2024 Men's ~90 mm All Mountain Ski Comparison

Our Comparison Series continues with 2024 men’s all-mountain skis in the 90 mm width range. There are a ton of popular skis here. In fact, one could argue this is one of, if not the most important category of skis. There’s a ton of variety and you’d be hard-pressed to make it through this Comparison without finding a ski that’s right for you. To keep things interesting, we borrowed our “draft style” organization which we’ve previously used in some Bargain Basement articles. After a nerve-wracking coin flip, Jeff was awarded first pick. While it’s easy to think these picks might correspond with what’s “best,” we strongly encourage you to quell those notions before moving forward. Our draft-style picks were intended to be fun, rather than a representation of which we think is best, or even which we’d be more likely to own ourselves. Some of them were even purely defensive picks, born solely out of not wanting the other person to have a certain ski on their side of the fold. So, please take the picks lightly, don’t think too much about their order, and have fun!

Jeff's Round 1 Pick:

2024 Black Crows Mirus Cor Skis

Overview:

The Mirus Cor is super unique, and honestly, it’s kind of an outlier in this category, but it’s so much gosh darn fun I couldn’t help but pick it first. The best way to think about the Mirus Cor is it’s like taking a slalom ski and a twin tip and just mashing them together. The 13 m turn radius is the shortest in this comparison and there’s really only one other ski that even resembles a twin tip, the Blade Optic 92. On snow, the Mirus Cor is incredibly rewarding to ski. The softer tips and tails make turn initiation super easy and intuitive, but a stiffer flex underfoot allows you to push on it more than you might expect. It comes across the fall line with quickness and pizazz, making you feel like you’re nipping on the heels of Mikaela Shiffrin. Then you can hop into the park, ski switch, and do all sorts of other playful things. It can be a bit of a handful in deep snow with the wider tips and tails, but nothing in this category excels in deep snow, so it’s not a major concern.

Who it's For:

Playful skiers who think outside the box. It probably shouldn’t be your only ski, but a great addition to an established quiver.

Price: $899.95

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Bob's Round 1 Pick:

2024 Salomon QST 92 Skis

Overview:

This may be hyperbolic, but there’s nothing this ski can’t do. The QST 92 is about as complete as it gets when it comes to all-mountain versatility and performance. There’s nothing that stands out, specifically, about this ski, other than the fact that it’s about as well-rounded as they come. Even a few years ago, before the current build, this was a ski for everyone—beginners and experts alike could find common ground here. Now that it has a more sophisticated build and a relatively sturdy feel, the QST 92 is propelled into the stratosphere when it comes to mixing performance and accessibility. Personally, I found this ski to be equally at home carving crisp and clean turns as it is in the bumps and trees, and accomplishing that range is no small feat. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—if you don’t have any idea what skis to get, get these.

Who it's For:

A ridiculous amount of skiers. Literally (almost) everyone.

Price: $549.95

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Jeff's Round 2 Pick:

2024 Nordica Enforcer 88 Skis

Overview:

Interesting that Bob and I both opted for more playful skis in our initial picks, but then both took a hard left turn into heavier, stiffer, and more metal-clad skis. The Enforcer 88 has long been one of my favorites in this category. I really enjoy the combination of stability and vibration damping with the proven Enforcer shape in this width. Quick edge to edge, strong torsional stiffness and grip, plenty of power, but there’s a touch of maneuverability to it as well. It has a nice rounded, tapered finish in the tip and tail, which adds a bit of forgiveness and ease of use in off-piste terrain. The 179 cm length that I’ve grown fond of features a 16.5 m turn radius, but if anything, it can feel a touch shorter than that, in a good way. I find the Enforcer 88 is easy to turn, which is a nice feature for a ski with this much metal in it. The way it can bend into relatively short arcs and its willingness to release its tail edge when you ask gives the ski excellent speed control. You can lay railroad tracks down steep terrain, but if things get a bit dicey, it’ll break free without tremendous effort.

