A pick of the best 2023 men’s Piste skis, featured in our mega Gear Guide that includes many more models. Order your copy here for the full, in-depth reviews, as well as more Freeriding, All-Mountain and Freetouring setups, boots, poles, bindings, packs, airbags, goggles. It’s big…
VOLKL DEACON 72 BLACK
£840 including bindings
Lengths 158, 163, 168, 173, 178
Radius 15.4m @ 173
Dimensions 125-72-103
Weight per ski 3,190g @ 173 with binding
voelkl.com
THEY SAY
Long, medium or crisp, short turns; cruising or skiing at the limits of speed; soft slopes or hard – if you’re ambitious about performance, look no further. The Deacon with its 72mm waist was developed for people who like to carve quickly through every radius and sometimes really let rip.
WE SAY
Last year you’d have paid £1,100 for the V-Werks version to deliver an exquisite blend of feel and energy, and we thought that was honestly a price worth paying. Now you can get it for hundreds less. Welcome to the Deacon 72.
BEST FOR
The Deacon 72 is a responsive, high-performance ski, so pick an easier ride if you aren’t going to wind it up and fire yourself valleywards. If you lean with the grace of a darted giraffe, avoid. If your hips have the vestiges of a tango within them and you see pistes as a flowing, ever-changing challenge then you will find nothing finer on the racks of your local retailer this season.
ATOMIC REDSTER Q7 REVOSHOCK C
£700 including bindings
Lengths 159, 166, 173, 181
Radius 14.4m @ 173
Dimensions 134, 84.5, 118.8mm @ 173
Weight per ski 2,710g @ 173cm with binding
atomic.com
THEY SAY
The Atomic Redster Q7 Revoshock C is a one-ski on-piste solution for advanced and intermediate skiers ready to go open-to-close in any conditions.
WE SAY
The Q series are designed to give better performance as you work up through the numbers. A more recreational skier would get the most out of the Q5 or Q6, but the Q7 is ideal for skiers with honed carving technique who also like to ski on end-of-season softer snow.
BEST FOR
We’d say that a keen advancing intermediate and above will enjoy the Redster Q7. You’re not a wannabe slalom hound and you need some soft snow flexibility when the sun comes out. Lee reckons “it’s great for strong intermediate/advanced skiers who like slaying the groomers, but want a ski that can handle the softer afternoon chopped-up piste and never miss a beat.”
FISCHER RC ONE 73
£630 including bindings
Lengths 153, 160, 167, 174
Radius 14m @ 167
Dimensions 121-73-103
Weight per ski 2,050g @ 167 w/o binding
fischersports.com
THEY SAY
The RC One 73 is a well-balanced, high-performance ski featuring lightweight 0.5mm Titanal for essential stability and maximum edge grip during aggressive turning. Turn Zone construction and Triple Radius sidecut provide controlled, smooth skiing at any speed.
WE SAY
We really wanted to make sure a ski for those who don’t burn every turn was part of these picks. The thing is, we also don’t like a noodle that gives nothing back, because who’d want to own such a thing? Enter the Fischer RC One 73 – a real resort ripper with broad-based appeal.
BEST FOR
We reckon the Fischer RC One 73 hits a great balance for those who ski one or two weeks a year, ski piste, love the feel of carving and want the ability to crank it when they please.
HEAD SUPERSHAPE E-MAGNUM
£670 including bindings
Lengths 149, 156, 163, 170, 177
Radius 13.1m @ 170
Dimensions 129-72-111
Weight per ski approx 2,170g @ 170 w/o binding
head.com
THEY SAY
The Supershape e-Magnum is a smooth, forgiving ski with a high level of performance for the ultimate fun day on the mountain. It features Head’s innovative EMC technology, which reduces vibrations and increases stability for an overall smoother ride.
WE SAY
The e-Magnum delivers a damp, grippy ride with enough shape to initiate and dive through hard carves. Very happy at speed, and highly suitable for those with power, mass, or indeed both…
BEST FOR
You need to be confident AND want to carve AND enjoy pushing your piste skiing to get the most from a Supershape e-Magnum. If you’re a ‘tween the bars cruiser there are easier choices which are more fun because they don’t need as much work. Put in some effort, get those skis bending and the feedback and control is an addictive pleasure.
