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Our industry experts have tested over 55 of the best all-mountain skis over more than a decade of testing. Recently, we purchased 13 of the best skis available for a head-to-head comparison on the slopes. Whether you want to rip groomers, blast through chop, or float through powder, we'll help you find the best skis suited for the conditions and your skiing ability. Our hard-charging testers spent hundreds of hours on the mountain working to identify which ski carves the best, which cuts through the crud, and which will keep you afloat in the white room. This comprehensive review and our expert recommendations will help you select your optimal “quiver of one.”
Editors' Note: We updated our men's ski review on October 31, 2024. We've added 8 new skis, including 2024-2025 models from Volkl, Dynastar, Nordica, Blizzard, K2 and Black Diamond. We were able to purchase these skis ahead of their release date to test them throughout the 2023-2024 season.
Not to be swayed by nepotism, the freshly polished Volkl M7 Mantra duly earned its spot atop our podium. Volkl did a great job of keeping the Mantra formula familiar and only fine-tuning a few key ingredients. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the M6 Mantra, the M7 Mantra introduces new technology to bolster its stability at speed and playfulness. We've been regularly testing the Mantra since its second generation, and even though Volkl has historically been known for making overly damp skis, one of our testers exclaimed, "This is the most lively Mantra yet!"
Volkl continues to innovate and improve upon technologies that have helped define the success of the Mantra line. With the M7 Mantra, Volkl introduces their new 4D Radius Drive, which builds upon the 3D Radius that was integral to the carving performance of the M6. In the front of the ski, the new sidecut blends a 20-meter radius in the shovel for faster turn initiation with a more open 40-meter radius in front of the binding for added stability. There is a 15-meter radius underfoot to engage the ski's cambered edges better, and a 25-meter radius from the rear binding to the tail helps smooth out turn transitions.
From pushing the throttle on wide open groomers, to smoothly pivoting through bumps, to cutting up fresh corduroy, the M7 Mantra impressed us at every step of our test.
Credit: The GearLab Team
Our head tester admits that “this new blended sidecut requires some getting used to.” After just a few runs, however, he got the hang of it. Volkl also implements a new iteration of their Tailored Titanal Frame, which is specifically tailored to each length and extends metal to the very edge of the ski. This makes the M7 torsionally stiffer, and our team agrees that no other ski in our lineup combines vibration dampening and rebound quite like it. All of this technology provides you with a solid ride regardless of terrain or snow conditions.
At only 96 millimeters underfoot, this isn't a standout powder ski, though one tester remarked that “it was particularly fun to bust through pockets of powder.” That title is reserved for the Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98, which is the all-mountain ski we reserve specifically for deep days. It's the unrivaled combination of agility, power, and high-speed control that makes the M7 Mantra so confidence-inspiring. However, it is important to point out that the M7, like the similar albeit more energetic Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, is a ski best piloted by advanced and expert skiers. For the intermediate and novice crowd, the Salomon QST 92 is more accessible and notably more affordable.
The Salomon QST 92 is an outstanding point of entry or upgrade for the intermediate-level skier, particularly considering its overall value. New technologies – like the C/FX carbon backbone, which is a blend of carbon and flax (of all materials) – help boost confidence in firmer snow conditions by providing a nice balance of stability and forgiveness. The QST 92 represents Salomon's effort to connect with every level of skier.
This ski can still confidently edge out into new terrain, just as long as you keep your speed under control. Our testers were especially impressed with the carving performance of the QST 92, which rivals other, more expert-level skis like the Armada Declivity 92 Ti. As our lead tester observed, “It is a very accessible ski that can grow with you as your skills and techniques improve.”
From blasting through powder to smoothly carving on-piste, the Salomon QST 92 skis like an advanced-level ski, but offers a construction that is much more friendly to beginner skiers.
Credit: The GearLab Team
At 92 millimeters underfoot, this ski shines on groomers and even in easy off-piste terrain in predictable snow conditions. However, the QST 92 is challenging to maneuver through heavy snow and doesn't do particularly well on deep powder days. If you want to work on your powder skiing, we'd recommend something lighter weight and a bit more playful, like the Faction Agent 2.
