The Best Women’s Frontside Skis of 2024
This article originally appeared on Outside
This article was first published by SkiMag.com.
Looking to slice up groomers, zip through bumps, and just generally get edgy with it? These frontside skis have the no-nonsense sidecut, construction, and turn radius you're looking for.
Frontside skis are ideal for those who hang out on groomers more often than not, but want a ski that's slightly more versatile than a traditional carving ski. Thanks to additional rocker profile, wider waists (usually between 80mm-90mm), and slightly lighter constructions, frontside skis let you venture into the moguls and trees next to the groomers, without sacrificing performance on hard snow.
The best frontside skis hold an edge on hardpack and know a thing or two about carving, but they'll also be there for you when you don't make it out on the hill for first tracks on the 'roy. The 14 women's frontside skis listed below made the cut because they impressed the SKI Test crew with their willingness to straddle the slope markers and not only tackle perfect corduroy, but more variable terrain and snow conditions. In short: these skis were named the best women's frontside skis of 2024 because they make cruising the frontside of the resort the most fun and exciting.
Related: Looking for the best unisex frontside skis? You'll find those here.
How We Test
Number of frontside skis tested: 17
Number of testers: 11
Testing location: Sun Valley, Idaho
Average age of tester: 38
Average height of tester: 5'6"
Average weight of tester: 139 lbs
We invited a crew of 24 industry professionals to descend on Sun Valley, Idaho at the end of February 2023 to hop on more than 100 pairs of skis to determine the best of the best across five categories: carving, frontside, all-mountain, all-mountain wide, and powder. Seventeen skis were entered into the women's frontside category and tested by a group of 11 female testers, all advanced and expert skiers from across the country. These ladies were asked to ski multiple runs on each ski and then provide written feedback on how each performed in nine different skill departments: Hard-Snow Integrity, Carving, Responsiveness, Quickness, Crud Performance, Playfulness, Stability at Speed, Forgiveness, and Versatility. Of the 17 women's frontside skis tested, the following 14 skis impressed testers the most, earning a high enough overall score to make the cut for this list of 2024's best frontside skis for women.
Women's Skis vs. Unisex Skis
The idea of women's-specific skis is still a contentious one today. Some brands don't make anything but unisex skis because they argue that gender doesn't factor into how a ski performs--only weight, height, strength, and skier ability counts. They therefore only produce unisex skis, but make them in shorter lengths (sometimes down to 162 centimeters or even 158 centimeters) to be more inclusive towards women.
Other brands have invested a lot of time and money into developing truly women's-specific skis--skis that feature construction modifications from their unisex counterparts to account for a woman's physique and body mechanics. Finally, some brands appear to offer women's-specific skis, though often those skis are exactly the same as their unisex counterparts and just feature a different top sheet and women’s-specific model name.
Read more: What do women want in a ski? These ladies will tell you.
This makes the whole idea of testing "women's" skis a little complicated. Because many of the skis we've covered on our "best women's skis of the year" lists in the past are, in fact, unisex skis that female testers loved, we decided to change things up this year. This time around, we allowed brands to enter their unisex skis into our women's categories provided the ski comes in an approachable length for women (in the 170-centimeter range or below), and the brand doesn't offer a women's-specific alternative. So some of the skis on this list are unisex skis that our lady testers loved and would not hesitate to recommend to other ladies. If you, like many of our female testers, prefer a longer ski that has some heft to it, don't be scared off by the "unisex" designation. Rest assured that all the skis on this year's list (whether unisex or women's-specific) are tested by women and recommended for women.
Meet the Testers
Krista Crabtree
Age: 50 | Height: 5’8″ | Weight: 130 lbs
Crabtree spent every winter weekend brown-bagging lunch and skiing bell to bell in New Hampshire and ski racing around New England’s storied race hills. After a stint on the Bates College alpine ski team, she headed west to coach at Ski Club Vail, and then moved to the mountains above Boulder to get her Masters at the University of Colorado. An internship at SKI lead to eight years as an editor and director of the women’s ski test. She has been testing and writing about skis, boots, and gear since 1999.
