BECAUSE NOTHING IS MORE VALUABLE than gaining the perfect overview, we are already making our readers winners. Although the successful "WorldSkitest" took a break for this season, we can still offer a certain overview here, as the authors of the "Ski Guide Austria" were invited by Blizzard to a special ski test on the Kitzsteinhorn. The right know-how was not only provided by the mid-winter test runs on the glacier, but also by the information that was obtained directly from the Blizzard ski factory in Mittersill. Over the years, the Ski Guide team has already been guests in the factories of Atomic and Fischer, and has also spent time at the small ski producer Augment, Original+ and the Thurner and Ünique factories.
In the WorldSkitest, originally launched by Franz Klammer, a total of seven alpine, two freeride and three touring categories were tested in parallel over three days. This cannot be done here, but we will present four models that we would like to highlight. Everything is designed to help you filter out the right model from the extensive range of skis. In addition to Blizzard, there are mainly top models from Head, Kästle, Stöckli and Atomic. As can be seen, the 2025 vintage of ski production also shows that there is no sign of standstill. That would be fatal, especially in this field.
Youth: Top models for the young generation
THE TECHNOLOGY AND CONSTRUCTION of the ski models for racing-oriented youngsters differ little from the models for adults. Even World Cup technology has found its way into these great pieces. But beware: if you buy your child these boards for their first ski course, they will not be very happy with them.
ATOMIC REDSTER G9 FIS REVOSHOCK
Equipped with the World Cup technology Revoshock, in which several spring steel plates are lined with elastomer and absorb all the impacts on the race course. Thanks to the combination of Ultra Power wood core and Active Race Interface for the binding, all of the young skier's power is transferred directly to the ski.
ELAN GSW TEAM
Highly sporty youth racing ski with FIS-approved radii/geometry. Its high-quality features include RST sidewalls, a Response solid wood core, double titanium inserts and a 14mm race plate.
FISCHER RC4 WORLDCUP GS JR.
With a new M-plate and new developments from the World Cup, it is ideal for all young racers who want to master the course with a lot of speed and precision. Sensational edge grip and the wood core construction provide the necessary stability and rebound.
SALOMON S/RACE FIS GS JR
The powerful junior racing ski is designed with a 20 m radius so that young athletes can carve tight turns with the lively ski. The high-performance racing construction ensures stability and power. Perfect for long turns.
Allround Women + Men: Underrated All-Rounders
IF YOUR REQUIREMENT IS SIMPLY to have fun skiing, then everyone is in good hands with these inexpensive comfort models. These skis are very light and do not drain your energy reserves unnecessarily. Special models for women and men differ in more than just their design.
KÄSTLE QUARTZ 72
The Quartz72 women's ski is a piste-oriented ski that, thanks to the newly developed SymbioCore technology, is lightweight but still stable and powerful enough for powerful turns and gives its rider maximum safety.
VÖLKL FLAIR MT
A full-length sidewall and wood core provide a smooth, stable connection to the snow along the entire length of the ski. A thin layer of steel stabilizes the ski and gives it control, especially at high speeds on hard snow.
BLIZZARD PHOENIX R13 CA WB
Developed for female skiers who want to make their turns on the slopes without being disturbed. 13 meter radius and 76 millimeter waist width. The Trueblend Piste wood core, specially designed for women, divides the ski into different areas with different hardnesses and ensures balanced dynamics.
HEAD SUPERSHAPE
With a waist width of 72 mm, narrow ski tails and an innovative shovel design for easy turn initiation, this ski offers maximum edge grip and pleasing rebound.
High performance for men and women: The optimal piste ski
THE TECHNICALLY HIGH-QUALITY and extremely versatile performers are less aggressive than slalom or giant slalom race skis and combine sporty driving characteristics with comfort. Ideal for experienced piste freaks who like to let it all go. The models are also available as special models for ladies. Here you can see two examples of each.
STÖCKLI LASER GS
Wide, perfectly groomed slopes are his terrain. He loves wide, fast curves. The Laser GS impresses with its smooth running even at top speeds. This is made possible by the carbon steering control technology developed in racing and an additional rubber insert above the wooden core.
HEAD SHAPE E-V8
For perfect carving on the slopes: full wood core carbon construction combined with HEAD's EMC technology, which absorbs annoying vibrations. The ERA 3.0 technology, in turn, ensures easy turn initiation thanks to the rockered ski tip. Agile 75 mm waist width.
ATOMIC CLOUD C12 REVOSTOCK C
The Revoshock C system absorbs and eliminates shocks and vibrations, ensuring harmonious, stable performance while also providing pleasant responsiveness when changing edges. Added to this is the light, supple Flite Woodcore, which gives the ski its liveliness. The ski is also a real beauty.
KÄSTLE RX11
Tested length: 160 cm
A little less aggressive than the RX12 models. But the RX11 should not be underestimated. Thanks to its sandwich construction and HOLLOWTECH RACE, as well as Titanal inserts, it offers sporty piste skiers optimal edge grip and smooth running.
