The 2017 ski season brings some minor tweaks to the best skis on the market, and some new game changing skis as well. We get to ski on snow demos at Stratton and Okemo in Vermont, Copper Mountain Colorado, and SkiWelt in Austria. Here is our review of awesome new skis and many favourites back with a change in font or graphics for 2017 for men (or unisex skis for gals who rip men's skis):
Rossignol's Super 77 HD is 116-millimeters with a rocker tip and honeycomb technology that makes it float yet respond fast to quick turns.
Rossignol Experience 100Ti is fun and fast, just the right amount of metal for high speed cruising on soft snow, taking the place of the much revered Rossignol's Experience 98 - too bad about Rossi's boring colour block graphics (snooze).
Rossi's Experience 88s have long been a top on our tester but now their "less wimpy" with an additional metal layer. Great front side ski, no wonder all the ski instructor are on them.
Rossi's new Pursuit 800 is a carver with a playful freeride side, borrowing characteristics from Rossignol's park and ride skis. A final note on the top sheet design, Rossi - bump up your cosmetic styling, maybe bring back the Rossi Rooster Monsieur Le Coq.
Nordica Enforcer 100 gets high marks for all conditions. With a 100mm waist, this ski likes everything, leaves everyone behind too, stable at speeds, great in deeper snow and spring slush. We have said it before, bears repeating -Nordica is no longer just a ski boot fleet.
Nordica Patron at 113 under foot is bold and beautiful, take note of the cool graphic. Its balanced with the right shot of Tequila, Patron joke, to be playful, but still stable and quick in the trees and occasional bumps. Nordica's ladies ski line up is a winner too, with Nordica Santa Ana and Nordica Wild Belle sweeping women off their feet.
Blizzard Peacemaker is all new with the bull graphic and a no bull ski style, strong on cord, but competent cruising powder too for 104 mm under foot.
Blizzard Cochise 108 is bullish on powder, but still an aggressive ski on groomers and crud, with red bull's eyes.
Blizzard's Bonafide 98 now has quattro for a smoother more tapered bull ride – more versatile but still super playful if you like a full quiver ski.
Blizzard Quattro 85 is a great groomer ski, back to the ski race basics with a fun flair, based off the popular Blizzard Magnum series.
Volkl Confession at 117 is stable at high speed but soft enough to plough the pow.
Volkl 100Eight is a faster fun version of the Volkl Mantra, its floaty and fun, but performs well in mixed snow and spring slush. The only thing missing is a cool top sheet -what with all the grammar school colour blocking.
Volkl 90Eight, gets an A+ or a 98 in our exam, with a wood core and camber for extra pop despite its wide 133 tip.
Volkl RTMS 84 is still a favourite for the front side, light, quick and responsive like a race ski should be only designed to "Ride The Mountain" per its acronym.
Atomic's Vantage ski line did not do it for our testers this year. Floaty, not fabulous at anything...
Head Monster 98 and 83 are built with graphene to be smooth but strong as an all terrain ski.
Head iSupershape Titans are still one of our fave race ski prototypes – fast, unforgiving but so responsive, the kind of ski Teg Ligety would take out to play - hence his sponsorship.
Salomon X Drive 8.8 was a big Xfactor surprise for our tester, he loved the responsive care and stability at speeds.
But remember, the best ski for you is the one you like - at the best ski price you can find at your favourite ski shop. We recommend you demo skis on snow if you have the chance. Just be warned: free ski demos can be costly to you when you fall in love with your new fall line boards.