Men's ski reviews 2014
BEST SKI
SportmaniaK2 AMP 80 XTI review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Men's advanced Best ski 2014
K2 is a new entrant in the ProSkiLab™ ski-test programme, and our testers were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the products submitted for testing. The Amp 80 XTI was no exception to the rule, and was recommended by our testers in the Advanced category. The ski - "almost perfect", according to one of our testers - perfectly reconciles performance, accessibility and versatility, and is highly recommended for a wide range of users (from intermediate to expert) looking for a comfortable, easy-to-handle ski that performs well in all types of conditions.
BEST SKI
SportmaniaHead REV 78 review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Men's intermediate Best ski 2014
“An excellent surprise” as one of our testers told us. The Head REV 78, which manages to combine genuine accessibility with great performance, is a real success story. It has extremely wide scope of action and is perfect to help skiers to make technical progress (the key criteria in this category).
BEST SKI
SportmaniaNordica DOBERMANN GSR EVO EDT review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Giant slalom Best ski 2014
As an excellent compromise between performance and accessibility, the Nordica Dobermann Evo GS R EDT was our "Testers' Choice" in this category. It is highly recommended for good to expert skiers, or for beginner Giant Slalomers looking for a powerful tool to "carve up" the slopes, but without constant physical engagement.
AWARD
Fischer RC4 WC RC Pro review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Giant slalom Best performance!
Akin to a racing ski, the Fisher RC4 places the focus on performance. We would recommend it without the slightest hesitation to very good skiers and competition skiers looking for a diabolically effective platform to carve out long-radius turns at "full throttle".
BEST SKI
Scott The Ski review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > All-Mountain Best ski 2014
We initially felt that the name, "The Ski" was somewhat pretentious, and we were eager for the opportunity to put this new model from Scott through its paces. And what a surprise! The ski was nothing short of impressive and truly dominated the other contenders in its category. Performing very well both on- and off-piste, it is a true multi-purpose ski, successfully combining effectiveness, versatility, ease-of-handling... Read on
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Blizzard Power 800 review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Men's advanced Best performance!
Unquestionably geared towards performance, the Blizzard Power 800 lives up to its name. The ski is a must for riders looking for a lively, athletic ski that handles well in long-radius turns on groomed runs without sacrificing comfort and accessibility.
BEST SKI
Blizzard Bonafide review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > All-mountain/Freeride Best ski 2014
The Bonafide is a ski with a lot of character, and the ideal choice for athletic freeriders looking for a ski they can have fun with, which performs very well on the slopes - preferably in long-radius turns - and which is highly effective on off-piste terrains. Average-sized skiers would do well to choose a shorter model.
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SportmaniaK2 Bolt review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Giant slalom Best Accessibility/Enjoyment!
With K2's Bolt, the focus is more on pleasure and sensation than on pure performance. But even though, on these criteria, it is far outstripped by a model like the Fisher RC4, the overall result is convincing. Several of our testers reported that they "loved" this ski for its playful character. A highly recommended ski for athletic skiers who place a premium on pleasure and sensation.
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Stöckli Spirit O Two review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Men's advanced Best Accessibility/Comfort!
Despite this, the Spirit O Two is a great ski for intermediate to good skiers, especially those looking for a ski that won't become outdated as they improve.
BEST SKI
SportmaniaNordica DOBERMANN SLR EVO review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Slalom Best ski 2014
A very well-balanced ski, and a "Testers' Choice", the Nordica Dobermann SLR Evo delivers an unbeatable combination of performance, accessibility and pleasure. We would recommend this ski for good to excellent skiers (or beginner-level slalomers) looking for a capable ski that is nevertheless pleasant underfoot, versatile and fun to ride.
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Fischer RC4 WC SC Pro review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Slalom Best performance!
The RC4 WC SC is a very 'athletic' ski that delivers outstanding performance - it topped its group in this area - while remaining relatively accessible and versatile. It is recommended as a "must" for expert-level and competition skiers who are looking for a truly dynamic and capable ski.
Effective and above all remarkable accessible and forgiving for a ski in this category, the Omeglass WC is an excellent choice for skiers of any level. A highly recommended product for very good to expert-level skiers who are looking for a Slalom ski but not necessarily a thoroughbred racer that wreaks havoc on their thighs on their first downhill run.
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RentaskiElan Ripstick Fusion review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Giant slalom Best Accessibility/Enjoyment!
Elan's Ripstick Fusion ranks reasonably well in this giant Slalom category - a demanding one - and was singled out for special mention for its accessibility and the pleasure it affords. Convincing in terms of performance, its most outstanding features are its ease-of-handling and versatility. It's an excellent ski, intended for a very broad range of users, from intermediate-level skiers to first-time competitors.
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RentaskiElan SLX Fusion review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Slalom Best Accessibility/Enjoyment!
The Elan SLX Fusion is an excellent choice for good to very good skiers - and for beginner-level slalomers - who want to begin performing more advanced manoeuvres on a ski that can hold its own in short-radius turns, without sacrificing its accessibility and comfort.
Both user-friendly and nimble, the AMP 80X is designed for a wide public. It's an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate skiers who want to improve, as well as for expert skiers looking for an easy and comfortable ride.
BEST SKI
SportmaniaScott Venture review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > All-mountain/Freeride Best ski 2014
In keeping with other Scott products, which have often done well in the Freeride category, the Venture was this year's "Testers' Choice" in this category. An excellent ski for intermediate to very good skiers who are looking for a very well-balanced ski that delivers a stress-free experience on all types of terrains.
