Best Powder Skis of 2022-2023 | Powder7 Buyer's Guide

See our the full Buyer's Guide: www.powder7.com/ski-blog/best-skis-and-gear/
Shop 2022-23 skis: www.powder7.com/shop/cat=skis&year=2023
Powder Skis Overview: 0:00
Faction Prodigy 4.0: 0:32
Atomic Bent Chetler 120: 1:26
DPS Pagoda 112 RP: 3:19
Volkl Revolt 121: 5:06
Armada ARV 116 JJ UL: 7:01
Salomon QST Blank: 8:17
The skis for the best days! Powder skis generally measure wider than 110mm underfoot, feature lots of rocker and taper, and are made to float and surf in deep snow. Some are more versatile for when pow gets cut up or when you want to ski regular old trails. Others are primed for the best days of your life and not many others.
All-around: Faction Prodigy 4.0 // Atomic Bent Chetler 120
More playful: DPS Pagoda 112 RP
More demanding: Volkl Revolt 121
Familiar favorites: Salomon QST Blank // Armada ARV 116 JJ UL
You can find all these skis, plus many many more, online at powder7.com or in our shop in Golden, Colorado!

[@ronaldp4]

excellent reviews AND I like the comparisons or rankings between the skis, as in playful vs charger. Well done!

[@darinsmith2458]

we actually have a year of powder.. a blizzard is coming this morning.. i just need to learn how to ski the stuff again.. i was out last Thursday 12-8-2022 and they did open the top and i don't think i have ever skied so much snow.. my feet were even moving around in my boots.. i think you guys gave me the right equipment and it is just about me spending time in it (powder) just getting used to it.. i got frostbite and i was soaked from sweating so much;) i will comment again but first i want to spend more time on my equipment in powder/crud/slush/bumps/trees.. so basically off of the groomers and hardpack..

[@powder7skis]

Powder skiing can be tough!! I felt the same way last week getting back into it. A lot more work required than cruising groomers. Always feel free to give us a call too to chat about the equipment if you have questions! 720-674-5443 -Alex

[@darinsmith2458]

@@powder7skis thanks Alex.. i will say i bet i burned 3000 calories;) Darin..

[@src248]

Hey! Someone else who pronounces revolt as "ree-volt", I only say it that way when I'm talking about the ski and I don't know why 🤣 It's is my all time favourite ski, you summed it up well. Work with it's momentum instead of trying to fight it, it becomes ridiculously fun and satisfying to ski. Surprisingly good on groomers too! Can't wait for the 194 Blank skiing video :P

[@powder7skis]

Cheers to our shared phonetics -Matt

[@skiimountaineer]

I was hoping for a review of the DPS lotus 138!!!

[@powder7skis]

There's admittedly not much that floats better than that ski! Our owner reviewed the Lotus 124 recently: www.powder7.com/DPS-Pagoda-Lotus-124-Skis/for-sale

[@JanStureNielsen]

Well done, Matt & Alex - super informative reviews! I'm 177cm 74kg former ski racer looking for a powder ski. I spend most of my non-powder days carving fast SL & GS turns on SL race skis and powder days on my all mountain skis. Home mountain is Snowbird, Utah. Considering Blizzard Rustler 11 at 188cm but wondering about Atomic Bent Chetler 120 at 184cm (Matt's hesitation and Alex's "entry-level'" comments concerns me a bit, though) or Solomon QST Blank at 186cm - any thoughts/recommendations?

[@powder7skis]

Hey Jan-- great question!! I don't want to deter experts from the Bent Chetler 120-- sized appropriately an aggressive skier can totally get along with a Bent Chetler 120, but it is probably more playful in style than you might want. If you're used to really driving the shovels of your skis and skiing with a directional style, the Bent Chetler might not feel supportive enough. It has a pretty centered mount point and shape, and really rewards folks who like to slash and pivot. I think the Blank would be a great choice for you--it has more of a directional shape and reward mount point (about -8), with still plenty of rocker for good float. It also is a bit more narrow, lending itself to feeling a bit quicker underfoot for those tight chutes and won't feel so boaty once things are skied out. I think the Rustler 11 is a great ski as well, it will just want to pivot and slash a bit more than the Blank, but does offer a bit more "beef" underfoot than the Bent Chetler. I hope that helps! -Alex

[@bretts7037]

Hey what's the scoop on the weird shovel profile on the Armadas? I was just about to buy some and noticed it looks all wobbly or imperfect on the side profile where the rocker starts? Is that an abnormality?

[@powder7skis]

Hey Brett, are you referring to that bevel on the tip and tail of the skis? That's Armada's "smear tech", which makes it easier to press and smear the tips and tails, especially in powder. Check out Sammy Carlson for a demonstration of what smear tech helps you do. The bevel may make the side profile look a little funky. Not sure about a wobble or inconsistency on the rocker profile though! -Alex

[@dylandeoliveira2262]

Black crows NOCTA !

[@bretts7037]

They probably don't mention it because who wants to spend $1200 on a set of skis...

[@_e5598]

Which Duke PT brake width did you buy for the Blank? 125 too wide? Stretch the 100?

[@powder7skis]

Went with the 125 and it hasn't been too wide. -Matt

[@_e5598]

@@powder7skis thanks Matt!

[@elskerski]

Hey there! I am looking to upgrade my 8 year old Salomon Rocker2 106mm for the Salomon Qst Blank. Can you tell me which length you have compared to your height and why? My Rocker2 is 182cm which I find perfect for my height, 180cm, but now I am forced to choose between 178cm and 186cm and I am so confused. I live for the powder but in reality the ski will be used 50/50 off pist/on pist. I open my arms to all kind of advise, thanks.

[@powder7skis]

Hi! Definitely can be tough to pick between sizing there, you're right in the middle!! Matt clocks in around 170cm and rides the 178cm. There's a lot of rocker in those skis, and they feel pretty intuitive and manuverable for the size. I think if you prioritize stability and ski on the more fast side, I think you're safe to bump up to the 186cm. If you spend a lot of time in trees or bumps, or ski at slower speeds, I think the 178cm would feel more comfortable. The ski itself is very damp and stable, so if you prioritize manuverablility, you won't lose much stability in the shorter size. Again though, if you like to ski more aggressively, I think you might find there's not enough ski in front of you to engage in the shorter length. Tough choice, but it just comes down to what your ski style is! Hope that helps! -Alex

[@elskerski]

@@powder7skis thank you so much for the answer! I'm gonna go for the 186cm. I'm afraid to go too long, but I'm even more afraid to go too short. Hope I'm doing the right thing here, fingers crossed. 🙂🤞🎿

[@powder7skis]

@@elskerski It's always so tough! In my experience, I haven't regretted going longer. It can take a day or two to figure out, but once you've got it you got it. Happy shredding! -Alex