the caveat that I haven’t skied the tweaked 21/22 version, but I think this ski has been on my 3-ski quiver list for at least the past 3 years, so no surprises here. Again, the Genesis 96 is really energetic but damp for its weight and a blast to carve. It can also be playful and easy to maneuver in tight trees and moguls. I did consider the narrower Genesis 90, but was not able to commit to something that narrow since I wanted that extra stability and versatility that comes with the 96 mm width since I tend to gravitate toward skiing off-piste and steeper resort terrain.
Mid Width 50/50 Ski: WNDR Alpine Vital 100, 162 cm + Salomon Shift Binding
This was one of my most favorite skis from the Blister Summit and while it is designed as a backcountry touring ski, it still has a ton of inbounds capability. I found this ski to have an ideal balance of maneuverability and dampness — and was shockingly really fun and stable when carving. When it comes to choosing a ski I am willing to take into the backcountry, I have a hard time compromising stability in exchange for cutting a bit of weight because the snowpack can be so variable and unpredictable. I decided to go with a wider, heavier 50/50 ski than in years past since I am mostly skiing runs with minimal / shorter approaches these days.
All Mountain Charger: Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free, 172 cm + Marker Griffon
This was a hard decision, but the Santa Ana 104 was a ski that I’d rarely leave at home. In the 172 cm length I tested, this ski charged through everything and was one of the most reliable skis (so long as I had the fitness) I have reviewed these past few years.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
I was really torn between the Liberty Genesis 101, 4FRNT MSP CC, and WNDR Vital 100 for a 50/50 ski. The Genesis 101 is such a versatile ski and lighter than the Vital 100, but I was so impressed during the Blister Summit by how stable yet playful the Vital 100 was so I ultimately chose the Vital 100. And the MSP CC is pretty heavy for a 50/50 ski. I also had a difficult time committing to my widest ski being 104 cm, but I talked myself into the moderately wide Santa Ana 104 Free over the 110 Free since I felt the 104 handled deeper snow very well and I am mostly skiing around Colorado where the snowpack is not terribly heavy. If I lived in the PNW, I think I would have opted for the Santa Ana 110 Free.
I also had a hard time not including the Line Pandora 104, whether as a 50/50 ski or wider resort ski, but with a quiver this large, I can go a bit more specific / niche with each ski (whereas the Pandora 104 stands out for its general versatility).
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
For a narrower option, I would have to say the 93mm-wide Rossignol Stargazer. Jonathan mentioned this ski during one of our GEAR:30 podcasts and since then I have been really curious to see how it compares to the Rossignol Soul 7 that I was such a big fan of. Another ski that could potentially be a good wider option, especially if I went with a 50/50 setup, is the Wagner Summit 106. Kristin raved about this ski at the Blister Summit and ever since, I have been really curious about it.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
It’s a toss-up between Liberty and Nordica. For me, both brands offer great skis at a variety of widths. For Liberty, the Genesis 90 is a great every day resort ski, the Genesis 96 (and or the newly added Genesis 101) fit the bill for my 50/50 ski requirements, and the Genesis 106 is a surfy yet fairly stable ski for powder and off-piste charging. As for Nordica, for me all bases are covered with the Santa Ana 93, Santa Ana 104, and Santa Ana 110.
Paul Forward
(6’, 200 lbs / 183 cm, 90.7 kg)
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
There’s not going to be a lot new here. For my ski life here in Alaska, I basically need a ski for heli ski guiding (and big pow days under the lifts), an inbounds ski for non-pow days at Alyeska, and at least one pair of lightweight touring skis.
Folsom Rapture, 192 cm + Marker Jester Pro
Check out my 4-ski and 5-ski quiver discussion for more info here. For all the reasons I’ve mentioned, this is currently my go-to big-mountain pow ski.
Volkl Mantra 102, 184 cm + Marker Jester Pro
Same as with the Rapture, I’ve written about this ski a lot in our quiver articles. It works really well for me in a wide variety of conditions and is great at Alyeska on everything but a true pow day.