Tracy Gibbons
Age: 55 | Height: 5'4'' | Weight: 136 lbs.
Gibbons is the President and hardgoods buyer for Sturtevant's, a legendary ski shop in Bellevue, Wash. She's worked in the same shop for the past 20 years; safe to say, this lady knows skis. When she's not in the ski shop, you'll find her ripping up Crystal Mountain.
Michelle Nicholson
Age: 38 | Height: 5'4'' | Weight: 145 lbs
Nicholson hails from Driggs, Idaho and is on the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort race/events team. When she's not working events for JHMR, you'll find her tearing up the bumps and extremes of Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee. She's a veteran gear tester who has tested skis for Powder and SKI.
The Reviews: The Best Women's Frontside Skis of the Year
Editor's Choice: Elan Wildcat 86 C Black Edition ($1,150)
Overall score: 9.31/10
Lengths (cm): 152, 158, 164, 170
Dimensions (mm): 127-86-113
Radius (m): 14.7 (164)
Weight (per ski in grams): 2,955 (164)
Pros: Carving, Responsiveness
Cons: Crud Performance, Forgiveness
A frontside friend with benefits, the Elan Wildcat 86 C Black Edition earned the highest marks of all Women's Frontside skis for nearly all traits, including near-perfect tens for Carving and Responsiveness. This model features the brand's asymmetrical Amphibio Truline W technology, creating a right and left ski--one of the elements that allows it to roll on edge quickly. The Black Edition adds a higher level of performance to the Wildcat line (plus a layer of carbon), and testers appreciated the combination of characteristics that allows for aggressive skiing--without needing Mikaela Shiffrin's thighs or precision. "I was blown away by this ski's versatility for different abilities as well as the stability on hardpack and ice," said Vermont skier Avery Pesce. "Wait, there's more: It swings effortlessly in short turns with zero resistance, holds solid in GS turns with no tail skid, and has just the right amount of rebound in the bumps."
Read the full review for category scores, strengths, weaknesses, and tester feedback.
No. 2: Head Kore 85 W ($750)
Overall score: 8.33/10
Lengths (cm): 149, 156, 163, 170
Dimensions (mm): 127-85-108
Radius (m): 14.8 (170)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,540 (170)
Pros: Playfulness, Forgiveness
Cons: Crud Performance, Stability at Speed
According to testers, who skied this group of Women's Frontside skis in Sun Valley, Idaho, the Kore 85 W is aptly named, meeting the needs of a big "core" group of skiers. Labeling it "the best Head ski in the test," ex-racers and advanced skiers alike were impressed with this offering's accessibility. "All abilities, styles, and regions will love this ski for frontside fun," reported Taos, New Mexico, local Erika Northrop. "It's a very inclusive ski, but will also entice you to go a little faster than your comfort zone because she will hold." Head reduces unnecessary weight in the Kore 85 W while retaining performance with a multilayer carbon sandwich cap construction--where the top sheet of carbon matches the ski's profile for optimum responsiveness--along with graphene fused into the tip and tail for even weight distribution. Weight reduction strengthens the ski's user-friendly vibe, making it welcoming for progressing intermediates to experts looking to make a variety of turn shapes on the groomers.
Read the full review for category scores, strengths, weaknesses, and tester feedback.
