[Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2012(!) and has since been updated with new gear.]
Turn a dream ski destination into your backyard
The Midwest may not have as flashy of ski resorts as we have west of the Mississippi, but ski areas are ski areas. Anywhere you can slide on snow is a good time. But, to maximize the fun, it always helps to have the right gear for the conditions. We’ve compiled the best skis for the Midwest, ranging from hard carvers to folks travelling to snowier conditions.
For the carver
Whether you’re in a beer-league race group at your local hill, or just love the art of arcing a perfect carve, these are the skinny sticks for you.
Head Supershape e-Magnum—We’ve been big fans of the Supershape series for years, with the e-Magnum at the top of the list for recreational, high performance carvers. Head developed the only electronic dampening system in the industry with the Electronic Management Circuit. As the ski absorbs vibrations in the snow, it redirects it into energy to give you a snappy ride. The e-Magnum leans towards snappy, quick turns, while the e-Speed likes bigger turns and of course, speed.
Black Crows Divus—Despite being known for their freeride models like the Atris or Camox, Black Crows carries a healthy selection of frontside carvers. The Divus offers a directional shape with a partial sheet of metal, perfect for biting into firm snow. A slightly softer flex and shorter turn radius provides more forgiveness. The Divus is ideal for folks looking for a quick and responsive carver, without the demand of race-oriented ski.
For the do-it-all-anywhere skier
If you need something that can hold an edge on firm snow, but don’t want to limit yourself to all groomed terrain, look for versatile rippers. These are some of our favorites for handling conditions across the whole mountain and season.
Volkl Kendo 88—A long time shop favorite that just keeps getting better. Volkl tailored this ski to be powerful on-piste, while being versatile for exploring the entire mountain. The titanal sheet and glass frame create a stout flex that can charge and edge through crunchy, heavy snow. To counter the aggressive construction, Volkl tweaked the shape and radius to be more forgiving than some other frontside chargers. The 3D Sidecut Radius lets you enjoy snappier quick turns just as much as long rippers. Lots of folks love this ski as an early and late season ski, to maximize fun on the single groomed run left open for the season.
Rustler 9—A favorite across the whole country, the narrowest Rustler comes in at around 92mm, making it the perfect size for all-mountain versatility anywhere. More playful and forgiving than the Kendo, the Rustler 9 features a partial sheet of metal underfoot, but softer tips and tails. That means easier turn initiation and can feel more forgiving in bumps and other tight places. The Rustler is easier to pivot and get sideways, without losing edge hold on firmer snow conditions.
For the freestyler
Without needing boatloads of snow to enjoy, you’re bound to find a few terrain parks here and there. For folks looking to level up their spins and tricks, here are our top picks.
Volkl Revolt 90—The Revolt 90 is all new this year, improved and tweaked with input from Volkl’s slopestyle athletes. Volkl removes weight and softens the tips and tails, but keeps power underfoot. This is ideal for stomping landings, while letting the tips and tails butter easily. If you’re looking for something more versatile, check out the Revolt 95.
Nordica Unleashed 90—Another brand new ski for the season, the Unleashed collection replaces Nordica’s popular Soul Rider series with their freshest technology. The 90 is ideal for budding freeriders looking for a pair of sticks that can transition from the terrain park to the rest of the mountain. The Unleashed 90 comes in shorter sizes, working as a great option for younger riders. A partial sheet of metal provides stability where you need it, but softer tips and tails let you play around a little.
For the powder seeker
If you’re skiing way up north or always travelling for your snow, it’s great to have something you can ski with on snowy days at home or on the road.
K2 Mindbender 99Ti—Redesigned for this year, the K2 Mindbender 99Ti got some refinements to help it ski more smoothly, without losing any power. K2 added metal to the contact points to increase edge hold where you need it, without adding unnecessary weight. A wide tip with a softer flex helps the ski float well for the size. This ski can cross the whole mountain with ease, and is a top pick for a one-ski quiver for Western all-mountain skiing.
Salomon QST 106—The new Salomon QST 106 is our favorite QST yet. A versatile 106mm waist width can float through everything but the deepest Alaskan big mountain days, while still being nimble enough for daily skiing. Salomon uses a blend of carbon and flax to dampen the ski without using heavy metal. Their new double sidewall technology adds suspension and dampens the ride right underfoot. That means this is the most fun you’ll have slicing and dicing through bumps on a 100+mm ski.
We’ve looked into the magic snow globe for the year to find out what the season will look like. Check out our Skier‘s Almanac here.
