A Powerful Pair of Skis for Almost Any Type of Powder

Elan d.o.o., the only major ski manufacturer in Slovenia, was founded in 1945. In 1988 it famously introduced the first pair of hourglass-shaped parabolic skis, which make it easier to turn at low speeds. In 2015 the company reaffirmed its position as an industry innovator by designing the off-piste-friendly, all-mountain Ripsticks with a designated left and right ski. The inside turning edges of the $800 skis are built with traditional camber construction, providing ample grip on ice, and the tips of the outside edges are bent upward like a rocker for an easier glide through variable snow.

All-mountain skis, meant to perform under a wide variety of conditions, are the largest category on the market. The $799 Nordica Enforcer 100s have a more traditional metal construction, which yields a dampened feel. At $650, the narrow Blizzard Brahmas are adept at making tight turns on groomed trails or between trees. Retailing for $1,150, the handmade, burly Kastle BMX 105 HPs charge hard in open terrain. The Ripstick 96s, with paulownia, poplar, and birch wood cores, fall near the middle of the price range.