Best Freeride Skis 2024

You’ve decided: off-piste is your priority. Here are some of this winter’s best ski models in the freeride category.

You’re not a woeful, flaky all-mountain rider. You like off-piste and that’s where you’ll be the most. That said, sometimes you’ll be skiing on groomed slopes. Sometimes the avalanche danger is too high off the slopes, sometimes the visibility is minimal and sometimes the snow is simply crap. Your ultimate ski is a freeride ski, or a freeride ski as they say over there and even here at home in Svedala nowadays.

You also see spring slush and run-up slopes more as an asset rather than something bad, and then the slightly wider freeride skis help you. You’re aware that those filthy deep days with powder snow that tickles you all the way up to your nostrils are only a handful per season, and for these days it’s not worth having a mega-wide, slightly softer dedicated off-piste ski.

In this test, we focus on skis that have 100 millimeters and up in the waist. If you are more of a piste skier who might be going a little off-piste, stop reading this article and read about this year’s best all-mountain skis instead.

During the test, we have put a buyer’s guide where we explain more about what a freeride ski is.

Skis that we have tested before and that are unchanged for 2024 apart from the graphics may also be included in this test as we believe that they are still relevant. So, without further ado, here are a whopping 15 freeride skis to check out! The skis are sorted by ratings from our test skiers, best first.

Best Freeride Skis

1. Fischer Ranger 108

Lengths: 171, 178, 185 and 192 cm)
Dimensions: 143-109-134 mm (@185 cm)
Radius: 18 meters (@185 cm)
Weight: 2120 g (@185 cm)

About the ski: The Ranger 108 is Fischer’s newly developed version of the previous two-part Ranger series. The ski is the result of 30 months of product development in which athletes, salespeople and engineers have had their say. Fischer describes the ski as both powerful and playful, and believes that this particular variant is at its best in deep powder.

The ski has a core construction of poplar and beech, freeski rocker and Shaped Ti; which means a kind of reinforcement that provides an optimal grip and a more stable turn. The product is fully developed and produced in Europe and in addition to a careful selection of natural materials, it also consists of a lot of recycled materials to strive for minimal footprint.

Rating:
– In terms of performance, I would say that this is a ski for those who want quid pro quo and quick response in turns, want to be able to flex with the occasional cruise on piste between off-piste runs, but who still prefer to stay in unprepared terrain. If, on the other hand, you prefer to primarily stay on the piste, but occasionally go off-road, the Ranger 96 or 102 are probably better variants to look at,” says Emma Lerider Harrysson.

“Even if you primarily stay in the Swedish mountains where the snow usually does not reach the same levels as the Alps, I think that the Fischer Ranger 108 is a clear first choice for the more advanced skier who wants to invest in a couple of new tracks for the winter. Skiing is fun, but somehow becomes even more fun with a pair of Ranger 108 under your feet.

Rating: 5

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2. K2 Reckoner 112

Lengths: 177, 184 and 191 cm
Dimensions: 136-112-127 mm
Radius: 22.90 meters (@184 cm)
Weight: 2040 gram (@184 cm)

About the ski: K2 Reckoner is a freeride ski with a wood core of aspen and spruce that is reinforced with carbon fiber and fiberglass. The Reckoner is more playful than, for example, the metal-reinforced Mindbender series and this is also the ski that will replace the old Shreditor 112. The Reckoner 112 has a traditional camber under the foot and rocker in the tip and tail as well as a kind of carbon fiber mesh that varies in density over the ski, making it harder underfoot.

Opinion: Despite the fact that the waist measures 112 millimeters, the Reckoner 112 does not feel large and sluggish. On the contrary, this ski is well-balanced, easy to get into turns and just the right amount of cushioning. In addition, the weight feels low for such a large ski. The skis feel easy to ride and unexpectedly grippy even on hard conditions. The Reckoner 112 is simply an unexpectedly good ski that suits Swedish conditions surprisingly well.

Rating: 5

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3. Line Bacon 108

Lengths: 166, 172, 178, 184 and 190 cm
Dimensions: 142-108-137 mm
Radius: 17.4 m (@184 cm)
Weight: 2180 g (@184 cm)

About the ski: Line Sir Francis Bacon is almost a modern classic when it comes to playful freeride skis and its history stretches all the way back to 2006 when the ski was launched on the market. For next season (23/24) Sir Francis will have to step aside and make way for the more (punchy?!) name – Bacon. Line’s salted pork belly comes in three different varieties: Bacon 108, Bacon 115 and Bacon Shorty, which is a shorter version with a minimum length of 145 centimetres.

