2023 Stockli Edge FT

Stockli entered the touring world last season and continues into 2023, and we're pretty stoked about it. With two Edge models for 2023, the Edge FT is the wider of the two, and basically mirrors the Stormrider 95 in terms of shape and application. There are a few things that are the same and a few that are different, but for the most part, you're still getting that Stockli precision and quality that the skis are known and loved for. Thanks to the proliferation of backcountry skiing and touring over the past few years, ski companies have been quick to catch up, and it has recently culminated in skis like the Edge FT. With a mid-90's underfoot shape and a light yet smooth construction, these skis are quite versatile in terms of in and out of bounds skiing, offering efficient climbing and competent downhilling for a wide variety of skiers. The widths of the ski increase with length, going from 92 to 94 and then 96 in the 185, offering more surface area and flotation in the bigger skis. While the Stormrider skis do not do this, the Edge FT averages out to a similar shape. The Edge also has a slightly longer turn radius as well, with a 21-meter arc in the 185 cm length, up from 19.4 in the 184 in the SR 95. The slightly longer turn shape is more efficient in the climb, as the skis tend to track straighter in the skin track, making it easier to make your strides. For weight, the SR 95 in the 184 comes in at 1919 grams per ski while the FT in the 185 shaves a few hundred grams and tips the scale at 1780 g/ski. Thanks to the super-light core, Titec EVO topsheet, and the Touring Super Light Edge, the Edge FT is more efficient on the ups, but not too much of a slacker on the downs. This increases the versatile nature and wide-ranging application of the ski, making it one of the more well-rounded touring skis on the market today.

Ryan Darlow skied the 176 and noted that it while it felt a little long, he’d still choose that length for himself. He gave it top scores of 5’s out of 5 for stability, torsional stiffness, and edge hold, and that’s pretty impressive for a touring ski. Overall impression and flotation each got 4’s, leading to a pretty high-end range of scores. Ryan notes that the “ski wants to get on rails and stay there. Skis well and stable once you commit but it's hard to break away from carving and slide your turns. Fairly stable on groomed terrain but some concern that they would struggle in tight trees which I was unable to test due to conditions”. The more flared tail is certainly going to be a bit sticky in the trees, but that’s a small price to pay for the overall quality and precision of the ski.

On the 176, David Carter noted that it was a good length for him. He scored the ski a top mark of 5 out of 5 for forgiveness, with 4's given for overall impression, versatility, torsional stiffness, edge hold, playfulness, stability, and flotation. Those are some pretty high overall scores for a more touring-specific ski, and it makes a lot of sense, especially given Stockli's reputation for making some of the best skis on the planet. While David used it in more of a downhill/resort setting, he still notes that it is "a very forgiving ski that worked quite well in the soft spring snow and the bumps." While moguls aren't usually a thing that touring skis try to succeed in, the fact that the FT is a good bump ski should speak volumes as to the versatility and smoothness of the ski.

These hybrid touring skis are all the rage these days, and it makes a lot of sense if you’re going to get one, to get the highest-quality one. For a mid-90's underfoot ski the lighter Stockli Edge FT is not only a whole lot of fun, but also quite versatile and well-rounded for both uphill and downhill skiing.