2025 Line Optic 88

For 2025, Line does a bit of re-shuffling with this series. The Blade Optic 92 is now gone, as is the “Blade” moniker at the front of the names. This year, we get Optic 88, and it follows the same build principles as the wider skis in the Optic line. The rest of the skis return unchanged except for graphics and name, with this new 88 providing the narrow end of the Optic spectrum. While we enjoyed the 92 and its light weight, fun-loving character, the new 88 fits in a bit better with the wider skis. It takes the on-trail carving capabilities to the next level and feels totally at home in an all-mountain situation. Here in Vermont, and other zones like it, the Optic 88 represents an excellent choice for a pure, versatile ski that carves great and has an adventurous spirit.

Like the other Optic skis, the 88 starts with an aspen veneer wood core. Line and K2 are known as some of the most fun-oriented ski companies out there, and since they both use aspen as their primary wood, we’re seeing some connections between this and entertainment. Aspen has a nice blend of light weight and energetic flex, and that makes great sense in a ski like the Optic 88. The big move for this ski in 2025 is the addition of the Gas Pedal Metal Overdrive laminate that is similar to the wider Optics. By using a central spine and branches off the side for torsional stiffness, this ski is quite damp and stable on any type of snow. In the 177, the ski is 1720 grams, which is on the light side for how it behaves on hardpack and ice. With a thicker underfoot sidewall and thinner tips and tails, the playfulness and creative aspect of this ski is highlighted. Tester Bob St.Pierre states that “the Optic 88 has an incredible amount of turning and carving capacity for what some would call a ‘twin tip,’ This ski hooks into the turn easily and delivers amazing edge grip and power throughout. I was not expecting this type of performance from this ski.”

As the narrowest of the Optic series, the 88 is certainly the most front side oriented. The rocker decreases with the narrower ski versus the wider 96, adding a longer effective edge to the mix. In that 177 cm reference length, the Optic 88 produces a 16.3-meter turn radius, which is on the short side. Given the ski’s nature to be on-trail and in a carved turn, that does make sense. We get a turned-up tail, but it’s not quite enough to call it a true twin tip in the freestyle sense. Feel free to take it in the park and ski backwards on it, but the overall character of the ski is more front side and all-mountain oriented. St.Pierre continues to note that “this ski can be used anywhere here in Vermont. The ski is narrow enough to be a great groomer ski, but the twin tip and rocker profile make it super-mobile in tighter bumps and trees.”

The hope here is that skiers looking for a more playful 88 will find this Optic and truly enjoy it. Those that have felt that a Mantra 88, Anomaly 88, or Mindbender 89 have been too rugged in the past will find a lot to like about the more creative Optic 88. These skis are great entry points for advanced skiers who are looking to progress and utilize all that the mountain has to offer. While it’s a bit on the burly side for beginners and early intermediates, there’s no ceiling at the top—these are fantastic options for even aggressive experts looking for some shape and style in their all-mountain ski.