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2010-2020: The Best Skis of the Decade

As this decade comes to a close, it is time to reflect on the game-changing skis that were introduced in the past 10 years. We say “introduced” because we want to recognize the skis that were all new and not carried over from the previous decade.

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Blizzard Bonafide and Black Pearl

Let's launch right from the start with the Blizzard Bonafide and Black Pearl, two skis that very well defined the past decade. When Arne Backstrom came up with Flipcore on the way back from a surfing trip, everything changed for Blizzard. At the time Blizzard had just been purchased by the Tecnica Group, which was looking for a ski to market with Tecnica boots and a factory to produce Nordica skis. It took a chance with a (very intelligent) athlete’s construction design, and the rest is history.

The Bonafide immediately catapulted itself to the top spot as the reference ski in the 98-100 category and stayed there for pretty much the whole decade, with only minor evolutionary changes along the way. The Black Pearl defied the status quo in marketing with its purple bull and accessible performance. It basically bitch-slapped the industry to command her place as the queen of women’s skis and became the best-selling ski (not just women’s ski) for years. This is why we also billed it as one of The Most Pioneering Women's Skis of All Time.

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Head iRally and Super Joy

The Head Supershapes date back to the previous decade with the iSpeed, iMagnum, and iTitan, but none had a cult following like the iRally, which was introduced mid-decade. It was the 76mm iRally that made the biggest splash and showed the skiing world what the Supershapes were all about. The iRally bridged the gap between the narrower iMagnum and wider iTitan, bringing the Supershapes into the mainstream.

Graphene was the super power marketed as being even stronger than Vibranium itself when it was introduced in the uber-lightweight Head Super Joy. While Graphene was the material used to promote the Super Joy, it was the actual on-snow performance that separated the ski from other offerings. The Joy collection was one of the very few women’s lines that was not derived from a men's or unisex counterpart but instead was designed from the ground up specifically for women. The Super Joy was the carving ski that women who didn’t think they wanted a carving ski went out and bought.

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Nordica Enforcer and Santa Ana

The Nordica Enforcer (100) and its sister the Santa Ana (100) did their damnedest to wrestle the title of "skis that all others are judged against” from their in-house cousins, the Bonafide and Black Pearl. For years Nordica tried to retire the original-generation Enforcer and Nemesis -- but they just wouldn't die, retailers just kept ordering them. Nordica removed them from the line for a season, allowing this new brother-sister combo to rise to the top. Their shape and playfulness (along with the “Back in Black” Enforcer Proto) brought well-deserved attention to the collection when it was relaunched. For more than one season Nordica sold out of the Enforcers early in the buying cycle and redefined “early release” when the following season’s offering was on the racks as early as February. While the Santa Ana didn’t experience the sales success of the Enforcer, better women skiers flocked to it -- and for good reason, because it ripped.

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Rossignol Soul 7

Whether you liked the Soul 7 or not, it's hard to argue with its influence during the past decade. It was the powder ski that opened up the mountain to thousands of weekend warriors who had only dreamed of skiing the deep stuff like their ski movie heroes. With its simple yellow and black graphics, the Soul 7 was billed as a one-ski quiver, and intermediate skiers and up took the bait, hook line and sinker. The Soul 7 was indeed a turning point in the resurrection of the Rossignol brand.

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Stöckli Laser AX

Few might recall that the Stöckli Laser AX actually started as the Laser AR. The Laser AR was a great ski but really had no momentum at all. In 2015, Stöckli changed the name from AR to AX and changed the graphics from black and red to black and yellow, and sales took off -- the only color Stöckli saw was green. The Laser AX has been a darling of not only our test team but also our readership. It is one of the most searched, researched, and discussed skis on the site, and this consumer following can be traced to the ski's versatility. Intermediate skiers with a solid skill set can get on the Laser and it will not overwhelm them; as they progress, the ski will meld with them and the performance will be there as they improve. Yet it is also up to the task of being a top-level ski for experts, just as the comma in its price tag suggests.

