The Best Women’s Powder Skis of 2022: Blizzard Sheeva 11

This is an Outside+ member-exclusive gear review in which we give you ALL the SKI Test data—more tester feedback, more scores, and more analysis. Normally, you’d need to join Outside+ to access these goods. But because we’re ski bums at heart who love a good freebie, this one’s on us. If you want to read more of SKI’s Gear Guide coverage exclusively for Outside+ members, that’s on you. Get the low-down on Outside+ here.  

The tried and true Blizzard Sheeva 11 needs little introduction. This women’s-specific big mountain charger is a perennial favorite in the powder category because of how fun and dependable it is no matter the snow conditions.

“It’s the perfect ‘ski-anything’ ride. It thrives in pow fields but also loves to bop through bumps. I’m a big fan,” says tester Courtney Harkins.

We can thank the Blizzard Sheeva 11’s wide waist and generous tip and tail rocker for keeping the ski above the fray. But a solid multiwood core reinforced with carbon mean the Blizzard Sheeva 11 also handles firm condition with ease.

Go deeper: Explore all of this season’s best powder skis

“The rockered tip and tail make it fun in powder, yet this wide ski holds up surprisingly well on hardpack,” says tester Lyndsay Strange. “This is a substantial ski underfoot that you can still whip and bop around, or get into tight, techy terrain and also stomp huge lines.”

Most testers applauded how quick the Blizzard Sheeva 11 is to transition from edge to edge and called it surprisingly maneuverable for a ski that’s so beefy. While larger-radius turns are the Sheeva 11’s jam, you can get this ski to fire off short turns if you put enough muscle behind it.

The downside to this heavier construction is that the Sheeva 11 is a little burly and damp for a powder ski and makes for a less playful and forgiving ride than some in this category. But that doesn’t seem to affect flotation, and an upside to the stiffer construction is more dependability in crud and manky snow.

All that makes the Blizzard Sheeva 11 a top choice for expert skiers who live for powder days but also boot up and explore the whole mountain on the crusty days between storms. Says tester Erika Northrop: “The Sheeva turns up every lady’s experience to 11. Fast and fun is the name of the game.”

• Strengths: Quickness (2nd in category), Crud Performance (2nd)
• Weaknesses: Forgiveness (3rd), Playfulness (1st)

Learn More

See More of Blizzard’s Top Skis for this Season
How wide is too wide for resort skis?
Check out all of SKI’s 2022 Gear Guide coverage