Armada JJ Skis (2012)
Length: 185
Dimensions:126-136-115-133-123; 14m radius
Terrain: Big Mountain/Powder
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced-Expert
Armada's Description: If you simply want the best back and sidecountry ski available, the JJ is without question the ski for you. Patented EST Freeride Rocker and the UltraLight core combine to produce the most balanced big ski on the market. It handles blower pow with ease, transitions to busted crud without shifting gears, and it will carve a turn that will leave you speechless.
Armada TST Skis (2012)
Length: 183
Dimensions:118-131-101-122; 14.7m radius
Terrain: All Mountain/Big Mountain
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced
Armada's Description:When Travis Steeger’s “Sponsor Me” video made the rounds in the office at Armada, it was met with unanimous acclaim. It stars a skier with undeniable skill, an ear to ear smile, and a contagious love for skiing and snow. Watching it provides the viewer with a palpable connection to Travis, his love of skiing, and his desire to explore the mountains and make turns wherever possible. Travis was only starting this exploration in skiing when his life was tragically cut short. Yet in this minimal time his energy and desire to explore helped shape this ski.
The TST is an all-mountain/big-mountain tool designed to let you explore the entire mountain; air the biggest cliffs, ski the deepest pow, and straight-line the steepest lines. With Armada’s Patented EST All Mountain Rocker that boasts a progressive tip rocker and no tail rocker, there isn’t a turn or jump on the mountain the TST can’t make. This is the ski Travis was asking us to make for his every day ski at his home mountain of Whitewater BC. So next time you find yourself in the middle of a great day, or on a perfect run, or are just surrounded by all your friends; un-zip your coat, smile from ear to ear, and giv’er for Travis. A portion of the proceeds of this ski are donated to Travis Steeger’s Memorial Fund and the “Avalanche Awareness Beyond the Boundaries Society”, which provides free avalanche skills training courses for youth.
Armada VJJ Skis (2012)
Lengths: 163, 175
Dimensions: 126-136-115-133-123; 12m radius
Terrain: Big Mountain/Powder
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced-Expert
Aramda's Description: Flawless. You’re the girl who has no problem leading the pack, the girl who’s ready for the next lap while the others are still catching their breath. But when the snow got deep there wasn’t a proper tool for you. Stuck with either over-sized men’s skis or under-sized women’s versions, no superior women’s backcountry rockered ski ever existed. And for that purpose we’re stoked to introduce the VJJ. A women’s specific version of the original JJ utilizing the patented EST Freeride Rocker but with all the requirements to validate it with the ladies.
Atomic Blackeye Skis (2012)
Length: 167
Dimensions: 123.5/82/108.5; 15.5m radius
Terrain: All Mountain
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced
Atomic's Description: The Blackeye Ti is an agile, titanium-reinforced all-mountain ski which really comes into its own on-piste.
With the Blackeye Ti, skiers are well prepared for any situation. Two titanium inserts increase torsional rigidity and in conjunction with the Step Down sidewall transfer every last shred of power directly to the slope – delivering optimum edge grip and precise tracking. Its shape makes this ski especially agile; an 82 mm waist width allows skiers to venture into softer snow. Making the Blackeye Ti ideal for athletic all-mountain skiers who demand lively power transmission and precise edge grip on-piste and who still expect excellent gliding characteristics in soft snow.
Hart Pulse Skis (2012)
Lengths: 170
Dimensions: 124/77/110
Terrain: All Mountain
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced
Hart's Description: The Pulse with its striking ISO Sport 4D graphic is fast becoming a premier all mountain ski that skis great in all types of snow conditions. Lively, maneuverable, versatile, and lots of fun this ski loves to carve up the groomers and then go over and play in the soft stuff. Skier friendly, energetic and snappy, yet smooth and predictable are the trademarks of its performance. Already becoming a preferred ski of many accomplished ski instructors, take their lead and ski one of the best all mountain skis available today.
Doc's Review: It's hard to resist car analogies when reviewing skis. Oh, okay, we give in. The Hart Pulse is like driving a Bentley. It's smoother than Billy Dee Williams and moves faster than, um, Billy Dee Williams.