Regardless of its performance in powder, we're still confident that the QST 92 is the right ski to help you explore more of the mountain as you work towards a more advanced level of skiing. When you consider its price versus performance, the overall value of this ski really stands out. Compared to other high-scoring models in our lineup, this ski delivers 80% of the overall performance for nearly half the price. As a result, the QST 92 should be on the radar of every aspiring all-mountain skier.
Even though it takes home an award as our favorite carving ski, the Armada Declivity 92 Ti very nearly unseated the M7 Mantra as the best overall all-mountain ski. With a slalom-like profile up front, the Declivity 92 Ti carves and smears easily. However, one tester aptly noted that the rear end “seems to have the personality of a GS ski.” An articulated layer of titanal blended with a layer of elastomer provides both dampening at speed and the explosive rebound that makes this ski incredibly quick edge-to-edge.
Aside from the unique composition of the Articulated Titanal Banding (ATB), the build of Declivity 92 Ti is surprisingly simple, which speaks to the experience of the designers at Armada. This ski is impressively smooth under the feet of an advanced- to expert-level skier, and our team agrees that it inspires confidence with every turn.
From romping down steep faces to blasting early morning groomers, the Declivity 92 Ti was consistently one of our testers' favorite skis throughout the season.
Credit: The GearLab Team
Despite its well-rounded performance in our tests, this ski can be a bit tricky to maneuver in deep snow. At only 92 millimeters at its waist, it's certainly on the narrower side of the all-mountain skis in our lineup. Even seasoned powder skiers on our test team noted that it was difficult to pivot the Declivity 92 Ti in powder – one commented that this ski “required aggressive maneuvers to get it back to the surface.”
Both the Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98 and the Head Kore 93 offer better floatation and improved maneuverability in deep powder, though neither is as versatile in other conditions. Only the formidable Volkl Mantra M7 rivals the Declivity 92 Ti for its ability to bust through crud. This is particularly impressive because each M7 ski is 4 mm wider and 0.6 pounds heavier than the Declivity. Not only is the Declivity 92 Ti supremely fun to carve, but it impressed our test team with its prowess in any type of terrain.
Among the all-mountain skis we tested – which measure somewhere around 100 millimeters underfoot – the Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98 is our go-to on deep powder days. Black Diamond's secret sauce behind this ski's exceptional performance in the soft and deep includes a gradual flex pattern and a hybrid rocker-camber profile with particularly pronounced early-rise tips. Although it may skitter across hardpack, this ski will arc high speed turns down a back bowl just as well as it will bounce through powder stashes in the trees.
Even though the Impulse namesake is not new to Black Diamond's ski line, the Impulse Ti 98 is essentially a brand-new ski. The addition of a sheet of titanal under the bindings works with a layer of Prepreg fiberglass – fiberglass that has been pre-impregnated with resin to improve strength across every axis – to bolster the elastomer built into the engineered poplar core. All of these specialty materials work in conjunction to absorb impacts and dampen vibrations. Our team attributes this to the success of this 98-millimeter-waisted ski to stay on its feet in deep snow.
Even though the Impulse Ti 98 is tuned toward powder skiing, please don't take our critiques too harshly. This is still a fun all-mountain ski; it's just much more fun in soft snow.
Credit: The GearLab Team
To be clear, this is not the versatile all-mountain ski that Black Diamond may claim it to be. Rather, the Impulse Ti 98 is a precision powder performer. Specifically, the combination of a rounded shape, aggressive rocker, and extended early-rise in the tips provide an unmatched experience in powder. As our lead tester pointed out, “It intuitively carved, bounced, smeared, and did just about anything else I wanted it to do, but only in powder.”