Line Bacon 108 has a maple wood core and is equipped with equal parts rocker both at the front and back of the ski as well as traditional camber under the foot. The ski has also been updated with a more durable (read rugged) construction, symmetrical flex and lower swing weight.

Review:
– Line Bacon 108 is a lively and playful ski with a more centered mounting and strong rocker profile. In combination with a relatively tight turning radius, this becomes an incredibly fun ski that surprises with its agility despite the generous width. Spot on in powder and surprisingly fun on the piste. This is a ski completely in my taste and in my opinion I have nothing more to wish for from a freeride ski. Full score! Says Petter Elfsberg.

Rating: 5

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4. Extrem Factory 112

Lengths: 186 and 194 cm
Dimensions: 143-112-132 mm (@194 cm)
Radius: 22 m (@ 194 cm)
Weight per ski: 2325 g (@ 194 cm)

About the ski: The ski consists of a poplar wood core combined with a 0.4 mm Titanal strip under the foot that transfers the power from you as a skier in an efficient way and provides an edge feel and a stable pressure down into the ski. Furthermore, Extrem has chosen a race rubber cushioning in the tip and tail against vibrations on hard surfaces together with a 0.2 mm rubber foil in the ski to further strengthen the construction and increase the strength between different materials. Austrian race base (Isospeed 7515) from Isosport. Extra thick steel edges and extra wide ABS edge for maximum durability and topsheet from Isosport for best durability.

In addition, the ski has a refined rocker profile that makes the ski easy to turn on piste and gives it a floating feel in powder. This combination is boiled (pressed) into a ski that is easy to manoeuvre, poppy flex and powerful.

Review:
“In my opinion, this is a really good all-round ski that works every day and on the entire mountain. I find it playful but reliable. You can glide around and enjoy the tranquillity of the piste with an easy-to-turn ski while taking it to the roughest of conditions and to the deepest of fresh snow. A perfect choice for those who are going to do a season in the Alps and want a ski that you can use every day without having to compromise. I am satisfied with the performance and delivery of the ski. For me, this is as close as it gets to a full score. With everything that the ski performs and the versatility that makes it usable and reliable every day on the mountain. What makes it not reach all the way to the top is when I experience it as a little uneasy at high speed. A small trifle in the grand scheme of things, but with that said, my rating lands at 4.5 out of 5 possible, says Olle Stenbäck.

Rating: 4.5

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5. Extrem Final Opinion 118

Lengths: 187 and 194 cm
Dimensions: 142-118-132 mm (@187 cm)
Radius: 23 meters (@187 cm)
Weight: 2000 grams (@187 cm)
Mount Point: True center -60 mm

About the ski: This ski is built for the big mountains and the skier with the intention of driving hard and fast. Extrem Final Opinion 118 consists of a mixed wood core of poplar and paulownia. This, according to the manufacturer, provides a combination of light weight and playfulness. In the tip of the ski we find the material Tubercomb (which Extrem calls koroyd). Around this koroyd lies like a “horseshoe” of race rubber cushioning. This is to give the ski a combination of low swing weight and rubber cushioning. In addition to this, the ski Extrem’s usual choice consists of materials, i.e.: Prepreg fiberglass, Isosport race base with graphite, extra thick steel edges (2.2×2.3 mm) and extra wide ABS sidewalls (8.5 mm).

Review:“I really like the ski regardless of the conditions. From powder and enjoyable big runs to steep and icy chutes. I like it regardless and I can see that this ski would work almost every day on the mountain. A good ski to do the season on if you are in the mood for big skiing, says Olle Stenbäck – Extrem Final Opinion gives a quick response in both carving turns, but also in technically demanding off-piste, despite its weight. The ski is also extremely stable at high speeds, despite a soft tip and tail, and it floats well in powder. I would say that it is playful if you dare to challenge it, but the ski requires its skier.

