This fall marks my 20th year in the ski business. Every season has had its fair share of new products, but no season, since I have been doing this at least, has been as exciting as the upcoming one. For 24/25 virtually every key model of skis from all brands is new, completely new, not just a graphic change, full on rebuilds.  Lucky for us we’ve known for a while, and have had basically 2 full seasons of testing these skis. See my tweet below from 2022.

So is there a trend in ski technology, is there a trend for all the new skis coming out for 25/25? The answer is yes, and that trend is being more accessible at low speeds without sacrificing top end performance. This is great for everyone, experts don't like skis feeling cumbersome when they aren't full throttle and less advanced skiers have better options to progress and build confidence on. New skis have a bigger sweet spot and feel more intuitive.  Kind of obvious, I mean how else would you improve a ski that's already awesome. Skis have gotten really good, especially in the last 10 years or so.  That being said, it's gotten tough for brands to outdo themselves... But they did! If you've been waiting for a technology jump, this is the season. If you're looking for the latest and greatest it's not in a left over pair of skis from 2023/2024. This is the year to buy the latest, next year you can get away with a leftover.

Without further ado, let's get into our favorite skis for 2025, I'll start...

George Michaelsen

Height/Weight: 5’11", 215 lbs.

Age: 39 (40 in December, jeez)

Ski Length preference: 179 - 186 cm

Primary Boot: Atomic Redster CS 130

Background: Washed up SL/GS Skier, Buck Hill Ski Team.

I love powerful skis that can carve and arc turns but don’t limit me if we head into the trees or soft snow.  Most days I’m out on the hill testing we’re also shooting photos/videos with Matt and Kirby. I need a ski that can do literally anything and everything regardless of conditions. My preferences have changed slightly since this last season, I prefer skis that are more damp, not a lot -- just a little.  If you've been following these annual top tested posts we do, or talked to me at the shop in Boston; The Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition has been my favorite ski for the last several seasons, and the new one is a huge improvement over last years -- it's friggin awesome! It's a really close 2nd but I gotta give the #1 slot to Nordica, they earned it. The only ski on my list that isn't new for 24/25 construction wise is the Black Crows Serpo, just a new graphic.

1. Nordica Enforcer 99

2. Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition

3. Armada Declivity 92 Ti

4. Black Crows Serpo

5. Nordica Enforcer 94

On my #1, the Nordica Enforcer 99 at Stowe.

Devon Scovill

Height/Weight: 5'5", 130 lbs

Age: 36

Ski Length Preference: 156cm -168cm

Primary Boot: Lange XT3 115

Background: Short stint as a ski racer who far prefers fast ski days with buds. 

My priority of skiing fast is starting to slowly taper into skiing "well and in control." How adult of me. While I never much liked racing, I do enjoy an easy to manuever ski that can truly rip. My only shift in priorities for skis this season has been in sizing down. I'm not in my twenties anymore and going (a tiny bit) slower but feeling my technique improve has been super fun. I leaned into shorter lengths for more control and prefer a playful yet powerful ski. My top 5 picks haven't changed too much in the last few seasons but this year's most impressive update was the newly upgraded Blizzard Black Pearl. The new core structure gives this old reliable a significant uptick in power while allowing me to maintain control, no matter what speeds we hit...or don't. Basically, the Black Pearl 88 is way more fun than her older sisters. Younger Devon would love the idea of hauling 2-3 pairs of skis on every trip to be ready for any condition, but these days I really just want to narrow down to a one ski quiver. If I didn't work for a ski shop and get to test different brands all winter (#sorryaboutyourjob) these would be my top all-mountain, all-condition picks for 2025. Every ski on my list is new for next year.

1. Blizzard Black Pearl 88

2. Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition

3. Stockli Montero AR

4. Nordica Santa Ana 92

5. Volkl Secret 96

 

Devon arcing on the Black Pearl 88's

Brady Page

Height/Weight: 6’1", 225 lbs.

Age: 33

Ski Length Preference: 176 - 188cm

Primary Boot: Tecnica Cochise 130

Background: On skis at 3 years old, but no formal coaching.

NH kiddo who started skiing at 3. No formal ski training but high school racing instilled a love for carving on groomers. There is always room for improvement in the hunt for some perfect turns. As soon as the season allows, I spend most of my time off trail. My picks need to feel grippy on groomers and lively when coming out of a turn, but they can’t feel too heavy or locked in when sliding through the bumps. Here are my top choices for the 24/25 season that keep me smiling all winter. 

1. Blizzard Rustler 10

2. Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition

3. Nordica Enforcer 99

4. Atomic Maverick 95 Ti

5. Armada Declivity 92 Ti

 

BRADIO on the Rustler 10

Matt Berkowitz

Height/Weight: 6',  220 lbs

Age: 43

Ski Length Preference: 178 - 186 cm

Primary Boot: Fischer RC4 Pro MV BOA

Background: Racer turned freestyler turned “all-mountain” skier.