While our previous top picks in this sub-category have exhibited at least some level of versatility, the Impulse Ti 98 simply does not. The Volkl M7 Mantra is a superior all-mountain ski that will carry you through more than just the fresh tracks of the morning. The Faction Agent 2 is considerably more lightweight than the M7 and is particularly playful for lighter-weight skiers. If you love skiing powder but don't want to give up your quest by noon, we strongly recommend looking at either of these other two skis for their improved versatility over the Impulse Ti 98.
It doesn't matter what the water content is of the new snow, the Impulse 98 Ti will handle it with a prowess that's difficult to compare.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
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Our test team spent last season testing the newest skis well ahead of their release date. The result? This comprehensive review hitting stands just as these skis come on the market.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Why Trust GearLab
Our test team sought out the expert opinions of experienced skiers. This group of ski industry professionals reflected a variety of skier and body types and tested these skis on a wide variety of terrain and in every type of snow condition. Our extended test period of several months allows in-depth examination, lengthy conversation, and, ultimately, a well-rounded conclusion of each ski's pros, cons, and specialties.
Our testing of all-mountain skis breaks down into five rating metrics:
Stability at Speed tests (20% weighting of total score)
Carving Ability tests (20% weighting)
Powder Performance tests (20% weighting)
Crud Performance tests (20%weighting)
Terrain Playfulness tests (20% weighting)
These skis undergo more than 50 individual tests to compare and assess their performance. We directly compare them using side-by-side testing to rank each pair of skis within each metric. The all-mountain skis included in this review represent some of the most popular options on the market, so a low score does not mean that a particular pair of skis isn't worthy of your consideration. It simply means that they did not perform as well relative to the rest of the competition.
The most important aspect informing our expertise in ski testing is the total amount of time spent on snow – over the past decade, our expert panel has logged thousands of hours while testing the best all-mountain skis on the market. We design our testing metrics to be both comprehensive and mutually exclusive to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of every ski. We also assign awards when a ski excels for a particular purpose. We put in the work of testing so that you can more easily pick out your next perfect pair of skis.
Our lead testers are two industry professionals from different backgrounds who have unique ski styles and differ in their tastes in what makes up the perfect ski. Bobby Garrett is a PSIA Western Region Alpine Examiner and has instructed at Bear Mountain and Mammoth Mountain in California and Perisher, Australia. Bobby is 5' 11" (178 cm) tall and weighs 225 lbs (102 kg.) Andrew Pierce is an avalanche forecaster and control specialist in Washington, and during the summer months works as a ski patroller and heli-ski guide in Chile. Andrew is 6' 1" (185 cm) tall and weighs 185 lbs (84 kg.)
Just one of the perks of testing the best skis on the market.
Despite its moderate flex profile and design tuned towards intermediate-to-advanced skiers, the Salomon QST 92 is still plenty fun for hard-chargers, too.
We tested these skis through a variety of conditions throughout the entire season.
We test these skis throughout the season to make sure they receive a fair assessment in all conditions.
Analysis and Test Results
The perfect all-mountain ski may seem like a unicorn, especially when searching through the plethora of options out there. Before choosing a ski, we encourage you to identify your true skier ability first. It's common to hear skiers describe themselves as advanced or expert even though they avoid this type of terrain when the snow conditions are tricky or bumped up. Be honest with yourself and choose a ski that you can grow with rather than hope to grow into. Another key consideration is to be aware of your own style preferences regarding things like waist width, sidecut, camber profile, and weight. Wider skis can be more versatile in softer conditions but can also feel slow edge to edge, seemingly providing less confidence in turn transition. The skis that score well across the board are the most versatile and represent the characteristics of a true all-mountain ski – these are the skis that can handle all-terrain and perform well no matter the snow type.
What's the Best Value?
If you're looking to choose one ski to do it all, the chances are that value is an important factor in deciding on your next pair to purchase. Fortunately, the all-mountain category generally offers plenty of bang for your buck. The Salomon QST 92 offers solid all-mountain performance at an unbeatable price point. This ski should be on the radar of any intermediate-level skier because it has the ability to grow with you as your skills evolve. Although it is a bit more of an investment, the Volkl M7 Mantra is the most versatile ski we tested and still costs less than most of its direct competitors. This is the ski we suggest for advanced and expert skiers – its performance and durability are sure to please for many years.