Rating: 4.5

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6. Extrem Fusion 105 Carbon

Lengths: 172, 179 and 186 cm
Dimensions: 136-105-124 mm (@186 cm)
Radius: 21 meters (@186 cm)
Weight: 1750 grams (@186 cm)

About the ski: According to Extrem, the Fusion 105 Carbon is the ultimate all-round ski and is constructed with two layers of pre-impregnated carbon and fiberglass as well as a wood core of poplar and paulownia. In addition, the Fusion 105 Carbon has the koroyd material in the tip and tail. The rocker profile is progressive and the ski has a traditional camber of 2-3 millimeters under the foot.

Review: Despite the fact that this is a light ski, it is really stable and can handle high speed without being worried, probably thanks to the carbon fiber construction. At the same time, the Fusion 105 Carbon is perceived as easy to turn, which means that this ski is well suited to most things, just as the manufacturer itself claims. The ski is relatively stiff, which can be an advantage at high speed, but when it comes to playfulness, there is more to be desired, even if it can be a matter of taste.

Rating: 4.5

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7. Rossignol Sender 104 Ti

Lengths: 164, 172, 178 and 186 cm
Dimensions: 138-104-128 mm (@178 cm
Radius: 18 m (@178 cm)
Weight: 1900 g (@178 cm)

About the ski: Rossignol is French, but the Sender 104 Ti is built in Spain and is packed with technical specifications. Inside, we find a wood core of paulownia – a relatively light wood – which in these skis also has a PEFC marking. Which in plain language means that the material is part of Rossignol’s “ECO-Conception”, where, among other things, the reuse of raw materials is maximized while minimizing the environmental impact of production (formally defined in PEFC/14-35-00477).

The Sender 104 Ti is reinforced with titanal for better stability, which is also new for this model compared to the previous edition of the Sender 104. The 2023 model has also been fitted with an updated rocker profile, which according to the manufacturer should provide a more precise turn start. In practice, the ski has a clear rocker at the front, traditional camber under the foot and at the tail of the ski there is a slight rocker/rise. However, the Sender 104 Ti doesn’t have the twintip.

Finally, the Sender 104 Ti is constructed with a lot of rubber, whose purpose is to reduce any vibrations. In addition, there is porous composite at the front and rear ends, which reduces the overall weight, as well as the swing weight (less mass at the ends to get around in turns), which in turn should make the ski easier to maneuver.

Review:
“All in all, this is a really good all-mountain/freeride ski. The Rossignol Sender 104 Ti is easy to turn and quick despite its relatively wide dimensions, which means that this is a good ski for those who prioritize getting around smoothly even when the surface has become messy – regardless of whether it is on or off prepared piste, says Petter Elfsberg.

“As the speed and power increases, the Rossignol Sender 104 Ti is not quite as stable as last winter’s test favourite Norse The Enduro. But I can definitely recommend this ski to anyone who is planning to buy a pair of skis that will cover the entire season’s varied surface.

Rating: 4.5

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8. Salomon QST Blank

Lengths: 178, 186 and 194 centimetres
Measurements: 138-112-127 (@186 cm)
Radius: 15, 17 and 18 meters
Weight: 2100, 2250 and 2450 gr

About the ski: Salomon QST Blank was launched for the 2021/2022 season and for the 2022/2023 season, the construction of the ski remains unchanged. Inside this ski we find a poplar wood core that is reinforced with carbon fiber in the tip and tail as well as metal where the binding was attached. 

QST Blank has a traditional camber under the foot and has been equipped with a generous rocker in both tip and tail. The ski’s widest points are located far into the ski, which means that QST Blank is not particularly wide in its brim despite the narrow radius of 17 meters in the test length of 186 centimeters.

Review:
“The Salomon QST Blank is a fantastically playful, quick and easy-to-ride ski. It’s made for those who want to skid around in rough terrain such as powder-covered pillow formations or slushy spring humps. QST Blank is flexible despite generous dimensions, which indicates that Salomon has done its job in the hunt for the perfect ski, says Petter Elfsberg, “If you are looking for a hard and stable charger ski that runs like a train, you should probably look for something else, and the relatively short radius of 17 meters is a matter of taste, right? The Salomon QST Blank is really fast sideways – if you like it, it’s wonderful.