Blizzard Zero G 105, 188 cm + Moment Voyager XVI
I mostly tour for pow and I’m really going to miss having a fat touring ski if restricted to a 3-ski quiver, but I also love spring touring and doing it on a 120m-wide ski, especially if there’s a really long approach, won’t be as fun on the fat skis. The Zero G 105 does fine in all but the deepest pow and still allows for fun carving on firmer surfaces. I wish it was lighter, but with light, fast skins, it’s an efficient tool for going far or doing lots of laps when the days get longer up here.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
The same skis I mentioned in this part of my 4- and 5-ski quivers are still tough to leave off here.
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
I’m content with what I have here but I’d love to find another 100-110mm inbounds ski that I love. The Mantra 102 is great but I don’t doubt that I might prefer something else. I have my eye on the new Cochise 106 because I loved the original one. After trying the Folsom Blister Pro (104) V4, which I have really liked, I’m excited to ski it more and also to check out the V5 whenever it comes into being.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
I’m still going with Folsom for the reasons mentioned previously in the bigger quivers.
Jonathan Ellsworth
(5’10”, ~175 lbs / 178 cm, 79 kg)
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
Customized Folsom Spar 88, 182 cm + alpine binding
The Spar 88 with the tweaks I described in my 4-ski quiver.
Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, 186 cm + alpine binding
I’ve seen a few reports that the Fischer Ranger 102 FR has been coming in much lighter than our pair (which weigh about 2100 grams per ski), despite the fact that Fischer has told us that there have been no changes to this ski.
And given that in years past, it’s been a very tough choice between the Enforcer 104 Free and the Ranger 102 FR (because I know the 2100 gram version of that ski) on the chance that some of the 102s (or all of the 102s?) got lightened up a couple hundred grams makes the Enforcer 104 Free feel like the safer choice for me. We’re working on getting a new Ranger 102 FR to sort out this question.
4FRNT Hoji, 184 cm + Shift binding
For approximately 83 years now, I’ve been gushing about the 4FRNT Raven as a backcountry ski. And with the revised Hoji, I’m happy to say that it now feels like it slots in well between the Raven and the wider 4FRNT Renegade — you still need to make sure that the three skis would be a good fit for how and where you ski, but all three skis are terrific.
And given that the Hoji will be serving as my inbounds pow ski as well as my touring ski, the compromise here of having a heavier and wider touring ski (than the Raven) is one that I can live with — and actually be pretty psyched about.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
Easy: the 186 cm Blizzard Cochise 106. It’s such a good ski (for me) in Crested Butte. I actually feel bad.
And I’m feeling nearly as bad about not putting the 184 cm Volkl Mantra 102 in my quiver yet. What the hell.
Dedicated frontside carver. If you’re someone who doesn’t tour at all, then it’s a lot easier to have a space for a dedicated carver in a 3-ski quiver. But I do want a touring ski, so I’m combining my carving ski with a narrower ski that also excels in moguls and off-piste terrain: the Folsom Spar 88.
Sego Condor 108, 187 cm + Shift binding
I really like this ski, and I’d like to get more time on it. I opted for the Hoji instead of it, but I could have the Condor 108 in place of the Hoji and still (I think) be psyched — especially when it came to touring. I’d give the Hoji the edge for inbounds pow skiing.
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
I’ve got a bit of time now on the J Skis Fastforward. I want to see how it holds up in terms of stability and edge hold on steeper, faster, firmer groomers than the ones we’ve been skiing. And I also want to see how it performs in moguls — but I have a hunch that I’m going to like it quite a bit in bumps. In other words, the Fastforward is the ski that I think has the best chance of giving the Folsom Spar 88 a run for its money when it comes to being a good carver that is very good in moguls and also great as a ~90mm-wide truly-all-mountain ski.