The QST 92 easily slices through suncups.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Stability at Speed
A ski's stability is particularly important at speed. A ski is stable when it stays on the ground, doesn't chatter too much through a turn, and always allows you to stay in control. We assess stability by testing in steep terrain where edge hold is critical, by going fast and challenging a ski to hold an edge, and by testing on firm and icy snow where vibration can sometimes shake your confidence.
A ski's stability is related to many factors, including its rocker-camber profile and its construction and stiffness. Stiffness is measured torsionally (think twist) and along the length of the ski, particularly in the tip and tail. Stiff models take more energy to flex and drive, but the result is better edge hold and stability at speed. Stiff models like the M7 Mantra and Armada Declivity 92 Ti handle speed and firm snow easily and punch through variable conditions. Models like the Nordica Enforcer 94 and the Blizzard Anomaly 94 also offer some of the highest stability scores. These skis can hold an edge at high speeds while suppressing vibration on firm and icy slopes.
The Enforcer 94 remains one of our favorite skis for tackling steeper slopes at higher speeds.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Softer-flexing models like the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition chatter more at speed and struggle to hold an edge on hard-packed snow. They prefer to dance through harsh, bumpy snow rather than plow through it. Some of the chatter does come from the rocker-camber-rocker profile, but the soft flex and lack of a metal laminate do not help them when things get firm and steep. The Impulse Ti 98 is one of our lowest scorers for this metric – it is playful and easy in powder but is nothing short of spooky at higher speeds, especially on firm snow.
The Anomaly 94 is one of the most stable skis at speed, thanks to its unique Fluxform layup.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
Weight
Weight often plays a significant role in the overall stability of a ski and is primarily the result of the materials used for construction and the ski's dimensions. Heavy models like to stay on the ground and can be more stable at speed. Lighter-weight skis like the Faction Agent 2 tend to be easier to use and more maneuverable but also vibrate more, especially in icy crud.
However, a heavier weight ski doesn't necessarily mean it is stiffer, and lightweight ones aren't always soft. Testers who enjoy being light on their feet and playing with the terrain tend to prefer lightweight and nimble skis such as the Atomic Maverick 95 Ti. Friends that push their gear hard and shred aggressively – plowing through bumps and going fast – seemed to like heavier, stiffer models like the M7 Mantra.
The M7 Mantra feels traditionally stiff, and is one of the heaviest skis in our lineup.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Carving Ability
Ski resorts are typically well-maintained playgrounds. Groomed terrain accounts for most beginner and intermediate trails at most resorts. For the expert, groomed slopes are opportunities to open it up, make big turns, and push your limits in a more controlled environment. We scored each model based on its edge-to-edge quickness, carving ability, and edge hold for this metric. With plenty of groomers at our ski tips this season, we could lay each ski over on edge, and there were quite a few contenders for the best carving ski this year.
All-mountain skis with a more traditional design, like camber underfoot and a slightly narrower waist, are usually preferred for carving and on-piste performance. Stiffer, more powerful skis like the Declivity 92 Ti stand out for their ability to hold an edge and pop quickly back and forth between edges. However, slightly softer skis like the Peak 88 By Bode and Salomon QST 92 can handle a carve nearly as well, just generally not at the same speeds. These skis tend to be more forgiving when you find yourself slightly off balance, as the softer flex allows you to course-correct rather than bucking you into the backseat.
The Declivity 92 Ti balances stability and a playful, energetic nature. It's unlike any other carving ski we've been on.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
The Declivity 92 Ti – our overall favorite carving ski – has a rockered tip for easy turn initiation and camber underfoot for better grip through a turn. This ski also brings a lot of energy to the table and easily pops between edges for a fun carving experience. Even though the Impulse 98 Ti has a similar hybrid profile, a more pronounced early-rise tip and less pronounced rocker underfoot make it harder for this ski to hold a turn.
