The Best Women's Skis of 2027

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When it comes to women’s specific outdoor gear, it’s a mad, mad world out there. Although women’s gear has come a long way from the hallmark days of “shrink it and pink it,” there are still far less market options for women and even less that aren’t slightly dumbed/shrunk down versions of a men’s ski.

In order to find the very best ski options out there that are women’s specific for one reason or another, we rounded up a crew of badass female skiers at Grand Targhee last spring. Amongst our testers were mountain guides, ski patrollers, and other industry professionals all of whom absolutely shred on skis, not to mention kept our entire crew glittered, costumed, and even provided bougie Aperol Jell-O shots throughout the week. Skis were put to the test in conditions that ranged from slush, to re-frozen slush, to literal mud, to some of the best powder we’ve ever skied.

So, what makes a good women’s ski? Well, like all skis, that depends on the skier’s preferences and ability. However, a wide range of size availability from lengths in the 150cm to 180cm range is a great place to start. While it’s true that some women who are lighter-weight prefer a lighter weight ski, it’s not true about all women and light weight skis often require a bit of extra thought in the design process to keep them damp and stable. With that in mind, a thoughtfully crafted ski that has downhill performance in mind as much as weight is important. Lastly, a ski that’s constructed the same as the men’s with it’s own flair on the top sheet that says “we care about making women’s specific skis, but we know women will love this burly ski as much as men,” is a really nice look for all the gals who would probably just ski the men’s otherwise. After all, if equity can be a better top sheet, we’ll take it.

We’ve chosen a range of skis to have something that (hopefully) suits all kinds of skiers and tastes. All of our picks pretty much fall in the all-mountain category, but if that’s not quite what you’re looking for, maybe these picks can at least guide you in the right direction.

About POWDER’s Editor’s Picks List

Our Editor’s Picks lists are collections of the skis, boots, outerwear, and other gear that stood out to us while testing. If you want to learn more about how reviews work at Powder, we’re very transparent about our process. 

These lists are constantly growing and evolving as we try new gear, all season long. If you’ve got a favorite piece of equipment that you think we should write about, let us know here. And, if you represent a brand or company and think your gear deserves a writeup, we’d love to get in touch. 

Armada Antimatter 100W

• Lengths available: 154cm, 161cm, 168cm, 175cm, 182cm,
• Sidecut: 130mm-100mm-120mm (168cm)
• Profile: Directional twin-tip
• Radius: 16m (168cm)

The mid-width of Armada’s new ski, the Antimatter 100, was made to be an ultra-versatile ski that bridged the gap between a narrower, more freestyle inspired ski and the burly big mountain feel of the 108 and 114. Although the Antimatter 100W is effectively the same as the regular version, it comes in a different/smaller range of sizes and with a different colorway (that’s way sicker, IMO) and is a reminder that women also love an aggressive freeride ski. 

Like Armada’s ARV series, the Antimatter uses a 100% poplar core which cuts down on weight and keeps the ski light and full of life. However, Armada layered in what they call Speed Metal, which is actually just Titanal layers placed underfoot that taper towards the tip and tail of the ski to beef the ski up a fair bit. The design of the metal layers allows for all the damping and stability of a ski you’d want to take on big terrain with, but allows the playful nature of the 100% poplar core to shine through as well. Although the Antimatter 100 doesn’t really have a gentle ‘hop on and feel it out’ setting, it’s also not a ski that punishes the skier when things get a little loose. 

Armada team skier Anne Hjorleifson said that the AntiMatter 100W was “everything she’d always wished for” in a ski and if that’s not a good endorsement, I don’t know what is. 