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Renoun Z-90

Yes, you heard it here when we launched in 2015, we were one of the first to shout from the rooftops that the Renoun Z-90 was one of the Skis of the Decade. Was it lightning in a bottle? Sheer beginner's luck? Or was it the the fortitude and gumption of a millennial college dropout? I think it was a combination of all the above. From the first turn we made on the Renoun Z-90, we knew that young Cyrus Schenk had something special in his HDT-infused wide carver. Renoun’s two-time ISPO Gold-winning Hyper Damping Technology (now known as VibeStop) is indeed the real thing and can be felt on snow because the Z-90 is quiet and supple on the most inconsistent snow. Where the Z-90 also shines is in the wide-body charger shape, a design that was unique in the 90mm segment.


Honorable Mention

Other notable considerations include some skis that continued from the previous decade:

Blizzard Brahma
Blizzard's skinnier Bonafide was the Brahma. Where most 88mm skis at the time were wide narrow skis, Blizzard bucked the trend and made a narrow wide ski. Versatility is the cream that rose to the top.

DPS Wailer 112/112RP
The banana yellow powder ski was the one that all others were compared against. The Wailer 112 made DPS a (ski-) household name.

Head Monster 88
The reincarnated Monster 88 was better than most of the skiers who owned it. I heard more than one whisper, "You make me want to be a better skier."

K2 SuperCharger
This is the first hard snow ski that really went head to head with Head and the other Euro brands.

Kästle MX Series
The MX series made even the most frugal skiers reach deep into their wallets. The MX88 was the face of the MX collection and another ski that we billed as a Ski of the Decade.

Moment Bibby/Wildcat
A late addition brought to my attention by some readers that did change my mind. If the boys in Reno want to get us a pair to spend some time on, I would be willing to add them to our test fleet.

Völkl Mantra/Aura
These skis defined a generation. They were the King and Queen, Mother and Father, Adam and Eve of an entire generation of skis, and no “Best of” list is complete without them.

Völkl Kenja
Women flocked to the Kenja, which was the Princess to the Aura, a powerful women's ski for the masses.

I am sure many of these skis might be up for debate, especially because brand loyalties can sway one's views. But as Dave Petersen's creative image shows up top: change my mind.
About author
Philpug
I started skiing in the mid-70s in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania; from then on, I found myself entrenched in the industry. I have worked in various ski shops from suburban to ski town to resort, giving me a well-rounded perspective on what skiers want from their gear. That experience was parlayed into my time as a Gear Review Editor and also consulting with manufacturers as a product tester. Along with being a Masterfit-trained bootfitter I am a fully certified self proclaimed Gear Guru. Not only do I keep up with the cutting edge of ski gear technology, but I am an avid gear collector and have an extensive array of bindings as well as many vintage skis.

Replies

The iRally was 74mm underfoot in the shorter lengths. :) What skis in the past decade under 76mm really stood out? Stöckli Laser SX, maybe, a worthy ski for sure. The Head Suershapes were from the previous decade. Original Kästle RX was also fromt eh previous decade. Again, change my mind.

Hmmm. New, Under 76mm, really stood out. The Real skis were just a continuation of GS or SL on the Civilian Level ...OR they were Meh Fats. My Nordica GSR EDT from 2011 is such a good ski I will put it up with anything out there. For fooling around my Spitfires go everywhere. But in The Anthropocene the Race-carvers have really come on; Nord, Bliz, Dyna, Fish, are just candy. FATS are just FATS.
Find a pair of Nordica Firearrow 84 EDT's from prob'ly a decade ago. These things were monsters and probably out-gripped the Supershapes; even more Monster than the Head Monster 88 Graphine's. Sometimes a skid is your friend and the FireA's didn't.
The trick for me here in Whistler is to find a ski that works as a GS-ish first. No matter how much snow we get we're only using the top 20 cms; Unless it is cold. For 20-30cms of cold snow I would make the point that there is nothing like a Master's GS knee-deep in a bowl. They gots turn shape. Like: No-one ever skied pow-pow before things got FAT. Cold unconsolidated 'old' snow on a civilian SL is a blast. Most of my new-snow days here last year were on 168 Spitfires = 74 waist. When things shut down in March; I put skins and trekkers them because if I was gonna climb for a couple of hours I wanted a real ski back down.
The other point is that you may get a couple of hours in the chopped up stuff but Every run has huge vert of groomer to get to a main lift base. Problems arise when it warms and then I look stoopid trying to rail in the dense; but by then most bowls are filled with Safety-Turn moguls made by intermediates on FATS.
 
