Understanding ski tests
How to read the test
Understand the characteristics. Find the skis that suit you.
We use four sets of criteria, matched to what the skis are designed to do. Giant Masters, Giant Slalom, Cross-Turn and Slalom share one set, but we do not assess performance in gates for Cross-Turn. All-Round and Women’s Skis share a second set; All-Mountain has a third, and VIP a fourth. The variety of designs in VIP makes explaining each ski’s character especially important.
This is a guide to our testing criteria, not a set of results. Criteria can evolve between editions: always read the labels and explanations supplied with the test you are using. Do not apply a newer set of criteria to an older test.
These explanations are public. Full current-season reviews, personal selections and scores for individual skis are reserved for the paid PDF. The 2026/2027 edition is not on sale yet.
Compare within a group
We assess each model against skis with a similar intended use. There is no single, universal scale for the whole test, so scores from different groups should not be compared. The same number of points for GS skis and all-round skis does not mean they offer the same capabilities.
Read the characteristics, not an overall score
Scores on a scale from 1 to 6 describe individual characteristics of the skis. The labels at either end explain what each scale means. A higher value does not always mean a better match: strong rebound may delight a skier who likes an active style, but not necessarily someone looking for a calm, comfortable ride.
Testers award whole points. The published results contain decimal values because we show the averages of their scores. We do not add together the points for individual characteristics. They are there to help you understand the skis, rather than identify a single winner.
A range rather than a score
The ten-segment bars show the range in which the skis work best, such as the user’s ability level, preferred turn length or style of skiing. Both the position of the highlighted area and its width matter. A broader range does not mean a higher rating.
The written review completes the picture
The comments are the most important part of our results. They explain how the skis behave on snow, what they demand of the skier and what kind of skiing they make most rewarding. Read them alongside the scores and profile ranges. Only then can you judge whether a model suits your ability and expectations.
Conditions matter
We try to test the models in each group in the same conditions and on the same sections of piste. For all-mountain skis, we also seek out more demanding conditions: piles of pushed-up snow, firn and moguls. For safety reasons, we do not encourage testers to leave groomed, marked pistes. After all, this is where most users of these skis will do most of their skiing.
Criteria by ski group
Choose a group to see what we assess and how to read each scale.
Understanding the criteria
Giant Masters
Giant slalom is the most widely practised discipline in alpine skiing. Some consider it the most difficult as well – and the best for developing sound technique. Over the past dozen or so years, race GS skis have undergone several major changes, most of them imposed by – in my opinion – some not particularly bright FIS officials.
First, they evolved from long, straight boards into shaped carving skis, simply because the latter were faster. FIS then introduced a minimum radius of 21 metres for race GS skis. A few seasons later, the radius was increased to 27 metres, the minimum waist width was set at 65 mm and the minimum length at 185 cm. Several years passed, and the federation changed the rules yet again, capping the waist width at 67 mm while increasing the required length to 195 cm and the radius to 35 metres – only to mandate another reduction a few seasons later, this time to a 30-metre radius and a length of 193 cm. All these figures refer to men’s skis.
World Cup racers managed, more or less, to adapt to the new equipment, albeit at the cost of greater strain on their knees and, above all, their spines. For amateur racers and expert recreational skiers, however, these skis became largely impossible to use. This created a need for skis built much like full-on race models, but with more user-friendly geometry.
The Rossignol and Dynastar Master models were the first to reach the market, and other brands soon followed. The entire category eventually took its name from Rossignol. Thanks to their race-derived construction and turn radii shorter than those required by FIS, these skis are suitable even for fast, proper GS racing on amateur and Masters circuits. Some can also be used by instructors and expert skiers as very fast and highly effective tools for long, groomed pistes, while others are intended strictly for training and racing.
Each score from 1 to 6 describes a separate characteristic. The labels at either end explain the scale. We do not add the scores together. A higher value does not always mean a better match for you.
- Turn initiationIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Passive → Active
How readily the skis initiate a carved turn on their own once tipped onto their edges. Very active initiation is not always an advantage: on GS skis, it can limit your freedom to choose the turn radius.
- Turn behaviourIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Nervous → Smooth
Whether the skis follow a carved arc smoothly and consistently, or feel nervous and respond unevenly to pressure.
- Edge gripIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
How securely the edges hold on hard snow, both in carved turns at high edge angles and in linked short turns on steep slopes.