Rating: 4.5

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9. Atomic Bent 110

Lengths: 172, 180 and 188 cm
Dimensions: 133-110-124 mm (@180 cm)
Radius: 18 m (@180 cm)
Weight: 1750 g (@180 cm)

About the ski: The Atomic Bent 110 is built from a lightweight poplar wood core. According to Atomic, poplar has been chosen to optimize the weight of the ski without sacrificing anything when it comes to cushioning and stability.

The ski has a so-called “Dura Cap Sidewall” from the base to the top of the ski. The idea behind this design is to optimise a controlled power transfer and get a good edge grip. Furthermore, the rounded shape of the “Dura cap” is durable and holds better against bumps and marks.

For a number of years now, Atomic has designed its freeride skis with a so-called “HRZN Tech” for tip and tail. This construction has a beveled tip and tail that provides 10% more surface area without adding any additional width or weight to the ski. Atomic believes that this gives the ski fantastic float in deep snow and a more “relaxed” tip and tail that does not get stuck as easily in tricky situations. Atomic also says that this creates a more playful ski with progressive performance that makes for the ultimate design for freeride and freestyle riders.

Review:
– The bottom line. I’ve tried the Bent 110 in very glassy spring conditions. In my opinion, this is a playful ski that I personally have a lot of fun on. Everything from park, to piste, to slushy off-piste. A ski that does very well at the time when I try it. As mentioned earlier, it turns well on the piste, but it gets a little uneasy at higher speeds. If you want a stable plank that you can really work on, I would have chosen another freeride ski. If you want a new playmate instead, you can laugh your way down to the après-ski on a pair of Bent 110s,” says Olle Stenbäck.

Rating: 4

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10. Black Diamond Impulse 104

Lengths: 165, 172, 179 and 186 cm
Dimensions: 137-104-124 mm (@186 cm)
Radius: 19 meters (@186 cm)
Weight: 1990 gram (@186 cm)

About the ski: Black Diamond Impulse is a new series of skis that will be launched for the winter that will come in several different widths. According to Black Diamond themselves, these are playful skis with a shorter turning radius than the old Boundary and should be intended to work on the entire mountain. Impulse 104 has a poplar wood core and is not reinforced with any metal at all. The Impulse 104 has a relatively large rocker and traditional camber under the foot like most freeride skis have.

Review: This is an excellent freeride ski that works in the lift system as well as on the mountain far beyond civilization. The ski works really well for most things, possibly except for rock-hard piste skiing (which goes without saying considering the width). In short, the Impulse 104 is easy to manoeuvre off the piste and is stable regardless of the conditions, which makes this a fun ski that does not offer any unwelcome surprises.

Rating: 4

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11. Salomon QST 106

Lengths: 157 (Qst Stella), 165, 173, 181 and 189 cm
Dimensions: 139-106-126 mm
Radius: 19 m (181 cm)
Weight: 1980g (181 cm)

About the ski: The Salomon QST 106 is (as the name suggests) 106 millimeters underfoot and has a turning radius of 19 meters. The cut is retracted from the tip and tail, which gives a slightly snappier ski on the cut if you ask the marketers. However, the effective edge down the slope will be shorter, which inevitably results in a little less stability. The rocker profile is also the modern standard for freeriding: rocker in the tip and in the tail, as well as some camber under the foot.

The ski is a sandwich construction and Salomon’s recipe for QST One O Six includes a poplar wood core and cork that has been added to the tip and tail, and everything is then reinforced with carbon fiber and fiberglass. Under the foot at the binding is a reinforcement with titanal. Then you also have something that Salomon calls “double sidewall” which is a reinforcement of the sidewall under the foot that, together with the titanal layer, will make the ski more stable and a better edge grip.

And what is the difference between the new QST One O Six and the previous version? The difference from last year’s model is that the widest points (front and back) have been moved closer to the centre, so a little more taper. There is no basic in the skis anymore, and they are 100 grams lighter than their predecessor. 

Review:“The Salomon QST 106 carves just fine. The ice grip works as it should on a freeride ski. It is possible to get quite tight turns and also some rebound between turns when the skis are pressed. Of the freeride skis I’ve skied in recent years, the QST 106 doesn’t stand out as the very best in the class of carving. I hold the Völkl Blaze 106 higher there, it’s livelier and more responsive with a slightly tighter radius and less tail rocker which gives more edge on the slopes. If the Blaze gets a very good pass, QST will get a good pass on hard surfaces on piste, says Anders Wingqvist.

