Atomic Beta Ride 10.20 (Editor's Choice Overall)

A repeat Editor's Choice for Le Grand Orange, the Beta Ride 10.20 sports the new pre-flexed Power Channel technology that's intended to make the ski snappier in short-radius turns. This ski comes with a 17-mm Race Charger plate, plus titanium top and bottom sheets for lightness and stability. The Beta Ride is designed to do more than just tackle wild snow in off-piste conditions; it's also targeted at skiers who like to go fast on the groomers, too.
Men's comments: "The most rigid ski I've skied on, but evenly balanced. An aggressive carver that's good for the heavier skier." (Applegath) "Tops in carving. Step on the gas, and this thing answers." (Baycroft) "The sweet spot sings heavy metal, with a very powerful tail to end your turns. Loses it in the crud, though." (Irwin)
Women's comments: "A ski that needs to be challenged. Skis better in long-radius turns, but was fun in the bumps, too." (Roberts) "No letting up on these skis, it's power all the way, but well worth the effort. Great turning and super stable." (Levine) "Full of vim and vigour once you find that sweet spot. Good edge performance from start to finish of turn." (Keith)
Consensus: There are skis in this category that are passive and comfortable, and others that scream "drive me to the redline!" The 10.20 is decidedly in the latter camp, a ski which sports the racing genes from the Beta Race 10.22 and does not tolerate lazy skiing. Passive lightweights should look elsewhere.
* Both meaning Power and Finesse
** All meaning Firm to Soft

Dynastar 4x4 Big (Men's)
4x4 ATL (Women's)

When they say "big," they're not kidding! The 4x4 Big was easily the widest ski of the bunch (its beefy 80-mm waist begs to be taken into powder and crud. Surprisingly, the 4x4 is not a heavyweight underfoot. This ski definitely represents the furthest extreme of the all-mountain Freeride category. Women testers skied the considerably slimmer gender-specific ATL--all terrain lady.
Men's comments: "Powderhounds will really dig this. Big surface area for a floating ride." (Weiss) "Versatile powder ski. Easy to find the sweet spot." (G. Terwiel) "Finally, a ski with a big waist to keep a big guy like me on top of the crud. Very light ski, though." (Smart)
Women's comments: "Effortless, quick-turning, initiates well. Great ski for an intermediate who likes to go anywhere on the mountain." (Bowie) "Can you marry skis? These are great for both finesse and aggressive skiers. Light and quick, yet powerful. Fun!" (Gamblin) "Quick into the turn, quick out of the turn, but holds well at high speeds. Versatile, with lots of zing; though it got pushed around in cruddier snow." (A. Terwiel) (Keith)
Consensus: Male testers unanimously agreed that without fresh pow, the Big was maybe a little too big for these conditions. Women loved the lightweight, responsive ATL. It's great to see Dynastar filling this category niche with a women's-only ski.

Elan MX 2000 Super

Elan is a ski company that's been at the forefront of shaped-ski technology, but until this year was still trying to get its corporate head around this whole freeride thing. Voila, the MX 2000 Super, with 10 per cent wider geometry underfoot for better flotation and stability and a 69-mm waist.
Men's comments: "Playful. Quick edge-to-edge. Whether you ski the tango or are a ballroom cruiser, this ski is for dancers." (Weiss) "Trees, bumps, short turns and long, this ski does it all with style. Very lively." (Baycroft) "Dream machines in the cut-up crud. These short skis let me manage anything at slower speeds, but nothing at high speed." (Irwin)
Women's comments: "What a blast! Energetic and versatile--good all-round fun. Holds an edge well from start to finish." (Keith) "Tails were quite stiff and the tips were unstable. Fast turning skis, though." (Coulter) "Quick turning and steady. Bump skiers will love these. Soft and smooth underfoot." (Greene-Raine)
Consensus: Like Elan's other offerings, the MX 2000 Super gets top marks for lightning-quick turns, and hooked up well with several testers through the bumps. Whether it's a true off-piste beast is another matter, however. Not much high-speed stability.

Fischer AllTrax Freeride 74 (Men's)
AllTrax Freeride 68 (Women's)

Fischer markets the AllTrax 74 as a "deep powder glider that's also ideally waisted for carving on groomed runs." This ski features Fischer's patented vacuum and AirCarbon composite construction. Just in case you're wondering, the "74" stands for 74-mm width. (Therefore, the AllTrax 68 tested by the women has a narrower 68-mm width.)
Men's comments: "Snappy, responsive ski--good at moderate speed and in short-radius turns." (Applegath) "Very versatile; conquers anything that the mountain throws at it, all day long." (Irwin) "Huck 'em left, huck 'em right, they're a quick turning delight. Great edge-hold in short or long turns. Felt very centred through the whole turn." (Stein)
Women's comments: "Fun ski. Light and quick. Will make you look good." (Gamblin) "Now this is a ski. Wow! Fast, quick, stable carving ski. Could go anywhere, anytime, in any conditions." (Bowie) "Great edge-hold, yet difficult to initiate. Fun in the bumps and the crud. Versatile--can ski both long-radius turns and bumps." (Roberts)
Consensus: Even across gender lines, the AllTrax was a bit of a love-hate ski. If you like a ski that can make lightning-quick changes and that pivots well, the Alltrax just might be your ride.