A worthy newcomer to the legendary range, the Dynastar Course is unquestionably geared towards performance and long-radius turns. A good ski for expert- to competition-level skiers.
BEST SKI
Rossignol Scratch Open review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Versatile freestyle Best ski 2014
The Scratch already caught our attention last year, and it remains a reference in this category which requires a high level of performance both in the park and on piste. An excellent choice for average to confirmed freestylers looking for a tool that's both playful and efficient.
The Rossignol Radical 9SL is a "no-nonsense", high-performance ski whose distinctive feature is its considerable rigidity, which provides good grip and stability in turns, but puts it at a disadvantage in terms of accessibility. Excellent for good to expert skiers looking for a ski they can count on when carving short-radius turns.
BEST SKI
SportmaniaDynastar CHAM 97 review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > All-mountain/Freeride Best ski 2014
Our "Testers' Choice" in this category, the Dynastar Cham 97 is a well-balanced ski that is playful and pleasant underfoot, both on the slopes and in off-piste conditions. The model is suited to intermediate to good skiers looking for a versatile ski that is fun to ride.
AWARD
Scott JIB TW review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Versatile freestyle Best park ski!
Too flexible to perform well on the piste, the Jib TW is an excellent park ski (the best in this review) for a wide range of freestylers, from beginners to experts.
A good multi-purpose ski, with a distinct preference for long-radius turns but somewhat lacking in punch, the Head Rev 85 is a ski that we recommend to skiers insearch of an effective, versatile ski.
Like the Dynastar, the Rossignol 9 GS that was tested didn't come along just for the ride. Designed as a Giant Slalom specialist, it is remarkably effective in this area, although less versatile than other contenders in its category. It is a good choice for very good, physically fit skiers who are into carving long-radius turns at "full throttle".
Pursuit 14 from Rossignol is a user-friendly and docile ski facile, ideal for learning to carve out turns, and is suitable for levels ranging from false beginners to intermediate riders.
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Blizzard Power 400 review 2014
Men's skis 2014 > Men's intermediate Best performance!
The Power 400 is very well named. It's a powerful and efficient ski, unfortunately handicapped by its lack of accessibility, which pulls it down in this category. A bit too challenging for intermediate skiers, the Power 400 is closer to an Advanced ski, best for skiers that already know what they're doing and can carve a turn on a sixpence.
The Dynastar CR 74 is an outstanding carving ski but too specialised for the Advanced category, where versatility is one of the expected features. However, it would rank tops as a "High-performance piste ski" (a category which has, in fact, been requested by Dynastar). The CR 74 is an excellent choice for skiers who enjoy carving and who are looking for the thrills afforded by a high-performance piste ski.
Read on
The Hell & Back is a very good ski, but its extreme rigidity lost it points in view of our reviewers' physical stature. It's a good choice though for heavier, athletic skiers (> 85kg) who want a fast and dynamic mixed piste/freeride ski.
The Rossignol Pursuit 18 Ti is an excellent ski for carving at moderate speeds (or for novice carvers). Unfortunately, it is geared too much towards this type of usage and is not versatile enough to be listed in the Advanced category. Suitable for intermediate to good skiers who enjoy carving - but nothing too extreme.
Although more akin to an Advanced ski, the K2 Charger is nevertheless effective and versatile as A Slalom ski, and makes for a very pleasant skiing experience. We would recommend it for intermediate to good skiers who place a premium on comfort and pleasure, rather than pure performance.
As a ski that is geared more towards off-piste conditions, the Cham 87 will appeal to good freeride skiers who are looking for a ski that is playful and easy-to-handle in powder, but which also performs reasonably well on the slopes.
Given its shape and its background, the Experience is obviously an on-piste ski... and remains an on-piste ski. Although it ranks less well in this category, where it is competing with more versatile models, it is still a good ski for those looking for an on-piste ski that has a great feel underfoot in carving manoeuvres, and can handle the occasional incursion off the groomed slopes.
The K2 Recoil we reviewed was too short. However, it appears to be a good, particularly versatile Freestyle/Backcountry ski. We'd like to test it again next year, but in the 180 cm version.
The Dynastar Distorter we reviewed was sent with insufficiently centred bindings to optimise Freestyle performance. It's a good choice for good to expert skiers who're mainly looking for a ski that performs well in Alpine skiing, and who want to zip over a few mogul runs or pipes from time to time. It would be interesting to try this ski again next year with centered bindings.
Designed with a titanium plate at the front for extra rigidity, the Brahma is an "athletic" and demanding ski. A 70% on-piste and 30% powder ski for fit skiers with a good technical skill set.
The Dynastar CR 72 is much too carving-oriented to score well in this category where we're looking for a ski that's accessible above all else. This is a ski for average to good enthusiasts looking for an 'easy' carving tool.
Like its younger sibling, the piste ancestry of the Experience 88 is obvious as soon as you lay eyes on the ski's distinctive shape. It's hardly surprising that this is, above all, a ski for the groomers.
This ski is for intermediate to experienced skiers who want to enjoy carving the groomers but also want to get off the beaten track from time to time.
The Stöckli Stormrider 95 loses marks for its rigid waist which reduces comfort. However, it's a good ski for heavier skiers (> 85kg) looking for a versatile model that's enjoyable on soft snow and powder.