Best Big Mountain & Powder Skis

There’s rarely a ski that can do it all. Do you want a ski that’s lightweight, flexible, buttery, and capable in the park? Do you also want a ski that can carve, float through powder, and maintain stability at high speeds? If the answer is yes to all of the above, then Atomic’s Bent Chetler makes a great choice. With three models, one in 100mm, 110mm, and 120mm, all of Chetler’s feature twin tips and a powder focused build. While the 120mm model is probably best used solely as a powder ski, the 100mm and 110mm work great as an all-mountain setup and are surprisingly responsive on the hard pack and ice.

I know that not many people will travel to the mountain with a variety of different skis so that they can adjust to changing conditions, which makes a pair of great all-rounders like Nordica Enforcers incredibly valuable. The skis are wide enough to perform well in powder, even if it’s very deep, while the base’s tapered shape still allows you to carve on groomed trails. You’ll really feel the full range of possibilities that these skis afford you when you’re skiing groomed trails in the morning, but get enough extra snow during the day to ski some powder by your last few runs.

I get why it’s the case, but it can be frustrating that so many freeride or powder skis are either too pricey or too advanced for intermediate skiers. Thankfully, the K2 Mindbenders are here for those looking to dip their toes into bowl or backcountry skiing without breaking the bank or needing expert-level skills. They provide a great entry point into more adventurous skiing while keeping you comfortable and in control, making them a solid choice for those who aren’t quite ready for high-end models like the Blizzard Rustler 11 Skis.