Expert Review: Line Pandora 104 Skis · Women's · 2022
All photos courtesy of Tory Dobyns
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I purchased with my own money in January of 2022.
My take
The Line Pandora 104 is a women's specific all-mountain ski suitable for intermediate to expert-level skiers. The Pandora 104 is quick, maneuverable, and lightweight while still providing solid stability.
About the gear I own
- Model: Line Pandora 104
- Gender: Women’s
- Size:
Length (cm) | Tail/Waist/Tip (mm) |
158 | 137/104/121 |
165 | 137/104/121 |
172 | 137/104/121 |
About me
- Height: 5’6”
- Weight: 120 lbs
- Experience: 20 years of skiing
Test conditions
- When I bought these: January 2022
- Days used: 40
- Size: 165cm
- Where I’ve used it: Resorts and backcountry in Colorado and Utah.
- Terrain: Powder, hardpack, moguls, trees, and backcountry.
How they perform
What I was looking for
I was looking for a maneuverable and quick ski for all terrain types. I wanted something forgiving and quick underfoot that also provided a good level of stability. I was searching for a “one-ski quiver” that I could ski on days with fresh snow and hardpack days.
Why I chose this gear
I tested a wide range of skis before deciding to purchase the Line Pandora 104. I compared these to the Armada Tracer 108, the Black Crow Atris Birdie 105, and the K2 Mindbender 106. I ultimately decided on the Line Pandora for its more forgiving and responsive feel. The Pandora has a shorter turning radius at about 15m in the 165. When compared to the Black Crow Atris Birdie and the Armada Tracer, the Pandora felt much quicker edge to edge and easier to pivot underfoot. The K2 Mindbender was equally as quick on hardpack but felt more difficult to pivot and slide in the moguls and trees due to its stiffer tail. At the end of the day, the Line Pandora felt the most versatile and had the fewest compromises.
What I love about them
- Maneuverability and Responsiveness: This ski can turn on a dime with its 15-meter turning radius and rocker/camber/rocker profile. It is great for navigating tight, technical lines.
- Lightweight: This ski has an Aspen wood core and carbon laminate topsheet, making it super lightweight. The carbon laminate adds some stability without the extra weight. This is a great option for 50/50 backcountry/resort skiing.
- Forgiving: This ski has no metal in the base, making it softer for a big mountain ski. This ski does not feel like a lot of work to ski. It has a forgiving and playful feel.
- Versatility: This ski is great if one likes to ski a variety of terrain types throughout the day. With a 104-width underfoot, this ski has just enough surface area to keep me floating on a powder day. That said, it is narrow enough to carve some nice turns on the hardpack. Its short turning radius and softer feel make them a blast in the mogul and trees.
- Durability: These skis have held up very well, especially for the price. I have had them for a full season and have had no problems with the edges, bases, or topsheets.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Stability at High Speeds: When charging at high speeds, I have noticed a bit of chatter and instability, particularly in the tips of the ski. A few days after fresh snow, I get knocked around a bit when the conditions get choppy.
- Ice: I have had some issues getting this ski to hold a good edge on the ice. With its 100% wood core, this ski is just a bit too soft to provide great stability on the ice. However, I find it to be great on softer groomers. Probably not the best choice for someone skiing primarily on the east coast.
- Carving: The Line Pandora is more of a playful all-mountain ski and is not my top choice for carving. These hold up well on soft groomers but can feel a bit chattery on hard-packed groomers when trying to carve at high speeds. This ski is great if one plans to ski mostly off-piste terrain and occasionally some groomers. But if someone is looking for a ski that prioritizes carving, this is probably not the ski for them.
Favorite moment with this gear
I mounted a pair of Salomon Shift backcountry bindings on these skis. I used them on the resort as well as in the backcountry. I took them on a 10-mile touring expedition in Colorado. These were the perfect ski for this. They were lightweight for the uphill climbing portion. On the way down, we were skiing in the trees with quite a bit of fresh snow. These skis were perfect for the deep snow in tight trees.
Value for the money vs. other options
Brand new, these skis retail for just over $600. This is comparable to the K2 Mindbender and a bit more affordable when compared to the Armada Tracer and the Black Crow Atris Birdie. I found these skis to be durable and of good quality. In my opinion, they are a great value for someone looking for a high-performing ski without breaking the bank.
Final verdict
These are some of the most versatile and fun women's specific skis out there. I love them most for their versatility and lightweight design. Sometimes I wish they were just a bit more stable and handled better at high speeds, but this would likely compromise their playful feel. I would recommend this ski for someone who is looking for a slighter wider one-ski quiver. I would stray away from this ski if someone likes a stiffer, more powerful ski.
Line Pandora 104 Skis · Women's · 2022
- We price match
- Returnable