Review: 2027 Stöckli Stormrider 108 Skis

It’s been a while since the phrase “quiver-killer” has been used unironically. Yes, the phrase is still poignant to describe a “versatile” ski (another buzzword of the aughts and teens), but the ski marketing wizards got a bit carried away. It didn’t take long for pure groomer skis to be labeled “quiver-killers” to move product.

The problem with skiing the Stöckli Stormrider 108 in 2027 is that it’s hard not to call it a “quiver-killer”. Your friends might roll their eyes, jaded by shady marketing of the past, but the Stöckli Stormrider 108 is the closest thing to a powder ski, groomer ski, and nimble enough off-piste charger wrapped into one package in years.

Stöckli is known for state-of-the-art racing skis and World Cup podiums, and its foray into freeride seems to follow the same mold. The Stormrider 108 is a world-class ski for world-class skiers.

They made this ski for freeride champion Maxime Chabloz, after all.

View the 3 images of this gallery on the
original article

2027 Stöckli Stormrider 108 Specs

• Size skied: 186cm
• Lengths available: 174cm, 180cm, 186cm, 192cm
• Sidecut: 137 mm – 108mm – 129 mm
• Radius: 17.9m at 186 cm length
• Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
• Weight: 2056g (186cm)

Shape, Flex, and Construction

I’ve owned and skied the narrower Stöckli Stormrider 95 for the last few seasons. It’s a stiff, burly ski with little to no forgiveness. I really only bring them out on the firmest, groomiest days.

With that in mind, I was skeptical about the new Stormrider 108. With a wider underfoot platform, I assumed Stöckli had designed this ski for off-piste adventures and powder, but would the multiple sheets of metal and heavy construction of the Stormrider 95’s DNA hamper the 108 from doing what it was intended to do? In short, no.

After skiing the Stormrider 108 through sleet, mank, rain, powder, variable chop, and even bulletproof ice across a week at Grand Targhee, I left with a new perspective on metal. When done correctly, it can enhance a ski’s performance across all conditions, believe it or not.

The tail on the Stormrider 108 is a bit stiffer than what I prefer for a 105mm+ underfoot ski, but I found that the slight tail rocker combined with the burly sheets of metal in front of my toes created a sense of confidence I haven’t experienced in many skis.

The Stormrider 108 doesn’t completely “lock” you into a turn, but when you find that sweet spot, dang does it feel good as you plow through chop at high speeds before quickly shifting through a densely gladed zone.

On-Snow Performance

Skiing the Stöckli Stormrider 108 is like driving a fancy sports car or a cushy SUV. One of our testers described it as the “Cadillac” of the test, and I found that hard to argue with. Another compared the Stormrider 108 to a big enduro bike with lots of travel, while other skis felt like an XC or hardtail rig.

In short, the Stormrider 108 is incredibly damp. So damp, in fact, that many of my fellow testers noticed that I was able to charge through chop and skied out pow on the Stormrider 108 while they were hanging on for dear life. I wrote one note down after a particularly loud snow day— “These skis are so quiet that I sometimes forget they’re easily one of the heaviest I’ve ever skied. The 108 doesn’t feel too wide to slash and burn around trees and moguls, too.”

I skied the Stormrider 108 in true, untouched powder, and while it left me wanting a bit more float and poppiness, I felt grateful when I returned to the groomed run or skied-out sections below, knowing I had the ultimate confidence-inspiring ski underfoot. This felt particularly good in Targhee’s treed terrain on Fred’s Mountain. Zones like “The Good”, “The Bad,” and “The Ugly” were no match for the Stormrider 108s damp yet lively feel.

When it comes to the Stormrider 108 on groomers (I promise this isn’t hyperbole)—it’s the most fun ski I’ve ever experienced. Yes, narrower skis turn quicker and rail edges better, but when it comes to big, wide-sweeping GS turns, the Stöckli Stormrider 108 absolutely delivers. I found myself giggling as the “auto-pilot” sensations of these skis took over with each near-hip-dragging turn.

The longer groomers at Grand Targhee, like “Rolling Thunder” off the Colter Lift and “Chief Joseph Bowl” off Dreamcatcher, were perfect for testing the Stormrider 108’s edge hold and stability at speed.

We had quite the range of conditions across our week at Grand Targhee, and I kept thinking how much fun the Stormrider 108 would be for a season back home in Tahoe. Its ability to excel across rapidly changing conditions (especially skied out powder, a type of snow we’re all too familiar with down here) made me want them badly.

Comparisons

I’m struggling to find skis to compare to the Stöckli Stormrider 108. With its two sheets of titanal, 108mm underfoot width, and yet playful feel, this ski is an enigma.

The Moment Skis Countach 104 rivals in stiffness, despite its lack of metal, but the Stormrider 108 washes it away on the groomers. The Salomon QST 106 offers a similar, all-inspiring autopilot feel, but the Stormrider 108 is heavier, burlier, and better suited for advanced and expert skiers.

What Type of Skier Is the Stöckli Stormrider 108 Best for?

If you’re a Western skier looking for a premium mid-wide ski that you can rip on 95 percent of days, or you’re a hardy East Coaster that wants to splurge on a wider ski without sacrificing on-piste performance, the Stockli Stormrider 108 could be for you.

Be prepared to turn heads as skiers ask, “Wait, that’s a Stöckli?!” Oh, and get ready to stomach the $1,700 pricetag. The Stockli Stormrider 108 is an amazing ski, but it will cost you.