Elan Ripstick 100W

• Lengths available: 154cm, 161cm, 168cm, 175cm
• Sidecut: 134mm-100mm-114 (168cm)
• Radius: 16.8 (168cm)
• Profile: Amphibio profile
• Weight: 1535g

The Elan Ripstick is perhaps the biggest dark horse in the all-mountain/freeride ski category. A combination of an innovative and interesting construction, a wild shape, and a sweet spot of “put this ski on edge, but then probably jump off something too” sets the Ripstick 100 W aside from other skis in the same category. While the 100mm underfoot width would put it pretty squarely in the middle of the road for all-mountain skis, a substantial, shovel-shaped tip, just a touch of flare in the tail, and good amount of camber also make this ski pretty darn versatile when it comes to skiing deeper snow and staying maneuverable. However, what’s even more interesting about the Ripstick 100 W (and the rest of the Ripstick lineup) is what the brand calls Amphibio Technology, or in other words, the skis are asymmetrical. The inside edge of the ski’s contact point is closer to the front of the ski than on the outside edge, meaning there actually is a left and right ski.

Elan keeps the ski super light with a laminate wood core that has two carbon tubes inserted in it along the length of the ski to add edge stability, without adding a ton of extra weight. A layer of Flax Fiber is placed in the tip of the ski to reduce tip vibration and dampen the ski in firmer snow at high speeds. Those who want a lightweight ski that rips in a variety of conditions, allows for exploration and play, and comes in sizes ideal for smaller skiers should not overlook the Ripstick. 

K2 Mindbender 101W

• Lengths available: 157cm, 164cm, 171cm
• Sidecut: 130mm – 101mm – 122mm
• Radius: 17m (171cm)
• Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
• Weight: 1735g (171cm)

K2 revamped the Mindbender line for 26/27 and the 101W (which is the same as the 101 with a different topsheet and size range) with only the Mindbender 111 above it in terms of width, aims to be a versatile daily-driver ski with a propensity for soft snow. While only being 5mm wider than the next size down in the line, the Mindbender 96, the Mindbender 101 feels almost like an entirely different class of ski.

The new Mindbender features a new damping technology called “Dark Matter,” which consists of small TPU blocks with metal fused to the edge of the ski.  Instead of using full sheets of metal to provide damping, K2 installed small pucks containing TPU and a metal powder at inflection points in the ski (the exact positions were largely found through iterating and trial-and-error) to counteract and stop vibrations from spreading through the ski. That leads to an overall softer flex and lighter weight, but without vibrations and chatter killing the ride quality.  

As a result, the Mindbender 101 is stable when you need it, slashy and freestyley when you want, and it has enough backbone to point a straight line through a chute when the opportunity arises. “Intermediate to advanced skiers can enjoy the energetic, surfy feel, while turning even the mellowest of terrain and smallest of side hits into a vast playground.” said one tester.

Salomon QST 100

• Lengths available: 148cm, 156cm, 164cm, 172cm, 180cm, 188cm
• Sidecut: 130mm – 100mm – 118mm
• Radius: 17.5m (180cm)
• Profile: directional rocker/camber/rocker 
• Weight: 1880g (180cm)

Salomon has made exceptionally high quality women’s and unisex skis for many years now, but the QST line they introduced for 2025/26 that remains largely unchanged for 2026/27 really knocks it out of the park. In years prior, Salomon had a women’s version of the QST 100 and 106 (the Lumen and Stella, respectively), but the French brand has now decided to simply offer the same ski with two topsheet options.

The QST 100 is made with a lightweight, responsive poplar wood core and to dampen the ski, Salomon uses a sci-fi cool combination of cork in the tip of the ski and superlight Basalt fibers. There is a piece of Titanal in them, but only underfoot as a binding reinforcement and for a little extra edge grip. the QST 100 is best paired with firmer conditions at the resort, both on and off piste. This is one of the most confidence-inspiring skis for firm conditions, no matter the terrain, be it morning groomers, afternoon bumps, or (more than anything) chalky alpine steeps that require quick, finesse-y skiing. Off-piste, the soft flex, paired with damping properties of the basalt stringers and cork inserts, allows the ski to track through chop and skied-off snow better than most. The edges absolutely will not skitter across unexpected firm patches, instead holding steady like a car with traction control. While it holds up at speed, the QST also encourages skiers to keep it fun.

