Ski Equipment Reviews and Recommendations

Ski, boot and other ski equipment reviews help you get the right gear while cutting risks of costly mistakes. Our reviews provide you with accurate pictures of how a given ski performs and how that will relate to you, pictures drawn from the experiences of dozens of skiers of varying abilities and technical styles – recreational and pro alike – who test skis and other ski equipment from VT to California between January and May.

Ski Reviews in this public section are distilled from more comprehensive reviews in our Member Section, which has, say members, "the best ski reviews available anywhere, in print or on the 'Net."

After reading our Member reviews, you’ll be able to select ski models to try or perhaps we’ll give you that extra bit of information that makes you realize you want this or that ski right now. If you're considering skis from a past season, chances are we have those reviews as well in our 3000+ review archives (1999-present).

New!

2016/17 product catalogs

atomic   black crows   blizzard   dynastar   elan   fischer   head

head race   k2   kästle   line   nordica   rossignol   salomon   völkl

What does a member review look like?

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Why Haven't Better Skis Produced Better Skiers?

get a coachThis skier would probably self-classify as an expert. We detect a few indications that this assessment might not be entirely accurate.

When I orchestrated equipment reviews for Snow Country Magazine 25 years ago, all skis looked similar but the quality of the on-snow experience was all over the map.  Today skis come in a wild array of widths, sidecuts and baselines that impart all sorts of sensations, the better to serve an ever-expanding menu of skier desires.

What’s missing from the 2017 ski market are the truly bad models that formerly populated the bottom third of any genre under review.  A continuous cycle of product upgrades at roughly three to four year intervals, coupled with a pair of paradigm shifts spanning two decades of ski design, has winnowed out the weak reeds.  It’s become all but impossible to find a bad ski from a reputable manufacturer.

. . . full article

More than merely ski reviews . . .

Beyond reviews, we have articles on custom boot fitting, boot design, ski sizing, binding placement, ski tuning, equipment maintenance, outstanding accessories, high performance ski technique (featuring Harald Harb and John Clendenin) and more. We offer unique 1-on-1 consulting. Got a skiing question? Top pros answer you directly.

We'll help you get the most fun per ski dollar. Whether you are just starting, a sometimes leisure skier, venerable veteran or working pro, we can help you find the best skis and other equipment and help take your skiing to a higher level, often saving money in the process.

Realskiers is independent; we accept no advertising from equipment manufacturers or distribution companies. Our reviews aren't subject to advertising pressure and embody no corporate compromises.

About Boots

rs130We know from experience the folly of trying to fit boots long distance – say, via the internet – and can tell you all you need to know about boots, including their role in how well you’re able to ski on any ski, but because we want you well served, we urge you to visit a specialty ski shop with veteran personnel who know their craft.

Top Shops

footloose sportsFor models reviewed this year, including more than 200 skis from the most popular brands, our find feature directs you to authorized dealers who not only carry recommended skis and top boots, but who also provide the expert services and additional equipment skiers need.

Our recommended partner shops are among the best in the land.

About our partners & mission

Let us help you to ski your best

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Product Showcase

america's best bootfitters
zipfit
Secrets of Snowbird
squaw-alpine deer valley solitude alta backcountry snow country guru dave ski doctors fis bring a friend
This book by Realskiers Editor Jackson Hogen and "Snowbird Guru" Dave Powers is unique. The title may be coyly misleading: The "Secrets" are secret to elite skiers only in that they have not before been so clearly articulated and, although centered on Snowbird, Secrets reveals more than tactical approaches to that iconic big mountain playground. Secrets applies to all skiing, from local bunny hill to the vast reaches of the Chugach.

Equipment and technique are central to performance, but not the whole story. Context, mental environment and, especially, the concept of Flow are as, if not more, important. "Secrets" addresses these crucial concepts is fresh and accessible ways.(disclosure: review by PK)
visit site . . .
Scroll To Top
Alta is for skiers!
SKI THE DIFFERENCE
The Soul of Skiing
The Ski Mountaineering Company
World Wide Snow Reports
Ski and social conditions at the 'Bird!
John Clendenin's Ski Doctors
Exceptional products and services that we choose to promote appear in this space by invitation only.
☞ Newsletter Archives—library of actionable articles on skis, boots, technique, shopping, saving money and other subjects seldom covered in this clarity and depth elsewhere.
learn to ski   bring a friend
Lindsey – 75 down, 12 to go !!

year of the Viking?

About Our Partners and Mission

We feel a special obligation to maintain the integrity of our testing and reporting protocols, so we neither solicit nor accept ads from the brands we review. 

Identifying the best equipment and instruction that together contribute to the ideal alpine ski experience—and just as importantly, where to find said gear and guidance—has always been the core of realskiers’ mission. Central to accomplishing this mission is the support of our retail test partners, selected from among the top shops in the U.S.

The partners whose contributions allow this site to fulfill its mission share our values:

We believe that this mission – and the manner in which we pursue it – is unique in the universe of skiing support sites.

recommended medallion