The Outdoor Gear Exchange/GearX.com 2014/2015 Ski Preview!

Get psyched for the hottest skis for the coming season!

Volkl Mantra

One of the greatest all-mountain chargers of all time gets a redesign for 2014/2015. The Volkl Mantra now has a new, versatile shape while retaining the stiff and powerful character that has defined this ski for years. Featuring a new fully rockered shape and early taper in the tip for additional performance on a variety of conditions ranging from powder to crud, as well as a slightly wider waist at 100 mm for float and stability at speed, the Mantra can tackle more terrain than ever before. Even with the redesigned shape, the Mantra is still a powerful, fast ski with a stiff wood and titanium core for power transfer and vibration dampening. Check out the 2014/2015 Volkl Mantra here!

Black Diamond Carbon Convert

The Black Diamond Carbon Convert is another new ski derived from an earlier model. The original Convert is a great all-mountain touring ski with a versatile shape for all conditions, now available with a brand-new lightweight carbon construction for efficient touring. Featuring a 105 mm waist for float in soft snow and stability at speed, combined with a rockered tip and tail, the Carbon Convert can handle anything from backcountry tree lines to steep couloirs. The Carbon Convert is an excellent lightweight all-mountain touring ski that is perfect for a variety of snow conditions and terrain. Check out the Black Diamond Carbon Convert here!

Blizzard Brahma

For those of us on the East, ski conditions are often hard, bumpy or cruddy. While everyone wishes that they would need a fatter powder ski every day, the reality is that a stiff, narrower waisted ski will perform much better on the average East coast ski day. The Blizzard Brahma is the quintessential East coast ski, with an 88 mm waist that is wide enough to handle crud, bumps and even some soft snow, while providing the quick edge-to-edge performance and stability at speed needed for linking fast GS turns on hardpack. Titanium sheets in the core add stiffness and rebound for aggressive turn initiation, while tip and tail rocker increase handling in the trees, bumps or on technical terrain. If you need one ski for the East, the Blizzard Brahma is the perfect choice. Check out the 2014 Blizzard Brahma here!

Dynafit Cho Oyu

Serious backcountry skiers know that Dynafit makes some of the lightest skis, boots and bindings, perfect for steep ascents and long tours. The Cho Oyu is no exception, as it features a carbon construction that brings the ski to a feather-light weight of just 1,183 grams per ski. For its weight, the Cho Oyu is an incredibly capable downhill performer, with an 89 mm waist (182) and gradual tip and tail rocker. Additionally, Dynafit designed the Cho Oyu with a variable radius sidecut, which allows it to make multiple different turn sizes on technical descents and tight terrain. Check out the Dynafit Cho Oyu here!

Dynastar Cham High Mountain 97

The Dynastar Cham High Mountain 97 is a high-performance freeride all-mountain ski that is excellent for a variety of snow conditions and terrain. With a long rockered nose for exceptional float in deep snow, as well as a 5-point variable radius sidecut, combined with a snappy wood core, the Cham 97 can take on anything from deep bowls to hard frozen granular. The High Mountain version of the Cham is lighter weight, making it a great touring and sidecountry ski as well. If you need a ski that can handle any terrain, while also featuring touring capability, the Dynastar Cham High Mountain 97 is an excellent choice. Check out the Dynastar Cham High Mountain 97 here!

Rossignol Soul 7

Based off of the wildly popular, innovative S7, the new Rossignol Soul 7 is an incredibly versatile freeride ski. Featuring a floaty 106 mm waist and Rossignol's Powder Turn Rocker technology for efficient turns in deep or variable snow, the Soul 7 is great for sidecountry laps, backcountry touring or resort skiing. The Soul 7 also features Air Tip technology, which makes the ski 15% lighter than the S7 and gives the tips of the ski a low swing weight and keeps them naturally about the surface of the snow. The Soul 7 is a versatile, innovative ski that performs well on all parts of the mountain. Check out the Rossignol Soul 7 here!