After reviewing skis for for decades, we have found many ways to pass along our interpretations. One of the most common questions we get is to compare one ski directly against another; usually they are two similar skis but sometimes they are completely different. This is where reviewing multiple skis in a comparison can fall short, and the same goes for individual reviews. So, how do we assess the two skis that the skier is looking at? Cage Match Comparisons!
Our Cage Matches are meant to be informative, educational, thought-provoking, fun, and (most important) helpful. We pit similar models against each other, looking at power vs power, finesse vs finesse, power vs finesse; we look at sibling rivalries where two similar skis come from the same brand or sister companies and even the occasional tag team matches.
We are not picking a winner in these comparisons; they are intended to help skiers choose which one is the best ski for them personally. If 10 people are considering these skis, five might choose one, four might choose another, and that last wouldn’t be able to decide if the ghost of Doug Coombs himself brought down the answer from the sacred peaks of the Tetons. We also add a few alternative skis, some other options in the same class. These threads are in the community, so we welcome any questions you might have.
This is an ongoing series, and we will be adding to it especially as new models are introduced.
2023 Comparisons
Carry over from 2022 to 2023 (possibly with a graphics change)
Carryover from 2021 to 2022 (possibly with a graphics change)
Our Cage Matches are meant to be informative, educational, thought-provoking, fun, and (most important) helpful. We pit similar models against each other, looking at power vs power, finesse vs finesse, power vs finesse; we look at sibling rivalries where two similar skis come from the same brand or sister companies and even the occasional tag team matches.
We are not picking a winner in these comparisons; they are intended to help skiers choose which one is the best ski for them personally. If 10 people are considering these skis, five might choose one, four might choose another, and that last wouldn’t be able to decide if the ghost of Doug Coombs himself brought down the answer from the sacred peaks of the Tetons. We also add a few alternative skis, some other options in the same class. These threads are in the community, so we welcome any questions you might have.
This is an ongoing series, and we will be adding to it especially as new models are introduced.
2023 Comparisons
- Fischer RC4 The Curv GT vs Head Supershape e-Rally
- Dynastar M-Pro 99 vs Dynastar M-Free 99
- Salomon Stance 102 vs Volkl Mantra 102
Carry over from 2022 to 2023 (possibly with a graphics change)
- Dynastar M-Pro 90w vs Liberty Evolv 90w
- Augment AM98Ti vs Kastle MX98
- Fischer RC One 86 GT vs Rossignol Experience 86Ti
- Ladies Day: Fischer RC One 82 GT vs Rossignol 82Ti W
- Dynastar M-Pro 99 vs Dynastar M-Free 99
- K2 Disruption Ti2 vs Volkl Deacon Master 72
- Atomic Maverick 95Ti vs Volkl M6 Mantra
Carryover from 2021 to 2022 (possibly with a graphics change)
- Nordica Enforcer 94 vs Salomon Stance 96
- Volkl Deacon 84 vs Volkl V.Werks 84
- Armada Declivity 82 vs Liberty Evolv 84
- K2 Mindbender 99Ti vs K2 Reckoner 102
- Dynastar M-Pro 90 vs Salomon Stance 90
- Kastle MX88 vs Augment All Mountain 88 C
- Stöckli Laser AR vs Blossom Cross Wind
- Blizzard Bonafide 97 vs Nordica Enforcer 100
- K2 Disruption MTi vs Head Supershape eMagnum
- Nordica Enforcer 104 Free vs Rossignol Black Ops Sender Ti
- Volkl Kendo 88 vs Nordica Enforcer 88
- Salomon S/Force Bold vs Fischer RC One GT86
- Salomon S/Force Bold vs Volkl Deacon 84