A number of skis that we’ve really liked in the past have been tweaked or redesigned, and we haven’t tested them yet. So I suspect we’ll encounter a few surprises. Lots of potential for a different-looking quiver / quivers next year.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
There are a lot of brands that are an “almost” for me. Which is why I’ve spent way too much time thinking about this and going back and forth. So I’m going to give up now and stay close to my 4-ski quiver selection:
1: Blizzard Bonafide 97, 177 cm + alpine binding
2: Blizzard Cochise 106, 185 cm + alpine binding
3: Blizzard Rustler 11, 188 cm + shift binding
WHY are the testers so little?! 165 lbs is the heaviest listed weight and MOST skiers are 180+ and ~6′ tall
Not a good sample!
Hey Jack,
Maybe you missed it in the first paragraph of the Intro, but this is *Part One* of the 3-ski quiver picks. We’re adding Part Two in a few days, and like the 5-ski and 4-ski quiver articles we already published, that will include some additions from a few folks who are larger than those who contributed to Part One.
Also, it’s worth reiterating something else we attempted to make clear in the Intro — these are *not* our recommendations for what skis *other* people should go out and get. These quiver articles are our reviewers’ personal picks. If you want to read what we think about how skis will work for other people, I’d recommend checking out our actual reviews and our Winter Buyer’s Guide.
Lastly, for more of our thoughts on the relationship between reviewer size and the usefulness of our reviews, I’d highly recommend listening to episode 69 of our GEAR:30 podcast, around the 37:50 mark: https://blisterreview.com/featured/blister-buyers-guide-pt-2-reviews-of-other-buyers-guides-ep-69
“Most skiers are ~6ft”
Really? Avg male height in the US is 5’9″. 6′ is around 85th percentile.
Skiing is a sport often practiced by higher income people (or people who descended from higher income people…).
Statistically, taller people tend to earn more money. Higher income people also tend to have taller children (both because they are likely to be taller themselves, and because of better childhood nutrition).
…maybe that works? Maybe also define ~6ft to be 5’10 to 6’2?
Maybe Blister should hire these little guys also, all 5’9” or shorter and some as light as 165lbs. Maybe you have heard of some of them.
Marcel Hirscher
Daron Rahlves
Beat Feuz
Didier Cuche
Peter Fill
Kjetil Andre Aamodt.
I guess MOST Tour De France riders are 5’8” 135lbs? MANY of them are 6’ 165lbs like Peter Sagan.
BTW taller people do make more money, because they are tall, not because they are smarter than short people. Maybe you need to go to the Blister Summit to see if you can keep up with some of these little guys.
Jack-
Your comment not only isn’t relevant but detracts from any sort of even partially intelligent conversation. Unlike basketball or football skiing is a sport where many body types can and do excel. Go troll somewhere else.
Has anyone > 150lbs skied the Duke PT 12?
Currently have an M5, Revolt 121, and Sender Squad as my 3 skis… It wasn’t planned, it just just kind of happened :P I’d likely do things differently if I were to build a new quiver from scratch. Protest, M-free 108, and M6 seems pretty ideal; or I could go Anima and Deathwish 104 (or similar) to cut it back to two skis.
I had deathwish 2017. didnt like it in the run out. felt the tails were too soft in powder. I have the black crows atris 108 underfoot, and the Moment blister pro which is now the wildcat. Those skis for me were better for my style. The Moments make me a superhero in soft snow. Its friggin nuts
Interesting picks. Comments got a little weird but I’m interested for part two.
Excellent reviews, best in the biz.
700” avg annual snowfall quiver (somewhere close to Canada)
Zero G 95 185cm
Ronin 108 185cm
M Free 118 189cm
Hey guys – instead of posting your reviews, could you please transplant yourself into my body, experience skiing all these skis for me, then order the perfect ski for me? Would solve all the issues about how we’re different sizes, ski differently, in different places and conditions etc. feel free to drop off a breakfast burrito before you leave. please and thank you.
Just a little sarcasm for the folks complaining about the reviewers height and weight.
