It’s hard to beat the feeling of getting new skis, but deciding which pair to buy can be a daunting prospect for some. So to lend a helping hand, we’re proud to present the 2024 Buyer’s Guide, which is supplemented by the suitably-named People’s Ski Test. For the former, we took to the slopes of Red Mountain Resort in Rossland, B.C. last winter to curate reviews on 30 pairs of skis from 12 individuals, who (with the exception of our editor) work regular, everyday jobs outside of the ski industry, and pay full price for skis. Instead of enlisting professional athletes or sponsored ski instructors as testers, we recruited a school principal, hardware store owner, highway operations manager, rope access technician, climate risk analyst, MRI technologist, tree planter, electrical engineer, arborist, geologist and journalist to spend six weeks putting some of the year’s top skis through the paces in a wide variety of snow conditions and terrain. Then, once the lifts stopped turning, we asked them to share their unbiased and impartial thoughts on the skis they liked best in both written and video form, complete with POV footage of them testing the skis. Check out the results below, and discover which ski may just be perfect for you. 

gear

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FISCHER RANGER 102 FR

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FISCHER RANGER 102 FR

Riding the Fischer Ranger 102 allowed me to feel free while skiing all over the mountain. Its flatter camber profile felt familiar to me, and matched my skiing style very...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FISCHER RANGER 102 FR

Riding the Fischer Ranger 102 allowed me to feel free while skiing all over the mountain. Its flatter camber profile felt familiar to me, and matched my skiing style very...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FISCHER RANGER 92 Ti

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FISCHER RANGER 92 Ti

Fischer has a long history in skiing, and throughout that time the company has always stuck to the core principles of what makes a ski work—that's certainly the case here....

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FISCHER RANGER 92 Ti

Fischer has a long history in skiing, and throughout that time the company has always stuck to the core principles of what makes a ski work—that's certainly the case here....

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FISCHER RC ONE GT 86

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FISCHER RC ONE GT 86

The Fischer RC One GT 86 does exactly what it’s designed to do: serve as a stable rocket ship on piste.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FISCHER RC ONE GT 86

The Fischer RC One GT 86 does exactly what it’s designed to do: serve as a stable rocket ship on piste.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - HEAD KORE 105

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - HEAD KORE 105

Riding the Head Kore 105 was an extremely invigorating experience. This ski was light, responsive and very quick edge to edge.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - HEAD KORE 105

Riding the Head Kore 105 was an extremely invigorating experience. This ski was light, responsive and very quick edge to edge.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - HEAD KORE 93

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - HEAD KORE 93

There’s very little that the Head Kore 93 can’t do. It’s intuitive, versatile, lively but not twitchy, and easy to ski and control at low or high speeds.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - HEAD KORE 93

There’s very little that the Head Kore 93 can’t do. It’s intuitive, versatile, lively but not twitchy, and easy to ski and control at low or high speeds.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - HEAD KORE 97 W

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - HEAD KORE 97 W

The Head Kore 97 W was an enjoyably reliable ski. It was fun, stable and easy to initiate turns on groomers, and for a ski under 100 millimetres in the...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - HEAD KORE 97 W

The Head Kore 97 W was an enjoyably reliable ski. It was fun, stable and easy to initiate turns on groomers, and for a ski under 100 millimetres in the...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - K2 MINDBENDER 108Ti

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - K2 MINDBENDER 108Ti

The K2 Mindbender 108Ti is all business. For an advanced skier who’s looking for a firm, durable and agile ski that loves big, fast turns in open terrain, and really...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - K2 MINDBENDER 108Ti

The K2 Mindbender 108Ti is all business. For an advanced skier who’s looking for a firm, durable and agile ski that loves big, fast turns in open terrain, and really...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - K2 RECKONER 112

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - K2 RECKONER 112

After spending the past few years skiing on stiffer, flat-tailed, directional warhorses, my aging back and knees were pushing me in the direction of something more frolicsome.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - K2 RECKONER 112

After spending the past few years skiing on stiffer, flat-tailed, directional warhorses, my aging back and knees were pushing me in the direction of something more frolicsome.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - K2 MINDBENDER 106C W ALLIANCE

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - K2 MINDBENDER 106C W AL...

K2’s Mindbender 106C W Alliance is a ski that promotes skiing. I got to the bottom of my first run and realized I hadn’t overthought any of the turns it...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - K2 MINDBENDER 106C W AL...

K2’s Mindbender 106C W Alliance is a ski that promotes skiing. I got to the bottom of my first run and realized I hadn’t overthought any of the turns it...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - LINE VISION 108

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - LINE VISION 108

Do you see the whole mountain as your playground? Whether you’re a young park rat looking to take your skills away from manicured jumps, or a mature skier wishing to...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - LINE VISION 108

Do you see the whole mountain as your playground? Whether you’re a young park rat looking to take your skills away from manicured jumps, or a mature skier wishing to...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - LINE BLADE

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - LINE BLADE

There’s no other ski in existence quite like the Line Blade. At 154 millimetres in the tip, its shovel is wider than most full-blown powder skis, but at only 95...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - LINE BLADE

There’s no other ski in existence quite like the Line Blade. At 154 millimetres in the tip, its shovel is wider than most full-blown powder skis, but at only 95...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - LINE PANDORA 94

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - LINE PANDORA 94

The Line Pandora 94 was like the Robin to my Batman. I was in charge; able to call the shots, pick the runs and set the speed, and this ski...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - LINE PANDORA 94

The Line Pandora 94 was like the Robin to my Batman. I was in charge; able to call the shots, pick the runs and set the speed, and this ski...