Free delivery on orders over £80Our Best Freeride Skis for 2020
Freeride skiing is all about getting away from pistes and their regulated turns and crowds, finding your own way down, working with the mountain and environment. Untracked powder is the ultimate, but thrills are found in all the challenges and adventures that natural terrain and conditions present.
We've put together the best and runners up in the freeride ski category this year.
WOMEN’S WINNER
Head Kore 93 W
The Kore 93 W is our women’s Freeride Ski of the Year. It’s a lightweight model that floats beautifully in softer snow and has outstanding control in any terrain. A karuba wood core is light and durable, and is enhanced with Koroyd and Graphene. Koroyd is a strong honeycomb structure that is strategically placed to save weight and not affect performance; Graphene is exceptionally strong and weighs very little, allowing the ski to have a thinner profile and better balance. Rocker at the tip and tail and a mid-sized waist provide float; the medium radius ensures agility.
Tester's Comments: Sarah (Aviemore) I really enjoyed these, especially in choppier conditions. They were smooth and powerful when smashing through crud and dynamic to react on tricky terrain.
Radius 15.4m Waist 91mm Rocker Tip/Tail Demo Available
WOMEN’S RUNNER UP
Elan Ripstick 94 W
The Ripstick 94 W always impresses staff during testing. It’s genuinely happy anywhere on the mountain, from carving on groomers to confidently powering through crud and chop. The Amphibio profile is what makes it special, a clever design that uses tip rocker on outside edges for smoother turns and camber on inside edges for maximum grip. TNT Technology creates a light ski, but one that is stable, strong and responsive.
Tester's Comments: Sarah (Aviemore) This was phenomenal, so responsive with loads of energy and unbelievable on firm snow. I felt like a goddess!
Radius 15m Waist 94mm Rocker Tip/Tail Demo N/A
MEN’S WINNER
K2 Mindbender 90Ti
K2’s Mindbender 90 Ti is our Overall Ski of the Year. It’s a fun all-terrain ripper that takes it influence from wider skis. Never hard to use but not lacking in performance either, it’s as happy blasting carves on groomers as it is hounding out powder stashes. Torsion Control Design coupled with a Powerwall Construction and a Ti Y-beam provides the control and edge grip by stopping the skis twisting and flexing too much at high speed. At slower speeds, the ski still initiates easily and in tricky conditions, it handles easily.
Tester's Comments: Mark (Trainer) So much fun smashing around in the crud. I had absolute confidence and total control on chopped up piste, it just cruises straight over it all.
Radius 17.9m Waist 90mm Rocker Tip/Tail Demo Available
MEN’S RUNNER UP
Elan Ripstick 96
The Ripstick 96 is so capable anywhere on the mountain, it doesn’t matter what the terrain or conditions are. The unique Amphibio design uses tip rocker on outside edges for smooth turning and camber on inside edges for grip and precision. On groomers it rips turns like a piste ski, in powder it’s effortless, and in tricky conditions, it’s perfectly balanced. TNT Technology has thin tubes of carbon and light tip and tail inserts integrated into the wood core. This keeps weight down and boosts handling and energy.
Tester's Comments: Andrea (Covent Garden) I felt comfortable from the first turn. Very easy to use but not sloppy in any way. Great choice for good skiers looking for a ski to explore on but still need good piste performance.
Radius 16.2m Waist 96mm Rocker Tip/Tail Demo Available