“When the snow starts to soften, things happen under my feet. The Salomon QST One O Six gives me a free ticket to the world’s most fun ride. The grip on the slightly softening slopes makes me a world champion at carving, and it is possible to blow on at full kareta.

Rating: 4

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12. Völkl Blaze 106

Lengths: 165, 172, 179 and 186 cm
Dimensions: 146-106-128 mm
Radius: 17 m (@179 cm)
Weight: 1828 grams (@179 cm)

About the ski: Blaze is a freeride ski with 106 millimeters under the foot. The turning radius is relatively strong, 17 metres in the test length of 179 cm and the nose of 146 millimetres is also quite wide in this context. When we talk about geometry, we must also mention Völkl’s hobby horse 3D radius that Blaze has, in plain English it means that the middle of the ski has a tighter radius and towards the ends, the radius becomes a little calmer. The skis are built with a wood core in beech and poplar, a little metal is underneath the binding as reinforcement. There are tip and tail rockers, as well as camber under the foot.

Review:
“In short, the Völkl Blaze 106 is easy to ride and fun and passes well in all conditions. It feels like a modern freeride ski where different variables have been weighed and balanced against each other to create a ski that can handle powder, run-up, harder conditions and at the same time is light enough to go on shorter summit tours and side country missions on. But if you know that you should never, ever walk a single meter uphill with the help of your own machine, I think you should choose a slightly heavier ski, throw on 200-300 grams and you get that type of ski that just eats its way through run-up slopes, says Anders Wingqvist.

“These are not German tracks from Völkl that require an alpine racing background or the like. These are easy-to-ride skis that are suitable for intermediate and skilled skiers.

Rating: 4

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13. Faction Prodigy 3

Lengths: 172, 178, 184 and 190 cm
Dimensions: 133-106-125 mm
Radius: 20 meters (@184 cm)
Weight: 2100 grams (@184 cm)

About the ski: For 2023, the brand has implemented sidewalls made of recycled plastic (rubbish that ends up on the floor of the factory) and bio-based glue. Otherwise, the Faction Prodigy 3 is the same ski as last year’s Faction Prodigy 3.0.

The ski is built in Austria and has a poplar wood core and metal reinforcement under the foot, which gives a ski that is stiff in the middle and soft in the tip and tail. The Prodigy 3 has a rocker front and back as well as a modest traditional camber of 2 millimeters under the foot. The ski is also constructed with an elliptical cut, so the radius is not completely even as a circle over the entire ski, but becomes shorter towards the tip and tail, which should make it easier for the skier to choose the size of the turn.

Review: Compared to the CT 3.0, the Prodigy 3 is simply softer and easier to ride. In big turns with soft ground and speed, the skis are safe and float well and when it gets a little steeper, they respond in a natural way without getting nervous. However, the Prodigy 3 feels a bit sluggish to get around in terrain where shorter turns are required, such as a tight chute. In short, this is a calm, relatively soft but at the same time stable ski for the entire mountain that fits best under the feet of a skier with a park background.

Rating: 3.5

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14. Line Sakana

Lengths: 166, 174 and 181 cm
Dimensions: 150-105-138 mm (@174 cm)
Radius: 15 meters (@174 cm)
Weight: 1770 grams (@174 cm)

About the ski: The most remarkable thing about this ski is, of course, its swallowtail, i.e. the fishtail shape. The idea is that the rear end should sink a little easier in soft snow, while at the same time you can go on a slightly shorter ski without missing out on float according to the manufacturer, if it works significantly better than a classic tail rocker is difficult to determine. Otherwise, the ski has a span under the foot of 4 millimeters that goes over large parts of the ski, but along the front, Sakana is equipped with rocker. The wood core is built with paulownia and maple, which is then reinforced with carbon fiber to perform better on hard surfaces.

Review: The Sakana is a wide ski that is easy to get up on edge and it is really fun on the piste in medium to short carving turns. The ski is soft at the front and has a tail without rocker, which means that the skis sometimes feel like they bite and get stuck at the back. Simply described, this is a ski for those who love tight carving turns, and like to glide around in the loose snow. Sakana is especially comfortable with a skier who wants something different, both in terms of feel and appearance.

