When it comes to purchasing new skis, there’s a dizzying array of choices. It can feel a little overwhelming—whether you’re gazing at a wall of skis in your favorite shop or looking online. However, it’s important to note that manufacturers pay careful attention to the design of each ski. Every model has an intended use, which includes specific terrain and snow conditions. So before we dive into our list of the top all mountain men’s skis, let’s dig into some ski terminology and info.
Therefore, the first question you should answer is, what type of skiing do you plan to do? A savvy ski shop employee will help you translate that to a range of waist widths. For example, skis with a narrow waist, somewhere between 70 mm and 84 mm underfoot, are considered best for carving up groomers. These are widely considered to be frontside skis because they excel on the frontside of the mountain, which is often heavily groomed. At the other end of the spectrum are powder skis. Powder skis are generally anything over 100 mm underfoot because the wider the platform, the better performance for surfing snow or handling windblown or cutup snow after a storm. The range of waist widths in-between are generally considered all-mountain skis.
What is an All-Mountain Ski?
“All-mountain skis can carve a turn on the groomers and are also fun off-trail or in the bumps,” says Tracy Gibbons, owner and hardgoods buyer for Sturtevant’s, located in Bellevue and Tacoma, Washington. “With a variety of waist widths in this category, a good thing to help guide you is to determine how much time you really spend on groomed runs versus off-piste. If you spend most of your time on the groomers, then look to the slightly narrower skis in this group. If you are more adventuresome and like off-piste more often, then look to the wider skis in this group.” All-mountain skis, as the name suggests, can handle just about any conditions you throw at it and variable snow conditions.
What to Look for in Skis?
If you’re an all-mountain skier, that is you enjoy both carving on groomers and skiing new snow off the groomers or poking around in bumps, then you’ll look for waist widths that range between 86 mm and 100 mm underfoot. The narrower the waist in this category, as mentioned, the tighter the turn radius a ski will make, however, it will still be able to handle the terrain and snow conditions you find on the backside of the mountain. The wider the waist width, the more versatility and flotation the ski will have, though the ski will have a larger turn radius. The all-mountain category is the go-to place for a one-ski quiver for skiers who can encounter either groomers or new fresh snow on any given day.
What all-mountain skis should you buy?
Before you go into the store, however, educate yourself by reading the following ski roundup. You can learn a lot about the technologies featured in these new models for the upcoming ski season. Remember that skiers shopping in this category ski the entire mountain—frontside and backside—and need a ski to handle a variety of snow conditions.
Some of the skis lean toward the narrower side in waist width and will favor carving with occasional trips off-piste or out-of-bounds while others have waists for more snow and different terrain. Whichever terrain you lean toward, all-mountain skis will provide you the access to a great adventure. Now, let’s get onto the best all-mountain skis for men.
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Best All-Mountain Men’s Skis
Nordica Enforcer 94 (All-Mountain Advanced)
MSRP: $750
For years, the Nordica Enforcer has been a standout in the all-mountain ski category. It’s cemented itself as a classic ski for the brand and after years of minor tune ups it has gotten a full redesign for the 24/25 season. Aside from a topsheet upgrade, major technological improvements include more rocker in the tails, a pulled in titanal layer. and an updated sidecut. All these changes make the Nordica Enforcer easier to ski at low speeds without sacrificing high speed performance. All in all, the new Enforcer 94 is better performing for more intermediate skiers without being toned down for advanced skiers. The 94mm waist is the perfect middle ground for excelling in both powder and hardpack. It initiates a turn well and won’t be too demanding when you take it off-piste. If it sounds too good to be true, we promise it really is that good.
Fischer Ranger 102 (All-Mountain Advanced)
MSRP: $850
The Ranger 102 all-mountain ski is built for the skier who revels in versatility. It’s agile, stable, and responsive, helping you ski your best in any conditions. At 102mm underfoot, it is a little on the wider side, which is perfect for floating on deep snow and navigating through bumps and trees. This helps it have a more playful feel, while the exacting sidecut provides traction on hardpack and firm snow. The calibrated Flex Cut and Shaped Ti reinforcement provide a quality ride. “A full array of fully thought-out features makes the Ranger 102 usable in any situation,” say the pros at Fischer. As they continue, “It’s the ideal choice for freeriders who like flying down a groomer as much as making a turn in powder.”
Atomic Maverick 95 TI (All-Mountain Advanced)
MSRP: $750
Nothing says an all-mountain ski like one described as a “ski without boundaries.” Atomic’s Maverick 95 TI is a ski for skiing in every type of condition on every type of mountain. Atomic’s HRZN tech expands the ski’s surface area by 10%, a feature designed for intuitive handling no matter what the ski conditions are. According to Atomic, OMatic Construction uses a Titanal layer to create the ideal balance of stiffness and flex, while ample side cut paired with an all-mountain rocker allows this ski to handle every condition it encounters. The Atomic Maverick 95 TI is for advanced and expert skiers.
