Men's ski reviews 2015
BEST SKI
Blizzard SRC Racing Suspension review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Slalom Best ski 2015
The Blizzard skis’ performance surprised us this year. The SRC Racing Suspension is no exception to the rule as it was the "reviewers’ favourite" in this slalom category. In effect, the ski manages to combine excellent performance with remarkable accessibility. Highly recommended for a wide range of skiers (good to competitors) who want a real maxi performance slalom ski that can still be skied in... Read on
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Dynastar Speed Omeglass Pro R20 Racing review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Slalom Best performance!
The Dynastar Omeglass Pro is the best performer in this ski review. In fact, it’s a bomb! A truly powerful and precise, racing-type slalom ski, with maximum grip and extreme liveliness for very good skiers to competitors for performance-driven rides.
BEST SKI
Blizzard Power 600 FullSuspension IQ review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Cruisers Best ski 2015
Blizzard has astonished us this year with the dynamic qualities of its models. The Power 600 gets a recommendation from the testers here thanks to its extreme adaptability coupled with a particularly energetic and playful nature that the reviewers raved about. It’s an excellent ski for all intermediate to excellent skiers looking for an efficient and extremely lively ski.
BEST SKI
Völkl Mantra review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > All-Mountain back Best ski 2015
The Mantra from Völk gave the reviewers a wonderful surprise that they weren’t expecting in this segment. Not only does the ski match the 50% piste/50% freeride programme to perfection, but in addition, its intuitive and playful nature ("a toy!" one of the reviewers wrote) make it a whole new ball game in pleasure. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a very lively ski that’s just as happy... Read on
BEST SKI
Elan GSX Fusion review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Giant slalom Best ski 2015
A great performer, the GSX Fusion has the features of a competition ski, together with the potential to help riders progress, opening up a wide scope of use. It has a particularly playful nature that the reviewers loved. This is a must for good to excellent skiers looking for a tool that performs well, is playful and versatile.
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Elan SLX Fusion review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Slalom Best Accessibility/Performance!
This year, Elan confirms the quality of its product. Less specialised than the Omeglass, it’s an excellent slalom ski that combines performance and accessibility. The ski can be used every day on all kinds of terrain. The ProSkiLab team highly recommend it for medium to expert skiers who want to enjoy a very dynamic ski that doesn’t need much effort or technical skills.
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Nordica Dobermann GSR EDT review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Giant slalom Best performance!
The Nordica Dobermann, which was already a favourite last year, has kept all of its bite. It’s a super athletic ski, a little bomb in fact, and yet it’s still fun to use and accessible to a wide public, from good to expert riders in good physical condition.
The Fisher RC4 WC RC stands out for its accessibility and its potential to help riders to make technical progress. It’s a good ski for developing performance, and a great tool for carving out long turns at high speed.
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Fischer Ranger 96 review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > All-Mountain back Best Accessibility!
An excellent 50% piste/ 50% off-piste ski, the ranger 96 from Fischer is a very good model, perfect for riders looking for an easy and intuitive ski facile for off and on-piste. It is particularly good for beginners to freeride looking for a model that will build up their confidence.
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Blizzard Bonafide review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > All-Mountain back Best performance!
Already a winner in previous ProSkiLab reviews, the Bonafide, still rigidified by a sheet of titanium, remains a solid investment, especially for good to excellent skiers who’re looking for an invigorating, athletic ski, designed for performance and speed both on and off-piste.
BEST SKI
Blizzard Brahma review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > All-Mountain front Best ski 2015
The little sister of the excellent Bonafide, the Brahma has taken on board the same (good) recipes (ski rigidified by a titanal sheet), with the same effects, giving an athletic and dynamic ski that’s especially at ease on piste. We recommend this model for athletic skiers who enjoy performance both on and off-piste.
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Stöckli Spirit Globe review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Cruisers Best Accessibility/Comfort!
The Spirit Globe’s qualities make it a sound investment in this category. An excellent choice for intermediate to very good skiers looking for a well-balanced ski with reasonably good performance and extremely enjoyable and reassuring behaviour.
BEST SKI
Blizzard Power 800 Suspension IQ review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Carvers Best ski 2015
A true "Performance" ski, the Blizzard Power 800 S rips up the powder. The ski won over the reviewers in this demanding category thanks to its really strong character, despite the slight lack of accessibility and versatility. An excellent choice for good to very good, athletic and technically-oriented skier.
The Hero Master M21 is a great giant ski and the ultimate tool for completing perfect long turns. An excellent choice for fans of long turns, high speeds, and learners.
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Rossignol Hero Elite LT-Ti review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Carvers Best Accessibility/Performance!
The Rossignol Hero Elite LT-Ti is unquestionably a success, and stands out for its very good performance/accessibility ratio. It just falls short of the reviewers’ recommendation. We highly recommend this ski to a wide range of skiers looking mainly for a reliable and effective ski for carving and long turns.
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Völkl Racetiger RC Uvo review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Carvers Best Accessibility/Performance!
The Völkl is a ski with character that’s extremely easy to use. The combination of these two qualities makes it a wonderful toy that’s full of energy and will give the skier hours of pleasure. A little jewel that we recommend for athletic skiers looking for a lively, playful tool.
We recommend the Stöckli Lazer SX for skiers looking for a serious model with reliable and effective behaviour, that’s especially comfortable in long turns.
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Dynastar Speed Course Pro R20 Racing review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Giant slalom Best Accessibility/Performance!