Who it's For:

Aggressive all-mountain skiers who love to carve, but don’t want a race-like feel.

Price: $699.99

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Bob's Round 2 Pick:

2024 Volkl Kendo 88 Skis

Overview:

While the QST 92 is the easy choice for the top of the draft board, the Kendo has some more nuance. If you’re able to, and enjoy, corralling stronger skis with endless grip and performance, the Kendo has a ton of upside. With the new updates as of last year, we get a more refined and positive approach to the ski. It’s easier to engage and has a sprightlier energy to it. For me, this equates to a strong mix of carving performance in a variety of on-piste scenarios. While skis like the QST 92 or the ZX 92 use versatility in more variable ways, the Kendo is versatile in that it handles trail skiing better than most/any skis out there. It’s pretty good in the bumps, too, and while it’s stiff, it’s not dense like how the Brahma or Enforcer can feel. This opens up the range slightly, while keeping the high end firmly within grasp for the most experienced of skiers.

Who it's For:

Advanced, expert and former race skiers who are looking to stand on a ski firmly and get a lot of energy in return. You prefer knife-like performance to drifty characteristics.

Price: $699.99

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

Jeff's Round 3 Pick:

2024 Elan Ripstick 88 Skis

Overview:

Drastically different than the Enforcer or Kendo, the Ripstick 88 approaches the all-mountain category with a lightweight feel, ease of use, and playfulness. Elan’s use of Carbon Rods results in an impressive and relatively unique feel. The Ripstick 88 has a soft longitudinal flex pattern, yet boasts commendable edge grip and vibration damping. That said, it tends to work better for me than it does for Bob, as his larger frame can push through the soft-flexing tip a little too easily. On the other hand, for lighter-weight skiers such as myself or those who don’t consider themselves tremendously aggressive, it’s a dream. I also love the intuitiveness of linking carving turns thanks to the Amphibio profile. It feels like the ski already knows what to do. It’s eager to get to the next turn. Perfectly appropriate and relatively easy-going in moguls and trees too, which is a nice bonus.

Who it's For:

All-mountain skiers who enjoy a variety of terrain and prefer a lighter, softer-flexing ski over the stiffer, heavier options like Enforcer, Kendo, etc.

Price: $699.99

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Bob's Round 3 Pick:

2024 Armada Declivity 92 Ti Skis

Overview:

While the QST 92 and the Kendo skew a bit to opposite sides of this specific spectrum, the Declivity is a great mix of them both. Take the precision and power of the Kendo and mix it with a more friendly shape and maneuverable feel of the QST, and you’re basically getting a Declivity 92 Ti. By using lighter wood and incorporating a metal laminate to the mix, Armada harnesses power without sacrificing agility. While we’ve mainly found that this ski operates slightly better in an on-trail and carving format, it’s more than accessible for off-piste performance. Sure, I’d rather ski the QST in the trees, but the Declivity is not half-bad at all. This series of skis is all about mixing attributes, and the Declivity 92 does that really, really effectively. Feel free to use this ski as your one and only, combining deep and powerful carves with a light and agile mentality when it comes to off-trail adventures.

Who it's For:

Higher end skiers who are looking for the dampness of metal, the agility of light wood, and the shape and profile of a pure all-mountain ski.

Price: $749.95

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Jeff's Round 4 Pick:

2024 Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis

Overview:

The Brahma 88 carries forward the discussion and theme of Enforcer, Kendo, and Declivity, but in my opinion, it takes it to another level. That’s not, however, always a good thing. If you’re looking for the strongest possible all-moutain ski in this width range, it has to be the Brahma. Yes, yes, the MX 88 is right up there, but the Brahma has always felt like it has just a bit more, especially if you’re focused on longituinal stability and how strong the ski feels when you just point it straight down the fall line. Interestingly, despite featuring a turn radius that’s relatively close to an Enforcer 88, it doesn’t turn as quickly. This happens for both Bob and myself, so it’s not a skier weight thing, it’s more of a ski personality thing. If you want a race ski feel, but in a shape that has a touch of versatility to it, the Brahma 88 is fantastic. It’s not as punishing as the shape of the MX 88 when you take it off trail, but you need to be a skilled, athletic, strong skier to get it to dance in moguls and trees.