The 24/25 season is shaping up to be monumental for new ski releases from multiple brands. We've been fortunate to play a role in developing several of these models over the past two seasons. Initially, we were skeptical that some of our favorite skis could be improved upon, and we had concerns that some updates might not live up to their predecessors. Thankfully, our worries were unfounded. Every new ski has either maintained its excellence or surpassed our expectations. No one took a step backward!

I spend the majority of my time on snow on the East Coast with a few trips out West sprinkled in. I find myself gravitating toward skis that walk the line between powerful and playful, but most of all need to be versatile. As a high-energy skier, I need skis that grip on hard snow when put up on edge but are also forgiving enough to break free when I want to skid a turn or get tired later in the day. I’m a big fan of getting into the trees, moguls, and of course powder, but my top picks for 2025 will remain realistic to where 70% of my time is spent…on piste at a resort. 

If I were to add an “honorable mention” to my list it would have to be the new Atomic Bent 120. If you are in the market for a new powder ski, don’t sleep on the Bent 120 because it’s better than ever!

1. Nordica Enforcer 94

2. Armada Declivity 92 Ti

3. Fischer Curv GT 85

4. Blizzard Rustler 9

5. Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition

Matt rarely is on this side of the camera, Killer day cat skiing in Utah back in January.

Kara Michaelsen

Height/Weight: 5'5", 135 lbs.

Age: 37

Ski Length Preference: 156-165cm

Primary Boot: Tecnica Mach LV 115

Background:  Former US Ski Team member, Mom to an almost 2 year old that skis.

Growing up in Stowe and after a couple long decades of putting all my energy into racing, I just want to show up and have a good time on skis that rip. As a former racer, I (not-so-shockingly) prefer groomers. I like a ski that feels stable at high speeds, but is also versatile enough to have fun on when I do hop in the woods.  This last season I also spent a lot of time on the bunny hill with my at the time 16 month old, I was pleased that my favorite skis were also great on a very flat bunny slope! 

1. Nordica Santa Ana 92

2. Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition

3. Blizzard Black Pearl 88

4. Black Crows Serpo

5. Armada Declivity 92 Ti

Kara on the Nordica Santa Ana 92 on a crisp day at Stowe. Don't worry that guy she buzzes by is just Matt Berkowitz.

And on the bunny slope.

Joe Riccio

Height/Weight: 5’10", 155lbs

Age: 27

Ski Length Preference: 175 - 185 cm

Primary Boot: Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S

Background: Started skiing as a teenager, haven't looked back since

Having been involved with ski testing for a few seasons, my preferences haven’t changed much but I have grown to appreciate a wider variety of skis. I generally prefer skis that are quiet over icier terrain but energetic enough to provide good feedback and snap from turn to turn. A perfect day for me is cruising groomers and hunting fresh corduroy #nofriendsonagroomerday, but testing skis involves putting them through their paces in variable terrain and conditions. When we aren’t skiing groomers I value skis that inspire confidence over challenging terrain so a ski that is easy to balance on and maneuver is a must. Since I started testing skis, I’ve seen a huge progression in my skiing ability and confidence. I’ve progressed as a skier and ski tester over the past few seasons and some of that can be attributed to ski technology advancements. Skis are easier, more versatile, and more intuitive than ever before. These are some of my favorite skis that are great on groomers but inspire confidence on terrain that is out of my comfort zone. 

1. Armada Declivity 92 Ti

2. Nordica Enforcer 94

3. Atomic Maverick 95 Ti

4. Blizzard Rustler 9

5. Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition

Joe's ideal day, though not even on one of his favorite skis.

Garrett Finn

Height/Weight: 6’5", 230 lbs

Age: 28

Ski length preference: 185cm-192cm

Primary Boot: Lange Shadow 130 LV

Background: Park guy

The two main consistencies among my top-tested skis are that they all fall on the more playful and freestyle-oriented side of the spectrum, and they all maintain confidence at higher speeds and on firm terrain. There are countless skis that check the freestyle DNA box, but only a handful can perform well when out of their comfort zone. My favorite skis are the ones that excel where I expect them to—park laps, side hits, tree runs, techy lines, soft snow, etc.—, and more importantly, leave me impressed when I’m hauling down a bulletproof groomer or mowing through choppy snowpack. 

1. Atomic Bent 100

2. Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition

3. Armada ARV 100

4. Blizzard Rustler 10

5. Black Crows Camox

Garrett getting pitted.

Neil Soucy

Height/Weight: 5’ 9", 175 lbs

Age: 28

Ski Length Preference: 172cm - 180cm

Primary Boot: Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130

Background: Grew up a snowboarder, now a two-sport athlete.

Having spent most of my time on a mountain with a snowboard on my feet, testing new skis has been especially exciting as my ski preferences differ slightly from what I look for in a snowboard. The skis that I’ve enjoyed the most balance an energetic and slightly powerful feel with easy turn initiation. Most of my skiing is on groomed trails but I want a ski that can go anywhere. These are the skis that allow me to explore new terrain while progressing as a skier.  

1. Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition

2. Black Crows Serpo

3. Nordica Enforcer 94

4. Blizzard Rustler 9

5. Stockli Stormrider 88

 

Neil Soucy is a quick study, not many days on skis. #impressive

 

PS. All these skis are available to purchase now.