Rating: 3

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15. Rossignol Sender 106 Ti Plus

Dimensions:138-106-128 mm (@187 cm)
Lengths: 180, 187 and 194 cm
Radius: 21 m (@187 cm)
Weight: 2200 g (@187 cm)

About the ski:
Rossignol Sender 106 Ti Plus has a poplar wood core that is PEFC-labeled (which means, among other things, that the reuse of raw materials is maximized while minimizing the environmental impact of production). The wood core is reinforced with one and a half layers of titanal for extra stability and performance. The ski is equipped with a traditional camber under the foot as well as rocker in the tip and tail and a progressive turning radius of 21 meters in the test length of 187 centimeters. In terms of design, the Sender 106 Ti Plus is very reminiscent of the skis mentioned above with a stylish gray layout.

Review: The Rossignol Sender 106 Ti Plus is a ski for those who love speed and care less about the skis turning when you edge them. Despite the fact that the waist circumference touches the all-mountain category, this is definitely not a ski that does well on the whole mountain. On the piste, the ski is sluggish to turn and basically requires an empty slope to get to grips with it. I’m guessing the Rossignol Sender 106 Ti Plus is perfect for big messy mountains with a rider who likes full throttle. Anyone looking for a more playful ski with similar specifications should choose the Rossignol Sender 104 Ti.

Rating: 3

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Comparison of Freeride skis

Make & Model	Measurements (Nose-Waist-Back)	Radius	Weight per ski	Rating
Fischer Ranger 108	143-109-134 mm	18.00 m (@185 cm)	2120 g (@185 cm)	5
K2 Reckoner 112	136-112-127 mm	22.90 m (@184 cm)	2040 g (@184 cm)	5
Line Bacon 108	142-108-137 mm	17.4 m (@184 cm)	2180 g (@184 cm)	5
Extrem Factory 112	143-112-132 mm	22 m (@ 194 cm)	2325 g (@ 194 cm)	4,5
Extrem Final Opinion 118	142-118-132 mm	23.00 m (@187 cm)	2000 g (@187 cm)	4,5
Extrem Fusion 105 Carbon	136-105-124 mm	21 m (@186 cm)	1750 g (@186 cm)	4,5
Rossignol Sender 104 Ti	138-104-128 mm	18.00 m (@178 cm)	1900 g (@178 cm)	4,5
Salomon QST Blank	138-112-127 mm	17.00 m (@186 cm)	2250 g (@186 cm)	4,5
Atomic Bent 110	133-110-124 mm	18.00 m (@180 cm)	1750 g (@180 cm)	4
Black Diamond Impulse 104	137-104-124 mm	19 m (@186 cm)	1990 g (@186 cm)	4
Salomon QST 106	139-106-126 mm	19.00 m (@184 cm)	1980 g (@181 cm)	4
Völkl Blaze 106	146-106-128 mm	17.00 m (@179 cm)	1828 g (@179 cm)	4
Faction Prodigy 3	133-106-125 mm	20 m (@184 cm)	2100 g (@184 cm)	3.5
Line Sakana	150-105-138 mm	15 m (@174 cm)	1770 g (@174 cm)	3
Rossignol Sender 106 Ti Plus	138-106-128 mm	21 m (@187 cm)	2200 g (@187 cm)	3

About the ski test

Freeride.se sent out a bunch of experienced skiers to test ride several exciting news with a slightly wider waist circumference for the coming winter. We have focused on freeskiing and we have tested the skis in places where the skiing has the potential to be really good.

Please note that these skis have been skied by the same test subject. Take it with you when you read the test. Before you buy skis, we always recommend that you test yourself and/or read more ski tests. This pre-season, the ski test days around the mountains are back in November and December. In places like Vemdalen, Sälen and Åre you can try skis for free and if you have the chance to do so, just do it!

Freeride Skis Buyer’s Guide

What is a freeride ski?

A ski adapted for freeriding balances like an all-mountain ski between piste and off-piste, but has tipped over in the latter direction. This is the ski for those who prioritize skiing in powder, slush and run-up slopes. A freeride ski works reasonably well in most conditions, apart from hard piste where it becomes a little sluggish, but it thrives best in the forest and outside the groomed slopes.

What’s good about a freeride ski?

