2014 Ski Reviews from the Start Haus

Between Outdoor Retailer, SIA, WWRSA at Alpine Meadows and Mammoth Mountain, our ski testers have been hard at work figuring out what goes on the ski wall for next year.

It's been mostly firm snow across the west, but we tested everything from skinny carving skis to fat powder skis, and a few favorites have started to surface. This isn't a comprehensive list, just the skis that have already started catching our attention.

Just a few of the Start Haus crew out testing at Alpine Meadows.

First up, no surprise, many of our testers - even some hold outs to the Blizzard flipcore design - raved about the Blizzard Brahma. Jared said it was forgiving yet held a good edge and was stable at high speed. Kenzie said it was super responsive and a great carver, while surprising her off-piste.

Also on the narrow end, our head ski tester, Sierra Jim also liked the HEAD i.Supershape Rally, Dynastar Speed Course Pro and the Stockli Lazer AR. Greyson liked the HEAD Rally as well, finding they didn't seem to give up anything on more aggressive carving skis, while being less punishing - a great do-it-all on-piste ski.

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In the growing mid-fat range of skis, the Nordica Vagabond (107 mm under foot) was an instant favorite. Phil (Philpug at Epicski) said "Normally I don't go for a ski that width, but this is the first one I'd use as an everyday ski - this will be my Squaw-Alpine Ski for next year. Greyson spent a day on 100-something skis at Alpine and also picked out the Vagabond, along with the K2 Annex 108 as favorites. The Blizzard Bonafide of course continued to be a favorite in the 98 mm range, and Kenzie also liked the Atomic Ritual. "It is a charger, like a larger GS ski that's good off piste." She said it was stable, fun and aggressive.

Backcountry Guru Craig Dostie's favorites included our perennial favorite, the Blizzard Bonafide, and the new-for-next-year K2 Annex 98. The ski was stable and could hold an edge well in firm conditions, Dostie said, and could make any turn shape with ease, a big plus in the versatility department.

Sierra Jim and Kenzie loved the Stockli Stormrider 107. "All I wrote on my testing card was 'wow!'" Kenzie said. It was as smooth as glass, super stable and easy to turn. Jim said it was head and shoulders above the rest.

The metal-less High Mountain version of the Dynastar Cham 107 HM also ranked high for Jim and Greyson, making for a lively, versatile ski that didn't seem to have any week spots in its performance.

Jim was surprised by the K2 Shreditor 102 - not normally Jim's style, but a super versatile and playful ski that's also a great value for next year.

On the women's specific side, Kenzie liked the Armada TST W. "A really aggressive all mountain ski that's easy to turn."

In the powder category, James and Jared both liked the Volkl One, saying it had all the right ingredients to shred powder - full rocker, taper - but was better on hard snow than other powder skis. "It was not as floppy as other powder skis," Jared said. "It does everything well," James said.

Arcing big-ol GS turns down Wolverine Bowl at Alpine, Shane was really surprised by the Line Sick Day 125, saying he couldn't believe how well the 125 mm underfoot ski did in firm conditions.

Everybody was impressed with the Salomon Quest 98 - by far one of the best value skis at $499, competing with more expensive skis in its category.