With winter right around the corner, we’re back with our fifth annual ski test, which features authentic and impartial reviews on 33 pairs of skis. And if you’ve checked it out at some point over the past four years, then you know the drill. We assembled a 13-person, Rossland, British Columbia-based team of everyday skiers who work everyday jobs and pay full pop for skis, and asked them to put 11 of our brand partners’ latest offerings through the paces at the third largest ski area in Canada, Red Mountain Resort. And as opposed to doing so over the course of a weeklong demo event, and getting only a few runs on each ski, they had the second half of the winter—from February to April—to ski on them for as many days as they liked. Then, once Old Man Winter readied himself for his annual hibernation, our testers chose which skis they liked best, and provided us with honest, informed and unbiased reviews in both written and video form. Click on the thumbnails below for both, and if the way our testers sound and ski seems relatable, then perhaps the 2026 Forecast Ski Test will assist you in determining which set of skis is perfect for you

gear

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - ELAN WILDCAT 86 CX

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - ELAN WILDCAT 86 CX

The Elan Wildcat 86 CX is a fun, playful ski that thrives on groomers and mellow off-piste terrain. Elan advertises it as an all-mountain ski, but it definitely shined brightest...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - ELAN WILDCAT 86 CX

The Elan Wildcat 86 CX is a fun, playful ski that thrives on groomers and mellow off-piste terrain. Elan advertises it as an all-mountain ski, but it definitely shined brightest...

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION AGENT 3.0

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION AGENT 3.0

If the Faction Agent 3.0 was a planet, it would sit perfectly within the Goldilocks zone; everything about this ski felt just right.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION AGENT 3.0

If the Faction Agent 3.0 was a planet, it would sit perfectly within the Goldilocks zone; everything about this ski felt just right.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION DICTATOR 2.0

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION DICTATOR 2.0

Faction’s Dictator 2.0 is a no-nonsense ski, plain and simple.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION DICTATOR 2.0

Faction’s Dictator 2.0 is a no-nonsense ski, plain and simple.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION PRODIGY 2.0X

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION PRODIGY 2.0X

The Faction Prodigy 2.0X bridges the gap between an all-mountain ripper and a playful park ski.

THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION PRODIGY 2.0X

The Faction Prodigy 2.0X bridges the gap between an all-mountain ripper and a playful park ski.

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.