Head Super Cross Ti X (Editor's Choice Overall)

Another Editor's Choice ski, returning from last season. With titanium weave reinforcement in the shovel and below the boot, the Super Cross Ti is built tough. Other high-tech goodies include Traction Power System dampening, Torsion Control Ribs in the shovel and tail, and Head's Edge Super Finish that promises easy gliding.
Men's comments: "Grip it and rip it! A full-spectrum antibiotic for boredom." (Podborski) "Easy turning all over the mountain. These skis are slippery fast." (Honeyman) "Loved how it accelerates out of the turn, but let's you relax between turns. Carves constantly, a toy to enjoy." (Weiss)
Women's comments: "Bravo! A versatile ski, good in all kinds of terrain and snow conditions. Easy to initiate the turn, and holds well throughout the turn." (Levine) "A great all-round performer. Quick and smooth, this ski is for everyone." (Greene-Raine) "All-day, all-terrain, all-conditions ski." (Roberts)
Consensus: Another winning performance by the Head Super Cross. Performed well last season in powder, and was just as effective in spring corn. Testers almost unanimously praised the Super Cross's versatility.

K2 MOD X (Men's)
MOD 7/8 (Women's)

K2 comes to this year's on-slope party with one of the most innovative skis on the market. The Mod X features a unique "secondary core" that is affixed to the topsheet to increase power, dampen vibration and provide improved edge-to-snow contact. It also has K2's patented piezoelectronic dampening system. The 16-mm sidecut and 70-mm waist are truly state-of-the-category dimensions.
Men's comments: "Light and quick, it'll give you a kick! This ski has automatic transmission from short to medium to long turns." (Stein) "Incredibly solid. This ski felt dampened to the point of being Cadillac smooth. Virtually no vibration--excellent for heavier skiers who take air regularly." (Michaud) "Fast, smooth, soft and supple. The perfect combination for this category." (Smart)
Women's comments: "Stable. Solid. Nice carving ski. Recommended for a little heavier skier, this ski would also love to cruise groomed slopes." (Bowie) "Skied well in both short and long turns. Turned quickly in bumps, and stable in all snow conditions." (Younker)
Consensus: If building a stable all-mountain cruiser is what the Mod platform is designed for, then it's certainly succeeded, according to both our male and female testers. Male testers felt it was suited for heavier, aggressive skiers who like to go fast, whereas the women's model was more versatile, benefiting even intermediate skiers.

Kneissl Ergo Cross

Last year, the women tested this ski to rave reviews, while its male counterpart, thanks to Air Canada, travelled round the world in the biggest baggage snafu the test has ever had. This year, the men got the chance to put the Ergo Cross through its paces.
Men's comments: "Best skied in wide open terrain at country-road speed. Might work well in powder." (Weiss) "Great ski for soft snow and bumps. A bit too wide for short turns on hard snow; more suited to lighter skiers who enjoy powder and slushy snow." (Michaud) "This ski should be in a different category. Excellent choice for intermediate skiers who want to improve." (Irwin)
Consensus: The Ergo Cross is definitely suited to less-aggressive skiers than our testosterone-driven male testers. Good for laid-back cruising on intermediate terrain in soft snow.

Nordica W9.1F (Men's)
W5.1 (Women's)

This year marked the debut of Nordica skis into the Ski Canada Test. Its brand-new W9 was probably the only ski in the test that didn't need to be "masked" due to Nordica's unique "no-logo" graphics and colour scheme. Female testers judged the women-specific W5.1F.
Men's comments: "In crud, bumps and trees, this ski ate the mountain up, especially at speed." (Honeyman) "Very damp, therefore, great at speed. Maybe too damp and heavy for powder." (Coutts) "Ski performed best with a strong move forward to initiate. Need to really work the tip." (G. Terwiel)
Women's comments: "Very stable, and good steering power at the end of a turn. Maybe a bit heavy." (A. Michaud) "Exciting ski; responds well to command, but a little stiff in the bumps. Stable ski at high speed." (Coulter) "A nice little ski. Quick, quick and did I say quick? Can be nervous if you're not in the sweet spot." (A. Terwiel)
Consensus: An impressive debut for the Nordica skis, both of which found favour with a few male and female testers drawn to its quickness and energetic manner. Perhaps a bit heavy, though you the reader won't be using it with a heavy demo binding.