- Varying turn radiusIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Difficult → Easy
How easily the skis switch from long turns to short ones and back again. This shows whether they let you change rhythm or prefer to follow their own radius.
- Edge changesIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Slow → Quick
How quickly the skis move from one edge to the other. An efficient transition makes it easier to maintain control and tighten your turns.
- ReboundIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
The energy the skis return as you move into the next turn. Strong rebound supports active skiing but calls for skill and control.
- Performance in gatesIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
How the skis perform on a set slalom or giant slalom course. This is assessed by skiing through gates, rather than predicted from free skiing.
Understanding the criteria
Giant Slalom
Consumer GS skis are for expert skiers who favour long-radius turns and cover plenty of ground on machine-groomed pistes. Many models, with a turn radius of around 18 metres at a length of 180 cm, also suit recreational racers entering industry or club events. The vast majority of these events are run as relatively straightforward giant slalom races.
Every GS ski should deliver excellent edge grip on hard snow, stability in high-speed carved turns and strong rebound out of each turn. Within this group, you will find both highly accessible skis – ideal for taking a first step into longer skis with a larger radius – and designs with a distinctly sporty character. Anyone considering the latter should be aware that without adequate technique and fitness, these skis may prove too much to handle.
The individual reviews explain the differences. Overall, these are great skis that deserve a place in the collection of anyone who takes their skiing seriously.
Each score from 1 to 6 describes a separate characteristic. The labels at either end explain the scale. We do not add the scores together. A higher value does not always mean a better match for you.
- Turn initiationIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Passive → Active
How readily the skis initiate a carved turn on their own once tipped onto their edges. Very active initiation is not always an advantage: on GS skis, it can limit your freedom to choose the turn radius.
- Turn behaviourIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Nervous → Smooth
Whether the skis follow a carved arc smoothly and consistently, or feel nervous and respond unevenly to pressure.
- Edge gripIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
How securely the edges hold on hard snow, both in carved turns at high edge angles and in linked short turns on steep slopes.
- Varying turn radiusIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Difficult → Easy
How easily the skis switch from long turns to short ones and back again. This shows whether they let you change rhythm or prefer to follow their own radius.
- Edge changesIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Slow → Quick
How quickly the skis move from one edge to the other. An efficient transition makes it easier to maintain control and tighten your turns.
- ReboundIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
The energy the skis return as you move into the next turn. Strong rebound supports active skiing but calls for skill and control.
- Performance in gatesIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
How the skis perform on a set slalom or giant slalom course. This is assessed by skiing through gates, rather than predicted from free skiing.
Understanding the criteria
Slalom
At first glance, consumer slalom skis look much like their race counterparts. They often share the same geometry. But the devil is in the detail, and those details set the two categories apart.
Consumer slalom skis are intended for skiers who enjoy well-groomed pistes at moderate speeds, linking short- and medium-radius turns. Compared with FIS slalom models, their more approachable character comes from lower torsional stiffness, an extra millimetre or two underfoot and usually a softer flex – though there are exceptions. This makes them suitable for former racers, expert skiers and even very ambitious intermediates.
For the same reason, the available lengths are not limited to the FIS-prescribed 165 cm for men and 155 cm for women. Heavier, stronger male skiers who enjoy short turns will often choose 170 cm, gaining a little more stability through the arc and, with it, greater versatility. Consumer slalom skis also deliver less explosive rebound than their FIS counterparts, making them easier for recreational skiers to tame.
Consumer slalom models can be divided into two subgroups: true consumer skis for recreational skiers from intermediate to expert level, and models that come very close to full race skis. The choice is yours – although first you need to ask whether owning a ski dedicated to short turns makes sense at all. The answer may be less obvious than it seems.
Each score from 1 to 6 describes a separate characteristic. The labels at either end explain the scale. We do not add the scores together. A higher value does not always mean a better match for you.
- Turn initiationIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Passive → Active
How readily the skis initiate a carved turn on their own once tipped onto their edges. Very active initiation is not always an advantage: on GS skis, it can limit your freedom to choose the turn radius.
- Turn behaviourIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Nervous → Smooth
Whether the skis follow a carved arc smoothly and consistently, or feel nervous and respond unevenly to pressure.
- Edge gripIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
How securely the edges hold on hard snow, both in carved turns at high edge angles and in linked short turns on steep slopes.
- Varying turn radiusIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Difficult → Easy
How easily the skis switch from long turns to short ones and back again. This shows whether they let you change rhythm or prefer to follow their own radius.