Rocker, Camber, or Both?
Many all-mountain skis have a certain amount of camber under the foot. This arching shape gives a ski its pop and energy when resting flat on the snow. When compressed, it helps create the arched shape of the turn.
Rockered designs are the opposite – they form a bowl shape when resting flat and pull the snow contact point toward the ski center. This design shortens the ski's effective edge length, and less edge contact with the snow can make for quicker and easier turn initiation. With a more turned-up tip, rockered skis are more likely to float in soft snow without adding width underfoot.
Many all-mountain models feature any combination of camber underfoot, early-rise tips (rocker tip), and/or rockered tails to appeal to a wider range of skiing styles and perform in various conditions.
Skis with shorter sidecuts, like the QST 92, are easier to make quick turns. This can be beneficial for more novice skiers, as the consequence of more turns is better speed control.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Sidecut Radius
A conversation that goes hand-in-hand with talking about carving ability is the discussion over ski geometry, specifically ski sidecut and the associated turn radius of a ski. All other things considered equal, a ski with a “deeper” sidecut – meaning a greater difference in widths between tip, tail, and waist – is going to have a smaller turn radius and is going to be better at carving a tighter turn. However, our carving champion, the Declivity 92 Ti, has a turning radius of 18 meters; we calculated the blended radius of the M7 Mantra at 17.9 meters. Both of these numbers are on par with classic slalom skis, so it's no surprise that they carve well.
The blended radius of the M7 Mantra effortlessly adjusts to pressure, allowing it to quickly adapt turn shape.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
The entire lineup of all-mountain skis we tested has a “medium-length” turn radius, falling somewhere between 15-20 meters. What should come as no surprise is that a mid-length turn radius allows these skis to be more versatile regardless of terrain and use. Although sidecut and turn radius naturally affect a ski's ability to cut a quick turn, these geometries change with ski length. We also know that weight, waist width, the shape of the ski, and especially the camber profile all factor into how easily a ski will engage or release from a turn.
Rocker technology has become commonplace within ski design, and most of the skis in this review have some type of rocker profile and or early rise. Camber purists are critical of this design because it shortens the effective edge of a ski. Rockered ski tips don't make contact with the snow unless the ski is tipped onto a high-edge angle. As a result, rockered skis may not be the best option to carve on hardpack, but they are often quick and easy to turn.
Skis with a wider turn radius, like the Maverick 95 Ti, prefer longer turns, which equates to more time pointed down the fall line.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Powder Performance
Once you wander off the groomed trails, the mountain can throw any condition your way. We rate each competitor on its performance in different snow conditions and begin this process by evaluating everyone's favorite: powder. We scored this based on each ski's ability to float through powder and stay on top when the snow gets deep or heavy. We searched for a surfy and floaty feel. Almost every model is fun in perfect powder because the perfect powder is fun and easy to ski. There are, however, some notable differences across skis in terms of how they perform in the soft stuff.
Among the competitors, the Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98 shows the clearest preference for soft snow. The Head Kore 93 is close behind in floatation but falls just shy of the Impulse Ti 98's maneuverability. They were the obvious favorites in powder conditions with relatively wide waists, big shovels, and lots of rocker. The less obvious favorites were the M7 Mantra and the Agent 2. Despite these models' sportier profiles, they impressed us in this category and kept up with the very best to provide float and fun in the fluff. Similar to the Kore 93, the M7 and Agent 2 are slightly more difficult to pivot or turn quickly at speed in powder – it is much easier to maintain your speed, float near the top, and quickly pivot to avoid obstacles while skiing the Impulse Ti 98.
Wider underfoot skis help you stay on top of the powder.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Waist Width
Although it's not everything, having a wider underfoot ski will probably make your powder day more fun. A wider tip with a bit of rocker helps to keep ski tips floating above softer, deeper, and more variable snow conditions. But a wider-waisted ski will keep you there simply because it has more surface area to work with. They are not true powder skis by modern standards, but all-mountain skis with waist widths closer to 100 mm – like the Impulse Ti 98 – are going to be more playful and surfy in the light and fluffy than narrower models.
