SKI REVIEWS YOU CAN TRUST

Men's Freeride touring ski reviews 2020


The skis in the “Freeride touring” category are selected for a mixed piste/freeride programme, and are light enough to be mounted with touring bindings. The skis are halfway between freeride or all-mountain skis, designed for descent performance, and touring skis that are narrower and very light, perfect for ascents.

Designed with uphill glides on skins in mind (more or less ambitious depending on their weight) to extend the scope of freeride exploration, they are still great fun in descent skiing. The review criteria are the same as for all-mountain back skis, as is the weight, the main performance yardstick for gliding uphill. The skis are relatively wide (from 92 to 100 mm underfoot) to give good float in the powder and fluidity in spring snow. The shape is similar to that of All-mountain skis, but they're far lighter (between 1300 gr and 1900 gr for the ski alone).
Reviewers' score
17.5
BEST SKI

BEST SKI

The Volkl Mantra V.Werks already drew a lot of attention during the pre-tests and quickly won over the Proskilab testers. We should point out right way that the V.Werks version is completely different from the Mantra M5 that we tested last year and that has been renewed by the brand this year. The sidecut, construction, weight, and performance are very different. We have to point out that the Mantra V.Werks is a completely... Read on

Reviewers' score
15.8
AWARD

AWARD

Well-known among the Proskilab testers, the K2 Wayback 96 remains at the top level and is still a benchmark in the sector.

All the testers appreciated the ski’s accessibility. The Wayback 96 is "easy to handle,” calm in all types of terrain and “turns in all conditions.” You’ll immediately have a lot of fun on this ski with little effort even if you don’t have amazing... Read on

Reviewers' score
15.3
AWARD

AWARD

The Salomon QST 99 ("Quest" 99) is a good all-mountain ski.

"A fun and efficient ski," the QST 99 is versatile and comfortable in all types of terrain. Overall, the testers found the ski “easy” and “well-balanced.”

On groomers, they were impressed by how “solid and reliable” the QST 99 was. Despite its 99-mm waist, the ski performed well, was... Read on

Reviewers' score
14.2

The Elan Ripstick 96 is well-known and liked by the Proskilab testers.

The ski is still “easy and fun” off-piste. It “floats immediately” in powder, pivots easily in all conditions, even in difficult snow. It cuts through crud well. A total blast in twenty centimeters of fresh powder.

On groomers, performance is good. The Ripstick 96 is playful and confidence-inspiring as... Read on