Best Men’s Frontside Skis of 2022: Stöckli Stormrider 88
Find out everything you need to know about the all-new Stöckli Stormrider 88's performance based on the results of the SKI Magazine test.
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Brand: Stöckli
Model: Stormrider 88
Overall Ranking: #3
Overall Score: 4.09 / 5
Specs
Tip / Waist / Tail (mm)
128-88-114
Lengths (cm)
166, 175, 184
Radius (m)
18.4 (175 length)
Waist Width (mm)
88
Gender
Unisex
Level
Advanced-Expert
Rocker Technology
Yes
Core Material
Wood, Titanal
Sidewall Construction
Sandwich
Stability at Speed
4.65 / 5
Quickness / Maneuverability
4.04 / 5
Playfulness
3.73 / 5
Forgiveness
3.81 / 5
Hard Snow Performance
4.54 / 5
Crud Performance
4.15 / 5
Flotation
3.35 / 5
The skinniest member of this season’s revitalized Stormrider line, the Stöckli Stormrider 88 tickled a number of testers’ fancies at Solitude. Because the comment cards were full of words like “refined,” “smooth,” and “stable,” the SKI Test director had to make sure they were testing skis instead of an 18-year single malt whiskey.
“It doesn’t get any smoother than the Stormrider 88,” writes tester Luke Larsen. “I may just skip out on the rest of the test and bring these skis home to meet my parents to really take it to the next level.”
Read More: This Year’s Best Men’s Frontside Skis
All these platitudes come for good reason. Designed in Switzerland, the Stormrider 88 is made for chalky conditions in the West and dry spells in the East. Unlike the planky Stöcklis of years past, the rocker in the shovel and a light wood core provides a supple feel when tipped on edge, but the ski still derives a lot of backbone from two sheets of metal. The Stormrider 88 also features a new freeride tip, which is built from recycled materials that reduce weight while adding stiffness. Expert, advanced, and even strong intermediate skiers will enjoy the ski enough to justify the price.
Some of the younger testers wanted a little more energy and playfulness from the ski, but more seasoned testers noted that Stöckli has already made great strides in that department with this new rendition. As long as testers kept the skis on the snow, it was hard for them to find anything to complain about. “Whatever combination of metal and wood they use provides a quality very few skis achieve,” writes tester Matt Schiller. “If money is no object and finer-crafted tools line your workshop, this ski belongs in your quiver.”
- Strengths: Stability at Speed (1st in category), Hard-Snow Integrity (1st)
- Weaknesses: Flotation (8th), Playfulness (8th)
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