Men's ski reviews 2013
BEST SKI
Rossignol Radical 9 GS Cascade Ti review 2013
Men's skis 2013 > Giant slalom Best ski 2013
The ProSkiLab™ reviewers loved it. The Rossignol 9GS is a truly high-performance and versatile ski offering broad spectrum action. It's an excellent model for average to expert skiers looking for efficacity, versatility and pleasure. We recommend it in particular for good skieurs who want to progress to proficiency.
Very similar to an FIS ski, the Dynastar Speed Course Ti is an excellent ski for all those(very good or competition skier) looking uniquely for performance in long turns.
BEST SKI
K2 Impact review 2013
Men's skis 2013 > Men's intermediate Best ski 2013
The Impact got a "Coup de coeur" from the ProSkiLab™ reviewers. It corresponds perfectly to the Intermediate ski criteria, in other words, it adapts to the lowest level but will still be there as the rider improves his or her technique. This model, which was called an "improving tool" by one of the reviewers, is a great success! We highly recommend the Impact for poor to good intermediate skiers,... Read on
BEST SKI
Dynastar Speed Omeglass Ti review 2013
Men's skis 2013 > Slalom Best ski 2013
The Dynastar Speed Omeglass Ti is a truly high-performance, exclusive ski designed for expert skiers and competiters.
Like the 9 GS Rossignol sent us for the Slalom, the 9SL offers an excellent compromise between performance, versatility and accessibility. An excellent choice for good to expert skiers who want a high-performance ski but one that's not too technically or physically demanding and which remains relatively versatile.
The SLX Plus is designed more for pleasure than pure performance. It makes up for its relative lack of performance by its versatility and user-friendliness. The ski is playful, intuitive and highly enjoyable. It's an excellent model for good to very good skiers who want to treat themselves to a sports ski that's both easy to use and enjoyable.
BEST SKI
Stöckli Spirit Globe review 2013
Men's skis 2013 > Men's advanced Best ski 2013
The ideal advanced ski, the Spirit Globe produced by Stöckli was awarded the one of the ProSkiLab™ testers' favourites. It's an excellent choice for a wide range of skiers, from average to expert. For the former, it's a highly manoeuvrable ski that will help them to make progess quickly and confidently, while the latter will enjoy this high performance, particularly well-balanced ski.
At a disadvantage in the Slalom category, where it fell short for lack of responsiveness in short turns and relatively poor performance, the K2 Charger, which stood out for its comfort, versatility and user-friendliness, is an excellent ski... for the advanced programme, the category in which it would certainly have scored better. An ideal choice for average to very good skiers who're looking for a high-performance,... Read on
The Elan GSX Race is a very good ski for expert, technical and aggressive skiers who enjoy smooth long turns on groomed runs.
BEST SKI
Stöckli Stormrider VXL review 2013
Men's skis 2013 > Versatile freeride Best ski 2013
Another ProSkiLab™ reviewers "Coup de coeur" favourite, the Stormrider is an excellent ski for the "Versatile Freeride" 70% piste/30% off-piste category. The ski offers great performance but is extremely demanding and is therefore not for everyone. We recommend it for sports-oriented skiers with good technical skills (from good to expert) who're looking for a high-performing all-mountain... Read on
BEST SKI
Blizzard Bushwacker review 2013
Men's skis 2013 > Versatile freeride Best ski 2013
Another "Coup de coeur" favourite for our reviewers, Blizzard's Bushwacker is a winner. It's wholly in line with the requirements for this category. Like the Stormrider, we strongly recommend it for good to expert skiers for 70% piste/30% off-piste use.
BEST SKI
Blizzard Bonafide review 2013
Men's skis 2013 > Freeride midfat Best ski 2013
The Blizzard Bonafide was a reveiwers favourite. It's a remarkably efficient and energetic ski, both on and off piste. A relatively demanding ski, it's a good choice for good to expert skiers who want to cut tracks in the soft stuff and are looking for a ski that performs well on all types of terrains and has real character.
The K2 Bolt does not have the racing background of its competitors, and would probably have done better in the Advanced category. It's true, its lack of performance let it down scorewise in the Slalom category, but there's no doubt that it's still an excellent ski. It offers constancy and accessibility, and is an excellent choice for average to good skiers looking for good performance, and a versatile... Read on
The Cham 87 scored well in the past and would no doubt have scored better and even got a reviewers "Coup de coeur" if we'd had longer skis to test. It's an excellent ski that corresponds well to the 50% piste/50% hors-piste programme. It's extremely easy to handle, enjoyable and playful. We recommend it for all average to very good skiers/freeriders who're looking for a versatile ski that... Read on
Presented as a "backside ski" in the US, the Sideshow was perfect in the versatile freeride category. It's a 55% piste/45% off-piste model, ideal for a good to very good skier looking, above all, for versatility. fait merveille dans cette rubrique freeride polyvalent. C'est un modèle 55% piste/45% hors-pistes, idéal pour un bon à très bon skieur qui cherche la polyvalence... Read on
BEST SKI
Rossignol Scratch review 2013
Men's skis 2013 > Freestyle Best ski 2013
Less technical but more versatile than the 6th Sense, the Scratch is a great 50% piste/50% park ski for good to expert skiers who want to enjoy themselves wherever they are.