Who it's For:

Aggressive all-mountain skiers who need the utmost stability and are comfortable driving the forebody of a ski to initiate a turn.

Price: $699.95

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Bob's Round 4 Pick:

2024 K2 Mindbender 89Ti Skis

Overview:

When you first get on this Mindbender 89 Ti, you will be pretty darn surprised at how well it turns, and how crisply. While there are some skis on this list, including Mirus Cor, M-Cross 88, and even Kendo to some extent, this one feels like it’s a more responsive and engaging carver, especially in the shorter side. At 16.6 meters in the 182, the K2 Mindbender 89 Ti has a decent amount of metal, especially in the center of the tail, and this makes it just rocket skiers through the back half of the carve. You’re basically into the next turn before you even think about it. While this may seem like it takes away from the versatility of the ski, the reality is a bit different. In bumps and trees, this ski is flexible enough and manageable enough to be used in a variety of conditions and terrain. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it naturally drifty, but it can be pushed to be that way without too much complaining.

Who it's For:

Precise carvers who want a more forgiving flex and feel in their ski without giving up their beloved titanal laminates.

Price: $699.95

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Jeff's Round 5 Pick:

2024 Head Kore 87 Skis

Overview:

It’s fascinating to me that I like the Kore 87 more than the 93 and 99, but I definitely do. It has a slightly softer flex pattern, and when you combine that with more edge to edge quickness, I have a much easier time flexing it and/or manipulating it into different turn shapes and styles. It’s light, like the Ripstick, but way stiffer, which gives you incredible responsiveness and precision. Like with all Kores, it’s not for everyone, and you should particularly be looking for that high level of responsiveness. If you want to be a bit lazy, the Kore won’t like it. If you stay active and engaged, however, it will reward you. It’ll make clean round turns on groomers, it can wiggle through bumps and trees and does so with quickness and agility, but the stiffer flex pattern does require some skill. A more intermediate-level skier could get along with it just fine, although many would prefer the more forgiving feel that comes with Ripsticks, Ranger 90s, Mindbender 90 C, and others.

Who it's For:

Technical skiers who value precision and responsiveness. You prefer quick subsequential turns over long drawn out slarves.

Price: $699.00

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Bob's Round 5 Pick:

2024 Dynastar M-Cross 88 Skis

Overview:

As the first new ski on my list, the M-Cross 88 has a lot of very interesting attributes that I enjoy about skis. First and foremost, this thing is smooth. It uses Dynastar’s new Hybrid 2.0 core, featuring the same polyurethane that makes the ski feel very vibe-free and engaging. It also uses horizontally joined layers of wood, creating a very strong and predictable bond without using as much epoxy. With a shorter turn radius, this ski carves like a dream. There’s a long effective edge in this ski to add to the smooth and composed feel. It basically behaves like an all-mountain slalom ski, much in the same manner of the Mirus Cor, but with more of a directional mentality to it. That’s a big reason why Jeff picked the more twin tipped Cor while I waited for this ski to drop a bit on the board. Due to the lighter weight and maneuverable nature, it’s pretty easy to use in an off-trail format, but it’s mainly at its happiest in a clean and carved turn. Pre-cambered Polyurethane provides added power and energy.

Who it's For:

More of a traditional skier. You like shorter carves and an active ski.

