I’m sure there are a lot of skiers out there who are super-nervous about changing the ever-awesome Laser AR, but we’re here to assuage those fears. The 2023 Stockli Montero AR is every bit as good as the outgoing Laser, and in many ways, it’s an improvement. Both are excellent skis, to be sure, but there are some interesting things about the Montero AR that make it stand out from its Laser counterpart. With new sizes and shapes (albeit minimally invasive), skiers get a slightly wider platform and a better spread of lengths. Breaking on the 5’s from 165 to 185, skiers who may have thought the 182 Laser was too short now get an extra 3cm in the 185 (good news for bigger skiers). At 84 mm underfoot, we can now claim that the Montero AR is in the mid-80's, putting it into slightly more of an all-mountain category. Again, minimal changes. We have heard that there’s more rocker to the AR this year, but we didn’t notice an appreciable difference in this regard—the thing still feels like it has no issues making perfectly connected carved turns. The 180 generates a 17.3-meter turn radius, so it’s right in the sweet spot of being able to make a bunch of different turn shapes and styles in various conditions and terrain, allowing the skier to have the most versatile all-mountain ski with a front side flair out there.
ROCKER PROFILE
Rocker / Camber / Rocker
CORE MATERIALS
Flex Torsion Control
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Groomers, All Mountain
On the 175, Michael Rooney notes that it’s true to size. He gave the ski a top score of 5 out of 5 for forgiveness, and 4’s for all other categories save for playfulness and flotation, which got 3’s. This is a high baseline average score for the AR, and Michael seems to be noting that it is accessible enough for a wide range of skiers. “The Montero QR is a great ski for an intermediate skier. It will support you all the way and does well in mixed conditions. It turns easily and is nice and light on the straightaways.” Bumping up to the 180, fellow tester Jeff Neagle noted it was true to size and he’d choose that length for himself. Jeff’s top score was a 5 out of 5 for overall impression and 4’s for all other categories except for a lowly 2 for flotation, which is kind of to be expected for a mid-80's underfoot ski. “What a fantastic all-mountain ski! While it doesn't reach any superlatives, it's an extremely rewarding ski. Feels like it has just as much edge grip as the outgoing Laser AR, but more versatility. The new shape gives it an easier feel if you decide to take it off trail. Would make a great combination groomer/bump ski for a technical skier. It's not hard to ski whatsoever, but you still benefit from that Stockli precision and quality. Precise, smooth, but also playful and agile. It feels less like a race ski than the previous version, not that the Laser AR was truly a race ski, but closer at least... That said, don't perceive that as a bad thing. Stockli has so many skis under the Laser umbrella that it I think it made sense to give this ski more all-mountain vibes.”
Bob St.Pierre was on the 180 as well, and while he noted that it skied true to size, he’s more of a 185 skier at 6’2 225. He gave the Montero AR 5’s out of 5 for overall impression, stability, quickness, and maneuverability. 4’s dotted most of the rest of the landscape, with a lower 2 out of 5 for flotation. “I love the versatility of these skis. It wasn’t that long ago that an 84 mm underfoot ski was considered fat, so even though it got my low score for flotation, that’s more in comparison to the 110-120 crowd that dominates the fluff. Other than that, this is pretty much an ideal ski for any other condition or terrain. From bumps and trees to groomers and steeps, this ski is totally confidence-inspiring as well as just a whole lot of fun. I did our weekly ski bum race on these and they did great in a GS course as well, so there’s no limit on what they can do. I really appreciate the addition of the 185 in the AR, and love it almost as much as the AX.”
Skiers looking for the ultimate in mid-80's versatility and quality should take a square look at the new Stockli Montero AR. It’s a little longer, a bit wider, and a tad more rockered, but still the same amazing all-mountain ski that shreds groomers like a race ski. The precision and snow feel of these skis is truly something to behold.