A freeride ski is more versatile than many people think. When the slopes get run up, a freeride ski basically works just as well as an all-mountain ski, if not better. And as many know, it doesn’t have to take many hours after the lifts start spinning before it starts to get messy and bumpy on the slopes, especially during the high season. And as the name of this category suggests, a freeride ski works great on most surfaces when it comes to unprepared terrain.

What’s bad about a freeride ski?

Freeride skis work well in run-up terrain, but when it gets to the point where it starts to get icy on the slopes, this type of ski has to throw in the towel. These skis are relatively wide in combination with a lot of rocker, which means that the ice grip is not the best. When it comes to the slightly more desirable powder snow, a freeride ski works all the better, although an even fatter off-piste ski is preferable to keep you afloat on the deepest days.

How wide is a freeride ski?

This is of course relative, but we have chosen to draw the line just above the decimeter mark, so all skis in the freeride segment are from 104 millimeters and just over a centimeter upwards. The widest ski we have tested is 118 millimeters, which also gives an indication of the question of how wide a pure off-piste ski should be.

Why shouldn’t I just stare blindly at the freeride segment?

If you prefer to ski mostly on the piste and think that a smooth surface is the best, you do not need a freeride ski for a few turns in the powder right next to the slope, then an all-mountain ski or even a piste ski is preferable. But if you enjoy bumps and bumps and like forest skiing and powdery fields, then you should definitely consider buying a ski with a waist circumference over 100 millimeters. Also think about where you’ll be skiing. If you ski mostly in Sweden, it is usually not entirely necessary to have such a wide ski, if you plan to ski in the Alps, it is more necessary with a freeride ski.

Why shouldn’t I stare blindly at skis at all?

Also, keep in mind that there are a couple of other things in both your ski equipment and your knowledge that have a greater impact on your skiing compared to what skis you have. Above all, we think about 1) you have a good pair of ski boots that fit properly without it hurting, 2) your skiing technique.

Maybe you should put the balls on new boots with molded soles that fit really well and comfortably? Read up on the best way to go about buying ski boots.

Or why not spend the money on a guide who will take you on fantastic freeriding in a safe and conscious way? Skiing with a guide is often more educational and provides significantly more skiing pleasure than a new pair of skis. A regular ski lesson on piste is also something that helps you move forward in your development as a skier.

What bindings should I wear on a pair of freeride lags?

When buying freeride skis , it can be good to think twice before mounting a binding. The first thing you need to consider is whether you plan to go uphill sometimes? In that case, a modern hybrid binding is the way to go. Two good options are the Salomon Shift or the Marker Duke PT. If you are a skier who prioritizes the way up over the way down, it may be a good idea to invest in a lighter binding than the one mentioned above, such as ATK EVO.

If you like to fly down cliffs or have an aggressive riding style combined with high weight, it may also be worth considering whether it is time to get a binding with a higher DIN scale than the standard bindings, which often go up between 10 and 12 on the scale.

Do I have to buy new freeride skis?

No, you don’t have to buy brand new skis. A pair of used skis can give your skiing experience the same kick and new spark. It is also an option that is good for the environment and your wallet, here are 7 tips that will save you when buying used skis. Ski manufacturers don’t make brand new models of all freeride skis every year, but often it’s so-called “carry over” models where the graphics just change from one winter to the next, so just because you don’t have this year’s model you don’t have to feel outdated and behind. For example, the K2 Reckoner 112 ski (one of the skis that scored the highest in this test) is such a type of ski where this year’s model is identical to last year’s, apart from the design.

How is a freeride ski constructed and what materials are used?

The materials differ depending on the manufacturer and the properties sought. But as a rule, less metal is used in freeride skis compared to all-mountain and piste skis to get a more playful ski that also does not get too heavy, as many also want to be able to ski tour with this type of ski. To reinforce the ski, materials such as carbon fiber are sometimes used to get a powerful ski with low weight.

What is the difference between women and men?

Women are usually shorter than men and therefore usually weigh less. Women’s skis are thus generally a little softer in comparison to men’s skis and come in shorter lengths.

On women’s skis , it is often recommended The mounting point, the place where the binding is to be mounted, is moved forward, which makes it easier to get into the turn without using the same force. The skier ends up a little further forward on the ski.

Some brands choose not to differentiate between men’s and women’s skis and others only have different graphic designs on an otherwise similar ski, these skis are often called unisex.

