Editor’s shortlist · 10 skis2026/27
Best all-mountain skis for intermediates (2026/27)
A shortlist from the reviewed 2026/27 catalogue. Betterskis has not tested these skis itself: the selection uses each ski’s reviewed suitability, the manufacturer’s specifications and the independent tests linked on its page.
An intermediate all-mountain ski has two jobs: make clean, predictable turns on the groomed runs where most of the day is spent, and stay manageable when you follow tracks into bumps, chopped snow or a lightly tracked edge of the piste. The skis that do this best are rarely the stiffest or widest in a range.
Width is the first filter. Waists from roughly 80 to 92 mm keep edge changes quick on firm snow while giving some support in soft snow; above 95 mm a ski floats better but feels slower from edge to edge and asks more of your technique on hard pistes. A moderate turn radius, typically in the mid-teens of metres at an average length, lets the ski finish a turn without forcing very short or very long arcs.
Construction matters as much as numbers. Skis with full metal laminates reward speed and pressure; wood cores with partial metal, carbon or fibreglass usually flex more easily at intermediate speeds. Some tip rocker helps a ski start turns and ride over crud. For length, most intermediates are well served somewhere between chin and eyebrow height, longer for heavier or faster skiers. The list below includes skis that also suit advanced skiers, so read each summary for where it sits in that range.
The shortlist
56 reviewed models qualify; the first 10 are shown.
- 01
AtomicMAVERICK 86 C
The 2027 Atomic Maverick 86 C is a narrow, quick all-mountain ski for skiers who spend most days on groomers, bumps and tree runs but still want a little help when the snow softens. Choose it if you are an intermediate progressing toward advanced technique and value low-effort turns, quick direction changes and a ski that will not punish mistakes.
- Waist
- 86.5–89 mm
- Radius
- 14.5–17 m
- Lengths
- 153–186 cm (6 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced
Construction: Light Woodcore · Carbon Backbone · HRZN 3D Maverick/Maven Tip. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 02
Black CrowsCaptis
The 2027 Black Crows Captis is a 90 mm all-mountain twin for skiers who want quick edge changes on piste and an easygoing feel in bumps, trees and the park. The Captis suits intermediate and advanced skiers who divide their days among groomers, bumps, trees and occasional freestyle laps, especially where snowfall is modest.
- Waist
- 90 mm
- Radius
- 18 m
- Lengths
- 172.1–184.3 cm (3 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced
Construction: Poplar core and fiberglass · Double rocker with medium camber · Semi-cap construction with ABS sidewalls. Each is explained on the ski page.
Related reviewed listing: Captis Birdie
- 03
DynastarM-Cross 82 Open
The Dynastar M-Cross 82 Open is a trail-leaning all-mountain ski for resort skiers who enjoy short, energetic turns and still want to slip into bumps or trees. Choose it if you spend much of your day on groomers and want an easy-turning ski that remains maneuverable in bumps and tight trees.
- Waist
- 81–82 mm
- Radius
- 11–15 m
- Lengths
- 159–184 cm (4 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced
Construction: Hybrid Core 2.0 · Poplar and polyurethane core · H-Tech reinforcement. Each is explained on the ski page.
Related reviewed listing: M-Cross W 82 Open
- 04
DynastarM-Cross 88 Open
The Dynastar M-Cross 88 Open is a frontside-leaning all-mountain ski for resort skiers who want a strong carving platform that can also leave the groomed run. Choose it if you spend most of your day on piste and want a substantial, wider platform for bumps, trees and tracked snow. The wide tip can feel demanding if you stand back, and its 88 mm waist is less nimble edge to edge than a dedicated carver.
- Waist
- 87–88 mm
- Radius
- 11–15 m
- Lengths
- 159–184 cm (4 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: Hybrid Core 2.0 · Poplar and polyurethane core · Central Titanal layer. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 05
ArmadaARV 88 MADSTEEZ
The 2027 Armada ARV 88 Madsteez is a light, park-capable all-mountain twin built for skiers who want freestyle movement to remain part of an ordinary resort day. Choose the ARV 88 if park laps, groomers and a mobile twin-tip feel matter more than powder flotation or bulldozing through chopped snow. For softer snow, the ARV 94 or 100 offers more platform, and for sustained high-speed crud, a heavier ski is a better fit.
