The 2024 Stockli Laser SC is a phenomenal ski that offers a ton of performance without any unnecessary demand. This ski has been a fan-favorite for a number of years now, and the blend of attributes has a lot to do with its success. We’ve been touting the benefits of front side skis for a few years now, and our opinions on skis like this have grown exponentially over that time. When skiers come to the realization that they actually spend most of their time on groomed terrain attempting to make carved turns, skis like this jump right to the forefront of the conversation. There’s no real need for many skiers to be on skis wider than 90 mm underfoot for groomers and on-piste skiing, and it wasn’t that long ago that a 72 mm underfoot ski would be considered mid-fat or even a powder ski. With crisp control and a fun-loving character, the 2024 Stockli Laser SC is a wonderful choice for a high-end front side ski built with quality and precision in mind.

While some of the more racing-inspired skis in the Laser line feature heavier builds and sturdier overall characters, the Laser SC leans more to the recreational side of the spectrum. This is not to say that the ski is for beginners in the least—this is still a very high-performance ski for advanced and expert skiers with a good skill set. We do get a lighter and slightly softer wood core, still two sheets of metal, but a lighter metal edge as well. One of the main changes for 2024 is the implementation of the Racing Sidewalls which makes the ski stiffer overall. By placing a harder material along the edges, running on a vertical plane, it drastically increases the stiffness of the ski, giving it more edge grip and power without making it too heavy or demanding, mainly since it balances the lighter core and edges. We’re also seeing Stockli’s Flex Torsion Control, and this curved slit in the upper metal laminate allows for greater articulation of the torsional stiffness of the ski, keeping more edge engaged in the snow while allowing the rest of the ski to flex and bend with the terrain, resulting in a smoother overall feel.

The SC hits 72 mm underfoot, and this is getting to the point in which some versatility is introduced, although we’d still state that this ski clearly still lands on the front side plane of existence. With little to no rocker in the ski, the full-camber allows for excellent energy, grip, and rebound from turn to turn. It’s this type of character that highlights the carving mentality of the ski. This one falls to the mid-range of turn shape and style, with the flex allowing for more creative arcs either across or with the fall line. You can be as aggressive or mellow as you want on these skis due to the friendlier mix of shape and construction. At 14.9-meters at the 170 cm length, this ski is a crisp turner, although it’s still a bit longer than a true slalom cut.

With a range of binding and plate options to choose from, you can fine-tune the capabilities and character of this ski, ranging from a race-like dampness to a lighter and more maneuverable all-mountain option. Either way you choose to see and use this ski, one thing is clear—it's about as smooth, quiet, and composed as it gets. For most skiers, this type of ski is incredibly useful for reality-based skiing. The fact that it does so at a very high level is all the more reason to take a square look at the 2024 Stockli Laser SC.