Jumping on the sarcasm train…
Well, my guess is the reviewers are better skiers than most also. So it would actually be helpful if you found some larger, less capable skiers and asked them what skis they liked.
Oh wait, I know where I can find those reviews.
Maybe yall need to start practicing your donut put-downs. Fat fucks.
See, not as much fun to put people down for their body type when the shoe is on the other foot, is it?
In no particular order, after number 1
1. No whining
2. Shake what ya mama gave ya
3. Quivers aren’t business, they’re just personal
4. You get what you pay for
Interested in a 3 ski quiver that includes 2 touring/1 resort ski (thinking about putting together something similar). Otherwise, interesting as always
Love these quiver articles from Blister.
Here is my current 3-quiver:
1) Mid winter tourer: Black Crows Nocta 190cm with G3 Zed, and G3 speed alpinist skins. Sees 15 days per year. I’d be equally happy (maybe) with the Candide 5.0 190cm.
2) Spring tourer: 4frnt Raven 190cm with G3 Zed, and G3 speed alpinist skins. Sees 10 days per year.
3) All condition resort skis: 2021 Faction Candide 3.0 190cm, Salomon Warden 13 bindings. Sees 25 days per year. I’d be equally (or more) happy with the 2022 Anima 194cm.
Love seeing the Husume love. It’s a crusher ski..
Comment section got spicy for a minute there. Seeing these articles reducing the quiver down is pretty fun. My choice of 3:
Me: 6’2″, 205 lbs / 189cm, 93kg. Based in PNW.
I. Which currently available skis would you pick for your own 3-ski quiver, and why?
1) Volcano Touring: J Slacker 188cm + Shift 13
Why: I’m a big fan of the more progressive mount point and slightly heavier construction of the slacker vs the Salomon MTN 95 or the Black Crows Camox Freebird. The shift is my choice here vs others below due to the weight vs other hybrid bindings like the Duke or CAST. I’d honestly only break this ski out for Rainer, Baker, Adams…literally just long volcano days where I maybe I don’t want to drag the next ski up (still 100% happily would if I got decent sleep and food the night before).
2) Daily Driver for 50/50: Sego Big Horn 106 193cm + Look Pivot CAST 15
Why: Again the theme is weight here. I like the ~2300g construction featuring carbon fiber/rubber, stiff underfoot and playful tips/tails. Bonus points for being just as fun to carve on piste as it is to ski bowls, chutes, side hits and chop. Basically I’d grab this for anything under 6″ of fresh at the resort or anything under ~10-12mi roundtrip for backcountry days depending upon the objective. But there’s a lot of good options for ski #2
3) Resort charger/pow ski: Black Crows Anima 194cm + Marker Duke PT16 or CAST
Why: Broken record…weight (almost 2500g) and similar notes in construction above in terms of carbon stringers + kevlar and poplar wood. The tips and tails are significantly stiffer than the big horn but the ski’s fairly deep rocker lines make it feel really surfy and playful even at 193cm (keep in mind my size). Really solid platform on landings, balanced in the air (not light though), handles firm conditions well for what it is, and is caters to centered and forward stances. I will say, I’ve toured pretty long days in my Animas with zero complaints and I realize 95% of people will fight me on this. I’ve taken them up long days in Baker BC, Muir/Rainier, and other ~10mi days..imho it’s a matter of size, fitness, and honestly I just got used to it. Love this ski enough to drag it further than most are willing.
II. What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
For ski #1 As mentioned the Black Bird Camox Freebird and the Salomon MTN 95
For ski #2 The Moment Wildcat 108 (190cm)
For ski #3 The Revolt 121 or Black OPs Gamer
III. What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them, or get to ski them more?
I’ll let you know as soon as I get to raid the Blister summit demo quiver. Kidding. Sort of. In all seriousness probably the J Friend, Bent Chet 120 and Line Outline.
IV. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
Even though I haven’t spent time on all of them, I can see J ski’s quiver of options in terms of construction and mount points lending themselves to a super well rounded quiver. After that probably Black Crows and Moment.