Rossignol Bandit XX

The Rossi Bandit comes in three profiles, X, XX and XXX. The XX is definitely at the wide end of this spectrum, one step below a powder specialty ski. New cosmetics grace the topsheet of a ski that is identical to one we tested last year.
Men's comments: "The skier who needs support will enjoy its ability to power through any condition." (Weiss) "Smooth, stable, cuts through everything. Sticks to the terrain." (Irwin) "Lively in bumps and short turns. Good in long turns." (Baycroft)
Women's comments: "Solid, stable ski. Sweet spot is just a little back of centre. Great for a heavier, powerful skier." (Bowie) "Stiffer ski, likes to be pressured. Great for a stronger, athletic skier." (Gamblin) "This ski is alive with energy. It will go anywhere you dare to go; highly recommended for anyone seeking adventure." (Coulter)
Consensus: Most testers found the Bandit XX to be a steady, predictable, middle-of-the-pack performer especially suited to heavier, more aggressive skiers who will keep the pressure on throughout the turn. "Totally dependable, but not brilliant," the men agreed.

Salomon X-Scream Series (Editor's Choice Overall)

The X-Scream Series was a mid-season product launch back in 1997, designed as an amalgam between a wide-platform powder fatty and an all-mountain cruiser. The ski immediately found a following with off-piste skiers dazzled by its big-mountain performance. For the third year in a row, it wins an Editor's Choice rating.
Men's comments: "Stable carving machine. Easy initiation. I really like it." (G. Terwiel) "Feel good, look good on any part of the mountain. Like taking the hottest babe to the dance." (Irwin) "This is autopilot skiing. Quick and snappy; even a snowmobiler could ski on these." (Stein)
Women's comments: "Fun in the crud and quite stable. I found it hard to initiate, but once in the turn it carved really well." (Levine) "Very good edge grip with lots of energy and power. Excellent steering power at the end of the turn. One of the best skis in this category." (A. Michaud) "A lively ski that will go anywhere; good for easy riders. But I don't like the sound that these skis make." (Greene-Raine)
Consensus: Now in its fourth season, the mustard graphic X-Scream Series continues to win skiers over with its ease of use, versatility and, surprisingly, its ability to lay down a trench-carve in hard snow. Will this ski ever be retired?

Scott Intoxica FR (Men's)
Intoxica WR (Women's)

Scott poles we know, ditto for Scott goggles, but Scott skis? Indeed, Scott skis have been available in limited numbers at specialty shops in the past year or so. The Intoxica FR (Free Ride) sports a 72-mm waist that puts it clearly in the heart of this category. The Intoxica also comes with a 9-mm binding plate. Test note: Not all female testers were able to grade the women's ski (7/11 testers).
Men's comments: "Great waist. Nice smooth, round turns. Don't go too fast, though." (Smart) "Not as much sidecut, wanted to ski big." (Honeyman) "Takes a bit more work to maintain an arc. Got to keep the pressure on the front." (Coutts)
Women's comments: "A solid, steady ski. Good for the conservative skier. Not so exciting, but trusty and reliable." (Greene-Raine) "Once you're centred over the ski, these are great! Easy to turn in shorter turns." (Keith) "What a spunky little ski! Excellent for short radius and in bumps. Great through the trees and in the air." (Terwiel)
Consensus: Comments seemed a bit all over the map, with the men thinking it better in long radius and big-mountain conditions, and the female testers praising its liveliness and snap.

Volant Machete McG (Editor's Choice)

Volant has done a major reworking of its high-end off-piste line, and offered up its new Machete McG (G stands for gravity) for both the men and women to test. You'll have to look hard to even find the Volant symbol on the tip of the ski.
Men's comments: "Ski the steel, feel the thunder. Finally, I feel the thunder. This ski is what this category is all about." (Smart) "Outstanding ski. Quick and versatile. Great for early initiation; skis with both finesse and power." (Honeyman) "Soft and smooth and well-suited for improving skills in bumps and powder." (G. Terwiel)
Women's comments: "Take it anywhere and ski anything. Not terribly zippy, though." (Younker) "One of the best in this category. Very stable, easy to initiate. Adaptable to all kinds of terrain." (A. Michaud) "All characteristics of this ski are awesome. Very stable, easy to initiate and likes to ski everywhere and everything on the mountain." (Roberts)
Consensus: Male testers in particular thought that this might be the best-ever Volant. The McG skied more aggressively than any previous models from years past. And, of course (as in years gone by), the women loved it.