The 11 Best Skis to Hit the Slopes this Season

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We’re solidly in the middle of ski season, so if your current pair isn’t getting the job done, the time is now to upgrade and find something that will. Whether you’re a mountain veteran or a budding novice, navigating the web for a new pair of skis can be a tricky process. That’s why we’ve gone through the trouble of rounding up some of the best options on the market, so you can find exactly what you need for the remainder of the 2022 season.

For those of you who don’t already know, skis are all about length, width and profile. Everything from the width of the ski under your boot to where and how the ski contacts snow during turns greatly impacts the performance and behavior of the skis. Before we get into our list of the best skis for men, let’s take a moment to explore what each of these elements means for you.

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Length

This element tends to be the most well-understood of all ski measurements. Skis for men are often sized anywhere between 120cm on the shortest end and 190cm on the very tallest—translating to roughly 47 to 75 inches. For most circumstances, you’ll want to aim for something that comes up anywhere between your chin and the top of your head. In general, longer skis are geared more for experts/intermediates and shorter skis are geared for beginners/novices; however, if you tend to weigh less than normal for your height, plan on sizing down—and vice versa for heavier.

Width

Skis are measured by three different widths—the widest point at the tip; the narrowest point of the ski under the boot (also referred to as the waist); as well as the widest point at the tail of the ski. For example, the widths of this 178cm Salomon ski are represented in the following way: 137 / 112 / 126mm. This means it’s 137 mm at the widest point in the tip, 112 mm at its narrowest under boot, and 126mm at the widest point in the tail. Together, these different widths work to determine the ski’s turn radius—a measurement sized in meters used to define how quick or slow a ski tends to turn. Skis with a shorter radius (m) are more equipped for quick turns, making them ideal for carving and rapid changes in direction, and those with a longer radius (m) are better for sweeping turns at higher speeds. The ski waist width is also often the most important measurement in used to determine how well a ski handles deep powder—the wider, the better.

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Profile

This element is much less empirical than the first two and refers to where and how the ski makes contact with snow. The first variation of this is called camber. In this profile, the unweighted ski has a natural upward curve to it, allowing you to achieve even pressure along the ski’s entire edge when fully initiated for a turn. Overall, camber takes more precision when turning; however, in return, you can expect great control and power on hard snowpack. The reverse of camber is called rocker and is geared more towards powder—due to its ability to float you over deep snow pockets. Certain skis also contain a mixture of these profiles, giving them benefits in both categories. As you'll see, a majority of the skis featured in this list contain a profile called Rocker/Camber/Rocker, meaning it provides the benefits of rocker in the tip and tail of the ski and camber under the boot—think of this as the best of both worlds.

Free 97 Ski

If you're looking to get into backcountry skiing and touring, these skis from Dynafit are for you. They're just light enough to make the uphill journey enjoyable but strong enough for playful fun on the downhill. They pair great with the Radical Pro boot as well.

Blizzard Hustle 10 Skis

These new skis from Blizzard are made for the powder days of all powder days. At their smallest length, you're looking at 102 millimeters of waist width, so you'll be sure to float where others sink.

MTN 96 CARBON Unisex Touring Skis

These great looking skis from Salomon have all the ratings and praise of a great backcountry ski. If you're in the market for an upgrade, give these a look before going elsewhere.

QST Blank Skis

These skis from Salomon are perfect for a dreamy powder day. Featuring a lofty 112cm waist among all lengths, you'll float through the new snow with ease. However, you can still expect camber under the boot for when you get to the hard pack.

Mindbender 108 TI Skis

Aimed at aggressive and experienced riders, the Mindbender is perfect for your next ski upgrade. You can expect a great balance of control on all levels of terrain due to its moderately sized waist and its blended profile. Get ready to practice your long turns—the Mindbender has a 22.9m turning radius, making it ideal for sweeping turns down the mountain.

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Cochise 106 Ski

These do-it-all skis from Blizzard are perfect for your next upgrade. The Cochises feature an extremely versatile 106mm waist, so you can expect capability over all. Plus, its early rise profile also means that you can conquer all types of terrain with ease, so let the day take you wherever.

Helio Carbon 104 Skis

These skis from Black Diamond are great for off trail fun. The waist measures in at 104mm, so while they favor powder, packed trails are still no problem.

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Spur Ski

Featuring the widest waist in Blizzard's arsenal, there's no questioning how these ski's ended up as our "Best Powder Skis". You'll float over the deepest snow you can find, but make sure you've practiced your long turns, as they do have quite the hefty radius.

Stance 102 Ski

While these Salomon skis offer a moderately large turning radius, you'll still feel enabled to conduct quick turns with the Stance's nimble construction. The profile is also perfect for a mix of terrain, so you'll never be caught off guard.

Atris Skis

Featuring a great mix of camber when you need it for precise turning and rocker for adverse conditions, these skis from Black Crows can do it all. Looking to show off a bit at the lift line, these are perfect for you.

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Wayback 106 Alpine Touring Ski

Perfect for powder days, trail days and everything in between, the K2 Waybacks are an ideal upgrade from your current skis. They're also great options for backcountry skiing due to their blended camber/rocker profile.

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