The best skis 2018

Unanimous favorite with the PROSKILAB reviewers, Stöckli’s Stormrider 88 placed the bar just that little bit higher, becoming a market benchmark. On piste, it does its job well. It’s a very well balanced, globally efficient ski, with good grip that holds astonishingly well in turns for an all mountain ski. When we step up the pace, turns are still remarkably clean and the ski remains exceptionally stable.... Read on

All the reviewers agreed: like the Speedzone Master from Dynastar, Rossignol’s Hero Master R21 WC is a "fighter jet"... a real Giant ski, carved for very high speed and long turns. It's hard to find a better performer in this category if you don’t include FIS competition skis. The Hero Master R21 WC is striking for its great grip and stability, both judged exceptional by the reviewers, so you... Read on

The reviewers all agreed: the Speedzone Master is a "fighter jet"... a real Giant ski, carved for very high speed and long turns. It's hard to find a better performer in this category if you don’t include FIS competition skis. The Speedzone Master is striking for its great grip and stability, both judged exceptional by the reviewers, so you can zip down the runs at speeds you previously only dreamt... Read on

In this Carvers category, we ask the suppliers to send us skis designed for speed and slicing clean arcs, but less technical and specialized than race-oriented skis. Perfectly happy in this category, Stöckli's Laser SC is one of the best on the market. The model stood out for its overall performance and its consistent, reassuring behavior. However, it got top marks mainly for its progressive qualities and its... Read on

This year, the Stormrider 95 by Stöckli topped the podium in this very competitive category. The reviewers were unanimous about the features of this particularly versatile model. The basic qualities are certainly there: good grip, turn performance, flotation in deep powder... But it’s the ski’s stability and its capacity to adapt easily on all terrains, even the most difficult, that really carried the... Read on

In our selection of the best skis currently on the market, Nordica’s Dobermann SLR Evo rates high for its extremely athletic qualities. It's a true slalom ski, very incisive and able to kick back a lot of energy at the end of a turn. Well handled, you can link turns at devilish speed... as long as you’re careful to dose the pressure, otherwise you’ll find yourself coming a cropper from the powerful... Read on

Following some difficult years, Dynastar is back in the spotlight with its excellent "Speedzone" products. After scoring very well last year in the ProSkiLab review, this year the Speedzone 10 Ti got a "Best ski" distinction. It offers a combination of especially interesting features. First and foremost, it's a high-performance ski that has serious sporting qualities: fast turn initiation, good... Read on

In this category, we’re looking for accessible skis for weaker riders who have the potential to progress technically to carving. While it’s not directly aimed at beginners, riders from the beginning of ESF’s class 2 will love the Speedzone 7 from Dynastar, in other words, riders who already master skid turns. Versatile, accessible, docile and responsive to every request, it’s truly awesome. Turn... Read on

Less energetic than the Laser SC and less precise than the Elite LT Ti, the Zone 12 from Dynastar stands out for its exhilarating performance and consistent behavior. Very happy in all types of turn, the ski is well balanced, with flex distribution that requires a certain degree of physical engagement and technical know-how. The ski enters turns with ease, grip is excellent, pressure solid and reliable and the ski can... Read on

In this "Female Top-of-the-Range" category, we’re looking above all for consistent skis that combine performance, accessibility, comfort and versatility. The one-quiver skis stand out for their clever compromises. The Luv Sick 80 Ti performs well in all areas, with emphasis squarely on performance. Not content to perfectly meet the demanding criteria, the Luv Sick 80 Ti has added a few extras that the... Read on

We've been keeping an eye on the remarkable progress Stöckli has made with its all mountain models for several seasons now. This year, the Swiss brand carries off the "best ski" awards in these categories, with a special mention for the excellent Stormrider 85. Easy to handle and tolerant, it responds to a touch and is extremely forgiving. Its versatility got warm praise from the reviewers: the ski... Read on

Since the brand’s Kendo, Mantra and Cochise regularly score high in the PROSKILAB reviews, we were curious to see how Völkl’s 90Eight (for "98") behaves in this category where we’re also looking for lightness. It was no surprise that the 90Eight is a bit heavier and stiffer than its playmates, with more emphasis on performance. It behaves well and is efficient both on and off the groomers.... Read on