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I think the Navigator should have made it onto the list, but as usual it is overshadowed by it's big brother. It is just so damn playful and forgiving for the advancing intermediate, which allows one to be able to turn on the heat and progress without the ski giving away. No matter the conditions, the ski screams "You got this".
 
What skis in the past decade under 76mm really stood out?
Nordica FireArrow 74?

I think the choices you made here are good ones.

I do think that the K2 Ikonic 84Ti deserves at least an honorable mention - a versatile frontside ski that can suit intermediate and advanced skiers, those taking their time and those charging full speed, and is not only comfortable in every condition from corduroy to crud, chop, and ice, but is also good in moguls and even off-piste.
 
Nordica FireArrow 74?

I think the choices you made here are good ones.

I do think that the K2 Ikonic 84Ti deserves at least an honorable mention - a versatile frontside ski that can suit intermediate and advanced skiers, those taking their time and those charging full speed, and is not only comfortable in every condition from corduroy to crud, chop, and ice, but is also good in moguls and even off-piste.
The FA84 was a very unique ski when that released and was a consideration too. The K2 that came real close was the SuperCharger, their first ski that really went head to head with..Head and the other Euro brands. Infact I think I will add it to the Honorable Mentions.
 
I am going to lobby for the PM Gear Lhasa Pow. Without going into a whole discussion of the brand, if you were the recipient of a good pair of Lhasa's, it was almost the perfect "do it all" ski. One piece of evidence to support that is to look at the Buy and Sell sections of the TGR forum. Any pair of Lhasas that are up for sale are quickly snapped up, years later.

I wanted a pair of Lhasas for a while, but never pulled the trigger.
 
@Philpug The best way to get people talking about skis is to make a Top 10 List and sit back and let everyone add their favorite ski to the list. Next they will complain about other people's choice. Great thread BTW.
 
OK @Philpug taking a shot here......Croc's/Augment's Masters /FIS GS and SL skis? Why?

1. Despite the very limited US exposure Agument's business model and product is unique and a differentiator. How many ski companies offer an algo driven approach to let the skier select their own flex? Further, the company offers 10 different flexs to select from and an algorithm to help skiers chose this pattern. Mind blowing??? If Cyrus's development of a ski around the applied use of plasma as a dampening agent is herald as a technical breakthrough, is the manipulation of applied statistic/mathematics to help identify the ideal flex for a client deserve similar attention? Again what other global ski manufacturer has leveraged this type of technology inside of their business model? Further, what global ski manufacturer has offered this approach to skiing and actually delivers a consistently quality product? Only 1. Augment.

2. Augment masters and FIS GS and SL products reviewed exhaustively by @ScotsSkier in 2019. https://www.pugski.com/threads/augment-masters-skis-gs-world-cup-pro-and-sl-world-cup-pro.14952/

His review and assessment of the Augment's products were conducted inside a Masters race, race training and causal environments. Given @ScotsSkier reputation, respect and knowledge inside both the race and the SkiTalk communities his analysis corroborates the truly best in class and quality of Augment's product. The comparison and contrast that is made in these reviews between Augment and rivals like Atomic, Rossi and Fischer articulate that the Augment product is a cut above the rest. Passing over the gory technical details of his analysis, the Augment skis were such a game changer for @ScotsSkier the he chose to race on Augment's skis over his own regular quiver at the US Masters Nationals. According to his review this decision occurred with limited time on the skis. If that does not exhibit overwhelming confidence and set the brand apart, I don't know what does.

3. The reviews by @ScotsSkier were conducted in 2019. Inside of the 2010-2020 window. You can make the argument that 2019 was not a lot of time for product analysis, but does a game changing ski and ski company need to have a mature business model to make "THE list? Cyrus founded Renoun in 2013 BUT Croc was operational during that time, albeit in Europe with European centric distribution. Is it fair to disqualify or limit the raking of a product simply because of the geographic location and limited US market share?