Price: $849.95

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Jeff's Round 6 Pick:

2024 Salomon Stance 90 Skis

Overview:

I know there are people out there that wish the Stance skis (90 in particularly) retained the heavier, denser core from previous years, but I for one, and I think I represent the majority, prefer the new construction. The theme is the same, but the ski is a touch lighter and more agile off-piste. I didn’t feel like it lost significant stability or power on a groomer, and while it’s not as precise or as strong as Kendo, Enforcer, MX, Brahma, it’s not far behind. I like this tier of skis, which also includes Declivity, Maverick, Mindbender 89, and others. They’re strong and stable at speed, but feel dynamic and fun off trail. For a company like Salomon, I think that’s how their 90 mm all-mountain ski should feel. I don’t expect race-like qualities from Salomon, I expect some amount of freeride and soft snow influence, and the Stance 90 is exactly that. It’s not a race build, but it has respectable edge grip and stability, and far easier in soft snow and off-piste terrain than anything that goes further along that precision spectrum.

Who it's For:

Strong skiers who want versatility in their all-mountain skis.

Price: $749.95

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Bob's Round 6 Pick:

2024 Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis

Overview:

Stiff, precise, and incredibly light, the Atomic Maverick 88 Ti is a sharp performer that has knife-like attributes. By combining a floaty and agile shovel with a very business-like tail, this ski gets around a corner pretty darn quick. With two sheets of thin metal and a thin wood core, especially in the tips and tails, Atomic has taken great care to ensure this ski’s pinpoint accuracy when it comes to steering control. While some skiers may find this combination to be on the unnerving side of the spectrum, heavier skiers can bend the ski with greater ease, manipulating the ski, rather than the reverse. As such, I am one of the skiers that greatly benefits from this style of construction, and it makes sense in both this ski and others like the Head Kore. Any versatility that comes out of it is due to the lighter weight. Skiers can move it from place to place because it’s about 1800 grams, but that doesn’t make it drifty or smeary.

Who it's For:

Stronger skiers who like a light/stiff combo. Also, those who prefer a shallower edge angle will be fine on it.

Price: $649.95

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Jeff's Round 7 Pick:

2024 Stockli Stormrider 88 Skis

Overview:

Stockli lightened up the wood core of the Stormrider 88 for 2024, but the rest of the recipe remains the same. Dropping 100 g out of each ski, however, does create a slightly different skiing experience. I really like how the Stormrider 88 is positioned in this category now. It’s more approachable for less aggressive and more intermediate-level skiers, while still being able to satisfy those who prefer higher speeds and edge angles. That said, there’s a slightly lower ceiling now. A heavier, powerful skier might find some limitations, but those skiers can just pivot to the Montero AR, which is reasonably close in width. Despite the changes, all the qualities we love about Stockli are still prevelant. The build quality is exceptional, the skiing experience is equally amazing, and gosh darnit that rubber dust is just so cool. Smooth, relatively stable, but not tiring nor hard to ski. A really nice option for a wide range of skiers, as long as you have a flexible budget.

Who it's For:

Skiers of varying ability levels who value quality. It’s hard to put in words how and why a Stockli feels different, but it does.

Price: $1,149.00

Buy Now | Ski Test Results

Bob's Round 7 Pick:

2024 Dynastar M-Pro 90 Skis

Overview:

Similar to the Maverick, this ski has some front/back differences that are worthy of note. The shovel of the M-Pro is pretty smooth and straight, and that’s opposed pretty specifically by the stiffer and more squared-off tail. As such, it’s a breeze to steer, but it holds up to some very aggressive skiing. This is a great choice for mixing on and off-trail skiing regardless of ability, although advanced and expert skiers will be able to glean more performance out of the back half of the ski. Personally, I love the quickness, agility, and firm feel to the ski from the mid body on back, and I also really enjoy the required input to make the ski come to life in the front portion. While it’s not what we’d consider to be “consistent” from end to end, it still works really well for an all-mountain ski as it blends different characteristics in an effective and efficient manner.

Who it's For:

Skiers who want the best of different worlds. You are looking for the flotation of a freeride ski and the edge grip of a front side carver.

