2022 Gear Guide

If you like to go fast in crud and variable terrain on powder days, you’d probably give the Nordica Enforcer 110 top marks.

Despite the hardcore name and top sheets, the Faction Dictator 2.0 is a surprisingly forgiving, playful, and fun ski.

All-black, all-speed, and all-mountain. The Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition is back for 2022 and it comes with QuadRod technology.

The all-new, all-mountain Head Formula ski boot provides an ideal combination of performance and comfort for recreational skiers.

The next generation of this iconic all-mountain workhorse ups the ante on what can be done by a ski boot.

The third generation of Nordica's classic medium-volume boot sheds grams without sacrificing performance.

The newest generation of this iconic backcountry ski boot is still as stiff as can be, but still gets up a skin track well.

An all-new ski boot from Fischer that reimagines how lightweight your everyday backcountry ski boot should be.

Lange took the award-winning XT3 concept and made it even more backcountry-friendly, but didn't sacrifice an ounce of downhill performance in the process.

Skinny, blue, and incredibly powerful, the Black Crows Mentis Freebird is an ideal option for long uphills.

Super lightweight, great for skiing the steeps, and reasonably priced? The Dynafit Blacklight 95 checks all the boxes.

This Swiss ski brand is making some waves in the North American backcountry ski scene, and, with lightweight skis like this one, it's easy to see why.

The DPS Pagoda Tour 106 C2 is made with foam in the core, but it's also made to be super fun on the down. Here's why.

This beefy backcountry ski is made for skiers who want to go fast down the mountain, and don't mind hauling a little extra weight up for it.

The brand is known for making snowboards, but the fat backcountry-specific planks are fun for skiers, too.

The Utah-based company built a super-fat backcountry ski for earning your turns in powder. Here's how it skis.

Intermediates looking to get off the groomed would do well to consider the Dynastar M-Pro 99 W.

Like to bop around in the bumps? Allow us to introduce you to these cute shorties.

Testers agreed that the Wildcat 82 C would make a great all-mountain tool for beginners and intermediates.

Designed primarily for the frontside, the Wild Belle 78 CA will impress intermediates and advanced skiers alike.

Those looking for a wider ski to get off the groomed and into the bumps, trees, and crud will appreciate the QST Stella’s versatility.

The Ripstick 102 W skis more like a wide race ski than a fatter all-mountain stick.

This ski surprised testers who poo-pooed Black Diamond’s credibility in the resort ski arena.

No one should call it quits when the refills are free.

Testers couldn’t say enough about this ski’s poppy and energetic personality.

“Easy to engage, easy to release, easy to ski.”

A great option for someone getting into the sport but wants a ski that can take them to the next level and beyond.

“An amusement park with bindings.”

Wondering about the all-new Rossignol Experience 86 Ti Frontside Ski? Check out our testers' scores in this in-depth review.

It's everything you love about the wider Secret 102, but in a slimmer, more playful package.

These chargers remain a top freeride option, especially for those with the pocket change for this level of ski.

On firm snow, the Hotshots' Vermont roots came to light.

At SKI Test, the Rossignol Black Ops Sender Ti ski had hardly any faults and wasn't ranked lower than fourth in any category.

Back for a third season, the all-mountain K2 Mindbender 99Ti is still just as happy as can be in all conditions.

The all-new Black Diamond Impulse 98 can hold its own at the resort and in the backcountry, making it an ideal do-it-all ski.

You thought there was no such thing as playful Völkl ski? Think again.

No metal? No problem! The Rossignol Black Ops Escaper dials up the playfulness and forgiveness scores thanks to its lightweight nature.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

When the going gets tough, the Stöckli Nela 96 gets going.

Dynastar's M-Pro 90 was ranked in the top-five overall Frontside skis for 2022. Find out what our testers loved and what they didn't like.

The sixth generation of the Völkl Mantra lives up to the hype, as the German company has somehow tailored a great ski to be even better.

The lightweight Völkl Blaze 106 can hold its own all over any ski resort, as well as deep into the backcountry.

The all-new Disruption MTi Alliance is not the loosey-goosey K2 you've come to expect.

This ski excels on edge, but won't punish skiers who are still working on their carving chops.

It’s not the fattest ski out there, but testers appreciated how versatile the M-Free 108 is.

The Völkl Secret 102 holds an edge and carves, even on hard snow, surprisingly well for a wide-waisted ski.

The Fischer RC One 86GT frontside ski returns for 2022, and has already become a classic ski that includes a binding.

A confidence booster that can ski short turns right into pure-carve GS turns, then off the piste into some soft fluff. Superb!

A lightweight all-mountain tool that skis with the conviction of a heavyweight.

This is a crud-busting all-mountain ski for intermediates and experts alike.

The Nordica Enforcer 94 took top scores for Flotation, Crud Performance, and Balance of Skills/Versatility at this year's SKI Test.

It's not the most forgiving carving ski around, but it rewards those willing to put in the effort.

This ski is proof that a wider-waisted ski can hold its own in the carving department and offer a little versatility to boot.

The Rossignol Rallybird Ti isn't the most forgiving ski in the bunch, but advanced ladies with strong technique will reap its benefits.

This ski likes to impress advanced skiers with her stability on the groomers.

And the new Queen of the Mountain is...a unisex ski. But an extremely forgiving and playful one at that.

A unisex powder ski that charges the mountain like an all-mountain ski.

One of the most consistent performers in the women's all-mountain wide category.

With the narrowest waist in the men's all-mountain ski category, the Armada Declivity 92 Ti is quick, playful, and carvy.

Check out the new Kästle FX86 Ti Frontside ski as well as how it scored at the 2022 SKI Test at Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah.

The Völkl Kendo 88 was nearly perfect at SKI Magazine's annual SKI Test. Get all the details about this Best in Test Frontside Ski.

The iconic Salomon QST 106 is back for its third season. See how it stacked up compared to the rest of the all-mountain wide field this year.

Black Diamond's latest resort ski surprised our testers—in a good way.

A ski that's stable and playful? Allow us to introduce this new all-mountain number form Armada.