No. 3: Salomon Stance 88 W ($650)
Overall score: 8.05/10
Lengths (cm): 154, 161, 168, 174
Dimensions (mm): 122-88-104
Radius (m): 18 (168)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,660 (174)
Pros: Playfulness, Forgiveness
Cons: Stability at Speed, Crud Performance
Sometimes a makeover is needed to spruce something up that's been around awhile. Case in point: the new Salomon Stance 88 W. Previous Stance models didn't offer much rebound energy, but the 2023-24 iteration resulted in high marks for Playfulness and Forgiveness. "The past versions of the Stance felt plankish and dead," noted Jenny Wiegand, Outside associate gear director. "This version is way more lively, energetic, and responsive." Testers gushed over the high fun factor as well as the new look. "This ski can make any woman feel like a hero," said Pesce. "Icing on the cake? Salomon nailed the new graphics." The update goes beyond the glam topsheet: Salomon's Twin Frame 2 Technology sandwiches caruba between two sheets of Titanal to juice the ski out of the turn and create more rebound energy, while an all-mountain rocker profile helps make it easy to steer and maneuver around the mountain.
Read the full review for category scores, strengths, weaknesses, and tester feedback.
No. 4: Rossignol Experience W 82 Ti ($999)
Overall score: 7.88/10
Lengths (cm): 151, 159, 167
Dimensions (mm): 127-82-115
Radius (m): 16 (167)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,590 (167)
Pros: Responsiveness, Playfulness
Cons: Stability at Speed, Versatility
The Rossignol Experience W 82 Ti is proof that consistency can lead to success. After 2022-23's impressive performance, which nabbed it No. 2 status in the category, this model snagged another top-five spot in the Women's Frontside roundup this time around. Last year, it surprised testers with its liveliness off-piste and confidence-building ability on the groomers. No surprise, then, that for 2023-24, the 82-millimeter-waisted ski received its highest marks for Responsiveness and Playfulness. Experts might find that the wide tip can lock into a turn, but testers applauded the way this Rossi can accommodate a wide range of ability levels. "What a fun, solid ride for the skier who lives to carve," said Tracy Gibbons, a Pacific Northwest skier. "An intermediate can definitely ski this, but the more advanced skier who appreciates rebound can unlock its energy." The Experience W 82 Ti benefits from the brand's Boost Flex profile, which tunes the flex for aggressive skiers, plus a layer of Titanal and energy-harnessing fibers that disperse energy through the length of the ski.
Read the full review for category scores, strengths, weaknesses, and tester feedback.
No. 5: Nordica Santa Ana 88 ($699)
Overall score: 7.71/10
Lengths (cm): 151, 158, 165, 172
Dimensions (mm): 119-88-107
Radius (m): 15 (165)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,655 (165)
Pros: Responsiveness, Versatility
Cons: Quickness, Stability at Speed
When the famed Santa Ana winds hit, they accelerate down mountains at high speeds--just like their namesake ski from Nordica. "This ski is so amazing because it rips groomers and pulls you into deep, carved turns, but is also playful off-piste," said tester Caitlin Kelly. Coming off a victory for best Women's Frontside ski last year, the updated model maintained a spot in the top five for 2023-24, receiving its highest scores for Responsiveness and Versatility/Balance of Skills. Nordica added a new construction and shape to its top-selling Santa Ana 88: Shaped metal in the layup retains the high-performance stiff flex, but lightweight wood and a carbon-fiber chassis integrated into the core reduces weight and increases maneuverability. After skiing previous iterations, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, local Lily Krass was impressed by the ski's responsiveness in tight terrain. "It surprised me this year that this ski is so intuitive and playful," she reported, "yet still feels strong and stiff-ish."
Read the full review for category scores, strengths, weaknesses, and tester feedback.