K2 Aftershock Skis (2011)
Length: 174
Dimensions: 130/86/114
Terrain: All Mountain
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced
K2's Description: Offering the widest dimensions of the AMP series, this high performance ski is built with ungroomed or softer snow conditions in mind. The All-Terrain Rocker gives you the added versatility to rip the glades or explore a side of the mountain that you’ve never seen before. Don’t let the 86 mm waist width fool you; the Aftershock is still lively and agile on the groomers. Give them a try, the versatility of this ski will shock you.
Doc's Review: The Aftershock is the widest of K2's All Mountain Performance (AMP) series. Eighty-six millimeters underfoot, it's plenty happy to be in mixed snow, but still rips up cordouroy all day long.
K2 Rictor Skis (2012)
Lengths: 167, 174
Dimensions: 127/80/109
Terrain: All Mountain
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced
K2's Description: If you are searching for the most versatile high performance ski available, then look no further. Equally at home on the steepest, rock-solid groomer or the back bowls on a powder day, the Rictor is your one-ski quiver. Incredible versatility stems from the optimal combination of width, shape, and Baseline profile, resulting in an expert level ski that will have you skiing from first to last chair.
Doc's Review: The Rictor, alond with it's predecessor, the Recon, have been perrenial favorites by testers and everyday skiers, alike. So much so, in fact, that the Doc's crew doesn't want to like them. They're just too popular. But, alas, we can't build up the hate. This Rictor is just fun. Oh yea, and it's forgiving. If you can find someone who doesn't like this ski, well, then they're just a hater. For the rest of us, this ski is all-mountain ready.
K2 Kung Fujas Skis (2011)
Length: 179
Dimensions:133-102-127; 19m radius
Terrain: Big Mountain/Freeride
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced
K2's Description: Pep Fujas created a pro-model to conquer everything on his mountain hit list. Laps in the park, wide open bowls, pillow lines, tree skiing, and even bonks and jibs are all fair game on the Kung Fujas. This one-ski quiver is designed with All-Terrain Rocker and a 102mm waist to handle diverse terrain and snow conditions. You can also remove the tip and tail rivets and attach the K2 pre-cut skins for a further adventure. Add another notch on your (black) belt.
K2 Superstitious Skis (2012)
Lengths: 153
Dimensions: 128-84-112; 14m radius
Terrain: All Mountain
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced-Expert
K2's Description: This ski is the best choice for expert-level women who charge the entire mountain and aren’t spooked by a blessing of new snow from mother nature. Sporting All-Terrain Rocker on the widest Super Model ski, the Superstitious provides top-notch performance in soft snow, both on and off-trail.
K2 Superfree Skis (2012)
Length: 146, 153
Dimensions: 120/76/104; 14m radius
Terrain: All Mountain
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced
K2's Description: This all-mountain women’s ski is the most versatile advanced/expert ski in the line. The Triaxially braided Bioflex wood core offers an extra level of control and energy in this high-performance ski. Swift turns will come naturally on both groomed snow and off-piste, so hop on a pair and set yourself free.
K2 Superburnin Skis (2012)
Lengths: 153
Dimensions: 121/72/106
Terrain: All Mountain
Target skier: Advanced-Expert
K2's Description: The SuperBurnin will set your skiing on fire, not your legs. This expert women’s hard snow carving ski provides precision turning and edge hold on firm snow. Its narrow design and Speed Rocker ensures accurate, high performance transitions between turns and will result in quicker hot laps and flawless tracks.
Nordica Firearrow 80 Pro Skis (2012)
Lengths: 172, 180
Dimensions: 127/80/109
Terrain: All Mountain Frontside
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced-Expert
Description: The Rictor and it's predecessor, the Recon, are perennial favorites. Equally at home on the steepest, rock-solid groomer or the back bowls on a powder day, the Rictor is your one-ski quiver. Incredible versatility stems from the optimal combination of width, shape, and Baseline profile, resulting in an expert level ski that will have you skiing from first to last chair.
