Freeride skis of the year 2025
If hunting freshies is your thing, one of these freeride skis could be your new best pal.
Want the full details? Get a back issue of the Gear Guide 2025 or download the digital edition for in-depth reviews of the top-performing skis.
VÖLKL M7 MANTRA
£750 (without bindings)
Lengths: 163, 170, 177, 184, 191cm
Radius: 16.8m @ 177cm
Dimensions: 139-96-121mm
Weight per ski: 2,090g @ 177cm (without bindings)
THEY SAY
How do you improve a legend? You retain the features that made the ski famous and add the latest innovations, such as the new 4 Radius Drive sidecut technology, allowing progress where a year ago you couldn’t see any room to push your limits further.
WE SAY
Think of the M6 Mantra but with even greater versatility and an extra helping of fun. As a true one-ski quiver for downhill skiing, this is a sensational ski.
OVERVIEW
The M6 Mantra was the best Mantra to date in our book, but the team at Völkl has significantly improved on it with this new M7. The Katana, Kendo and Kanjo have been renamed as Mantra skis, but they haven’t technically changed, nor has the 102, so the M7 is the one you really want to get your mitts on. (The Katana V.Werks doesn’t change its name this season.)
It’s the same story with the women’s Secret skis, with only the 96 getting these updates—and that’s earned an Editors’ Choice award.
Völkl has also focused on sustainability, sourcing wood for their ski cores (except paulownia) from within an hour of their factory. The plastic used in the Isocore synthetic material is made from recycled plastics, most of the factory’s power comes from hydro, and waste core wood chips are used in their heating processes.
LINE PANDORA 99 ♀️
£495 (without bindings)
Lengths: 149, 156, 163, 170, 177, 184cm
Radius: 16.0m @ 170cm
Dimensions: 130-99-120mm
Weight per ski: 1,830g @ 170cm (without bindings)
THEY SAY
When unsure what weather the mountain will bring, rest easy knowing you can grab the trusty Line Pandora 99, no matter the conditions. A lightweight feel, stable ride, and Thick Cut Sidewalls work together to make the Pandora 99 the perfect one-ski quiver.
WE SAY
We love the new Pandoras, and the 99 is an absolute joy machine for female and male skiers.
OVERVIEW
The Pandora skis have always been designed for female skiers, but they’ve been reimagined this season as skis for everyone, regardless of labels. We appreciate that Line hasn’t simply rebranded men’s models as unisex, and we love how all the new Pandora models perform.
ATOMIC MAVERICK 105 CTI
£730 (without bindings)
Lengths: 170, 178, 185, 191cm
Radius: 19.0m @ 185cm
Dimensions: 134.5-104.5-123.5mm
Weight per ski: 2,050g @ 185cm (without bindings)
THEY SAY
Built to charge and driven to explore, the spirited Atomic Maverick 105 CTI sets the new standard for all-mountain, all-conditions freeride skis.
WE SAY
The Maverick 105 CTI combines the drive of the Maverick 95Ti with the fun-loving attitude of the Bent 110.
OVERVIEW
If you’re familiar with last season’s Maverick skis, this model could easily have a different name—it’s that different.
BLACK DIAMOND IMPULSE 98 TI
£675 (without bindings)
Lengths: 175, 182, 189cm
Radius: 18.0m @ 182cm
Dimensions: 132-98-119mm
Weight per ski: 1,790g @ 182cm (without bindings)
THEY SAY
A ski that’s playful in soft snow but holds its own at high speeds, the Impulse Ti 98 is a versatile all-mountain carver.
WE SAY
Take the joy of last season’s Impulse, add some full-sugar treats to the party, and voilà—the new Impulse 98 Ti.
OVERVIEW
If you want to mount a freeride touring binding, we’d go for the Impulse 98 Ti over the M7 Mantra every time.
BLIZZARD ANOMALY 102
£760 (without bindings)
Lengths: 176, 182, 188, 192cm
Radius: 19.35m @ 182cm
Dimensions: 136-105-123mm
Weight per ski: 2,190g @ 182cm (without bindings)
THEY SAY
The Anomaly 102 was built for those who crave speed in any conditions.
WE SAY
The new Anomaly skis are superb, and the 102 model delivers a fantastic blend of on- and off-piste performance.
OVERVIEW
A powerful, multi-layer metal laminate, full-wood-core ski for skiers who know what they want.
ELAN RIPSTICK 94 W ♀️
£649 (without bindings)
Lengths: 147, 154, 161, 168, 175cm
Radius: 15.8m @ 168cm
Dimensions: 129-94-109mm
Weight per ski: 1,500g @ 168cm (without bindings)
THEY SAY
Ripstick 94 W is trusted to turn good days into truly memorable experiences.
WE SAY
The updates for this season ensure more skiers than ever can access the fun-filled potential of the Ripstick 94 W.
OVERVIEW
This is one of the all-time great freeride skis, and the tweaks ensure it’s even more versatile.
FACTION STUDIO 3
£699 (without bindings)
Lengths: 165, 172, 178, 184, 190cm
Radius: 21.0m @ 184cm
Dimensions: 140-112-134mm
Weight per ski: 1,990g @ 184cm (without bindings)
THEY SAY
The 112mm Studio 3 balances performance, precision, and playfulness.
WE SAY
Tap into your inner child, it’s playtime.
OVERVIEW
Light, pivoty and playful sums up the Studio 3.
VÖLKL SECRET 96 ♀️
£750 (without bindings)
Lengths: 149, 156, 163, 170, 177cm
Radius: 13.7m @ 163cm
Dimensions: 139-96-121mm
Weight per ski: 1,835g @ 163cm (without bindings)
THEY SAY
A ski for demanding freeride women, built for any conditions.
WE SAY
A fabulous all-mountain freeride ski, performing incredibly well on and off-piste.
OVERVIEW
The updates may be minor, but the skiing enjoyment is massive.