AllMountain: The edge of the piste sets no limits
THE WIDER VARIANT among the all-round models for switching from the piste to the broken-up deep snow, over to the ice and maybe a short powder sequence. The high-quality models are suitable for both piste racers and adventurers and combine everything you would expect from a ski on and off the piste. Under the binding, the models have now settled on widths between 80 and 86 mm. The widest model was the most popular with the testers.
BLIZZARDS ANOMALY 84
This is much more than "just" a wide piste ski. A middle width of 84 millimeters and a 16-meter radius (176 cm) ensure moments of well-being even off the piste. Thanks to the special Titanal processing, in which four different sheets are installed on three levels, the Anomaly 84 scores with perfect control and edge guidance. The wood core, with its length-coordinated woods, provides optimal flex. It's beautiful anyway.
ATOMIC REDSTER Q9 REVOSHOCK S
The ultimate ski for the changing snow conditions of a typical day of skiing on the slopes. Revoshock S provides stability, absorbs vibrations and impacts and accelerates the ski out of the turn. With a 75 mm waist width and a multi-radius sidecut, it is powerful and agile in every turn, whether it is wide giant slalom turns on the freshly groomed slope or fast, changing radii over moguls and in broken snow later in the day.
STÖCKLI MONTERO AR
Designed for medium to large radii, the Montero AR is perfect for fast rides on any terrain. Thanks to the 84 mm center width, it runs like it's on rails even at high speeds. The tip-and-tail flex technology and an AllMountain Rocker provide the agility needed to perform perfectly in all conditions.
VÖLKL PEREGRINE 82
Enjoys both ice and fresh snow. Unique Völkl Tailored Carbon Tips ensure agility in fast short turns. In addition, the 3D Radius Sidecut supports versatility for playful riding.
Race: Racing feeling for the slopes
THE KING CLASS for the tough guys. The GS models are among the best-selling models in specialist shops and are usually very similar in terms of technology and appearance to the World Cup models. Packed with the latest technology and the best materials, these racers are perfect for the tough everyday life on the slopes. But beware: they may not be the ideal sports equipment for beginners and occasional riders.
STÖCKLI LASER WRT PRO MARCO ODERMATT EDITION
Developed in close collaboration with superstar Marco Odermatt, this ski combines racing technology with a unique design and offers maximum power and performance on the slopes.
KÄSTLE RX 12 GS
Impresses with a racing-inspired sidecut and a sporty setup. Hollowtech Race and high-quality sandwich construction give this race weapon absolute smoothness and perfect grip at high speeds.
ATOMIC REDSTER X9S REVOSHOCK S
A combination of World Cup-tested technologies and a Multi Radius Sidecut from Atomic. This makes it ideal for skiers who want speed and versatility at the same time. The Redster X9 S Revoshock S can do both: fast, short carving turns as well as long, enjoyable turns with a wide radius. Not a pure race model, but stability at a professional level for absolute top speeds.
HEAD WORLDCUP REBELS E-SL PRO
Tested length: 180 cm
The Worldcup Rebels e-SL Pro impresses with the power and performance of a slalom racing ski, but is less demanding to ride than the FIS model.
Touring skis: When weight plays a decisive role
WHICH TOURING SKI best meets your requirements? This question is asked by all those who prefer intensive nature experiences far away from the slopes and for whom the sporty ascent is just as important as the exhilarating descent. The most important elements are low weight, easy skin mounting and, not to forget, comfort on the descent. There are big differences in the width of the skis, because while ski mountaineers place great value on minimal weight, the touring skier wants to fully enjoy his descent in deep snow after the ascent.
ATOMIC BACKLAND 88
All-round touring skis of the future - light, versatile in any terrain. Lightweight construction with a sophisticated ratio of natural wood to fiberglass. The wider, beveled HRZN 3D shovel increases the contact area and thus optimizes buoyancy in powder and handling in changing conditions. Environmentally friendly thanks to locally grown poplar wood.
KÄSTLE BIAFO 88
The touring skis in the TERRA women's line, named after the glacier in the Karakorum, reflect the marbling of the ice cover. In addition to its striking design, the Biafo 88 scores with excellent downhill performance and minimal weight, thanks to its carbon-fibreglass construction and progressive rise.
BLIZZARD ZERO G95
Versatile all-round talent, even in tracked terrain. The carbon support, Carbon Drive 3.0, in combination with the wood core makes the touring ski particularly light while at the same time offering high stability. The sidewall construction provides torsional rigidity and constant pressure along the entire edge of the ski.
HAGAN BOOST 94 X POW
Downhill-oriented touring ski. With a waist width of 94 mm, the ski is not too heavy for the ascent. The carbon reinforcements at the tip and tail of the ski ensure stability and flexibility.