No. 6: Peak 88 by Bode ($1,090)
Overall score: 7.64/10
Lengths (cm): 160, 168, 176, 184
Dimensions (mm): 129-89-108
Radius (m): 18.9 (176)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,714 (176)
Pros: Hard-Snow Integrity, Stability at Speed
Cons: Forgiveness, Playfulness
It might be a new ski brand, but Peak's main concept has been brewing in Bode Miller's gearhead mind for decades. The Peak 88 embodies the legendary racer's New England upbringing and Montana ethos: It's a ski that can rail turns on hardpack and also keep its composure in choppy snow. Technically a unisex ski, our female testers praised its stability at speed and responsiveness in medium- to long-radius turns. Stiffer and burlier than some others in the category, the Peak 88 packs a punch with two layers of metal; however, Miller's Keyhole Technology laser-cuts an oval in the top layer of the core, designed to enhance turn initiation and increase edging. "This ski definitely wants you to drive it and is not forgiving for less-aggressive skiers," cautioned Krass. "But it's a stable and powerful groomer ski that can handle the heat an expert skier throws at it, while also being accessible to intermediates looking for a responsive tool."
No. 7: Stockli Montero AW ($1,299)
Overall score: 7.57/10
Lengths (cm): 150, 158, 166
Dimensions (mm): 122-80-106
Radius (m): 16 (166)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1751 (166)
Pros: Responsiveness, Hard-Snow Integrity
Cons: Versatility, Forgiveness
The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree with the Montero AW: Testers say it has classic Stockli edge hold and responsiveness. "It's a really smooth, solid-feeling ski for the skier who prefers groomers," offered Gibbons. "For how much performance it delivers, it's not demanding. It pulls you into a turn with ease, and if you jump on the gas it will stay with you." Tested at Sun Valley, the Montero AW impressed reviewers with its ability to remain unflappable in cut-up snow and soft bumps. "Its tight little turn radius and scrappy energy make this a great pick to get after it in the moguls," enthused Wiegand. Stockli considers the Montero AW to be an all-mountain carving ski, thanks to the blend of metal construction and Flex Torsion Control that softens the front and back of the ski while maintaining torsional rigidity underfoot.
No. 8: Blizzard Black Pearl 88 ($700)
Overall score: 7.41/10
Lengths (cm): 147, 153, 159, 165, 171, 177
Dimensions (mm): 128-88-110
Radius (m): 14 (165)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,740 (165)
Pros: Responsiveness, Forgiveness
Cons: Hard-Snow Integrity, Carving
The main refrain for the Blizzard Black Pearl 88 is accessibility. "It can make nearly any level of skier shine with confidence and progression--novice, intermediate, advanced, or expert," noted Kelly. "It wills you into the turn and almost teaches you how to carve because it's so accessible." Testers were impressed by the Black Pearl 88's responsiveness and forgiveness, but don't mistake it for a pushover: Ex-racers of the group said the ski had a backbone that they could count on--except in choppy snow at high speed. Incorporating feedback from an all-female design group, the Black Pearl 88 features a core reinforced with a full-width sheet of titanium, as well as a layer of fiberglass woven with carbon. This compilation results in a ski that can do a little bit of everything, both on and off the groomers. "It even likes to jib and get a little sendy," added teacher and Grand Targhee, Wyoming, local Michelle Nicholson.
No. 9: Volkl Kenja 88 ($700)
Overall score: 7.15/10
Lengths (cm): 149, 156, 163, 170
Dimensions (mm): 129-88-113
Radius (m): 13 (163)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,701 (163)
Pros: Responsiveness, Quickness
Cons: Playfulness, Crud Performance
The Volkl Kenja 88 has gone through several rounds of updates since first introduced as a wide-tipped, expert ski that could plow through anything. The latest version (introduced for the 2022-23 season), is more energetic, easier to turn, and more approachable for those who didn't grow up running gates. In fact, testers appreciated the blend of smoothness and lightness, a balanced feeling underfoot, and a light swing weight courtesy of the embroidered carbon fibers used to lighten the tips. "It's a friendly frontside ski with a stiff yet forgiving feel to it," observed five-foot-eight tester Krass. "Intermediates and advanced skiers both can access the potential of this stable and smooth ski." Testers specified that the Kenja 88 is responsive, but not playful, as it has Titanal in the core that's customized by ski size: The longer the length, the stiffer the flex. Our crew recommended that experts size up.
