2027 Stockli Montero AR Pro

The 2027 Stockli Montero AR Pro is the ski we never knew we needed. We first got a glimpse of these skis at a mid-winter preview, and our instant thought was that they're going to sell a million of these things. Basically, the same differences that separate the Laser WRT and the WRT Pro can be carried into the differences between the Montero AR and the new AR Pro.

These skis are built with a blend of poplar and beech in the wood core. It's the same recipe as we see in the other Montero skis with a nice balance of light weight and high power. They also use two sheets of metal, but in the AR Pro, they utilize the Titec Pro topsheet, similar to what we see in the WRT Pro. When you put the metal on the top, you're increasing the damping and smoothness of the ski as it acts as the first point of contact with the boot and binding interface. In addition, the AR Pro uses racing black sidewalls and a stiffer race base. This stiffer set of materials adds to the increased stiffness of the Pro vs. The AR. Another difference is the use of Flex Torsion Control as opposed to Tip and Tail Flex, so we're seeing a reduction in the number of slits to the metal laminate from 2 to 1. This decreases the AR Pro's ability to function well at more moderate speeds and puts a bit more emphasis on high-speed performance. Tester, and fastest skier at Stowe, Luke Miller calls it "My favorite ski so far. This felt so strong and it wasn't even my optimal length. Primarily frontside with the slightest versatility. These rip. In an age of ski companies making skis more appealing to a broader range of skiers it's nice to see a company go the other way."

The footprint of the AR Pro is identical to that of the AR. Featuring measurements of 128/84/114, this wide-bodied carver is incredibly useful for digging deep trenches and laying down clean arcs. It's not as quick from edge to edge as some of the narrower front side skis, but you get a wider platform to stand on for balance in chunkier and more variable snow. As such, the shape allows for a bit of versatility, but it's still not really close to being a normal all-mountain ski. We get a 17.3-meter turn radius in the 180, but it feels like it wants to go faster and longer than that. Tester Landel Cochran notes that "Stockli is a premium brand, and this ski is a premium ride. While the Montero is not too demanding, it does feel powerful and capable. You will get a bit more flex than a race-adjacent ski, yet it has a high-performance ceiling. Definitely a ski focused on carving, it also didn't hesitate busting through some looser inconsistent snow. Lots of fun to rail around and very smooth. This ski offers a great combination of energy, stability, edge grip, and vibration damping all rolled together. Easy to love and hard to fault."

This is a prime ski with a premium build and a faultless look. With the metal topsheet and the AR's already pristine reputation, we're going to see a quick sell through of the AR Pro this year. We've already seen a lot of traction and interest in this ski as it makes for a great option for hard-charging and aggressive skiers who love to carve and do not want to give up any type of precision or power.