Note: the 2021-2022 Stockli Laser AR features new art, but it is the same ski structurally as the previous versions (2019-2020, 2020-2021). This review was originally published in April 2019.
See the checkered flag at the bottom of the mountain? The Stockli Laser AR will beat you to it.
During the 2018-2019 season, the Swiss-made Laser AX was one of the most popular skis among Powder7 customers. Staffers loved ripping on it too. For 2020, they introduced another speed demon on our radar: the Stockli Laser AR.
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Field Notes
Once we got our grubby, speed-loving hands on the Stockli Laser AR, we kinda sorta went to town. Powder7 staffers JP, Sam W, Allegra, Andrew, and Matty took it to Loveland Ski Area several days over the course of three weeks. Considering this has been our first full year carrying Stockli, these were some of the first days on Stocklis for several members of the crew.
Stockli’s Laser AX has been a favorite among our customers this year. The Laser AR features a bit of a different profile. It’s got the tips of the wider freeride line from Stockli, the Stormriders, but the tails of the Laser AX. This hybrid build really caught our attention at Outdoor Retailer and left us psyched to put the Laser AR through the motions.
Groomers
Collectively, we took the Stockli Laser AR down just about every groomed run on the Loveland trail map. Early hardpack and fast, frozen corduroy gave way to hero carves in packed spring corn. Unanimously, our testers had a blast pushing this ski’s speed limits. Why? Stockli builds Torsion Racing Technology into the Laser AR—lengthwise cuts in the tips and tails that help the skis remain super smooth and stable as they start and finish turns.
From Sam W: “Woo! These skis are so fun. I’m not sure I’ve ever skied that fast.”
From JP: “I would be skiing along behind Sam just laughing. She was absolutely crushing it. It was like a GS ski on her.”
From Andrew: “These skis are super smooth in and out of turns.”
From Allegra: “One word: powerful.”
Bumps and Trees
Being a Swiss ski, the Laser AR is obviously marketed as an “all mountain” racing ski. So Euro.
Still, Matty tested this moniker by dipping into some moguls on the Laser AR. He says: “While it doesn’t exactly fit my definition of an all mountain ski, what do I know? As long as you really stay on them—and maybe do a leg press regimen each week—these skis can be fun in bumps. They’re stable for sure.”
As for skiing the Laser AR in trees:
“You know those Halloween decorations where the witch splats into something on her broomstick?”
Powder and Mixed Snow
With a waist width at 83mm and a tip shape borrowed from the Stormrider, the Laser AR handles more smoothly in untracked snow than most carving-oriented skis. It’s bulky and directional, of course, so it’s not going to surf, float, or smear. But there’s at least a touch of versatility in the newest Laser.
Andrew says: “They’re powerful, man. They blast through anything.”
Downside
The Stockli Laser AR will make speed-loving experts salivate. And we don’t think advancing intermediate skiers should shy away just because they think the skis will be overly aggressive. As an on-trail/carving ski, the Laser AR simply is well-built, smooth, and intuitive. Have at it.
But—as an all-mountain ski, the AR is a bit bulky and demanding. Look elsewhere if you need a lightweight, forgiving ride. Compared to the Laser AX, we found it more powerful. But the former may be a bit better for slower speeds and snappy slalom turns.
Bottom Line
Put simply: We love the Laser AR.
After raging on the skis for a handful of days, JP said as much in his own special way: “It’s the kind of ski that can make the everyman feel like the emperor of Switzerland. Wait—Switzerland doesn’t have an emperor. Exactly.”
Check our brand previews for information on more 2021-2022 gear.