“This ski wants to find side hits all over the mountain,” said one tester. Generally speaking, the QST 100 brings the versatility, easygoing yet confidence-inspiring character, and extremely fun shape of the whole QST line into a package for everyday resort skiing, making it one of the best all mountain skis of the year.

Stöckli Nela 93

• Lengths available: 156cm, 163cm, 170cm 
• Sidecut: 130mm-93mm-117mm (163cm)
• Radius: 14.2m (163cm)
• Weight: 1570g (163cm)

Swiss ski maker Stöckli’s women’s specific freeride series, the Nela, takes design elements from their flagship freeride ski, the Stormrider, but puts it in a smaller, lightweight package. For 26/27, Stockli replaced the Nela 96 with the Nela 93 in the lineup and made a few key tweaks to the shape of the ski in order to help it perform better on groomers and hardpack as well as off-piste. Notably, the Nela 93 only comes in three lengths, all of which are on the shorter side and limit the demographic of the ski a fair bit, but also offers a great choice for those who prefer shorter skis.

In an effort to keep the Nela 93 lightweight, the ski is constructed with Stöckli’s Light Core and Super Light Core, using a mix of beech, poplar, and paulownia for a mix of soft and more durable woods. The wood core is then sandwiched between two sheets of Titanal to strengthen the ski. Stöckli also opts not to use a traditional polyamide topsheet, and instead does away with a topsheet completely, instead opting to powdercoat the top layer of metal to save more weight.

While the combination of metal with an otherwise light construction means that the Nela 93 performs beautifully without testers feeling like they really had to drive the ski super hard or like it lacked composure at lower speeds, it is still a metal ski, made by ski racers, so it doesn’t quite have the same “hangover ski” quality as some others. When cruising around on groomers, even icy ones, the Nela 93 remains stable and easygoing, but also it doesn’t back down from being taken up to speed and making, big sweeping turns.

Overall, this ski is built for ex-racers or lifelong skiers who want something nice and light to cruise around a wide open piste on like those found at Sun Valley or shocker, in much of Europe.

Nordica Santa Ana 97

• Lengths available: 150cm, 155cm, 161cm, 167cm, 173cm, 179cm
• Sidecut: 129mm – 97mm – 117mm
• Radius: 17.5m (173cm)
• Profile: All mountain rocker
• Weight: 2000g

 The Nordica Santa Ana 97 compliments the rest of the Santa Ana line as truly one of the most versatile women’s skis on the market that doesn’t make the same compromises as so many other women’s skis. The second widest ski in Nordica’s women’s all-mountain line up, behind the 102, the Santa Ana 97 might be one of the most true “all-mountain’”skis to exist. 

Where Nordica really hits the nail on head with the Santa Ana is in its construction. A beech/poplar wood core keeps the ski delightfully light and poppy, while an elastomer layer works to dampen the ski. What Nordica calls their TSM Pulse Core is completed by a sandwich of Titanal that’s tailored in width to the width of each ski in the Santa Ana lineup to provide the right amount of dampening, edge grip, and stability for the ski’s intended use. The narrower the ski, the more metal for optimized performance on hardpack,  the wider the ski, the less metal to keep it playful in soft snow. Rarely do we find women’s specific skis with two sheets of Titanal in them, and boy is it refreshing. There’s no doubt the TSM Pulse Core makes the Santa Ana a hard-charging ski, but since when did ‘women’s ski’ and ‘hard-charging’ need to cancel each other out?

Those looking for a dependable, yet fun, daily driver at a mountain like Steamboat, Grand Targhee, or Deer Valley can’t go wrong with the Santa Ana 97. A ski that will grow with one’s abilities, it would also be a great ski to take an intermediate skier to feeling confident and charging in advanced terrain.