Say Yes to the Fresh.
With new playful all-mountain models that inspire new tricks and stunts, all the way to big-mountain chargers that challenge us in new ways, there’s plenty of new gear to be excited about for the upcoming season. 2024 skis bring variety, innovation in sustainability and new ski constructions, and sick new graphics (which, let’s be honest, is what excites skiers the most). It’s hard to pick just our favorite seven out of everything new, but these are some of the models that left the biggest grins on our faces after testing.
Blizzard Rustler + Sheeva 9
A brand new design across the Blizzard Rustler and Sheeva line quickly won us over at the beginning of the season. Out here in Colorado, sometimes we can be partial to the wider planks. But, the new design on the all-mountain freeride series from Blizzard is well suited on the most narrow of the family.
Featuring the most metal on the new “Flux Form” metal frame, the Rustler and Sheeva 9 are particularly suited for quieting firm snow and icy vibrations. Where the Stockli Stormrider 95 (see below) is planted, the Rustler and Sheeva have more energy and liveliness. If you’re looking for a good balance with all-mountian versatility, firm snow performance, all while being exciting to ride, look no further than the new Rustler 9.
Line Bacon 108
The Sir Francis Bacon, lovingly referred to as the “Bacon” for years, finally gets a refresh for this season. Line introduces this new ski as the Line Bacon 108 and the Bacon 115 (replacing the old Outline). The new skis add a bit more stability underfoot, while still keeping those tips and tails bendy for all your buttered toast dreams. On top of a fresh design includes their latest technology in the new Bacon to make this ride smoother, butter better, all with a more sustainable construction.
Their new glass tips lower the swing weight, while bonding better with the rest of the woodcore to increase durability. Line also uses their new Bio-Resin, which is much less toxic than traditional epoxies. We love Line for continuing to make skis that paint outside the box. Shop the new Line Bacon 108 and 115.
DPS Kaizen 105
DPS is always known for innovating and building fresh shapes and pioneering new construction techniques. The newest iteration of their performance series is Kaizen. There’s a Kaizen 100 (review here), 105, and 112. We’re particularly excited about the Kaizen 105 that features a fresh take on the old C2 shape with directional rocker. This year, DPS includes a the new pin shaped tail to increase driftiness and let you wash those turns out just a touch.
The real magic is in the inside though. The Kaizen construction is the result of innovation for years from DPS, taking inspiration from the Pagoda series from the last few years and the Pagoda Tour skis. Advanced and expert skiers will rejoice with the technique the Kaizen 105 rewards, and the mind-boggling dampness this ski rides with.
Rossignol Sender Free 110
We’ve been talking and riding this ski since January 2023, so maybe you’re surprised to see it pop up here again. Considering it remains one of our favorite skis time and time again during testing (and staff is still frothing at the bit to ride it), the Rossignol Sender Free 110 earns a spot on this list.
Rossi’s magical construction of dampening agents and a well-balanced flex provide a supremely smooth ride that even creamy peanut butter is envious of. The ride feels similar on snow to the popular Sender series, but fitted onto a more playful shape. Ample tip and tail rocker and a progressive shape let you pivot and slash. If you’re harder charging, you’ll find plenty of support with the construction. If you haven’t heard the hype, check out our in-depth written and video review below if you need more convincing.
Elan Playmaker 101
The Elan Playmaker 101 changes gears from their mega popular Ripstick series. A proper twin tip, with a lightweight construction and soft flex, the Playmaker wants to play. The ride on snow feels agile and quick, and remains fast and easy to flick around. The 101mm waist width is ideal for pushing through spring slush or finding some powder, all without being so wide you can’t lay down a mean carve. What makes the Playmaker unique from other similar sticks? The hollow carbon rods (borrowed from the more directional and stiffer Ripsticks) give the perfect balance of rigidity without adding too much weight.
We love the Playmaker 101 out West here in Colorado, but the narrower sibiling the Playmaker 91 will be perfect for folks spending more time on firmer snow, or just want something even quicker underfoot.
K2 Mindbender 96C
The entire carbon collection of Mindbenders was revamped this season, including the powder chomping 116C and big-mountain 106C. But there’s a new ski in the family. The all-new K2 Mindbender 96C takes their versatile all-mountain Mindbender shape and combines it with their carbon spectral braid to give you a playful, but stable and performing all-mountain ski. The sweet spot waist width navigates zipper bump lines, firm morning groomers, and softer snow with ease.
In a season with plenty of mid-100mm waist width all-mountain skis hitting the scene with twin-tip shapes, the Mindbender 96C offers a more versatile option if carving (or firm snow performance) is important alongside a playful ride. Even with deep rocker in the tip and tail, the more directional and traditional shape gives you better edge hold for those trails.
Stockli Stormrider 95
Okay, okay. This one has been around for a minute, but with a few tweaks from the Swiss masterminds at Stockli, the 2024 Stockli Stormrider 95 is riding better than ever. The Stormrider has long been a shop favorite for the balance of stability and performance, while not being terribly hard to ski. It generally wants to take longer turns, yes. And would rather be skied in a more directional style, but it doesn’t feel heavy on the feet or as challenging in tight terrain as similar skis.
The newest model expands on that feeling. Stockli tweaked the construction and tail shape to allow for a slightly easier-to-release tail, adding to its skiability. But you don’t lose performance. No sir. This ski will eat corduroy, soft chop, a touch of deeper snow, and icy slopes all before breakfast.