Price: $699.95

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Jeff's Round 8 Pick:

2024 Kastle MX88 Skis

Overview:

Unlike the Stormrider 88, the MX 88 from Kastle, another high-priced ski, can be a bit of a handful. If you’re a strong, expert level skier, and especially if you have a race background, you’ll love it. It is, however, somewhat punishing in un-groomed terrain and a bit one-dimensional. In our opinion, it feels more like a wide race ski than anything else. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as there are plenty of skiers out there who want exactly that, but it’s important to remember if you’re considering it. Anything outside of a carved turn will require good technique, and the stiffness, weight, and grip of the MX 88 can result in a somewhat fatiguing skiing experience if you’re fighting it the whole time. Let it run into round high speed arcs and you’ll love it. Try to get it to wiggle through bumps and you’ll be wishing you chose a ZX 92 instead.

Who it's For:

Advanced and expert skiers who love to carve. The MX 88 absolutely rips, but is somewhat one-dimensional

Price: $1,199.00

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Bob's Round 8 Pick:

2024 Line Blade Optic 92 Skis

Overview:

Fun, floaty, and off-the-charts easy, the Line Blade Optic 92 is right there with the QST 92 in terms of overall versatility and universal appeal. It’s kind of a sneaky ski, and I’m pretty impressed that I got it this late off the board. It’s got a bit of a twin tip too, so that boosts the creativity and freestyle performance involved. Since it’s metal-free, it’s pretty light, so when that’s combined with the freeride-oriented shape, it really brings soft snow, trees, and off-piste into the limelight. Amazingly, after all that, this ski actually rips on groomed trails as well. In fact, that’s one of the things I like most about it, as it fits my style of making short and energetic turns along the sides of the trails. I’d use this as a one and only ski in a heartbeat around here in Vermont, and that’s saying a lot for it being a wider, more rockered ski without metal. The thickness of the core underfoot gives the ski its gravity, keeping it grounded and predictable in varied turn shapes and styles.

Who it's For:

Playful skiers who don't want to sacrifice grip or energy. You are interested in moguls and trees and soft snow.

Price: $549.95

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Jeff's Round 9 Pick:

2024 Fischer Ranger 90 Skis

Overview:

The Ranger 90 gets lost a little bit in this category. Part of that is due to the popularity of skis like the Kendo, Enforcer, and other heavy-hitters. Part of it is due to the fact that most Ranger skiers lean more towards the freeride side of the spectrum, hence the popularity of the Ranger 102. Add in the fact that Fischer has the RC One 86 GT, and it’s no surprise people have a hard time landing on the Ranger 90. That said, it’s quite good. I’ve always thought it was among the best mogul skis in this group, and the heavily-rockered tip also performs admirably in softer snow conditions. The Shaped Ti laminate provides enough bite on a groomer to feel trustworthy, but it’s not a carving machine like some of the skis in this category. There are a couple great applications. One is a high level skier who values off-piste skiing over groomers. The other is a skier who maybe has slowed down a bit or doesn’t include speed in their requirements. If you’re either one of those things, or better yet, a combination of the two, you’ll love it.

Who it's For:

Skiers who prefer moderate speeds and off-piste terrain over high speed carves.

Price: $749.99

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Bob's Round 9 Pick:

2024 Liberty Evolv 90 Skis

Overview:

Whereas the Blade Optic and QST lean to the more rockered side of the spectrum. The Evolv 90 from Liberty takes it right back to the square and traditional. Amazingly, I love them all, but for very different reasons. With the Evolv, I do not want my skis to leave the snow. These skis are incredibly smooth and rewarding in a carved turn, and they can churn out some of the quietest and most silent turns out there. With a long effective edge and very low rocker, the skis are intended to be used in more of a carving and front side realm, and in that arena, they operate with a very high sense of precision and quality. The vertical metal struts, of which there are three, work great in harmony to create an untroubled character from tip to tail. With a thicker core due to the use of bamboo, the ski has more material that takes the shudder out of skiing. If linking consistent carved turns from top to bottom is on your list of favorite activities, then look no further than the Evolv 90.

