Best of Skis
Best Women’s Piste Skis 2026/27 Ski Test Review
Women’s piste skis suit you if you spend most of your time on groomed runs…
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Tested by our team of BASI-qualified and Olympic-level skiers. How we test.
Most skis feel fine in the shop. The difference shows on day three, on hard morning piste or in the afternoon crud, and that is what our test is for.
Drawing on InTheSnow’s own on-snow ski test, where our testers put around 100 pairs through their paces over several days of piste, powder, slush and moguls, here are our favourite skis for the 2026/27 season, broken down by the type of skiing you actually do.
All-mountain skis need to do a bit of everything: hold an edge on the piste, stay calm in crud, and still float when the powder shows up. These were our testers’ standout picks this season.
Arcade 95 hits a width many resort skiers need. It feels wide enough to smooth out chopped snow, yet stays quick enough edge-to-edge for proper piste laps.
Our verdict: A strong one-ski choice for skiers who split their day between piste and mixed snow. Pick this if you want a mid-90mm platform that still feels precise on groomers.
Aroc feels built for skiers who like a ski that moves with them, not one that needs constant muscle. The shape and stated radius range suggest a stable, medium-turn bias, yet the overall build points to a ski that stays quick in direction changes.
Our verdict: A versatile all-mountain ski for skiers who want agility and a direct feel on piste, with enough platform to stay confident when conditions turn mixed.
This is the piste specialist in the all-mountain winners list. The narrower waist makes edge changes faster and reduces the effort needed to hold a clean carve on firm snow.
Our verdict: Best for skiers who spend most of their day on piste and want an all-mountain label without giving up carving performance.
QST 94 suits skiers who want one ski that feels predictable from first lift to last. On piste, it holds an edge without feeling twitchy, and it stays calm when the snow turns chopped and heavy.
Our verdict: A strong all-round resort choice for skiers who want grip on piste, control in chop, and easy handling in mixed terrain.
Dancer 100 suits skiers who spend time hunting better snow and want a platform that stays calm when the resort gets tracked. The extra width helps in chop and soft snow, and the metal reinforcement points to a ski that keeps a proper edge on piste for the run back to the lift.
Our verdict: A freeride-leaning all-mountain choice for stronger skiers who want stability in variable snow, with dependable grip on piste for the return to the lift. The best all-mountain skis do not try to be everything. They focus on the mix you ski most, then give you enough range to cope when conditions change. Use this shortlist to match the ski to your day. A mid-90mm waist suits most resort skiers who split time between groomers and mixed snow. Go narrower if you want a sharper carve and quicker edge changes. Go wider if you want more support in chopped snow and more confidence when you leave the piste. These are 2026/27 models tested ahead of general sale, so UK pricing and delivery dates will follow closer to launch. We will keep this page updated as details are confirmed. Ski Buying Guidance See all our top picks by type of skiing in The Best Skis for 2026/27.
This is the most piste-leaning option in the trio. The 82mm waist keeps transitions fast, so you feel confident when you want a higher turn rate on steeper pistes or when the run gets busy and you need quick direction changes.
Our verdict: Best for intermediate to advanced skiers who want quick handling and strong piste grip in a frontside all-mountain ski. A smart choice if you carve a lot and want a responsive feel.
Arcade 84 sits in a practical middle ground. You gain a little more platform than the 82mm ski, which helps once the piste turns chopped and pushed around, while keeping the quickness you want for carving.
Our verdict: Best for piste-focused skiers who want strong grip with extra calm in mixed resort snow. A balanced choice for most intermediate to advanced skiers.
Black Pearl 88 gives you the widest comfort zone in this category. The extra width pays back once the snow turns softer, heavier, or more broken, and it gives you a calmer platform for side-of-piste skiing.
Our verdict: Best for skiers who want frontside confidence with extra support in variable snow. A strong pick if you want one ski to handle mixed conditions without feeling demanding.
Read the full test results: Best Men’s All-Mountain Skis 2026/27 and Best Women’s All-Mountain Skis 2026/27
If groomed runs are where you spend most of your time, these are the skis our testers reached for.
This is the most race-focused feel of the winners. You buy this ski for grip and line holding, then you ski it with commitment to get the payoff.
Our verdict: Best for expert piste skiers who prioritise grip and high-speed stability. Less suited to relaxed, skidded turns or slower cruising.
This is the ski that suits skiers who want quick direction changes and a clean carve feel without stepping into full race intensity. The 66mm waist gives you fast edge-to-edge response on busy pistes, and the ski encourages a higher turn rate without fighting you.
Our verdict: Best for intermediate and advanced skiers who want fast transitions, strong piste grip, and a smoother turn finish for all-day carving.
This is the category winner for skiers who want one strong piste ski that handles different turn shapes without feeling locked in. The multi-turn idea comes through in how the ski adapts when you change intent.
Our verdict: Best for advanced to expert piste skiers who want stability plus turn-shape range in one ski, with a composed feel when you push the pace.