4. THE list above focuses on non-race skis? Why not include a race centric product? Augment FIS or the Masters S/SL skis would be the representative of this category. If a ski deserves to be included in THE list what would be the argument against the inclusion of a race ski.

5. I have to go back to work......I took at shot at the King. Let me hear it.
 
...Blizzard really didn't become mainstream until the Bonafide and Black Pearl mentioned here.

Mmmm... Thermo’s? Olympics? OG FIREBIRDS? That’s like saying Dynamic was never a mainstream brand. I would say it took Flipcore to break blizzard out of their cycle of fame and failure: they were stuck making a fantastic line and subsequently ruining everything about it every five or so years (see: Titan series as a most recent example). Now they can seem to do no wrong.
 
I've been very happy with the 15/16 iRally skis I have, they help a lot when trying to keep up with my race buddy Rob who is skiing on the Monster 88 (and thanked me for suggesting he give Heads a try)... Although a bit more specialized, the 17/18 iSpeed Pros are tons of fun as well. :thumb::thumb:
 
Mmmm... Thermo’s? Olympics? OG FIREBIRDS? That’s like saying Dynamic was never a mainstream brand. I would say it took Flipcore to break blizzard out of their cycle of fame and failure: they were stuck making a fantastic line and subsequently ruining everything about it every five or so years (see: Titan series as a most recent example). Now they can seem to do no wrong.

Yes, Blizzard were very big in the late 60s, 70s and 80s and even though they did not have much of a US presence for a long period they were still quite mainstream in Europe. Glad you mentioned the OG Firebird. My first true race ski! A 72/73 197 Slalom race stock with 505 equipes (with the black springs), orange with blue diamond topsheet, that i got in 1973.. I got them from a college buddy - who was also British Champion - who had worked at the Blizzard factory in 72 and had actually built them! Then, they brought out the Firebird S in 73/74 with the foam core.
 
Yes, Blizzard were very big in the late 60s, 70s and 80s and even though they did not have much of a US presence for a long period they were still quite mainstream in Europe. Glad you mentioned the OG Firebird. My first true race ski! A 72/73 197 Slalom race stock with 505 equipes (with the black springs), orange with blue diamond topsheet, that i got in 1973.. I got them from a college buddy - who was also British Champion - who had worked at the Blizzard factory in 72 and had actually built them! Then, they brought out the Firebird S in 73/74 with the foam core.
I was able to get a pair of the used Firebird S for a friend. I didn't get a chance to try them because his boot size was much larger than mine but he liked the ski and used them for several years.
 
OK @Philpug taking a shot here......Croc's/Augment's Masters /FIS GS and SL skis? Why?

1. Despite the very limited US exposure Agument's business model and product is unique and a differentiator. How many ski companies offer an algo driven approach to let the skier select their own flex? Further, the company offers 10 different flexs to select from and an algorithm to help skiers chose this pattern. Mind blowing??? If Cyrus's development of a ski around the applied use of plasma as a dampening agent is herald as a technical breakthrough, is the manipulation of applied statistic/mathematics to help identify the ideal flex for a client deserve similar attention? Again what other global ski manufacturer has leveraged this type of technology inside of their business model? Further, what global ski manufacturer has offered this approach to skiing and actually delivers a consistently quality product? Only 1. Augment.

2. Augment masters and FIS GS and SL products reviewed exhaustively by @ScotsSkier in 2019. https://www.pugski.com/threads/augment-masters-skis-gs-world-cup-pro-and-sl-world-cup-pro.14952/

His review and assessment of the Augment's products were conducted inside a Masters race, race training and causal environments. Given @ScotsSkier reputation, respect and knowledge inside both the race and the SkiTalk communities his analysis corroborates the truly best in class and quality of Augment's product. The comparison and contrast that is made in these reviews between Augment and rivals like Atomic, Rossi and Fischer articulate that the Augment product is a cut above the rest. Passing over the gory technical details of his analysis, the Augment skis were such a game changer for @ScotsSkier the he chose to race on Augment's skis over his own regular quiver at the US Masters Nationals. According to his review this decision occurred with limited time on the skis. If that does not exhibit overwhelming confidence and set the brand apart, I don't know what does.