- Blizzard Rustler 10 vs Volkl Mantra 102
- Augment All Mountain 77Ti vs Blossom White Out
- K2 Mindbenders 99Ti vs Liberty Evolv 100
- Renoun Citadel 106 vs Kastle FX106 HP
- Liberty V92 vs Liberty Evolv 90
- Renoun Endurance 98 V3.0 vs DPS Alchemist Wailer 100 RP
- K2 Mindbender 98 Alliance vs Blizzard Black Peal 98
- Liberty V92 vs Salomon QST 92
- Nordica Santa Ana 88 vs Nordica Santa Ana 93
- Volkl Mantra 102 vs Nordica Enforcer 100
- Blizzard Black Pearl 98 vs K2 Mindbender 98Ti Alliance
- Head Supershape iTitan vs Fischer The Curv GT
- Blizzard Rustler 9 vs Nordica Enforcer 93
- Armada Tracer 98 vs Head Kore 99
- Blizzard Black Pearl 88 vs Völkl Secret 92
- Rossignol Experience 94 vs Völkl Mantra M5
- DPS Foundation Cassiar 94 vs Liberty V92
- Head Monster 83 vs Liberty V82
- Elan Ripstick 106 vs Head Kore 105
- Dynastar Legend W84 vs Rossignol Experience 84 Ai W
- Kästle MX74 vs. Stöckli Laser AX
- Dynastar SpeedZone 12 vs Salomon S/Max 12
- Liberty V76 vs Head Supershape iRally
- Blizzard Brahma vs Rossignol Experience 88 Ti
- Three Way Ladies Choice: Blizzard Black Pearl 78 vs Liberty V76 W vs DPS Alchemist 79
- Time Machine Cage Match: Völkl Mantra
- Nordica Navigator 90 vs Rossignol Experience 88 Ti
- Armada Tracer 98 vs Head Kore 99
- Renoun Endurance 98 V3.0 vs. Kästle FX95 HP
- Three-way: Kästle BMX105 HP vs Stöckli Stormrider 105 vs Renoun Citadel 10
- Blizzard Brahma/Bushwacker vs Nordica Navigator 90/85
- Blizzard Bonafide vs Blizzard Rustler 10
- Blizzard Rustler 11 vs Nordica Enforcer 110
- Armada Trace 98 vs Blizzard Black Pearl 98
- Head Great Joy vs Völkl 90Eight
- Kästle MX89 vs Renoun Z-90
- Head Kore 93 vs Nordica Enforcer 93
- Head Wild Joy vs Renoun Z-90
- Head Kore 117 vs DPS Foundation Wailer 112
- Blizzard Black Pearl 88 vs Head Wild Joy
- Head Wild Joy vs Head Kore 93
- Head Monster 88 vs Fischer Pro MTN 86Ti
- Blizzard Black Pearl 88 vs Head Wild Joy
- Atomic Redster S9 vs Rossignol Hero Elite ST Ti
- Head Supershape Rally vs K2 Super Charger
- Armada Victa 87Ti/Invictus 89Ti vs Völkl Kenja/Kendo
- Nordica Enforcer 93 vs Enforcer 100
- DPS Foundation Zelda 106 vs K2 Luv Boat
- Kästle MX89 vs Kästle FX85 HP
- Stöckli Laser AX vs Stöckli Laser SX
- Renoun Z-77 vs Renoun Z-90
- Head Monster 88 vs Head Kore 93
- Blizzard Sheeva 10 vs Atomic Backland FR 102 W
- Dynastar Legend X96 vs Salomon QST 99
- SPONSORED: @SkiEssentials Blizzard Brahma SP vs Nordica NRGy 85 R
- K2 iKonic 84Ti vs Völkl RTM 84 UVO
- Head Power Instinct Ti Pro vs Völkl RTM 84 UVO
- Stöckli Stormrider 88 vs Kästle MX89
- Head Supershape Rally vs K2 SuperCharger
- Armada Victa 87Ti/Invictus 89Ti vs Völkl Kenja/Kendo
- Nordica Enforcer 93 vs Enforcer 100
- DPS Foundation Zelda 106 vs K2 Luv Boat
- K2 OooLaLuv vs K2 AllLuvit
- Kästle MX89 vs Kästle FX85 HP
- Stöckli Laser AX vs Stöckli Laser SX
- Look Pivot 12 Dual vs Salomon STH2 WTR 13
- Renoun Z-77 vs Renoun Z-90
- Race Skis:
- Masters Giant Slalom skis: 2017 Masters GS Skis
- Masters Slalom skis: 2017 Non-FIS SL Skis
- Blizzard Bonafide vs Nordica Enforcer
- Blizzard Cochise vs Völkl 100Eight
- Blizzard Black Pearl vs Armada Victa 87Ti
- Head Monster 88 vs Stöckli Stormrider 88
- Völkl Mantra vs Völkl 90Eight
- Rossignol Hero Elite ST Ti vs Völkl Speedwall SL UVO
- DPS Foundation Cassiar 95 vs K2 Pinnacle 95
- Atomic Vantage X 83Ti vs Völkl RTM 84 UVO
- Atomic Vantage 100 CTi vs Salomon QST 99
- Blizzard Brahma vs Rossignol Experience 88HD
- Line Sir Francis Bacon vs Rossignol Soul 7 HD
- Dynastar Glory 84 vs Dynastar Cham 2.0 W 87
- Blizzard Peacemaker vs J Skis The Metal
- Dynastar Powertrack 84 vs Rossignol Experience 84HD
- Blizzard Bonafide vs Head Monster 98