Given the performance of the Speed Course R20 Racing and its very wide range of use, we would recommend this product for good to very good skiers who want a ski that combines efficiency with pleasure. It is remarkably versatile and comfortable for riding outside the Giant tracks.
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Head Premium review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Cruisers Best Accessibility/Comfort!
These high-end HEAD skis incorporate the Intelligence™ CHIP technology. The electrical energy produced by the intellifibres is not just recycled, but stored and then gradually released thanks to a preprogramed chip –individually programmed to match the different properties of each ski. The intelligent ski’s impact increases tenfold, improving your performance while respecting your style.
The RC4 WC SC is a good typically-performing slalom ski that is particularly stable and stiff and was highly appreciated by some of the reviewers. Its stiffness make it a very good choice for heavier very good to competition-level skiers.
BEST SKI
Rossignol Hero Elite SX Carbon review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Easy Cruisers Best ski 2015
A bit less accessible, bur with a far better performance than the other skis in this category, the Rossignol Hero Elite SX Carbon was our top ski because of its aptitude to help the rider to make technical progress thanks to the quality and ease of transition from skid turns to carving. An excellent choice for good skiers who want to improve their technique. Beginners should look for a model that’s more accessible... Read on
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Dynastar CR 74 Fluid review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Carvers Best Accessibility!
Opinions were divided over the CR 78The professional skiers used to skiing in a very forward position, were no doubt a bit thrown by the more central position. The rest of the reviewers, on the other hand, found the ski globally well balanced and enjoyable. Everyone agreed that the CR 78 Fluid is an excellent choice for carving novices.
The Scott Black Magic makes up for a slightly uninspired freeride performance by its exceptional on-piste qualities. Recommended for skiers who want a truly brilliant ski on the groomers, but that can still perform well off-piste.
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Fischer Motive 86 review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > All-Mountain front Best Accessibility!
The Motive 86 fulfils its contract while offering exceptional accessibility. It’s the ideal companion for beginners to off-piste and powder, giving them the confidence to make good progress.
The Rossignol Hero Elite ST Ti is a ski designed for the pleasure of sport rather than pure performance. It’s a very good choice for intermediate to very good skiers who aim for performance without the need to control a thoroughbred. The Hero Elite will offer sensations galore... without requiring rock solid thighs.
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Fischer Motive 76 review 2015
Men's skis 2015 > Easy Cruisers Best Accessibility/Comfort!
An excellent starter ski, the Fisher Motive 76 is a great achievement. It’s the perfect ski for beginner to intermediate riders who want an effortless and enjoyable ski that’s particularly comfortable in short turns.
A very good ski for this category (already picked out last year), this model was reviewed in a longer version than requested, making more difficult to handle, especially at slower speed. Its accessibility together with its capacity to help skiers make technical progress mean it’s a good choice for beginner to intermediate skiers who want to improve their technique.
It’s a shame! The CR 72 pro Xpress is a really good ski, particularly comfortable carving, and a treat for riders who want carve their way down the slopes at a good speed. Its slight lack of accessibility means that unfortunately it lost some decimal points. This is an excellent choice though for riders who already have some technical skills (carved turn control) and who want to start some serious carving.
The reviewers praise helps to mitigate the marks that sanction the Progressor’s lack high speed performance in an overly mechanical way. The ski effectively offers exceptional enjoyment up to intermediary speeds. Highly recommended for lighter, intermediary to good skiers looking for easy handling and enjoyment before performance.
To quote one of the reviewers, the Rossignol Pursuit 18 Ti is an “easy and effective” ski that we recommend for intermediate to very good skiers who want to improve their performance without too much technical effort, with a focus on long turns.
The Head i SL is not sufficiently focused on performance to rank high in this category. It would probably have done far better in the High End Piste category. It remains an excellent ski, particularly enjoyable and smooth on soft snow, happy carving the slopes, and is best for intermediate to good skiers that want pleasure and accessibility before pure performance.
As a true piste ski, its performance is less impressive than some of its rivals in this category. A good choice for riders who prefer the piste and the spaces between pistes, where its capacity to absorb the terrain and its performance in crud will make the difference.
Intermediate skiers will love the Stormrider 88, its accessibility, its fluidity in cool turns, and its capacity to help off-piste beginners without getting stressed or tired.
With a 100 mm waist, the Experience 100 Ti Open is the widest ski in this section. With such a width you might be forgiven for thinking it would be less comfortable on piste, but in fact the ski performs really well. Its easy handling in different snow conditions makes it an ideal ski for long runs in the crud.
Although the ski got a medal in the same category last year, the longer model tested was generally considered to be different this year. The ski is still the same production-wise. The size reviewed (184 cm) is best for heavier skiers (+85 kg).
Very good ski for riders looking for an easy to handle and reliable ski to improve performance and enjoy radical carving without too much effort or technical prowess. Especially suitable for carving novices.
While The Ski really stood out last year in the All mountain 70/30 category, this year’s ski was outdone in this category by the wider, more distinctively freeride-type skis. It’s still an excellent ski though, especially for intermediate to good skiers who prefer on piste skiing.
The Head Supershape Rally is a good ski, but not aggressive or energetic enough for the Piste Performance category. A good ski for riders who want an easy and intuitive ski for efforless turns.
According to one of the reviewers, it’s like being on a ‘rail’. The i Speed is a true giant ski, and is remarkably stable and incisive. Despite its rigid tail that inconvenienced some of the lighter reviewers, the i Speed will suit heavier excellent skiers and competitors.
Opinions were divided about this ski, possibly due to a preparation problem. Model to be retested next year.