2021 Skis We Really Love
We love skis. Really love them.
It can be tough to pick favorites, but these are the ones we really love this season. Skis for every shredder in the family, from every category. OGExperts Dan and Megan tell it like it is:
All-Mountain Skis:
Dan's Pick: Atomic Maverick 95 TI
"The Maverick hits the sweet spot as a one-ski quiver! This versatile all-mountain ski can handle everything you throw at it."
Megan's Pick: Elan Ripstick 94 W
"Light, quick, and snappy! The Ripstick has a wider tip for turn engagement and for floating over softer snow."
Backcountry Touring Skis:
Dan's Pick: Black Crows Navis Freebird
"A perfect East Coast touring ski! Quick for the trees, wide enough for powdery days, and oh-so-light for the uphill."
Megan's Pick: Volkl Blaze 94
"A great touring ski you can use for dawn patrol, but still be able to hop on the lift to cruise the whole mountain!"
Ultralight Touring Skis:
Dan's Pick: Blizzard Zero G 85
"Uphill extraordinaire, the Zero G makes multiple laps feel like a walk in the park with its light carbon and wood core."
Megan's Pick: Fischer Hannibal 106
"Crushes the uphill, but still has enough backbone to make the descent just as fun!"
Resort Skis:
Dan's Pick: RMU Valhalla 97
"The Valhalla is built for any skier to get on and enjoy!"
Megan's Pick: Atomic Maven 93 C
"This is a phenomenal lightweight ripper. Thanks to a carbon core, it's stiff enough to carve a trench in the firmest of conditions, but light enough to be super maneuverable in tight areas."
East Coast Pow Skis:
Megan's Pick: Salomon QST Blank
"A quick pivoting, hard-charging ski that crushes the east. And have you seen those beautiful bases?!"
Dan's Pick: Atomic Backland 107
"Hits the right balance at 107 underfoot. A powder storm surfer, the 107 can still be fun on firmer snow after the storm!"
Prettiest Top Sheet:
Megan's Pick: K2 Alliance 98TI
"A little bit of bright, punk rock love. It’s one of the best top sheets in the shop this year. If you aren’t a fan of bright, the dark purple and black will have those mellow color lovers stoked too!"
Dan's Pick: RMU Valhalla 97
"RMU crushed their top sheet game this year! The watercolor theme on the 97 gives the ski a clean look with just the right amount of pop to turn some heads in the lift line!"
Most Playful Skis:
Dan's Pick: Armada Stranger
"Built to carve, but still good for some fun buttering all over the mountain or taking a hot lap through the park!"
Megan's Pick: DPS Koala 103 Foundation
"For the folks who want to hit rails and then rip the gnarly stuff under the chairlift."
Most Hard-Charging Skis:
Dan's Pick: Blizzard Brahma 88
"The two sheets of metal of the Brahma 88 makes for a killer firm snow ripper!"
Megan's Pick: Völkl Mantra M6
"The Mantra is back, but with some upgrades. Greater versatility and liveliness underfoot make this ski an all-mountain machine."