This is the confidence option in the winners list, and it earns the spot by making clean carving more accessible. It reads as a ski that helps you set an edge, find a stable arc, and stay in control at sensible speeds on groomers.
Our verdict: Best for intermediate and advanced skiers who want an easy, predictable piste carver that supports progression and reduces fatigue on long groomer days. More Gear Reviews See all our top picks by type of skiing in The Best Skis for 2026/27.
Nova 10 suits skiers who want a ski that feels precise without feeling punishing. The narrow waist gives you quick transitions and a clean bite as soon as you commit to the edge.
Our verdict: Best for advanced skiers who want a precise, confidence-building piste ski with strong grip and a smooth, refined ride on firm snow.
Super Joy suits skiers who want an energetic piste ski that stays easy to live with. The lighter build makes a difference over a long day, especially if you ski a higher turn rate and you like to move quickly from edge to edge.
Our verdict: Best for intermediate to advanced skiers who want quick, light handling with reliable grip on piste, plus a smooth feel that stays friendly over a full day.
Read the full test results: Best Men’s Piste Skis 2026/27 and Best Women’s Piste Skis 2026/27
Tested in genuine knee-to-thigh-deep powder days, these were the skis our team didn’t want to hand back.
Sender Free 100 is the ski you pick when you want freeride manners without committing to a wide powder specialist. At around 100mm, it gives enough platform for soft snow and tree lines, then stays quick enough to flick through tighter terrain.
Our verdict: Best for advanced to expert skiers who want a playful freeride ski that still feels composed in variable snow, with enough edge hold for resort skiing between off-piste laps.
Mantra M7 targets skiers who want one ski to charge hard across the whole resort, then step off the side into variable snow without changing tools. The multi-radius concept suits skiers who change turn shape as terrain changes, tighter arcs in steeper entries, then longer lines when the slope opens.
Our verdict: Best for advanced to expert skiers who want stability and power for fast all-mountain freeride skiing, with turn-shape range and strong composure in chop.
Impulse 104 Ti sits in the charger lane. The waist width gives you meaningful float, yet the stated radii suggest a ski that likes medium to longer turns once you point it down the fall line.
Our verdict: Best for freeriders who want a stable, confidence-building ski for variable snow and bigger terrain, with a supportive feel when you ski faster and push harder.
Atris suits freeriders who want float and a loose, confident feel in softer snow, without losing control when the slope firms up. The 20m class radius points to a ski that likes speed and space, yet the double rocker helps when you need to pivot, feather speed, or change direction quickly in tighter terrain.
Our verdict: Best for advanced to expert freeriders who want a versatile big mountain ski with strong float, a stable feel at speed, and easy steering when terrain tightens.
Impulse 98 suits skiers who want one freeride ski that still feels accurate when the snow firms up. The 98mm waist hits a useful balance for a resort-based freeride tool.
Our verdict: Best for advanced to expert skiers who want a precise freeride ski with strong stability in variable snow, and a confident, accurate feel on firmer pistes.
Dancer 99 is the ski for skiers who like to drive hard and feel a solid platform underfoot. The metal-reinforced build points to a ski that holds a line when the snow turns rough, and it rewards strong input when you stay committed down the fall line.
Our verdict: Best for advanced to expert freeriders who want power, stability, and precision in steep terrain and variable snow, with a directional feel that rewards strong technique.
Read the full test results: Best Men’s Freeride Skis 2026/27 and Best Women’s Freeride Skis 2026/27
The new skis and bindings from Issue 82 of InTheSnow magazine, each with full specs, our verdict and where to buy.
A piste-focused all-mountain ski with Titanal and Dark Matter Dampening.
HEAD’s new all-mountain range, with progressive flex and Superframe construction.
HEAD Tyrolia Protector+ Bindings Review
Full Heel Release, now in racing (Freeflex) and freeski (Attack) versions.
Words only get you so far. Our gear review videos show you the kit properly, with our team talking through what each piece does well and who it suits, so you can compare before you buy.
Subscribe to @inthesnowmag on YouTube for new reviews through the season.
Our testers put around 100 pairs through their paces over several days of piste, powder, slush and moguls, and every ski is tested by more than one skier. Testers are advanced skiers as a minimum, most often BASI Level 3 instructors, alongside current and former Olympic-level skiers.
Our 2026/27 all-mountain winners were the Rossignol Arcade 95, ZAG Aroc, Dynastar M-Cross 84, Salomon QST 94 and Faction Dancer 100. For women, the winners were the Head Discovery Pro 82, Rossignol Arcade 84 and Blizzard Black Pearl 88. The full men’s and women’s test results cover every ski in the category.
On piste, the Rossignol Forza 50 V-CAM is an easy, predictable carver that supports progression and reduces fatigue on long groomer days. For all-mountain skiing, the women’s Rossignol Arcade 84 is a balanced choice for most intermediate to advanced skiers.
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