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7 Best Powder Skis 2024

Welcome to the white room!

Where pristine fields and Weightless turns through powder snow await. There is nothing quite like snow billowing around you as you float down the hill. Your skis popping in and out of the snow as you bound down the slope. Words just don’t do it justice.

Best powder skis

You can ski powder with anything on your feet, but with the best powder skis, it’s almost like you’re cheating.

Powder skis float instead of sinking into the snow. They give you a feeling of freedom that a narrow ski can’t. Skiing powder on a wide ski is more effortless and, let’s be honest, more fun.

If you ski any amount of powder, you should have a pow ski in your quiver.

So, get packing for your trip, buckle your boots, grab your gloves, it’s time to lay down some tracks.

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What Is The Best Powder Ski?

Here is my ranked and reviewed list of the best powder skis.

The 7 Best Powder Skis

  1. Best Overall – Atomic Bent Chetler 120
  2. Best For Hard Chargers – Nordica Unleashed 114
  3. Best For Intermediate Skiers – Fischer Ranger 116
  4. Best Touring – Black Diamond Impulse 112
  5. Best Big Mountain – 4FRNT Hoji 112
  6. Best Women’s – Blizzard Sheeva 11
  7. Best Freestyle – Black Crows Nocta

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Atomic Bent Chetler 120

Best Powder Skis

Key Features

  • Lengths: 176, 184, 192
  • Radius: 18, 19, 20

Best Hard Charger

Nordica Unleashed 114

Best Powder Skis

Key Features

  • Lengths: 174, 180, 186, 191
  • Radius: 19, 19, 20, 21

Best Intermediate

Fischer Ranger 116

Best Powder Skis

Key Features

  • Lengths: 180, 187, 193
  • Radius: 19m, 20m, 21m
Best Overall – Atomic Bent chetler 120

Product

Best Powder Skis

Pros

  • Playful
  • Aggressive
  • Updated graphics

Cons

  • Powder only
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Specs

  • Lengths: 176, 184, 192
  • Dimensions: 142/120/133, 143/120/134, 144/120/135
  • Radius: 18, 19, 20

Key Features

  • HRZN Tech Tip & Tail
  • Carbon Insert Backbone
  • Powder Rocker 30/40/30

The Atomic Bent Chetler 120 retains its top spot for this season. I prefer a light, playful pow ski over a heavy, crud-busting charger, and the Bent Chetler delivers. They’ve also updated the graphics this year, and I much prefer the brighter colors to last year’s dark design.

The Bent Chetler’s rockered tips and tails create a playful ski ideal for deep snow, side hits, and nose butters. While the camber underfoot provides stability and edge grip on harder snow.

The Atomic Bent Chetler 120 is light given its size, but make no mistake, this ski means business and wants to go fast. Choose another model if you’re a beginner or timid intermediate rider because the 120 mm waist will be overkill for anyone who isn’t in a true deep powder destination. The Atomic comes in three lengths (176, 184, and 192cm), but even the shortest option may still be too large for some skiers.

If you’re looking for a ski to charge hard or just want to show off to your friends, the Bent Chetler 120 is one of the best skis on this list.

Best Hard charging – Nordica Unleashed 114

Product

Best Powder Skis

Pros

  • Stability at Speed
  • Sromps Landings
  • Plows Through Crud

Cons

  • Requires active control to steer

Specs

  • Lengths: 174, 180, 186, 191
  • Dimensions: 144/114/133, 145/114/134, 146/1214/135, 147/114/136
  • Radius: 19, 19, 20, 21

Key Features

  • Terrain specific metal
  • Carbon fiber sheet
  • ABS sidewalls

A hard-charging pow ski should be damp with a stiff flex. Stability is the priority while still being light enough to be maneuverable.

The Nordica Unleashed 114 is a wide, stable ski that excels in chop and crud. It has a wood core reinforced with carbon and a sheet of Nordica’s terrain-specific metal. The enhanced edge hold and damp feel result in an exceptionally smooth ride. The camber underfoot, wide waist, and early rise allow it to float effortlessly through deep snow.

The Unleashed 114 has a beefier construction than many of the other powder skis on the market. The only downside is that it can feel sluggish when turning and requires more active steering.

Best for intermediates – Fischer Ranger 116

Product

Best Powder Skis

Pros

  • Light
  • Nimble
  • Forgiving

Cons

  • Too soft for some

Specs

  • Lengths: 180, 187, 193
  • Dimensions: 145/115/135, 147/116/137, 147/117/138
  • Radius: 19m, 20m, 21m

Key Features

  • Titanal underfoot
  • Poplar/Beech core

An intermediate pow ski must have great float even when your technique isn’t spot on. It should be stable and forgiving so you can ski all day without burning out your legs.

The Fischer Ranger 116 is a carryover from last year with no change to the graphics or design. Its width and rocker give it fantastic float, and its light construction makes it maneuverable. The titanal plate adds stiffness under the foot, While the wood stringers give it some rebound without the added weight.

The ski has a small amount of rocker underfoot with a lot of rocker at the tip. The ski floats extremely well and is very playful.

Best Touring – Black Diamond Impulse 112

Product

Best Powder Skis

Pros

  • Great all-round performer
  • Good width for touring and pow

Cons

  • Not the lightest touring ski

Specs

  • Lengths: 181, 186
  • Dimensions: 139/112/126, 139/112/126
  • Radius: 20m, 21m

Key Features

  • Poplar wood core
  • Full perimeter ABS

The ideal touring ski minimizes weight for the climb without sacrificing downhill performance.

The Impulse 112 provides the ideal waist width for effortless float and quick, nimble turns. The flat, solid core adds torsional stiffness for better edging power transition and dampness.

