2027 Line Pandora 99

The 2027 Line Pandora 99 gets a graphic refresh but otherwise returns unchanged. We’ve loved Line’s style of construction in skis—taking a simple wood core and milling it to the appropriate specifications to the ski’s intended character and performance. At 99 mm underfoot, these skis have all-mountain versatility written all over them. With a flexible tip and tail, they move the needle slightly to the freeride side while keeping the on-trail capabilities firmly entrenched in the ski’s personality. The Pandora 99 is about as all-encompassing as it gets when it comes to blurring the line between all-mountain and freeride. We get some nice drama in the tail splay, too, as these focus on multi-directional skiing.

While the skis have some substance to them, Line does a great job in keeping the skis both mobile and agile. Both Line and K2 use aspen wood a lot in their skis, and since those two companies pride themselves on being known for fun and creativity, there must be something to aspen in giving these skis that reputation, and we’re cool with that. Many of these companies are now using bio-resin as an adhesive, and Line is right there with them. Line also uses a Thick Cut sidewall to ensure the ski’s stability, damping, and power. There’s not much else in these skis, but the way in which they use the material makes all the difference. Line, more than most other manufacturers, relies heavily on being creative in their milling process. They keep the very tips and tails soft and supple while the middle portion of the ski is a lot taller and stiffer. This progressive flex keeps both types satisfied. The skis are not particularly light due to the core's overall thickness, with the 177 sitting on the scale at 1940 grams per ski. Tester Sam Reed notes that “I liked these more than I expected. They're lively, have good pop, and set an edge better than I would have guessed. There's definitely a speed limit due to a lack of stability/dampness, but at lower speeds they're a pretty good time.”

Having a versatile 99 is a great thing if you’re just not sure where your ski day will take you. When the snow gets firm, the ski does feel a bit wide and floaty, but when it’s soft, the Pandora 99 eats it up. We get an 18-meter turn radius in the 177 which is right up the alley of versatility and well-rounded turns. You can easily access the entirety of the sidecut due to the flex of the tips and tails. Most of the ski’s shape is found underfoot as a result. With a fair amount of tip rocker but slightly less tail rocker, the directional character of this ski is revealed. The Pandora does prefer to be used in a more traditional sense, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be adventurous—it’s just not as playful or creative as the Chronic 101. That said, the shape and profile of the Pandora appeal to a broad and diverse audience. Tester Matt McGinnis states that “Overall I was really impressed with the stability and energy of this ski. Right off the bat, I found a little jump on the side of Chin Clip that I popped, and felt myself going much larger than expected. The landing too felt surprisingly stable. From that moment on, I knew that these skis wanted to be charged and played with.” It does take a second to find the balance point, but once you do, it’s hard to leave.

That balance does make the skis feel a bit less approachable. The initiation phase of the turn is very simple and accessible while the tail release keeps skiers engaged but not over-committed. This opens the audience to a large swath of skiers. Whether you’re a casual weekend skier looking to cruise and you prefer a wider platform to stand on or if you’re an accomplished athlete with serious adventure in your mind, the 2027 Line Pandora is a very versatile tool. With a unisex designation and a well-rounded character, this ski should have a very large audience. We’ve loved skis in the ~100 mm twin tip range for years and this Pandora 99 fits right in with the funnest of the bunch.