Stockli Montero Skis Explained: Which Montero Is Right for You?
At first glance, the Stockli Montero collection can feel...busy.
You've got the AS, AW, AX, AR, and now the AR Pro. They're all frontside-focused skis. They're all premium. They all carve incredibly well. So what's the difference?
After skiing the entire collection back-to-back, here's the easiest way to think about it.
It's not about ability. It's about how you like to make your turns.
Every Montero is built around the same philosophy: exceptional smoothness, confidence, and edge grip. They all use Stockli's premium construction, they all have race-inspired DNA, and they'll all leave you grinning from ear to ear.
The biggest decision isn't which ski is "better."
It's which turn shape makes you smile the most.
What Makes Every Montero Feel Like a Stockli?
Before diving into each model, it's worth talking about what they all have in common.
Every Montero delivers that signature Stockli ride quality. They're incredibly smooth, exceptionally quiet, and absorb vibration better than almost anything else on the market. You don't necessarily ski faster on a Stockli than another premium ski.
It just feels like you're skiing on fresh corduroy all day long.
Every ski in the Montero family uses a Beech and Poplar wood core, dual Titanal laminates, fiberglass, and Stockli's Tip & Tail Flex (TTF) technology—except for one.
That exception is the AR Pro, which we'll get to in a minute.
Montero AS
Best For: Skiers who love making lots of turns.
The AS (All Mountain Slalom) is the quickest ski in the Montero family.
At 76 mm underfoot with the shortest turn radius, this ski loves short, energetic turns. If you're the skier constantly linking turns, diving into bumps, and making every groomer your personal slalom course, this is your ski.
Despite being the narrowest Montero, it still has plenty of stability. It's just tuned for agility first.
Think: Slalom-inspired fun.
Buy: Montero AS
Montero AX
Best For: Skiers who want the sweet spot.
The AX sits right in the middle of the lineup.
At 80 mm underfoot, it blends the quickness of the AS with much of the stability found in the AR. If you like shorter-to-medium radius turns and don't necessarily ski Mach 10 every run, the AX is incredibly rewarding.
For a lot of skiers, this ends up being the Goldilocks ski.
Think: The balanced choice.
Buy: Montero AX
Montero AR
Best For: Skiers who love speed.
AR stands for All Mountain Race, and that's exactly what it feels like.
At 84 mm underfoot, the AR delivers the confidence of a GS ski but in a package that's much easier to ski every day. Thanks to Stockli's Tip & Tail Flex technology, turn initiation is effortless, yet once you're on edge, the ski feels planted, smooth, and unbelievably composed.
Ice. Groomers. Afternoon chop. Bumps. The AR simply eats it all up.
If your favorite thing is laying trenches on groomers and carrying speed from top to bottom, this is where you should start.
Think: Everyday GS ski.
Buy: Montero AR
Montero AR Pro
Best For: Skiers who want everything the AR offers...and then some.
The AR Pro takes everything we love about the AR and turns the volume up.
It shares the same 84 mm platform but receives an aluminum topsheet, a race base, race sidewalls, and Flex Torsion Control (FTC) instead of Tip & Tail Flex.
The result?
More damping.
More connection to the snow.
More power.
More precision.
The AR Pro also feels stiffer and likes a little more speed before it truly comes alive. Once it does, it's one of the most confidence-inspiring skis we've ever been on.
If you already love the AR but always wanted another gear, this is it.
Think: AR after two espressos.
Buy: Montero AR Pro
Montero AW
Best For: Women looking for premium frontside performance.
The AW shares much of the same philosophy as the AX but uses a lighter women's-specific core while retaining Stockli's Tip & Tail Flex technology.
At 80 mm underfoot, it's incredibly smooth, easy to initiate, and confidence-inspiring. It delivers premium carving performance without feeling overly demanding, making it one of the easiest premium skis to recommend.
Don't let the women's graphic fool you, either. Smaller or lighter skiers looking for shorter lengths shouldn't overlook the AW.
Buy: Montero AW
Which Montero Should You Buy?
Ask yourself one simple question:
What kind of turns make you happiest?
| If you... | Buy... |
|---|---|
| Love quick, short-radius turns | Montero AS |
| Want the best balance of quickness and stability | Montero AX |
| Love fast GS-style carving | Montero AR |
| Want maximum power and refinement | Montero AR Pro |
| Want a lighter, women's-specific frontside ski | Montero AW |
That's really it.
All five skis hold an edge exceptionally well.
All five have that signature smooth, quiet Stockli feel.
All five will happily carve through hardpack, groomers, and mixed snow conditions.
The biggest difference is simply how they want to make a turn.
TL;DR
Don't overthink the Montero lineup.
It's easy to get caught up comparing waist widths or reading spec sheets, but once you're on snow, the decision becomes surprisingly simple.
Know the turn shape you like.
Know whether you value quickness or speed.
Pick the Montero that matches your skiing style.
Then go demo it. (yes, you can demo Stockli's with us, at either store, Boston or in Plymouth, Minnesota)
There's a good chance you'll come back wondering why every ski doesn't feel this good.