Ski | November 1, 2024
The Ski Monster’s Top Tested All Mountain Skis for 2025
Is there a trend in ski technology for 2024/25? Absolutely. The big shift this season is toward making skis more accessible at lower speeds, without compromising top-end performance. This is a win for everyone—experts don’t want skis to feel sluggish when they’re not going full throttle, and intermediate skiers now have better tools to progress and build confidence. With bigger sweet spots and more intuitive designs, skis are now easier to use and perform better in a variety of conditions.
It’s no secret that skis have improved dramatically over the last decade, and brands have set the bar high. That said, it’s getting tougher to make big leaps in performance—but they’ve done it again! If you’ve been holding out for the next big technology breakthrough, this is the season. Don’t settle for last year’s models—the innovation you’re looking for is here, and 2024/25 is the year to invest in the latest and greatest.
Mens / Unisex Skis:
Versatility at its best! One of the top tested ski models year after year from every media outlet, just got better. Like a lot better. Easier to ski at low speeds without sacrificing top end performance.
A confident, powerful, predictable ski that loves groomers and carving while being versatile enough to handle different snow types. It works for a wide range of skiers and is one of the best skis out there. Compared to the previous version of the ski the new Declivity is easier to ski and more maneuverable while still being immensely powerful and stable for more aggressive skiers.
3. Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition
Even with huge competition from the other manufacturers, for all-mountain skis, Elan’s Ripstick 96 Black Edition is still the one to beat this season. It’s powerful and can be skied aggressively while being easy to ski, nimble, and predictable regardless of ability or terrain. When we talk about versatility there aren’t many skis that are as capable “everywhere” as the Ripstick 96 Black Edition. If you’re a skier who spends time all over the hill and you’re after a ski that can carve like a more narrow ski and be easy through tight terrain this is what you want.
They took one of the best skis and beefed it up underfoot: it’s more confident, wants to go faster, and grips better but is still playful, energetic and lively in the bumps and trees. It’s one of our Top Tested Skis for this season for a reason. The Rustler 9 is like your friend that is annoyingly good at just about everything.
No friends on groomer day. If you want one of the best skis for slicing and dicing turns on corduroy (or blasting spring corn) you need a carving ski. The Curv GT 85 is one of the best tools out there for making perfect turns. Stable, powerful, smooth, and unrivaled grip. Boom zoom.
Women’s Skis:
Previous versions of the Santa Ana were great, this is the best one yet and it works for more skiers than ever before. It truly is one of the best skis Nordica has ever made. A 92mm waist width and strong construction make this a weapon on groomers while also being agile and nimble enough for steeper, tighter terrain, and all snow conditions.
2. Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition
Incredible performance and unmatched style… all at the same time. Who said you couldn’t have it all? This is one of those skis that other manufacturers will try to copy. It carves like a more narrow ski while being nimble and wide enough to handle a huge variety of terrain. It’s on our top-tested list for a reason. No wonder they call it a RIPstick.
The most popular Women’s ski ever made just got better. The new version consists of an updated titanal layout and a completely new wood core, resulting in a ski that’s more powerful tip to tail, but less rigid torsionally. What this means is the new ski is both more confident and more manuverable. Double Whammy! The Black Pearl is just an unbelievable ski. Stable without being demanding, nimble without being nervous, easy without feeling that it lacks anything. This ski has always checked all of those boxes, but the new version checks them EVEN HARDER.
One of the best all-mountain options out there. A powerful and predictable ski that dominates groomers but isn’t afraid to go off-trail or into some softer snow. Compared to previous models, the new ski is less demanding, more approachable, and most importantly does all this without sacrificing the performance qualities we’ve come to love
5. Volkl Secret 96
The Volkl Secret 96 has been reconstructed for the 2025 season and is right back in the conversation for best all-mountain skis in the powerhouse 90-100mm category. The new version is still meant for a strong skier who knows how to drive their ski, it’s just slightly less demanding than previous generations of the ski. This makes it more effortless off-trail and through technical descents, and ultimately, less one-dimensional. It’s powerful, stable, and confident over any type of snow condition. An awesome ski for intermediate to advanced skiers who love performance.
Thanks to our friends at The Ski Monster for this great information! And one more thing to get you pumped for the season….join BSSC and The Ski Monster at BSSC’s annual Blizzard Winter Kickoff Party. Thousands of dollars in free lift tickets and raffle prizes! You don’t want to miss this!