$0-600

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LF stands for Live Fit, one of this year’s more interesting innovations. Soft, flexible panels on the walls of the shell expand as needed for comfortable fit for the widest of feet without undue compromise in performance integrity. The upright stance reduces leg fatigue, and the two-buckle design is the ultimate in ease, providing just enough wrap for relaxed skiing.

Our women liked the Vita slightly more than the pricier Electra Sensor3 90 (see previous). Must be a comfort thing. The Vita is roomier than the Electra, but it’s equally well balanced, the liner is every bit as well designed, constructed and married to its shell, and the more relaxed flex is still enough to power a ski. As one tester put it: “a bedroom slipper with some zest.”

With a notch more power than the Vita (next page) and a snugger fit, Rossi’s Electra series is the better choice for experts or athletic intermediates. Our lankiest tester wanted a taller cuff, but for most women it’s fine. As with all the new Rossis, the liner is plush but not sloppy, fitted perfectly to its shell, and the shell’s geometry sets the skier up for a balanced and responsive ride.

A slight softening of flex makes the Electra 80 a bit less powerful than the 90 (below), but it’s a better choice for intermediates or lighter experts. Otherwise, it’s a carbon copy of the 90. Both have rubbery Vibram soles that make parking lots and base lodge staircases easier to navigate, and both have quilted fleece-fur liners that ski accurately while keeping the cold out.

Head gives the more established brands a run for their market share with winners like this. The Vector 100 shines in its combination of comfort and modest performance. The forefoot is cavernous, but where a modicum of snugness is needed for performance—in the ankle/heel area—it’s there. Advanced intermediates and relaxed experts will be set up to succeed.

Though it’s part of the Dream line, the 9.5 gets a roomier—and somewhat less responsive—fit shape. It won’t envelope the foot as snugly, or drive a ski as precisely, as the Dream 12.5 (see previous), but it’s a good value for reasonably competent women who prize comfort above all and are content to cruise the groomers at modest speeds.

The Hawx 90 is the same boot as the Hawx 100 (see previous), so it’s a matter of skier aggressiveness, ability and/or weight. It lacks some of the turn-finishing power of the 100, but more women probably belong here. Otherwise, the benefits are the same: flexible midsole for improved balance, snug heel retention, nice blend of comfort and performance.

Testers loved the built-in forefoot flex of the Hawx. Relief cuts in the shell allow it to give when the ski is deeply flexed, improving balance and keeping your heel anchored. The flex also makes it easier to walk in. The thickly padded liner is smooth and seamless. It feels tight at first but quickly expands. There are warmer boots, but the Hawx is a good fit for good skiers.

Testers loved the new Lange race shell. Performance is uncompromised, but now comes with less discomfort. Women will stand taller in the new shell—the better to edge on modern sidecuts, without the quad burn of more aggressive forward lean. But the biggest improvement is the liner: better designed and constructed, and better shaped to fit the shell.

The Mission offers generous volume and a thickly padded liner with just enough fit tension to keep an advanced intermediate happy. Its moisture wicking liner helps keep your foot dry and warm. The toe and heel pads are replaceable in case of wear. Heavier or more aggressive men with wide feet will be better served by the RS 12 ($565), with its 120 flex.

The lower shell is roomy and lacks fit tension. That’s good for comfort but usually bad for responsiveness. But Rossignol gives the Synergy 80 a snug upper cuff, so lateral quickness is pretty good for a boot this comfortable. It’s still not exactly dynamic, but its upright stance will keep intermediates balanced, and with its soft flex, it’s a natural in bumps

The Blaster stands out in a category of mostly intermediate boots. It’s comfortable but designed for experts. The walk feature, which allows the cuff to release upright, is intended for easier hiking and touring out of bounds, but it’s fine around the base area, too, and there’s little compromise of rearward stiffness. The foot-wrap and lateral quickness are excellent.

Usually what a wider boot sacrifices is edge-control. Not so much with the Viron 95. It’s fully featured, and the flex is reasonably sturdy. But what really makes the difference is Fischer’s Soma stance. The shell is oriented in a slightly duck-footed (abducted) position on the sole. It’s a natural stance for most men, and one that allows quick, sure access to the carving edge.

The emphasis is on comfort, and it’s hard to imagine any foot that wouldn’t find the fit of the Axion agreeable. The three-piece shell is as easy to put on and take off as any boot on the market. The performance isn’t edgy, and the rearward support could have more integrity, but the Axion sets intermediates up for relaxing fun, with a stance geometry that won’t hold them back.

Testers preferred the stiffer flex and richer features of the Vector 120 (below), but the 100 will be a more appropriate model for lighter-weight or less aggressive skiers. It lacks the innovative buckles, but shares the same basic geometry. The fit is very generous, yet it still grips your foot firmly enough to provide leverage. And the upright stance promises all-day comfort.

Remember when skiing wasn’t cool anymore? At the height of the snowboard revolution, a college kid taking woodshop helped bring our sport back. Jason Levinthal, Line’s founder, built what were arguably the first skis for the jib generation. Now, Line boasts a huge following among core skiers, for good reasons. One of which is the Celebrity 90, which stomped the category in powder and was No. 3 in Quickness/Bumps, too. It turned up its nose at hardpack, though, scoring last among winners in Hard-Snow Grip. But take a look at the price. Westerners: Buy this board. “What a ripping ski,” said Humes. “I was giddy.”

Was it just three years ago that Line was the scrappy little independent brand with way more passion than market share? Times have changed, though certainly the marketing muscle of parent company K2 must have helped. The twin-tipped Prophets have been tester favorites all along. The Flite is a lightened version of the 90 (a former category winner), ranking No. 3 for Forgiveness. Some testers wanted more edge-grip, but the price is certainly right, and Line still ranks No. 1 in street cred, whether it’s for you or your teenager. “A solid bump ski, quick in the trees, even moonlights in crud; was a joy,” said Malone.

Category: Women's Intermediate; Category ranking: No. 4; Average score: 3.56; Balance of skills: 3.58; Best for: Beginners; Not for: Biting though blue ice

Category: Women's Intermediate; Category ranking: No. 1; Average score: 4.03; Balance of skills: 3.81; Best for: Athletic learners who want room to grow; Not for: The contented. This ski will make you better.

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Cruiser

Cruiser

Cruiser

Freeride

Intermediate

Cruiser

Cruiser

Cruiser

Freeride

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