No. 10: K2 Mindbender 89Ti W ($850)
Overall score: 7.12/10
Lengths (cm): 146, 152, 158, 164, 170, 176
Dimensions (mm): 130-89-114
Radius (m): 13.1 (164)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,762.9 (170)
Pros: Forgiveness, Responsiveness
Cons: Hard-Snow Integrity, Stability at Speed
In a true meeting of the minds, testers unanimously voted K2's Mindbender 89Ti W the most enjoyable ride requiring the least amount of effort. "Who wouldn't want that?" mused Northrop, a ski-shop manager. Receiving high marks for Responsiveness and Forgiveness, the ski performs admirably in a variety of terrain and snow conditions, with a knack for plowing through soft bumps and chop. Though boilerplate conditions are not its forte, the 89-millimeter-waisted ski comes recommended for frontside cruisers who occasionally play off-piste, along with experts who love a big, dependable sweet spot. The Mindbender 89Ti W's freeride sensibility is enhanced by K2's Titanal Y-Beam technology, which adds metal in a Y shape over the forebody's edges for solid grip, and a center beam in the tail for hook-free turns. Northrop encouraged women to use this ski to "take chances to expand the playground from just groomers to that steep mogul pitch off your favorite lift."
No. 11: Fischer Ranger 90 ($749)
Overall score: 6.73/10
Lengths (cm): 156, 163, 170, 177, 184
Dimensions (mm): 124-90-114
Radius (m): 16 (170)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,850 (177)
Pros: Stability at Speed, Forgiveness
Cons: Crud Performance, Playfulness
Want to rip groomers and do a little exploring? According to testers, the Fischer Ranger 90 was one of the most inviting skis in the Women's Frontside category for skiers who want to improve their carving skills and dabble off-piste without having to manhandle a demanding ski. Reviewers gave high marks for Stability at Speed and Forgiveness, citing that intermediates can appreciate the maneuverability in soft snow and moguls that comes from the soft, rockered tip. Advanced to expert skiers will find strength underfoot from the poplar core, which has a uniquely shaped layer of metal placed strategically to add stability without too much heft. Our crew concurred that large arcs aren't this ski's jam: The Ranger 90 prefers medium-radius turns at moderate speeds with damp stability instead of rebound energy. "Intermediate to advanced skiers will feel solid ripping around on groomers and occasionally exploring off-piste terrain with this trustworthy and reliable ski," encouraged Krass.
No. 12: Faction Dancer 1X ($749)
Overall score: 6.65/10
Lengths (cm): 154, 162, 170
Dimensions (mm): 120-86-110
Radius (m): 14 (162)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,550 (162)
Pros: Crud Performance, Carving
Cons: Playfulness, Forgiveness
The moniker "Dancer" channels the spirit of Faction's most carving-oriented women's ski. "The name fits the personality: It likes to dance," said Gibbons, a tester from Crystal Mountain, Washington. "Maybe not hip-hop, but it inspires the adventurous frontside skier to keep her feet moving. It can literally dance through soft bumps or short-swing turns on the groomers." Testers recommended the Dancer 1X for skiers who split their time between groomers and off-piste, and they praised the ski's ability to bust through crud. On the more playful end of the spectrum, this model can butter, slarve, slash, and carve. Though it's not race-ski-stable at high speed, the Dancer 1X proved to be a stiffer ski that won't surprise you with sudden bursts of energy. It's constructed with sustainably sourced wood and two razor-thin sheets of metal, plus rocker in the tip and flat tail, resulting in a freestyle personality where dancing through different snow conditions is the main act.
