Best Women’s Skis – Frontside, Backcountry, and Powder

December 9th, 2013 • BY Leah Fielding

Women’s Gear Guide blogger and freelance ski journalist, Leah Fielding, shares some of her top ski picks for women the 2013/14 season. Leah is particularly interested in skis that can perform well and address women’s anatomical issues, because “We’re four to six times more likely to suffer a knee injury than men,” she says. “Skis that are lighter and, thus, more maneuverable tend to help prevent wear and tear to our knees.”

Leah participated in the Snowsports Industries of America on-snow test in Winter Park last January where she had the opportunity to try out dozens of pairs of skis. Here’s what she recommends for female intermediate skiers, frontside carving divas, powder seekers, and ladies who like to explore in the backcountry.

Top Women’s Powder Ski: Rossignol Star 7

A fan favorite in the powder class, the Rossignol Star 7, formerly known as the S7w, is once again a top choice this ski season. Over the last three years, the S7w and all of its iterations has been the shining example of one of the best uses of rockered tip and tail and traditional—albeit shortened—camber and sidecut.

The design has swept the ski industry and you’ll be hard pressed to find a manufacturer that doesn’t create something similar. The rockered tip and tail allows for optimal flotation in deep powder, much like a water ski, while the traditional camber and shortened (matched) sidecut allows the ski to carve a turn quite nicely, making it great in both powder and on groomers.

Renowned for its powder performance and versatility in all conditions, the Star 7 has seen some significant upgrades this year that only continue to enhance the performance of this ski. The most notable changes include a new “Air Tip,” which reduces the swing rate by 20 percent, vastly improves maneuverability, and helps prevents fatigue. Proprietary tech terms, like “Air Tip” may seem like a marketing tactic, but Rossignol designed its new tip and tail so you can actually see through the top sheet to the Air Tip construction, which is quite cool.

I was able to take this beefy ski (116 mm waist) out for a test drive during Snowsports Industries of America ski demo in Winter Park. My first run on them was through the trees and all I could think was, “I feel like a fairy.” The new Air Tip construction is responsible for this feeling of zippy lightness. I was able to dash in and out of trees—and effortlessly swing these skis around whatever obstacle came in my path. If you crave slarvy floatation and seamless maneuverability through powder—and a ski that can also set an edge on groomers—the Star 7 is the ski for you.

Lengths: 162,170,178, 188
Dimensions: 140-116-130

Top Women’s Backcountry Ski: DPS Yvette Pure3

Having a lightweight ski isn’t just important for the sake of our knees on the frontside—it’s critical when venturing into the backcountry. When you’re skinning (aka ski touring) for several miles with skis and boots strapped to your feet any extra weight can drain your energy and make it difficult (and sometimes unsafe) when it comes time to descend. Every bit of energy reserved is vital when you’re skiing in the backcountry.

That’s where DPS skis come in. The DPS Yvette, which is the female counterpart to DPS’ cult classic Wailer, is designed using carbon laminate and a poppy but lightweight aspen core. At less than 3.75 pounds per ski, the Yvette is one of the lightest alpine skis on the market.

A burly sidewall construction and Austrian World Cup-caliber base ensures that this ski, despite its incredible lightness, will stand up to whatever random backcountry conditions are thrown your way. And, because the women’s Yvette combines a rockered tip and tail with a 112 mm waist with traditional camber, this ski offers a buttery feel when dropping into untouched powder fields but it is also stable enough to charge through variable snow conditions.

I was able to demo this ski at Snowmass last winter and loved it—its performance is reminiscent of the versatile but powder-hungry Rossignol Star 7. This ski is an ideal pick for an AT set-up, and would pair well with a Dynafit Free Radical 110 touring binding, or even the Marker Tour F10 or F12 (if you’re looking for more of sidecountry ski).

Lengths: 168, 178
Dimensions: 141/112/128

Top Women’s Frontside Ski: Volkl Yumi
If you’re looking for a playful ski that you can really lay over and slice and dice on corduroy look no further than the Volkl Yumi. The Yumi is not only an excellent carver; it also loves weaving in and out of trees, popping around moguls, and it can hang on variable snow conditions including powder.

When testing the Yumi I was impressed with its playfulness and pop. And, thanks to its lightweight construction. I could have easily skied all day (and then some).

The early rise tip allows for easy edge engagement and turn transition. The Volkl Yumi should be a top-of-mind choice for ladies who prefer carving but want the option to dip into the trees or slash up a powder run. Also, their poppiness makes them a favorite among female park and pipe skiers. The Yumi can truly go anywhere and elicit plenty of smiles on the frontside.

Lengths: 147, 154, 161, 168

Dimensions: 125-83-103

Top Women’s Intermediate Ski: Rossignol Temptation 76 Xelium

The intermediate stage of skiing is a key phase and more and more manufacturers are making better-quality skis to help make progression easier.

This change has been prompted by rockered technology research (aka tips and/or tails that rise off the snow). Many people still view rockered technology as a powder-specific feature, but it is simply not limited to just one function. Manufacturers have discovered that adding early rise to just about every model of ski allows the skier to more easily engage the tip, and feel more comfortable venturing into more challenging terrain and snow conditions.

Rossignol is leading this charge for intermediate skiers, and its Temptation 76 Xelium ski is the star. The Temptation 76 Xelium provides intermediate to advanced skiers with the perfect ski for conquering the whole mountain. As mentioned, the Temptation 76 employs early tip rise for efficient edge engagement and maneuverability—the early rise prevents the all-too-common edge catch that can send less experienced skiers flailing.

Traditional camber and sidecut allows for effortless carving. And, the 76 mm waist (underfoot) gives ladies looking to duck off the groomers and enjoy some side-trail freshies the opportunity to do so.

If you’re looking for a ski that truly makes skiing fun and easy—and gives you the confidence to try new terrain and snow conditions—the Rossignol Temptation 76 is a solid choice this season.

Lengths: 136,146,156,166
Dimensions: 121-76-111

 

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