3. The reviews by @ScotsSkier were conducted in 2019. Inside of the 2010-2020 window. You can make the argument that 2019 was not a lot of time for product analysis, but does a game changing ski and ski company need to have a mature business model to make "THE list? Cyrus founded Renoun in 2013 BUT Croc was operational during that time, albeit in Europe with European centric distribution. Is it fair to disqualify or limit the raking of a product simply because of the geographic location and limited US market share?

4. THE list above focuses on non-race skis? Why not include a race centric product? Augment FIS or the Masters S/SL skis would be the representative of this category. If a ski deserves to be included in THE list what would be the argument against the inclusion of a race ski.

5. I have to go back to work......I took at shot at the King. Let me hear it.
You make a lot of great points. There is no question that Augments are great skis expecially their race skis and @ScotsSkier is a testament to thier success. If we were talking 2015-2025 and we had them here in our pools for numerous years, I am sure they would be on the list. The reason race skis are not included,in the same reason moguls or aerial skis are not, I didn't include specialty or competition skis. I went with consumer skis.

The question becomes then how do you rate the race skis, by feel or podiums? If you are going to use the latter...many have made a pretty good case for Atomic and Head.

As far as geography, our readership is 70% US based, Augment/Croc didn't have distribution in the US until this past year.

Thank you for playing, we do have some nice parting gifts for you and while you did not "Change My Mind" you did sway it.
 
Mmmm... Thermo’s? Olympics? OG FIREBIRDS? That’s like saying Dynamic was never a mainstream brand. I would say it took Flipcore to break blizzard out of their cycle of fame and failure: they were stuck making a fantastic line and subsequently ruining everything about it every five or so years (see: Titan series as a most recent example). Now they can seem to do no wrong.
Blizzard in the 1990's to 2000's was all but gone from the industry to the point when I was kiing some of my first Bonafides, I would get comments like "Who is Blizzard?" or "I thought they were out of business". As far as doing no wrong? Oh yes, they made some missteps in the past few years. Going to the "Flipcore Magnum 8.0 and 8.5 from the fantastic Magnum 8.1 and 8.7 then replacing them with the overly redundant Thermo line that had no character at all...yeah they did some wrong.
 
I love the photo at the top of this article :roflmao:.

I can't say I have the experience to weigh in a whole lot here given that I've only become a very active/passionate skier in the last three years, but I've owned two pairs of Nordica Enforcers (the first one was stolen, but I just replaced it with the exact same ski) and they are damned good skis. I'm shocked at how versatile my 110's are. They're fantastic skis for powder and crud, as you might imagine, but best of all, they're shockingly good on groomers! And I'm saying that as someone with a long ago race background (never a good racer, but it made me a better skier).

Also, I never skied Soul 7's, but they are so ubiquitous that I fully agree with their inclusion here.
 
Why did Head discontinue the Monster series? Did the Kores replace them? I didn't ski during that time, but I've read people talk about all of the different Monster Tis being the stiffest and dampest frontside skis that blasted through everything.
 
Why did Head discontinue the Monster series? Did the Kores replace them? I didn't ski during that time, but I've read people talk about all of the different Monster Tis being the stiffest and dampest frontside skis that blasted through everything.
The Monster series was phased out and absorbed by both the Kores in the wide end and Supershape iTitan on the narrower side. They replaced two exceptional skis with two compromises that will be better skis for more skiers and surely sell better. Just because I understand the decision, does not mean I have to like or agree with it. I address it here: Evolution verses Revolution.
 
Salomon S/Max Blast Skis,< 76 and S Force Bold >76 with Edge amplifier technology- Brought Salomon back to the hard snow ski arena. Daily drivers for the east. That Edge amplifier really locks you in.
 
The Monster series was phased out and absorbed by both the Kores in the wide end and Supershape iTitan on the narrower side. They replaced two exceptional skis with two compromises that will be better skis for more skiers and surely sell better. Just because I understand the decision, does not mean I have to like or agree with it. I address it here: Evolution verses Revolution.

Thanks @Philpug. The Monsters sound like they were incredibly powerful skis and not for the light of heart. I get your point in the article, and while I never got to ski them I strongly disliked the Kore 93 when I demoed it.
 

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