Nordica Hell & Back Skis (2012)
Lengths: 170
Dimensions: 138/98/125
Terrain: Big Mountain
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced-Expert
Description: Sidecountry is the evolution of All Mountain Skiing and Nordica's new SIDECOUNTRY HELL & BACK is built with I-Core technology, a specifically designed super lightweight wood core that allows for easier uphill without sacrificing anything on the down. 20% lighter than a standard fat ski, the HELL & BACK utilizes Nordica's Early Rise Cam Rock, which increases flotation and velocity in powder and also make the ski super easy to turn.
Salomon BBR 8.9 Skis (2012)
Lengths: 176, 186
Dimensions: 147/89/102
Terrain: All Mountain
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced-Expert
Salomon's Description: Totally new design in sidecut and shape technology, the BBR has an oversized, surfboard shaped tip for floatation in soft snow and terrain absorption, combined with a narrow tail and short radius sidecut for quick, precise carving on piste.
Doc's Review: The Salomon BBR is the most radical ski available today. It's surf board tip elicits plenty of looks, but you can't know this ski until you've spent some time on it. Salomon has managed to build a ski with over 40mm of sidecut between tip and tail that doesn't hook or chatter madly. Instead the BBR is a carving, floating ocean blue miracle. No, they're not for everyone, but they're for a lot us.
Salomon Enduro XT800 Skis (2012)
Lengths: 166, 175
Dimensions: 125/80/108 @ 175cm
Terrain: All Mountain
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced
Salomon's Description: High-performance all-mountain ski combining Powerline for unrivaled stability and control with all mountain rocker for more terrain versatility. For skiers who ski 80% on-piste.
Doc's Review: The Enduro XT 800 is an expansion of the 2011 introduction of the Enduro 84. The Enduro line is bigger now and has introduced some nice variations. The XT 800 is a solid, but maneuverable all-mountain ski. It has a wide performance window that will please a lot of skiers. Constructed with a wood core, a layer of bamboo, and titanium alloy, this ski doesn't fall apart in a hard turn or at high speeds. Yet it doesn't require the kind of force that some other skis in Salomon's lineup do. Finally the tip rocker give the Enduro XT 800 an added grace in the turn transition.
Salomon Lady Skis (2012)
Lengths: 169
Dimensions: 128/85/113 @ 161cm
Terrain: All Mountain/Freeride
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced
Salomon's Description: All-mountain freeride ski for women who ski equal amounts on and off-piste.
Doc's Review: The Doc's guy testers love the men's equivalent, the Lord. Doc's lady testers like the Lady even more. We're not sure why. But what we do know is that this freeride mid-fat ski allows for a seamless transition from groom to off-piste hardpack to powder like few skis do.
Salomon Lord Skis (2012)
Length:175
Dimensions: 128/87/115 @ 175cm
Terrain: All Mountain/Freeride
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced
Salomon's Description: Versatile, twin-tip freeride ski for people looking to explore new terrain and develop their inner freerider.
Doc's Review: The Salomon Lord skis just want to be loved. Really. If you like to cruise, the Lords do that. If slashing through the trees is your thing, then okay. Do you put some air between you and the snow? The Lord's land like an Air Force pilot. You get the picture. There's a reason why the Lord is Salomon's best selling ski three years running.
Salomon Shogun Skis (2012)
Lengths: 182
Dimensions: 130/101/1w0 @ 182cm
Terrain: All Mountain/Freeride/Powder
Target skier: Intermediate-Advanced-Expert
Salomon's Description: Your everyday fat ski. Super versatile 100mm waist ski that combines floatation with stability and playfulness.
Doc's Review: The Salomon Shogun, according to at least on of Doc's testers, is the best every-day, do-anything, go-anywhere ski on the market. The wood/bamboo/basalt (dampened by PULSE pad) ski has enough technology built into it to nerd out even the nerdiest skier, but the proof is in the turn. This ski floats and carves with both ferocity and subtlety like nothing we've ever skied.