- Edge changesIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Slow → Quick
How quickly the skis move from one edge to the other. An efficient transition makes it easier to maintain control and tighten your turns.
- ReboundIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
The energy the skis return as you move into the next turn. Strong rebound supports active skiing but calls for skill and control.
- Performance in gatesIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
How the skis perform on a set slalom or giant slalom course. This is assessed by skiing through gates, rather than predicted from free skiing.
Understanding the criteria
Cross-Turn
What kind of turns do expert skiers make most often on well-groomed pistes? Medium-radius ones, of course. On pistes open to the public, there is usually too little space to let GS skis run through long arcs. On the other hand, spending an entire day linking short carved turns on slalom skis is simply too physically demanding. It therefore makes sense to choose skis that combine the qualities of both types of race-oriented ski. That is precisely what race-bred hybrids – or Cross-Turn skis, if you prefer – are designed to do.
They use full race-style construction and, structurally, differ little if at all from slalom or GS skis. Take a solid laminated wood core, add Titanal strips above and below, plus layers of fibreglass impregnated with epoxy resin. Then add an elastomer layer and sidewalls made from ABS or the stiffer phenolic material. Mix everything in the right proportions and there you have it.
Although simple in principle, this construction provides the necessary torsional stiffness, elasticity and rebound. And that is exactly what skis in this category should offer: lively, smooth performance, outstanding edge grip on hard and very hard snow, and rapid transitions from turn to turn. Their narrow waists and turn radii of around 15 metres – in a 175 cm length aimed at proficient male skiers – make them highly versatile.
They are at their best in medium-radius carved turns, but they also handle long arcs and higher speeds with ease. Amateur racers can even win industry events on them. Short turns usually demand considerable input, but they are entirely possible. In our view, every expert skier and instructor should own a pair. This is an exceptionally useful category.
Each score from 1 to 6 describes a separate characteristic. The labels at either end explain the scale. We do not add the scores together. A higher value does not always mean a better match for you.
Cross-Turn does not include a performance-in-gates score.
- Turn initiationIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Passive → Active
How readily the skis initiate a carved turn on their own once tipped onto their edges. Very active initiation is not always an advantage: on GS skis, it can limit your freedom to choose the turn radius.
- Turn behaviourIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Nervous → Smooth
Whether the skis follow a carved arc smoothly and consistently, or feel nervous and respond unevenly to pressure.
- Edge gripIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
How securely the edges hold on hard snow, both in carved turns at high edge angles and in linked short turns on steep slopes.
- Varying turn radiusIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Difficult → Easy
How easily the skis switch from long turns to short ones and back again. This shows whether they let you change rhythm or prefer to follow their own radius.
- Edge changesIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Slow → Quick
How quickly the skis move from one edge to the other. An efficient transition makes it easier to maintain control and tighten your turns.
- ReboundIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
The energy the skis return as you move into the next turn. Strong rebound supports active skiing but calls for skill and control.
Understanding the criteria
VIP
VIP is a category we created for the Independent Ski Test, rather than one recognised across the industry. It also happens to be our favourite group to test.
It contains the models each manufacturer most wants to show off to the public, but which do not fit neatly within any of the other categories. As a result, everything from full-on slalom skis to freeride models may appear side by side. Our test pilots must not only assess the quality of each ski, but also determine what it is best suited to and define its character. Nowhere else do the scores vary so widely. In my view, testing the VIP category is the most interesting part of the entire test.
VIP skis are usually out of the ordinary. We choose the most technologically advanced – and often the most expensive – models from each brand’s range. They are primarily for good and very good skiers who value performance and quality but don’t want to give up comfort altogether.
You will therefore find not only fascinating and exceptionally capable skis, but above all models with very different personalities – one of which may suit your tastes perfectly. In my opinion, most NTN Snow & More readers who do not favour a sporty style of skiing should look for their next pair in this category. You can also be confident that the written reviews explain how each tested product performs. The results do, however, need to be read extremely carefully to make absolutely sure you choose the pair best suited to your needs.
Each score from 1 to 6 describes a separate characteristic. The labels at either end explain the scale. We do not add the scores together. A higher value does not always mean a better match for you.
The ten-segment bars show the skis’ profile, not another numerical score. Darker segments indicate a greater concentration of testers’ responses.
- Adjustment timeIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Long → Short
The time needed to feel confident on the skis and make use of their capabilities. Some feel intuitive from the first turn; others take time to get to know.
