Editor’s shortlist · 10 skis2026/27
Best freeride skis for advanced skiers (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.
A freeride ski is chosen for the snow that is not groomed: fresh powder, wind-affected snow, chopped-up afternoon crud and steep, variable faces. Advanced skiers who ski off-piste most days need a ski that floats, stays composed at speed and still lets them pivot or slash in tight spots. No single ski does all of that equally well.
Width and rocker set the float. Waists around 100 to 106 mm are the most versatile and can still be skied on piste between runs; skis around 110 to 120 mm float more in deep snow but feel slow and heavy on hard groomers. Generous tip rocker helps the ski plane up and makes it easier to steer in soft snow, while a longer radius keeps the ski calm in open terrain.
The other big choice is directional versus playful. Directional skis with metal and a mounting point further back reward driving the tips and charging through chop. Twin-tipped, more centred skis are easier to spin, slarve and ski switch, but give up some stability. For length, freeride skiers often go at or above head height, especially with rockered skis whose effective edge is shorter than the tape measure suggests. If you also want to skin uphill, look at touring skis instead.
The shortlist
32 reviewed models qualify; the first 10 are shown.
- 01
BlizzardAnomaly 102
The 2027 Blizzard Anomaly 102 is the widest and most soft snow focused Anomaly, but its 102 mm platform is still shaped for a full resort day. Choose it for an advanced or expert skier who wants one strong directional ski for storm days, tracked snow and fast resort laps.
- Waist
- 102 mm
- Radius
- 18–22.5 m
- Lengths
- 176–192 cm (4 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Trueblend Free woodcore · 2Ti FluxForm All Mountain · Rocker/camber/rocker shape. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 02
HEADOblivion 102
The 2027 HEAD Oblivion 102 is a wide twin-tip for advanced and expert skiers who mix freeride lines, soft snow and occasional park laps. Choose it if you want one ski that can carve at speed yet still welcomes side hits, jumps and soft-snow detours.
- Waist
- 101–103 mm
- Radius
- 21–25.1 m
- Lengths
- 173–189 cm (3 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Poplar and recycled PET core · Carbon Sandwich Twintip construction · TNT Rocker. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 03
NordicaUnleashed 106
The 2027 Nordica Unleashed 106 is a redesigned freeride ski that replaces the previous 108, with a longer, lower rocker profile and a more directional balance. Choose the Unleashed 106 for an advanced or expert skier who wants a versatile freeride platform with strong carving ability for its width.
- Waist
- 106 mm
- Radius
- 14.7–19.2 m
- Lengths
- 157–190 cm (6 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Drift Lock Metal · Light wood core · Carbon reinforcement. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 04
NordicaUnleashed 106 CA
The 2027 Nordica Unleashed 106 CA is a playful powder and soft-snow ski for skiers who use the mountain for slashes, drops and quick direction changes. Choose the Unleashed 106 CA for an advanced or expert skier who wants soft-snow versatility with an energetic response. It gives away some damping to the metal version when conditions become rough; a narrower ski remains quicker on firm groomers.
- Waist
- 106 mm
- Radius
- 14.5–18.7 m
- Lengths
- 152–185 cm (6 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Lite Performance Wood with carbon stringers · Freeride Flow Shape · True Tip. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 05
SalomonQST 106 Almond Milk
The 2027 Salomon QST 106 Almond Milk is a substantial freeride ski for skiers who prioritize soft snow and want support when fresh tracks turn to chop. Choose it for an advanced or expert skier who wants a supportive platform for storms, trees, bowls and varied resort snow. The 2027 test finds it easy to steer for its size, but its width and weight still make it a more substantial ski than a narrower daily option.
- Waist
- 106 mm
- Radius
- 16.5–20.5 m
- Lengths
- 157–189 cm (5 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Full Poplar Woodcore · Basalt and fiberglass laminate · Cork Damplifier 2. Each is explained on the ski page.
Related reviewed listing: QST 106 Black/Pink
- 06
DynastarM-Free 100 Open
The Dynastar M-Free 100 Open is the middle width in Dynastar’s playful freeride family: broad enough for soft snow and off-trail detours, yet manageable for groomers on ordinary days. Choose it if you want one resort ski for groomers, bumps, trees, softer snow and some freestyle play, and prefer a lively feel to a heavy, metal-damped charger.
- Waist
- 99–101 mm
- Radius
- 13–20 m
- Lengths
- 162–192 cm (5 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Hybrid Core 2.0 · Three-direction wood core · Progressive rocker. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 07
DynastarM-Free 108 Open
The Dynastar M-Free 108 Open is a directional freeride twin for skiers who want to surf soft snow, slash through trees and still link turns back to the lift. SkiEssentials testers found it light and versatile, with its strongest case in powder, trees and variable off-piste terrain; it remains usable on groomers, though it is a wide ski to drive on hardpack all day. For a more directional, firm-snow biased option, the M-Pro 100 Ti is the sharper contrast.
- Waist
- 108 mm
- Radius
- 14–20 m
- Lengths
- 162–192 cm (5 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Hybrid Core 2.0 · Three-direction wood core · Unidirectional fiberglass. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 08
Black CrowsCorvus
The 2027 Black Crows Corvus is a 110 mm big-mountain ski for advanced skiers who prioritize open terrain, speed and powder days. Choose it for open bowls, soft snow, steep freeride lines and fast linking turns; the added tail rocker and taper give it more steering range in tighter terrain than the long radius suggests.
- Waist
- 110 mm
- Radius
- 25 m
- Lengths
- 169.4–191.4 cm (5 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: 110 mm big-mountain platform · Dual progressive rockers and classic camber · Long 25 m sidecut radius. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 09
RossignolSENDER 110 OPEN
The Rossignol Sender 110 is a wide freeride twin for open bowls, deep snow and resort days spent chasing soft turns. Choose the Sender 110 for advanced and expert skiers who want a powerful soft-snow ski that can still carve the groomer back to the lift. That composure comes with a compromise: tight trees and moguls take more effort, particularly when the skier stops driving it.
- Waist
- 109–111 mm
- Radius
- 16–22 m
- Lengths
- 168–191 cm (4 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Titanal Beam · Carbon Alloy Matrix · Twin Rocker and progressive sidecut. Each is explained on the ski page.
Related reviewed listing: SENDER 110 JONAH LTD OPEN
- 10
SalomonS/LAB QST Blank
The 2027 S/LAB QST Blank is Salomon's directional freeride ski for skiers who want a broad, supportive platform when the mountain is soft, steep or chopped up. Choose it for powder, trees, open bowls and storm-day chop when stability and float matter more than quick edge changes. It is too wide and substantial to be the quickest everyday piste ski, and a wider powder specialist will offer more lift in bottomless snow.
- Waist
- 112 mm
- Radius
- 17–20 m
- Lengths
- 170–192 cm (4 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Full Poplar Woodcore · Basalt and fiberglass laminate · Cork Damplifier. Each is explained on the ski page.
More shortlists
- Best all-mountain skis for intermediatesAll-mountain · intermediate
- 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 powder skisFreeride · 108 mm and wider
- Best touring skisTouring