No. 13: Dynastar E-Cross 88 ($750)
Overall score: 6.26/10
Lengths (cm): 150, 158, 167, 175
Dimensions (mm): 134-88-116
Radius (m): 13 (167)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,800 (167)
Pros: Hard-Snow Integrity, Stability at Speed
Cons: Playfulness, Versatility
A versatile frontside ski with accessibility and eco-friendly elements, the Dynastar E-Cross 88 is a bridge-builder between on- and off-piste terrain for a range of ability levels. Though too stiff for beginners, testers said, intermediates through experts will love the dependable edge hold. Pesce, based out of Boston, Massachusetts, recommended the E-Cross 88 for her fellow East Coast frontside finesse carvers who want some width to explore the sides of trails and soft bumps. Gibbons especially liked the ski for cut-up conditions. "It's so solid underfoot and easy to steer on the groomers and in leftover pow," she enthused. The ski's wide shovel adds flotation, while the tail profile is designed to smoothly release out of the turn. Dynastar's Hybrid Core 2.0 focuses on an eco-friendly design that uses three layers of wood, each with a different fiber direction, to reduce glued fiberglass by 25 percent.
No. 14: Armada Reliance 82 Ti ($800)
Overall score: 6.25/10
Lengths (cm): 150, 158, 166, 174
Dimensions (mm): 126-82-109
Radius (m): 15.4 (166)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,550 (166)
Pros: Stability at Speed, Versatility
Cons: Quickness, Forgiveness
Armada skis may populate the terrain park, but the brand has stepped up its game in the frontside/carving arena. Case in point: the Reliance 82 Ti. "It's a versatile frontside tool," explained Wiegand, based in Colorado. "It likes to be on edge and carve, but it's also maneuverable and predictable in moguls. It skews toward soft snow versus true hardpack, but it's fairly balanced everywhere." The Reliance 82 Ti received high tester scores for Stability at Speed and Versatility/Balance of Skills, and racked up adjectives like "reliable," "dependable," and "approachable." This model can match different skiing styles, with a tip-and-rip shovel engagement that rolls easily into short- or medium-radius turns with tails that don't hold on for dear life. Experts may find some tip chatter at macht schnelle speeds, but skiers who appreciate a damp feeling can tap into the ski's full potential and find stability, thanks in part to Armada's Articulated Titanal Banding placed throughout the ski, which absorbs vibrations to offer a smooth ride around the frontside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best women’s frontside skis?
Peak 88 by Bode (Unisex)
Stockli Montero AW
Blizzard Black Pearl 88
Volkl Kenja 88
K2 Mindbender 89Ti W
Fischer Ranger 90 (Unisex)
Faction Dancer 1X
Dynastar E-Cross 88
Armada Reliance 82 Ti
What are frontside skis?
Do-it-all skis with middle-of-the-road waists (81mm-90mm), a more moderate rocker profile primarily in the tip, more camber underfoot, and a flatter tail. This kind of profile orients all-mountain narrow skis towards the frontside of the mountain, and these skis generally perform best on groomed terrain or in the bumps. While rockered tips add some versatility, these skis are not designed to be skied in deep powder.
What's the difference between carving ski and frontside skis?
Carving skis give it away in the name: They're designed to rip down groomed terrain. Think of them as race skis that were made more accessible to the everyday skier and everyday skiing. Frontside skis can be just as reliable on groomers and hardpack, even with a little added tip rocker. But because frontside skis are typically a little straighter from tip to tail with a slightly wider waist, they don't have the same innate carving capabilities as carving skis. Where frontside skis win out is in the Versatility department--they're designed to perform even off the groomers.
In short: Carving skis are the scalpels of skis, designed to be handled by an experienced hand and leave precise incisions on the snow. A frontside ski is more like a machete--it's still sharp and effective but requires you to be far less precise in your cutting. Read more here.
What's the difference between men's and women's skis?
In truth, most skis are unisex and not gender-specific. Many brands produce the ski with the exact same construction technologies for both genders, but often create two different top sheets to appeal to men vs. women. A handful of brands are making truly women's-specific skis, where the ski takes a woman's physique into account when building the ski. Men and women can ski on the same ski but may want to choose different lengths depending on their height and their skiing ability.
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