Who it's For:

More traditional skiers. You like the feeling of a purely and cleanly carved turn. Off-piste isn’t so much of a concern for you.

Price: $759.00

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Jeff's Round 10 Pick:

2024 Kastle ZX92 Skis

Overview:

The ZX 92 is the antithesis of the MX 88. While the MX 88 is grippy and strong, the ZX 92 is loose and agile. To be perfectly honest, they’re so different and complement each other so nicely, you could own both. The build is relatively simple, leaving most of the magic to the shape. The tip is nice and floaty and the combination of rocker and taper gives it a very agile ski. It can carve, sure, but it doesn’t do it particularly well. What it does do well is make quick, subsequent, slightly skidded turns, and it can do those things through just about any snow condition. That makes it an excellent tree ski, especially for those of us here on the east. A western skier may want to bump up to the ZX 100, but they also might not want to. Depends how often you’re in deeper snow.

Who it's For:

Adventurous skiers who prefer exploring off-piste terrain rather than cruising groomers.

Price: $799.00

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Bob's Round 10 Pick:

2024 Armada Declivity 88 C Skis

Overview:

I’m shocked that this ski fell this far. I kind of felt like Jeff would let it go, and I’m stoked to be picking it up this late in the draft. There’s a sentiment in the ski world that carbon-powered skis just don’t have enough power to stand up to the rigors of larger and more aggressive skiers. The Declivity 88 C puts that notion to bed as false. This ski rips turns. And it’s agile. And it’s fun. The reality of this ski greatly overpowers any expectation you may have. I’ve been overwhelmed with joy each and every time I’ve been on the Declivity 88 C, and it holds up very well among some very heavy hitters in this category. I really enjoy quick and short turns, and this ski does those better than most. If you handed me this ski out of any in this group, I’d be more than happy.

Who it's For:

Agile and precise skiers who like a snappy ski that isn’t too demanding. You like a ski that seems to give back more energy than you put in.

Price: $699.95

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Jeff's Round 11 Pick:

2024 K2 Mindbender 90C Skis

Overview:

The Mindbender 90 C is a great ski, and it’s really nice K2 gave it a bit more credence through the existence of the Mindbender 96 and 106 C (new for 2024). I’ve always liked this ski, but it was easy to overlook. It’s light, easy to ski, and very maneuverable. Where the Mindbender 89 TI leans towards higher speeds, stability, and power, the 90 C stays rooted in responsiveness, quickness, and energy. It’s always been a favorite among our staff for moguls, and it’s the type of ski that can be used by just about any ability level. Bigger skiers, unfortunately, won’t find a suitable length here, although they can opt for skis like the Declivity 88 C instead and find similar success. If you’re sub-180 lbs, don’t need a length over 180 cm, and don’t have huge expectations in regards to torsional stiffness and edge grip in a carve, the Mindbender 90 C is a joy to ski.

Who it's For:

Playful, agile skiers who prefer short, quick turns over long, high speed carves

Price: $549.95

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Bob's Round 11 Pick:

2024 Dynastar M-Free 90 Skis

Overview:

I was either getting stuck with this ski or the K2 Mindbender 90 C, neither of which I can actually ski due to length issues. They both top out at 177/178, and given the flexible nature, it’s kind of a non-starter. That’s okay, and since I get the chance to enjoy the wider versions of these skis, in the Dynastar M-Free 99 and the Mindbender 96 C, I still get the benefits. The M-Free has an awesome combination of range, capabilities, and versatility. Built with a light yet stiff paulownia wood core wrapped in fiberglass, there’s high-end componentry and engineering here. That said, they’re making it in a huge range of sizes so it can accommodate smaller adults, bigger kids, and almost everyone who’s not my size. I wish they made it a length or two longer, and I say the same thing about the M-Free 99, because they are really good and engaging skis, just not for me, and I’m honestly kind of sad about it.

Who it's For:

Not me. Probably you.

Price: $529.95

Buy Now | Ski Test Results