Best Skis for Slushy Snow

Skis that are made for slushy snow are often heavier than those made for dry snow. Slushy snow is often sticky and can cause minor abrasions and soakings. The base of skis can be heavy due to ice crystals adhering to the base. Partly melted snowflakes are also very sticky and make skiing in slush difficult. Wet snow requiers some tips for how to deal with it.

Elan Ripsticks

The Elan Ripstick is an asymmetric ski with 96mm width underfoot. It is a popular choice for touring and freeride. The ski's shape provides enough edge control in turns, while minimizing its float in fresh snow. The ski is also light and stable, and has a predictable feel even at high speeds.

The Elan Ripstick 106 is an excellent lightweight freeride ski that is easy to turn on and works well in variable terrain. Its asymmetric rocker profile and additional carbon reinforcements on the inside edges provide easy turn initiation and strong edge hold, despite its short length. The Ripstick 106 is also easy to slide, making it great for all-around skiing.

The Ripstick 106 is lightweight, weighing only 1900 grams for an 188 cm model. The lightweight construction makes it easy to edge, and it doesn't feel as damp as heavier skis. The ski's sidecut radius is 23 metres, which provides stability and predictability while skiing in variable snow.

Black Edition Skis

The Black Edition skis have a world-class racing base and full carbon tips for lightweight swing weight. They also feature a tail protector with integrated skin-clip tab. Testers were impressed by their performance, and noted that the graphene tip and tail add pop and liftoff over moguls and billowy piles. All in all, the skis were very reliable and fun to ride, especially in fresh snow.

Atomic 2.0 skis are great for all-mountain skiing with their symmetrical twin design and a park bias. The lightweight carbon stomp pad makes the skis very maneuverable, and the mid-fat profile provides a firm platform for railing through spring slush.

Blade Optic

The Line Blade Optic skis are a wide and aggressive all mountain ski with a progressive flex. This makes them great for slushy snow, but they also are more supple and forgiving in bumpy terrain. You'll learn how to ski nicely in slushy snow with them. The edge-to-edge speed and stability make them great for intermediate to advanced skiers.

The Blade Optic skis come in four different widths: 92, 96, and 114. The second-widest, the 104, has an aspen wood core with extra thick edges. Each of the four Blade Optic skis comes with Gas Pedal Metal on the midsection, and they have twin tips and lots of rocker underfoot.

Whether you're skiing switch turns or trying to turn, slushy snow can be a challenge. A pair of centered-mount skis can help. This kind of design features a tail that's slightly ahead of the board and an early rise in the tail. These two features combine to make the skis more maneuverable, and they'll last you all season long.

Legend X 106

The Dynastar Legend X 106 skis offer power and playfulness to help you float on slushy snow. Its full sandwich construction and energetic paulownia wood core make it a versatile all mountain option. The Legend X 106 is the brand's largest all mountain offering. The Legend X 106 skis also have a progressive shape, 96mm waist, and more tail rocker than its predecessors.

The Legend X 106 skis are mid-fat, which makes them an excellent choice for slushy snow. The 96mm underfoot gives the ski a great platform for fresh snow and is wide enough to rail through spring slush. The ski is easy to turn and is lightweight, too.

Rennstall

If you ski slushy snow, you need a ski that can handle the slippery conditions. You may already own some Rennstall skis, but if you're not sure which ones are right for your style and your level of skiing, you'll want to get them tuned. The Rennstall Tech Center can provide ski tuning, utilizing their world-class Wintersteiger equipment. This will make your skis turn smoother, ride smoother and stop quicker. The technicians at the Tech Center can give you the most accurate tune possible, from the base structure to the finishing coat of wax.

Slushy snow requires a different approach to skiing than hardpack groomers, so you'll need to adjust your stance accordingly. It's important to maintain a boot neutral stance, which means putting pressure evenly on the front and back of the boot. You'll also need to keep your weight over the center of the skis. This will help you turn and carve smoothly on slushy snow. Learn more through our articles about skiing in heavy wet snow.