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Women’s freeride skis suit you if you spend time off-piste, look for softer snow, and want a ski that stays composed when conditions get tracked and rough. You want enough width for float, enough backbone for chopped snow, and enough edge hold to get you back to the lift on firmer pistes with control.
In this InTheSnow freeride ski test and review, we focus on the best 2026/27 skis for skiers who want confident performance in variable snow, freeride lines, and off-piste terrain, with the stability you need when speed rises and conditions turn inconsistent.
How we test and why you can trust the results
Each season multiple testers ski a wide range of our favourite models before we agree on the best skis in each category. Every ski is tested by more than one skier to ensure balanced feedback across conditions and skiing styles. All testers are a minimum advanced level skier, most commonly equivalent to BASI Level 3 instructor standard, and our test team is further strengthened by the involvement of current and former Olympic level skiers. This combination of technical expertise and elite performance experience allows us to deliver results that are credible, consistent and genuinely reflective of how these skis perform on snow.
Brands provide the skis and help the test run smoothly, but the judgments stay with us. The test team sets the scores, agrees the shortlist, and writes the final verdicts independently.
Where we tested: Champoluc, Slide on Snow
We tested in Champoluc, Italy, in the Monterosa Ski area, during Slide on Snow, the Snowsport Industries of Great Britain on-snow industry test week. SIGB held the event in Champoluc for 2026, the week of 26–30 January, which gives brands, retailers and media repeat access to next season’s equipment in a focused test environment.
Sponsors and thanks
Our headline sponsor for this test was Ski Weekends, specialists in flexible ski holidays. Our kit was supplied by Helly Hansen, gloves by Hestra, and goggles by Bollé.
You can try many of these skis with Ski Weekends at the Avoriaz Ski Test each year as part of Rock On Snow Avoriaz Opening Weekend. For 2026, dates are 11–13 December, with a day lift pass priced at £65 and unlimited ski testing included.
InTheSnow Best Women’s Freeride Skis 2026/27
These skis won their votes because they stay calm in variable snow, track confidently when the surface gets chopped, and still feel accurate enough to ski hard on firmer pistes between off-piste laps. Both sit in the high-90mm waist range, which is a strong choice for riders who want one freeride ski for resort and off-piste days.
These are next season’s 2026/27 skis, tested ahead of general sale. Final UK prices, full size runs and first delivery dates tend to arrive closer to launch. We will update this guide as pricing and stock windows are confirmed.
This review covers the category winners, but we filmed far more than the shortlist. We have individual ski test review videos for each of the key models, plus on-snow reviews of many more skis we tested that did not make this top list. If you want the deeper take on feel, turn shape and how each ski behaves as conditions change, watch the individual reviews before you buy.
Black Diamond Impulse 98 (2026/27) review
Model details
Model: Black Diamond Impulse 98 (2026/27)
Category: Freeride All Mountain
Terrain: Off-piste, mixed snow, freeride terrain
Target Skier: Advanced and expert skiers looking for a precise and versatile freeride ski
Price, length, radius, weight
Price: £TBC (UK pricing not confirmed)
Length: Multiple lengths available, full size run £TBC
Radius: £TBC (varies by length)
Weight: £TBC
What the manufacturer says
A 98mm freeride ski designed to balance float with faster edge-to-edge response. Rocker in the tip and tail supports flotation in soft snow, camber underfoot supports grip on firmer conditions. A poplar wood core and pre-preg fibreglass target strength and a controlled flex. Full ABS sidewalls support edge hold and durability. A Titanal layer adds damping and stability at speed. A sintered base supports durability and consistent glide.
What InTheSnow says
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. You get enough platform for soft snow and off-piste lines, while keeping a quicker, more precise feel on piste than many 105mm plus skis. The Titanal layer makes the bigger difference. It helps the ski stay calm through chopped snow and old tracks, and it keeps the ride steady when you start moving faster in rougher conditions. The shape reads as more directional than playful. You point it, set the edge, and let it run.
Summary
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.
Faction Dancer 99 (2026/27) review
Model details
Model: Faction Dancer 99 (2026/27)
Category: Freeride Performance
Terrain: Big mountain lines, steep terrain, variable snow
Target Skier: Advanced to expert skiers seeking power and precision off-piste
Price, length, radius, weight
Price: £TBC (UK pricing not confirmed)
Length: Offered across a range suitable for confident freeride skiers, full size run £TBC
Radius: £TBC (varies by length)
Weight: £TBC
What the manufacturer says
A 99mm directional freeride ski built for stability and control at speed. Rocker in the tip supports easier initiation and soft snow performance, camber underfoot supports a strong turn finish. A poplar wood core pairs with Titanal layers for strength, precision, and damping. Full sidewall construction targets direct power transmission. A sintered base focuses on speed and durability.
What InTheSnow says
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. You get the most from it when you ski with purpose. Put pressure through the front of the boot, trust the edge, and the ski stays composed through the middle of the turn. The tip rocker keeps the entry manageable in softer snow and steeper terrain, while the camber finish gives you a clean, controlled exit when you reconnect with firmer patches.
Summary
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.
How to choose between these women’s freeride skis
If you want a slightly more precise, firmer-snow-friendly freeride ski for resort and off-piste days, start with the Black Diamond Impulse 98.
If you ski faster, push harder, and want a more powerful, metal-backed platform for steep terrain and rough snow, choose the Faction Dancer 99.
If you plan to demo before you buy, early season test events are the simplest route. Ask for these models by name and ski them back to back on the same runs, including one firm piste lap and one variable snow lap. We will update this page once UK prices, full size runs and retailer availability are confirmed for winter 2026/27.