Blizzard Rustler 9 (All-Mountain Advanced)
MSRP: $750
The Blizzard Rustler 9 is billed by Blizzard as “the nimblest of the Rustler series.” The FluxForm construction leaves it feeling powerful and stable on groomers but precise and playful in tighter terrain, due to the double layered Titanal that runs the side length of the skis. An energetic Freeride Trueblend woodcore is at the heart of this redesigned all-mountain ski, which combined with the all-new FluxForm technology, provides stability and strength underfoot while maintaining playfulness in the tip and tail. It’s a step up from the other Blizzard ski on this list and offers versatility to satisfy any advanced to expert skier.
Black Crows Serpo (All-Mountain Advanced)
MSRP: $1000
Great on trail and off, the Black Crows Serpo is another top contender for the most versatile ski on the market. At 93mm underfoot, it carves like a dream but has enough width to handle softer snow, deeper powder, and choppy snow. The inner metal layer helps give it a strong edge hold while also maintaining a snappy and responsive feel. If there’s one quiver ski to rule them all, it may just be the Black Crows Serpo.
Armada Declivity 82 Ti (Carving)
MSRP: $750
“The Declivity 82 Ti is built for razor sharp frontside performance,” writes the experts at Armada. The narrowest member of the Declivity lineup, this ski is ideal for those looking to bang out some high-angle carves. Smooth and sharp turn initiation partnered with confidence on varied terrain make this ski one for the books. Its wider sister model, the Declivity 92 Ti, is one of the most underrated, top performing all-mountain skis on the market. Go for the 82 if you prioritize ripping down groomers, or upgrade to the 92 for some extra versatility across the entire mountain.
Völkl M7 Mantra (Speed)
MSRP: $850
Upgraded from the Völkl M6 Mantra, the M7 is a ski that is still designed for speed and hard charging, but is just a little easier to maneuver. It’s built for those who love to rip, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a ski that performs as well at high speeds as the Völkl M7 Mantra. The great thing about the redesign is that it performs better at low speeds too. Think of it as a less intense version of the M6 with the same stability and carving abilities you know and love, just more accessible to every skier on the mountain. “In contrast to its predecessor, the M6 Mantra, the M7 Mantra uses 4 Radius Drive design – an advanced development of the proven 3D Radius Sidecut and an innovation from Völkl that is not yet found in any other model,” writes Völkl.
Salomon QST 106 (Powder)
MSRP: $750
The QST 106 is a ski designed to take on the whole mountain, with an emphasis on deep powder and soft snow. “Nothing screams “daily driver” like the Salomon QST 106 Skis,” boasts the ski makers at Salomon. “Ideal for snowier climes, their 106mm waist and Freeride Rocker profile makes mincemeat of pow, crud, slush and even corduroy – just point them in the right direction and hold on for the good part.” Double sidewall construction gives a strong edge hold while Cork Damplifier and C/FX Fiber give it a lighter feel. It’s equal parts a maneuverable and playful ski. What more could you ask for in soft and deeper snow?
Atomic Bent 90 (All-Mountain Intermediate)
MSRP: $550
For intermediate skiers looking to up the ante with a fresh pair of all-mountain skis, the Atomic Bent 90 is a great choice. The HRZN Tech tip and tail floats through powder and park alike, and a Lightwood Core keeps the weight low. “While the Bent 90 is a narrower ski than the bigger Bent Chetler 120,” write the experts at Atomic, “it still maintains the same attitude of creativity, self-expression, and versatility that make the entire range so effective.” The Bent also features stunning topsheet art designed by pro skier Chris Benchetler. At the affordable price of $550, these skis are tough to beat.
Blizzard Anamoly 88 (All-Mountain Intermediate)
MSRP: $700
Blizzard’s new model for the 24/25 season is the Anamoly. Lovers of its predecessor will appreciate its front-side groomer focused nature and increased accessibility. Easier to maneuver with smoother turn initiation, this Blizzard all-mountain ski is perfect for mid-level, on-piste riders. A waist width of 88mm is on the narrower side, optimizing edge control on hardpack. “Packing a redesigned Trueblend woodcore and all-new FluxForm All-Mountain metal layup, the 88 is just as at home devouring groomers as it is smashing bumps or disappearing into the woods on a pow day,” writes Blizzard.
Elan Ripstick 96 (All-Mountain Intermediate)
MSRP: $750
The Ripstick 96 from Elan is a lightweight but high-performing ski that is playful and forgiving. Rebuilt for the 24/25 season, this ski is stronger and more stable in variable conditions without feeling too difficult. New tech includes “Carbon Deck Technology” placing their internal, know carbon fiber tube structures closer to the edge of the ski. The new Elan Ripstick still has the lightweight feel you know and love, just with a little more oomph, making it a perfect contender for backcountry skiing as well. This ski is great for dancing through glades and moguls, popping off side hits, cruising through powder, hitting terrain park jumps, and carving hard on groomers — it really can do it all. For even more stability in a lightweight option, take a look at the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition.
December 18, 2024
