Built and shaped for the more traditionalist lady skier, the Scott Pure Free 90 W is a heck of a ride. This thing is about as stable and sturdy as it gets. Most skiers don’t think of Scott skis in this way, but let us assure you, these things are the real deal. It’s not like they have a bad reputation, it’s more that people just don’t know. Their methodology of building skis is different from most others out there, creating more of an individualistic type of ski. While this may not be the best, or most ideal, for a lot of skiers, it definitely works for the Scott enthusiasts. At 90 mm underfoot and with a burly core, this ski offers a lot to skiers who spend most of their time on-trail, but also want something that’ll handle mixed conditions and terrain.

It’s not like they’re using crazy materials and technology in this ski, rather they are using the normal stuff in different ways. A Poplar core is by no means out of the ordinary, but the thickness of Scott’s cuts sure are. By keeping the core of the ski thicker throughout, it’s like the engineers at Scott function as a butcher slicing thicker steaks. There are not different materials, there’s just more of them. That profile thickness gives the ski its signature steadiness, and it really works when you get it on snow. There is a titanal reinforcement as well, but this laminate is mainly found underfoot. Add some fiberglass to the mix and the ski has a stiff flex and solid grip. While it’s on the heavier side, it’s not a brick. The 160 hits 1580grams on the scale, so there’s some heft to it, but the lack of tip to tail metal keeps it in the reasonable range. If they decided to add the full metal to the thick poplar core, then we’d be dealing with a full-on tank. As it stands now, though, the Pure Free 90 W is still agile and maneuverable, smooth and secure.

Like most skis that are 90 mm underfoot, we’re expecting a wide range of capabilities here. For the most part, that’s the truth, but we’ve also found that this ski excels and prefers on-trail terrain. Smooth groomers are an absolute blast on this ski, as it has a very stable and predictable nature to it. We talk a lot about how Stockli and Liberty have this feeling as well, and we’re adding Scott to the list too, mainly due to the thickness of the core. For the most part, the ski is more traditional in shape, and that’s going to appeal to a lot of skiers who want something that feels strong and predictable without being hooky or grabby. With a 16-meter turn radius in the 160, skiers will be able to dictate the style and duration of the turn with ease. There’s some tip rocker and slight tail taper, but overall, this ski falls more to the all-mountain, and even front side shaping principles.

We don’t want to go so far as to say it’s Old School, mainly because these things seem to come full circle when it comes to shape and style. It’s more of a traditional ski with a sturdy wood core, a longer turn radius, and a strong on-trail personality. Best on the feet of advanced and expert skiers who are comfortable with this type of ski, the Scott Pure Free 90 W is a total blast and is nicely different from so many other skis out there.