The Outland puts in an incredibly good performance on the groomers and performs well off-piste despite the short tip. A ski for good to advanced dynamic skiers who're looking for a 70% piste/30% off-piste ski.
The Scott Venture is an excellent ski that will suit good to very good, lighweight or medium-size skiers who're looking for a good pair of sticks for use on groomed runs, but which are also really easy to handle off-piste.
BEST SKI
Dynastar 6th Sense Distorter review 2013
Men's skis 2013 > Freestyle Best ski 2013
The Dynastar 6th Sense Distorter is an excellent 80% park/20% piste model for experienced freestylers who are out to impress. We (strongly)recommend this ski for good to expert freestyle skiers, expecially those looking to turn tricks in the pipe.
The Dynastar Outland 80XT is a bit more technical and performance-oriented than the average model in our ski review. It’s a ski to hone your technique rather than an ‘initiation’ ski. We’d recommend it for intermediate skiers who want to improve their technique and are looking for a very lively, dynamic ski.
The Amphibio Waveflex 14 already scored well last year. This year, it takes second place in the rankings. This particularly well-blanced ski, with a focus on accessibility and comfort, corresponds well to the Advanced programme criteria. We strongly recommend this model for average to good skiers looking for a fluid and comfortable ski over and above pure performance.
BEST SKI
Scott Jib Pro Tom Wallisch review 2013
Men's skis 2013 > Freestyle Best ski 2013
The ProSkiLab™ gave the Jib Pro a special 'coup de coeur' mention. It's a ski for good to excellent freestylers who're looking for sticks that are especially good in the park.
The Hardside Adventure is a very good 30% piste/70% off-piste ski that will be snapped up by freeriders who want a ski to enjoy the powder or the corridors and that still manages to cruise the groomers.
The Blizzard G Power Suspension is too perfomance-oriented for this programme where we're really looking for a one-quiver ski that's accessible and comfortable. However, it's a truly high performer and we recommend it for racers who really know their technical stuff technique and are in tip top shape physically speaking.
We were surprised by the performance of the Reverse this year. While last year, the reveiwers gave the ski a unanimous thumbs up, this year, they all mentioned the problem with the tip. Maybe it's just a one-off problem on the model we tested. The Reverse nonetheless remains a good ski, especially for intermediate to good skiers wanting to concentrate on off-piste skiing.
While it's easy to use, highly enjoyable, and especially good in carved turns, the Pursuit Ti lacks the versatility required for the Advanced programme. We would still recommend this ski for average to good skiers who're looking for an easy and comfortable ski so they can perfect their carving technique and carve out fluid turns on the slopes.
The Pursuit 14, whose bindings, like its big brother's, are mounted well forward, has the same strengths and weaknesses, with a little more flex and a little less performance. In the Intermediate category, the lack of versatility and performance in skidded steering loses points for the Pursuit 14 LTD. On the other hand, it's a good ski to begin carving and really enjoyable in carve turns.
The Amphibio WaveFlex 78 is a good ski for beginner to intermediate skiers, is really easy to handle and pleasant to use. Unfortunately, it's not progressive enough to fit into this category.
The Speed Cross is no doubt an excellent Skicross ski, but it is too demanding to be well placed in the Advanced category. It's nonetheless a perfect ski for skicross enthusiasts and for those looking to carve out wide radius turns at high speed.
The G Force Sonic is too demanding and dynamic for the "Intermediate" category. It's a good choice for riders with good technical skills looking for a results-driven carving ski.
The 999 Alu is a relatively demanding ski that requires vigilance. It's a tool for an advanced skier looking for a well-balanced and versatile ski.
The Experience 88 is a high performer on the groomers, but is not really comfortable enough off-piste to feature in the Freeride Midfat category. We would recommend it for good skiers who enjoy carving long turns at high speed on groomed runs and who like to get off the beaten track from time to time.
The Experience 83 is a good ski for the runs, but not really comfortable in off-piste conditions as required for the "Versatile Freeride" category. We would recommend this model for middling to good skiers who're sports-oriented, who love the groomers and carving, and who want to get off the runs from time to time.
Highly accessible but with limited performance, the Elan Puzzle is designed for average skiers looking for an easy-to-handle and versatile ski for use on the runs, and who also want to start enjoying freestyle rides.
The Ironmaiden is definitely the most versatile ski we tested, but it lacks performance on the runs and in the park compared to its more specialised counterparts. On the other hand, we'd certainly recommend this ski to average skiers who'd like to start freestyle and freeride skiing.