9 Best Big Mountain Skis

70% of a skier’s life is spent in the snow, and why shouldn’t it be? Maneuvering through the mountains is the purest feeling of all. But to make it extra special, choosing the best big mountain skis is important. 

Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate, the below-mentioned big mountain skis are the best options for you. So, take a look at them and choose your favorite skis. 

Best Big Mountain Skis

1- J Skis The Escalator

For the past ten years, Jason Levinthal has been producing J skis in the name of downhill enjoyment. Just two of the J lineup’s award-winning skis include The Friend, a hard-charging powder plank, and The Allplay, a park rat’s paradise. However, the brand-new Escalator is designed to be lightweight and easy to operate uphill, while maintaining Levinthal’s renowned excellence on the way down. With a complete aspen core, a maple mounting block, and carbon fiber stringers, the Escalator maintains J’s signature pop and energy while weighing less than similar models.

Compared to J’s wider skis, these big mountain skis rises later but has a thicker shovel to ensure float. The J skis’ designers also went with a more aggressive sidecut, which allows you to carve with greater G-force but still schmear spins when you want to gain speed.

2- Atomic Bent 100

Due to its mid-fat waist, twin-tip design, and directional shape, the Bent 100 is the third-widest sister and possibly the most adaptable. The Bent 100’s HRZN Tech big mountain skis in the tip and tail provide 10% extra surface area for excellent float and a more relaxed feel to pop, pivot, and play all over the mountain. It is a dependable tool in just about any environment, from the terrain park to the top of massive backcountry lines.

3- Icelantic Nomad 105

This specific Icelantic ski’s intended use is clear from the name. The Nomad 105 is the brand’s best-selling freeride tool for good reason; it is built to move all over the mountain. If all you’re harvesting is wind-blown buff, a 105-mm waist width is just enough to create a buoyant platform without getting in the way. The Nomad’s renowned lively, slarvy features are due to the rocker in the tip and tail, while camber underfoot enables this ski to retain an edge with the best of them. The Nomad 105 is lighter and poppier than ever thanks to a new Hybrid Flight core, without sacrificing any of its big-mountain qualities.

4- Fischer Ranger 102

Fischer’s company has used the Ranger moniker before, but the entire 2023 series has been completely redesigned. The new Ranger 102 is designed to get you out there and keep you out there, no matter the circumstances, and Fischer’s new Ranger line is “made to ski more” using its strong team of athletes, designers, store owners, and dedicated weekend warriors.

The Ranger 102 is equally adept at romping inbounds at Stowe as it is on hike-to lines in the Jackson Hole backcountry. The 102-mm underfoot ski, which has a quick DNA, will travel anywhere with you.

5- Black Crows Atris

The Black Crows Atris big mountain skis have been a favorite among big-mountain skiers worldwide since its first debut in 2014, and it continues to rank among the top big-mountain skis on the market. The Atris, which is now in its third version and sporting a revised top sheet, soars into the 2022–23 season with somewhat minor but important design changes that make this plank a little bit more adaptable and approachable for whoever decides to take it out for a spin. A progressive tip rocker and a 105-mm waist provide a broad enough platform for floating, while traditional camber underfoot and a slightly straighter sidecut offer just the appropriate amount of traction and stability in a variety of circumstances.

6- Armada Stranger

With the Stranger, Armada wants to ensure that no matter the weather on any given day, you’ll never be a stranger to the mountain. We think this plank, which measures 100 mm underfoot, is among the best big-mountain skis available this season even though it’s not designed for the deepest days and biggest sends. Instead, it’s designed to make even the most typical days seem like amazing fun.

The sole purpose of this ski is to have fun. A poplar-ash wood core keeps things light and energetic for bursting off of side hits, while a broad, edgeless tip allows for buttery-smooth moves and a rockered springboard tail begs to be wheelied. The Stranger will make it possible for you to get close to every mountain crevice if you have a craving for butter and jibs.

7- Faction Mana 2

One of the greatest big-mountain skis this season, the Mana 2 is the sleekest in the series and rapidly became a tester favorite thanks in large part to its outstanding stability compared to its featherweight feel.

The Mana 2 is asking to pop, float, slash, and smear with unflinching confidence because of its lightweight poplar core design that is reinforced in strategic locations, including a carbon-rubber stomp cushion underfoot. Were its flawless carving powers mentioned? The Mana 2 can maneuver its way through any type of snow with ease with its 102-mm underfoot.

8- Line Blade Optic 104

One of the greatest big-mountain skis this season, Line’s new metal laminate freeride ski, the Blade Optic 104, combines the brand’s freestyle roots with fall line shredding prowess to create an all-day ski for the contemporary freeride skier. Although visions of Gibby twin tips and Traveling Circus video clips may come to mind when you think of Line Skis, the company has always produced robust and amusing all-mountain skis.

The ski’s complex metal construction includes a layer of Titanal that runs longitudinally but tapers near the tip and tail to increase power and stability when you’re ripping through the runout. It also makes use of feathered metal cutouts underfoot, a design cue from the Blade, which improves the ski’s grip on the edge.

9- Völkl Revolt 104

The Revolt 104, one of the greatest big-mountain skis on the market this season, returns to the pages of our Buyer’s Guide for 2023 with only a new top-sheet design. This is due to the ski’s many freeride-centric features. The Revolt 104’s waist width makes it more accessible to the general public and more suitable for fluctuating days while boasting all of the greatest features of its larger sister, the Revolt 121. The Revolt 104 constantly excels, whether arcing turns on icy groomers, jibbing through bumps and trees, or even discovering a fresh coating of snow.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is The Difference Between All Mountain Skis And Big Mountain Skis?

All Mountain skiing generally sticks to resort skiing. All mountains can be used on groomers, glades, and terrain parks. 

Big Mountain skiing is backcountry skiing. Such skis are meant to float on deep powder. 

How To Choose Mountain Skis? 

Choosing the best skis is simple. Just keep your skill levels in check. Also, keep a check on your weight and body size. Most importantly, make sure to prioritize according to your budget. Do these, and you will be just fine. 

How Much Do Big Mountain Skis Cost?

Well, the cost of skis depends on the quality of the skis. If the quality is good, then such skis are going to be expensive. Similarly, if the quality is low, then the price will be low too. The same criteria are followed with all ski types, like free-style skis, free-ride skis, and racing skis.