- Waist
- 88 mm
- Radius
- 14.5–17 m
- Lengths
- 156–181 cm (6 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: Poplar core · AR Freestyle Rocker · Ash binding insert. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 06
AtomicMAVERICK 88 CTI
The Atomic Maverick 88 CTI is the frontside-leaning member of the Maverick range, designed for groomers, bumps and light off-trail snow. Choose it for skiers who spend most days on piste but want bumps, trees and light snow in the same ski. A Maverick 96 gives more off-piste range, and a dedicated piste ski is more precise on hard ice.
- Waist
- 87–89 mm
- Radius
- 15–17 m
- Lengths
- 159–186 cm (5 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: CTI Powered · Power Woodcore · All Mountain Rocker 15/75/10. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 07
FactionProdigy 1
The 2027 Faction Prodigy 1 is the narrower, park-focused member of the Prodigy line: an 88 mm directional twin for skiers who spend time on groomers, in the park and on resort features. Pick the Prodigy 1 if park laps and quick resort turns matter more than flotation or charging through chopped snow.
- Waist
- 88 mm
- Radius
- 13–19 m
- Lengths
- 158–184 cm (5 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: Poplar and ash core · Carbon and rubber stomp pad · Full-strength sidewalls and XL edges. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 08
RossignolARCADE 84 OPEN
The Rossignol Arcade 84 is a frontside-leaning all-mountain ski carried into 2027 with the same shape and graphics as the previous season. Choose the Arcade 84 if you are an intermediate skier progressing toward stronger carving, or an advanced or expert skier who wants a precise resort tool with some off-piste latitude. It rewards a deliberate stance and pressure through the turn; a passive skier may find its stiffness demanding.
- Waist
- 84 mm
- Radius
- 12–16 m
- Lengths
- 152–184 cm (5 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: Titanal Beam · Line Control Technology · Poplar wood core. Each is explained on the ski page.
Related reviewed listings: ARCADE 84 KONECT, WOMEN'S ARCADE 84 OPEN, WOMEN'S ARCADE 84 KONECT
- 09
FactionDancer 89
The 2027 Faction Dancer 89 is a relatively light all-mountain ski for resort skiers who want quick edge changes on groomers without giving up room to explore softer snow and bumps. Choose the Dancer 89 if you want a nimble daily resort ski that rewards a mix of carved turns, bumps and off-trail detours. For hard charging through chopped snow, the Dancer 89 Ti offers a more supportive construction; for regular powder days, choose a wider ski.
- Waist
- 89 mm
- Radius
- 13–19 m
- Lengths
- 153–185 cm (6 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: Poplar and fiberglass core · Metal-free Dancer construction · Elliptical sidecut. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 10
SalomonStance Pro 82 + MI12 GW
The Salomon Stance Pro 82 + MI12 GW is a frontside-focused all-mountain ski for skiers who enjoy quick, clean turns on groomers and still explore bumps and changing resort terrain. Choose it for a strong intermediate through expert skier who spends most days on prepared snow and wants some freedom to explore softer edges of the run. The narrower platform provides less lift in powder than a wider freeride ski, and a softer ski is a different choice for relaxed drifting.
- Waist
- 82 mm
- Radius
- 11–16 m
- Lengths
- 151–185 cm (5 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: Full Poplar Woodcore · Powerflex Ti reinforcement · Full Sandwich Sidewall. Each is explained on the ski page.
Related reviewed listing: Stance Pro W 82 + MI11 GW
More shortlists
- Best beginner piste skisPiste · beginner
- Best piste skis for intermediatesPiste · intermediate
- Best piste skis for advanced and expert skiersPiste · advanced and expert
- Best women’s all-mountain skisWomen’s all-mountain
- Best freeride skis for advanced skiersFreeride · advanced
- Best powder skisFreeride · 108 mm and wider
- Best touring skisTouring