How long should my freeride skis be?

Choosing the length of skis is difficult and there are many factors that come into play such as weight, experience and what type of skiing you prefer. When it comes to freeride skis, a rule of thumb is to start with your own body height and step up another 5 to 15 centimeters. This is because the effective riding surface of most skis in this segment is usually shorter than on other types of skis as almost all freeride skis have a powerful rocker both front and back. Therefore, the skis will probably not be perceived as clumsy as many people think. Another benefit of long skis is that they are more stable in run-up terrain and do not dive in the powder. Also consider whether you mostly ski in the forest in Sweden or large open fields in the Alps? If you manage to spot the latter regularly, a pair of longer skis is definitely preferable.

If you want to dive a little deeper into the length of your skis, we at Freeride have made a guide that will help you find the right length of your alpine skis. This will give you an approximate idea of what length might suit you, there is of course some room for taste and preference as well! Take a look here and we will help you choose the right length of skis.

What turning radius should I have?

The turning radius is the favorite topic of many ski buyers. It’s a clear figure that’s easy to compare between models. Simply explained, the radius is given in meters where a higher radius means a longer turn and a lower radius gives a shorter turn. For example, a 12 meter radius gives a really tight turn that suits those who want to turn really fast, while a radius of, for example, 27 meters makes the ski turn slowly in large turns, which suits those who want to go fast.

When it comes to freeriding, most freeride skis have a longer turning radius compared to all-mountain and on-piste skis. This is because a ski with too tight a radius tends to be troubled when the conditions are messy and the terrain unpredictable, which it usually is when you go off-piste. Most freeride skis have a turning radius of around 20 meters, which is a good compromise where the ski feels calm and safe without being boring. Of course, there are exceptions, such as Line Sakana (as mentioned above) where the radius is as short as 15 meters, which is unusual for a freeride ski. And when it’s really deep powder, some people prefer no turning radius at all, there are even skis that have a reverse cut, so the ski is at its widest under the foot.

However, there is so much more than just the theoretical number that comes into play when it comes to turning radius. The complex thing about the radius is that the ski’s other characteristics, such as flex, binding mounting and more, play a big role in how much you experience the ski turning. A ski with a theoretical radius of 20 meters can thus in practice “turn more” than a ski with a radius of 18 meters. In other words, it’s always best to test the ski before buying, but if you don’t have the opportunity to do so, the number is definitely a factor to start from, but at the same time not stare blindly at it.

Rocker and camber, what does it matter?

Camber means that the ski is bent downwards (i.e. like a pair of cross-country skis) and full rocker/reverse camber means that the ski is bent upwards (like a pair of water skis).

Rocker made its breakthrough a number of years ago, before that basically all skis had a traditional camber. A ski with a traditional camber is usually more stable and works better when it is fast and hard, while a ski with a rocker is usually perceived as easy to turn and playful without the ski biting and getting stuck in the snow. Therefore, it is good with a ski with some form of rocker in run-up piste, in the forest and in similar terrain.

Freeride skis usually have a mix of traditional camber under the foot and reverse camber/rocker in the tip and tail, which gives a versatile ski. Mustache-rocker we can call this, because it resembles a nice well-combed hair growth on an upper lip. There is usually more rocker and less camber on freeride skis compared to all-mountain skis that are often constructed according to the same principle, i.e. the rocker starts further into the skis, which makes them more playful and easy to turn in unprepared and run-up terrain.

What is flex and what difference does it make?

In short, flex means how hard the ski is, especially longitudinally. But of course, there are many variants and aspects that come into play even within this failing trait. The simple description is that a stiff flex provides a stable ski that allows high speed without becoming fluttery. A soft ski becomes playful and easy to turn but can become unstable when the speed increases.

There are also variants where the ski, for example, is stiffer in the middle and softer at the front and back, which can provide a more versatile ski. A ski’s rocker profile also plays a role in how hard or soft it feels. For example, a traditional camber usually feels harder than the reverse camber, i.e. rocker.

We can also discuss lateral hardness, in which case we are talking about torsional rigidity. A torsionally rigid ski (i.e. the stiffness of when you turn/rotate the ski) is basically always preferable regardless of the type of skiing you like.

Film about freeride skis pluses and minuses