The Salomon QST 92 is challenging to control in powder conditions and tends to get bogged down on bottomless days. At only 92 mm underfoot, these skis are a little too narrow and just don't float as well as others we tested. In general, wider waists perform better in softer snow and sacrifice a bit in firm conditions. This is certainly true of the Head Kore 93, which is only slightly wider at 95 mm underfoot. (Despite the name, this ski has a 95 mm waist in the 184 cm size we tested.) This ski excels as an all-mountain powder ski but suffers when you try to carve it on groomers or firm snow.
Narrower-waisted skis tend to sink into the powder.
Credit: Marc Rotse
Crud Performance
Variable snow can be a challenge to ski. We all encounter it at some point in the season, and having the right tool to get you through it is key. Variable-condition chargers are often well-rounded models that will always hold their own on the hill – anywhere, at any time. We rate crud performance based on each model's ability to dance through chopped-up powder and plow through variable conditions: think conditions like refrozen choppy snow, breakable crusts, or heavy slush. Can a ski still turn smoothly in the harshest snow conditions, or do they hook an edge? Can they plow through the crust, or do the tips submarine? Does the chatter from frozen snow reverberate through the ski and rattle your brain?
Regardless of conditions, heavier and stiffer models like the M7 Mantra punch through – it tracks well through variable snow and is damp enough to keep you comfortable and confident through your turns. Rocker tips and slightly wider waist widths on skis like the Maverick 95 Ti or Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti provide a lot of surface area and help keep you right side up in conditions like breakable crust and heavy slush. Even the QST 92 tackled partially frozen suncups surprisingly well, as long as you did so at more moderate speeds.
when the snow gets chopped up towards the end of the day, it helps to have a powerful ski like the M7 Mantra to push through the crud.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Terrain Playfulness
Playful models are easy to use, responsive, adapt well to changing terrain, and are just downright fun. Skis that are a little loose and quick to turn with lots of pop – like the K2 Mindbender 89Ti – are a go-to choice for those who want to turn the entire mountain into a terrain park. Gullies, little airs, and bumps are playgrounds for those who are light on their feet and creative with their terrain choices.
The M-Pro 94Ti and Peak 88 are among the most playful skis we tested. Even though they are very different skis, our testers loved their unique feel across various terrain features and undulations. The Agent 2 impressed us with its playful pop into the air, forgiving flex upon landing, and proven ability to confidently ski switch. While we don't expect any of these skis to perform like a designated park ski, we expect them to make the entire mountain feel like a natural terrain park.
The nimble Peak 88 is particularly deft in the bumps.
Credit: Bobby Garrett
When commuting around the mountain to find the best snow after a storm, you'll inevitably find runs chopped up into some sort of mogul field. These moguls range from consistently shaped zipper lines to erratically spaced and irregularly shaped. Skis like the Declivity 92 Ti that score well in this metric will provide a fun experience regardless of what stands in your way.
Good all-mountain skis should fit through tight terrain.
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Skis that demonstrate a consistent flex have plenty of energy to pop from turn to turn. These skis should feel light and nimble underfoot and handle various types of bumps and undulating terrain with confidence. While none of the skis in this test are designed specifically with moguls in mind, the Maverick 95 Ti and Peak 88 handled the bumps best. The hybrid rocker-camber design and progressive flex pattern in these skis help with easier turn initiation and release, especially in tight spaces with quicker movements.
We all love skiing just like you; see you on the hill!
Credit: Nate Greenberg
Conclusion
We've all been there: we're looking for a new pair of skis for the season, but we don't want to dump our life savings into several pairs of skis. For the all-mountain review, we sought out products that are wide enough to handle soft snow but have dimensions and design features that allow them to rip up the hard-packed snow as well. Rest assured that there is a magical single ski out there for everyone, and we've made it our mission to help you find them.