They are floaty in deep conditions, with a playful turning radius. The Impulse 112 is built for progressive free-riders looking to go for it in the backcountry. Its ability to power through chop is impressive. It can get the job done day in and day out.

Best big mountain – 4FRNT Hoji 112

Product

Best Powder Skis

Pros

  • Performance at speed
  • Great float

Cons

  • Could be wider for really deep days

Specs

  • Lengths: 170, 177, 186, 191
  • Dimensions: 127/112/118, 128/112/120
  • Radius: 30m

Key Features

  • Aspen/Maple core
  • 4-LOCK System
  • Multi-radius rocker

The 4FRNT Hoji blends the best attributes of powder skis with those of an all-mountain ripper, making it one of the best skis on the market, and this year they have added a shorter 170 version.

It’s perfect for advanced, expert skiers who want a versatile ski that can handle any condition. The Hoji is incredibly stable and responsive yet still lightweight and nimble. It features a 112mm waist width and a multi-radius rocker profile that perfectly balances powder performance and firm snow versatility.

The Hoji also has a slightly reduced curvature underfoot for improved edge grip and stability in variable snow and increased tip and tail height for easier floatation. If you’re looking for a do-it-all ski that can easily handle choppy snow, the 4FRNT Hoji is a perfect choice.

Best women – Blizzard Sheeva 11

Product

Best Powder Skis

Pros

  • Stable
  • Responsive
  • Aggressive

Cons

  • Can get squirrly if not driven

Specs

  • Lengths: 168, 174, 180
  • Dimensions: 144/110/130
  • Radius: 16m, 17.5m, 19m

Key Features

  • Duramax protection
  • W.S.D. Fluxform

Blizzard fully redesigned the Sheeva collection this year to improve its stability and strength. And they were successful. It floats through powder and charges through chop.

Blizzard’s FluxForm technology, with two pieces of Titanal running the length of the ski, results in improved stiffness and a more dependable edge grip, even at 112 mm. The Sheeva is very responsive, with an aggressive feel even while plowing through deep snow and crud. You need to stay on top of it, or it may get a little squirrely.

Best Freestyle – Black Crows Nocta

Product

Best Powder Skis - Black Crows Nocta

Pros

  • Float
  • Maneuverability

Cons

  • Dedicated powder ski only

Specs

  • Lengths: 176, 186, 190
  • Waist Width: 122mm
  • Radius: 19m

Key Features

  • Paulownia/poplar core
  • Asymmetrical design

2024 is the third rendition of the Black Crows Nocta. They have changed the profile of the ski this year and added a small amount of camber underfoot.

Despite its 121mm waist width, the ski is surprisingly nimble and easy to turn. The camber adds more responsiveness and means your last turns down to the lift are much more enjoyable.

The tail rocker makes skiing switch a breeze, and once you get used to the weight and size, it is quite mobile and easy to turn in the air.

Above all, the Nocta loves to surf in the pow. Its rare asymmetrical design and stability are reassuring at all speeds. For anyone looking to play in the powder, this ski is truly hard to beat.

How to choose Powder Skis?

Choosing the best skis is a matter of personal preference. However, there are certain factors that you should take into consideration before making your purchase. Size, width, length, rocker profile, flex, and construction are all essential factors affecting how the ski performs.

Width

The most crucial factor to focus on while choosing powder skis is width. A dedicated powder ski should be 110mm+. If your looking for something a little more versatile you can go sub 110 mm and still get a great pow ski, but it may not float well on really deep days.

Length

Length impacts the skis ability to float. The longer the ski the more surface area it has and the bteer it floats. The counter point of this is manueverability. If you ski wide open bowls you want a longer more stable ski. If you find yourself skiing trees and powder moguls you may want a short more mobile ski.

Profile

The profile of a powder ski will impact how quickly it starts to plane above soft snow. Most powder skis are designed with tip and tail rocker to help get the ski above the deep snow as soon as possible.

Flex

Powder skis are designed to be softer than other types of skis. The softer flex enables the ski to maintain contact with the fresh snow, which provides better floatation.

Construction

The construction of a powder ski also plays a role in its performance. Powder skis are often designed with a lighter core, which makes them easier to maneuver. Additionally, they often feature a rockered profile, which helps the ski to float in deep snow.

Where To Buy Powder Skis

I always recommend supporting your local ski shop, but various online outdoor stores have great deals on ski gear. Consider buying last season’s model at a discount, or head to your local ski swap in the fall to find deals on used equipment.

How to Store Powder Skis

During the off-season, store your skis in a dry, cool place, and be sure to detune your bindings and apply a summer wax

FAQ

What size ski is best for powder?

The best powder skis are usually between 110-120mm underfoot. The deeper the snow, the wider you will want your ski. My powder skis are 118mm underfoot, but I will often ski 70mm underfoot when the snow is less deep.

Do powder skis make a difference?

Yes, powder skis make a difference. Powder skis are designed to float on the fresh snow rather than sink into it. They give you a feeling of freedom in a powder that a narrow ski just doesn’t. Skiing powder on fat skis is easier.

What is the best powder ski for hard-chargers?

Why are wider skis better for powder?

Wider skis are better for powder because they provide more surface area to float on top of the snow. A wider ski will also give you more stability in deep powder.

Final Thoughts

Skiing Powder in deep snow is one of the most fun things you can do. And while any ski will float in powder, having a powder-specific ski will improve your experience. These skis will help you stay on top of the snow rather than sink into it. And they will give you the best chance to enjoy powder skiing.

So, there you have it. Our 7 best powder skis. We’ve got you covered whether you are looking for a freestyle powder ski or the best powder ski for hard chargers. And while they all come with a high price tag, they are worth the investment if you love to ski powder.

See you on the slopes!

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