Hey, Spencer – you get 100 bonus points for stating your height & weight. But I’m going to have to subtract 150 points because you probably don’t weigh enough to make Jack Paul happy.
Seriously, though, I really enjoyed reading your picks – and your rationale for them.
So why is the most beloved ski by blister EVER, the Moment Bibby now Wildcat not in anyone’s Quiver?
My Current quiver is
Frontside hard Black Crows Captis…Fun and poppy but no metal so can’t drive them 70mph
mid/back country setup Black crows navis…super light use in resort too cuz I like to go out of bounds from there. fun and poppy
Moment Blister Pro 116. Just a blast in soft snow. this takes you several levels up. just incredible
Check out the bigger quivers. The construction of the Wildcat got tweaked (again) this year, and a whole bunch of us said something to the effect of “if it’s back to feeling like the Bibby, we’re in.” But we haven’t skied the current one yet.
Great article. I find these quiver selections just about as informative as the ski reviews. Here’s my three ski quiver for the PNW. Unfortunately no more touring due to ankle arthritis. I’m just happy I can still ski.
1. Blizzard Rustler 9. Low snow groomer days and skiing with the kids.
2. ON3P Woodsman 108. Daily driver. I could be happy on this ski every day.
3. Volkl One. Powder days. 1–2 cat/heli trips per season. Super fun in fresh snow, but after things get tracked up the Woodsman is better.
You got a solid quiver there, Joey.
Thanks for contributing to my efforts to bring the Bodacious back to life, Eric. I was also happy to hear your thoughts on the M-Pro 105’s preferred habitat.
One thing I love about the Bodacious is its traditional mount point — it’s a shovel driving machine. I have trouble getting along with skis that demand a centered stance.
Do you find that you can drive the Sender Squad’s shovels to the point that’s possible on the Bodacious?
Dave
-6’5″
-225 lbs
-Not very wealthy
-Long femurs/short spine, i.e., “Laurel and Hardy/high pants, short tie” shape that makes it hard to ski with a centered stance
-Prefers Bodacious 196 in powder, trees, chop, moguls, groomers (super fun carver–you can crank 14m turns if you lean into them!), following my niece and nephew down terrifying little bobsled trails through the woods, getting big thrills from small park jumps, and mounted with Barons/missing a bunch of their edges and base for skinning up Mt. Spokane pre- and post-season
-Loves the Atomic Atlas 192 before things get tracked out: the shovels can actually be driven hard in pow; they’re super nimble, too
-Not giving up on the Bibby Pro 190, but has a hard time keeping shins on boot tongues in pow
-Holy shit, can it snow in the Inland Northwest already?
Hi – this question is for anyone I guess, but will direct to Kara since she like the Sheeva 10. My question is this: what backcountry / skinning ski would you recommend for a 12 year old girl? Her stats: 12 years old, 100 lbs, 5’4″.
Right now she’s skiing the Sheeva 10 as a daily driver and really liking them (which is why I am asking you since you also liked them). This is her first women’s ski, and it took her a while to get used to the added stiffness and weight, but she’s really comfortable with anything inbounds on these skis at this point, whether on or off piste. To round out the picture, she’s also got a pair of Volkl GS skis from her days as a racer and a pair of Armada Tantrums which are basically her rock skis at this point.
My initial feeling is that we should just put some shifts on the Tantrums before we really take the plunge with new skis. But those skis are a pretty flimsy kids ski, so I’m a little worried she’s just too big for them anymore. Conversely, I’m also a little worried the Sheeva’s will be too heavy for a 12 year old to skin in on the uphill if we were to put some AT bindings on those.
Which brings me to the original question – if we wanted to take the plunge and buy a pair of dedicated backcountry skis for her, what might you recommend?
Thanks!
Two ski quiver:
Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, 188 cm for bombing the hard pack
Salomon QST 106, 188 cm for crushing the pow and soft days