- Self-steeringIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Weak → Strong
In other words, turn initiation: the tendency of the skis to enter a carved arc on their own once tipped onto their edges. A very active response will not suit everyone.
- Skidded turnsIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
The ability to ski with traditional, skidded-turn technique at moderate and higher speeds, and on steep slopes.
- Stability in turnsIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
How settled the skis feel when skiing fast on edge across different surfaces, without wandering or unsettling tip chatter.
- Skiing enjoymentIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
The tester’s personal impression of how satisfying the skis are to ride and how much they encourage another run. Read this alongside the description of their character.
- CharacterProfile range · not a score
Recreational → Performance
From recreational to sporty skiing. A sporty character can also apply to freeride or freestyle, rather than only skiing between gates.
- Skier abilityProfile range · not a score
Beginner → Advanced → Expert
The ability levels the skis suit best. A broader spread of responses indicates suitability for a wider range of skiers.
- Turn lengthProfile range · not a score
Short → Long
The length of turns in which the skis work most effectively. A broad spread of responses indicates greater freedom to choose your turn length.
Understanding the criteria
All-Mountain
Have you heard the Swiss saying about a dairy cow that lays eggs? Probably not. Never mind. The point is that combining fire and water without losing the qualities of either is very difficult.
For many seasons, ski designers have tried in vain to create a single ski that can do everything. One trait always ends up dominating. All-mountain skis were supposed to be that egg-laying cow: equally capable of carving on piste, skiing off piste and even handling deep snow.
In reality, what emerged was a category that largely duplicates all-round skis, only slightly wider underfoot and somewhat better suited to very occasional ventures just beyond the piste – genuine freeriding is not even part of the discussion. In truth, all-mountain skis are best suited to piste skiing in more demanding snow conditions: fresh snowfall, softened surfaces and firn.
They will still appeal to intermediate and better skiers who ski only occasionally – perhaps one or two weeks a season. These are skiers who put comfort ahead of rebound and the ability to ski very fast.
Read the test results carefully and you will quickly notice that all-mountain skis tend to be either very good off piste or excellent on piste. The former belong to the All-Mountain Classic subgroup; the latter are usually wider designs with a sporty character commonly referred to as All-Mountain Performance skis. The differences in scores within this category are also particularly pronounced, so careful reading is essential before making a choice.
Each score from 1 to 6 describes a separate characteristic. The labels at either end explain the scale. We do not add the scores together. A higher value does not always mean a better match for you.
The ten-segment bars show the skis’ profile, not another numerical score. Darker segments indicate a greater concentration of testers’ responses.
- Short turns on steepsIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Effective
How effectively the skis make short, controlled turns using traditional technique on steep slopes, including in difficult conditions.
- ComfortIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
How well the skis absorb small bumps, cope with piles of pushed-up snow and manoeuvre when running flat.
- Turn behaviourIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Nervous → Smooth
Whether the skis follow a carved arc smoothly and consistently, or feel nervous and respond unevenly to pressure.
- ReboundIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
The energy returned between turns. In all-mountain skiing, too much can disrupt the flow of the run, so stronger rebound will not always be the better choice.
- Edge gripIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
How securely the edges hold on hard snow, both in carved turns at high edge angles and in linked short turns on steep slopes.
- CharacterProfile range · not a score
Off-piste → Performance
From more flexible designs that lend themselves to trying off-piste skiing to stronger skis for groomed slopes in a range of conditions.
- Turn lengthProfile range · not a score
Short → Long
The length of turns in which the skis work most effectively. A broad spread of responses indicates greater freedom to choose your turn length.
Understanding the criteria
All-Round
Until quite recently, this was the term used to describe most models in almost every ski brand’s range. It has since fallen out of fashion because marketing specialists decided it sent the wrong message – and no, that is not a joke. Attempts to replace it continue to this day, with different brands taking different routes and using labels such as “piste”, “all-mountain piste”, “piste performance”, “resort frontside performance” and so on.
We prefer not to repeat the inventions of marketing departments, so we are sticking with the term All-Round – in other words, “do-it-all”. And that is genuinely the brief: these skis must perform well all day, throughout an entire holiday and across a whole season, on groomed pistes in a wide range of snow conditions. That may sound modest, but it is anything but easy.
