CLOUD 9 £400

A classy, pleasingly affordable range of skis headed by this model but also featuring Clouds 6, 7 and 8. Strong performers at the top end, the early models were good places to climb aboard for someone into their second or third week. Folk liked turn initiation and felt it was light and carved well. The 9 is the pick of the range because it lets you progress further without holding mid-intermediates back.