All-round skis must be exciting enough not to become boring too quickly, while also offering a high level of comfort, because they are intended for skiers who ski purely for pleasure. They are expected to work just as well on a glassy, ice-hard piste as in soft spring snow. Finally, they should also help skiers progress, allowing intermediates to improve quickly.
All-round skis are the best-selling skis in the world, and in principle every recreational skier should own a pair: for trips with family or friends, for skiing simply for pleasure, or for those days when we do not feel like battling whatever the mountain throws at us – whether that means gates or a metre of powder. For most skiers, this will be the only pair they need.
The All-Round group is varied, but it contains some real gems. Read the individual reviews closely.
Each score from 1 to 6 describes a separate characteristic. The labels at either end explain the scale. We do not add the scores together. A higher value does not always mean a better match for you.
The ten-segment bars show the skis’ profile, not another numerical score. Darker segments indicate a greater concentration of testers’ responses.
- ComfortIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
How well the skis absorb small bumps, cope with piles of pushed-up snow and manoeuvre when running flat.
- Carved turnsIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
The ability to make short- and medium-radius turns on edge at moderate speeds.
- Skidded turnsIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
Ease of skiing with traditional, skidded-turn technique at no more than moderate speeds on moderately pitched slopes.
- Edge gripIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
How securely the edges hold on hard snow, both in carved turns at high edge angles and in linked short turns on steep slopes.
- ReboundIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
The energy the skis return as you move into the next turn. Strong rebound supports active skiing but calls for skill and control.
- Skiing enjoymentIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
The tester’s personal impression of how satisfying the skis are to ride and how much they encourage another run. Read this alongside the description of their character.
- Physical effortIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
High → Low
The effort needed to make the skis work well. This indicates whether they lend themselves to relaxed, all-day skiing or demand greater commitment.
- Skier abilityProfile range · not a score
Beginner → Advanced → Expert
The ability levels the skis suit best. A broader spread of responses indicates suitability for a wider range of skiers.
Understanding the criteria
Women’s Skis
Who are the skis in the Women’s category for? Well… presumably women. In practice, almost exclusively women – not because of the technology, but because of the distinctly feminine graphics. Unless, of course, the graphics do not bother you – hardly an issue these days.
Joking aside, in the early years of skiing all skis were unisex: there was no distinction between men’s and women’s models. Women-specific skis did not begin to appear until the 1970s, and even then each brand usually offered only one or, at most, two models. The real boom came at the beginning of this century, when every manufacturer made it a point of honour to create a complete women’s range.
Designers seemed to believe that women’s skis should, first, be light and, second, be covered in flowers. The result was a flood of designs with cores that might as well have been made of straw and childish graphics. Only relatively recently have women’s skis begun to match equivalent men’s models.
They are still lighter, but they now often use proper wood cores and sophisticated vibration-damping systems. At last, women’s skis are no longer merely a means of reaching the nearest slope-side bar and its sun loungers. They are built for a full day of fun and adventure on piste and, in the case of some models, off it as well.
This is a varied group, so look closely at both the scores and the character of each ski.
Each score from 1 to 6 describes a separate characteristic. The labels at either end explain the scale. We do not add the scores together. A higher value does not always mean a better match for you.
The ten-segment bars show the skis’ profile, not another numerical score. Darker segments indicate a greater concentration of testers’ responses.
- ComfortIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
How well the skis absorb small bumps, cope with piles of pushed-up snow and manoeuvre when running flat.
- Carved turnsIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
The ability to make short- and medium-radius turns on edge at moderate speeds.
- Skidded turnsIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
Ease of skiing with traditional, skidded-turn technique at no more than moderate speeds on moderately pitched slopes.
- Edge gripIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Poor → Good
How securely the edges hold on hard snow, both in carved turns at high edge angles and in linked short turns on steep slopes.
- ReboundIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
The energy the skis return as you move into the next turn. Strong rebound supports active skiing but calls for skill and control.
- Skiing enjoymentIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
Low → High
The tester’s personal impression of how satisfying the skis are to ride and how much they encourage another run. Read this alongside the description of their character.
- Physical effortIndividual criterion · scale 1–6
High → Low
The effort needed to make the skis work well. This indicates whether they lend themselves to relaxed, all-day skiing or demand greater commitment.
- Skier abilityProfile range · not a score
Beginner → Advanced → Expert
The ability levels the skis suit best. A broader spread of responses indicates suitability for a wider range of skiers.
Adapted from Tomasz Kurdziel’s explanations for the Independent Ski Test. Individual results remain with their own edition.