Expert Review: Line Chronic Skis · 2022

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I tested for seven days in February of 2022.

My take

The Line Chronic Skis are intermediate to expert skis made for freestyle riding. These skis have been around for a few years and continue to be a leader in the park and pipe.

About the skis I tested

• Model: 2022 Line Chronic
• Size: 178cm

About me

• Height: 6’0’’
• Weight: 185 lbs
• Experience: 26 years skiing

Test conditions

• When I tested these: February 2022
• Days tested: 7
• Mount position: Center-mounted
• Boots: 2020 Rossignol AllTrack Elite 130
• Boot Size: 26.5
• Bindings: 2021 Look Pivot 14
• Where I’ve used it: Mt. Bachelor, Crystal Mountain
• Terrain: Terrain park, halfpipe

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was looking for a park-riding ski with a good backbone and wasn’t too soft for everyday riding. I wanted a ski that was a park ski but could handle a little bit more riding than just the park.

Why I chose to test this gear

I was able to test these skis out before deciding to get them, so as I was test-riding them, I found they were really stable for a park ski with a nice firm backbone, and they carved surprisingly well for a park ski.

What I love about them

• Speed: The Line Chronics have the Line Fatty Base, which is their higher-density sintered base that reduces friction against the snow allowing for more speed and better durability. Right out of the plastic, they are a little slow, but with a good few waxes on the skis, they will be as quick as one wants them in no time.
• Edge hold: Line also has what they call the Fatty Edge design, which gives a 30% thicker edge that increases durability and tuning life for the ski, especially because they are made for the park. While turning, the skis are good on edge hold. These are not made for carving, so trying to lay out some big carving turns might be difficult, but for casual skiing with some turns on edge, they are great.
• Turns: With a turning radius of 16m, these skis can carve some big, long turns nicely and be nimble and quick enough for some short, quick turns too.
• Trees: Skiing in the trees with the Line Chronics would be fun. These skis are quick, nimble, and certainly playful. These would be a blast zipping through the trees and making jumps along the way.
• Moguls: As a soft ski, these would be fun for the bumps and the moguls. The ski construction would take a lot of the bounce and pressure from turn to turn on the bumps.
• Park: Ideal for the park. These Line Chronics are incredible. They have a nice pop to the ski a well as some forgiveness. It has a mid-fat waist and enough ski under one's foot to ride park well and most of the mountain.
• Backcountry: If one is a freestyle rider who wants to put a hybrid binding on these, the Line Chronic could make a fun backcountry ski as they are built for big jumps and switch riding.
• Durability: Aside from ski-to-ski contact from the park riding, these held up nicely. From grinding rails and holding ski-on-ski in the air, the topsheet has held up great.
• Switch riding: As a twin tip, these skis are fantastic. They are built for switch riding and the park, so the Line Chronic skis are great for riding forward and switch.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Groomers: Not made for groomer skiing, but it’ll cruise on the groomer okay.
• Powder: Being the Line Chronic is a 95mm ski underfoot, this ski doesn’t have a lot of ski to float well in much powder. And being fairly soft as a ski, it won't ski well on powder.
• Versatility: As a ski designed for the terrain park, the pipe, and the rails, the Line Chronic isn’t what I would consider versatile as it can’t ski pow well, doesn’t rip groomer as well as a groomer ski, but these skis do make the park and freestyle riding a blast.

Favorite moment with this gear

I was in the market for a fun park ski that could have some fun in the terrain park, the pipe, and fun to ski around on. I was just so impressed by the playfulness, versatility, and impression of the skis. The stability and the maneuverability of the Line Chronics were very impressive as well, as they were able to cut and turn really fast but not feel too soft or too stiff.

Value for the money vs. other options

For those in the market for a park ski that can rip it up in the park but also allows one to ski all over the mountain, the Line Chronics are a great choice. Not only do they ski well, but they also have the coolest top sheet and design. Some other viable options are the ON3P park skis or an option from K2. Both the ON3P Mango 90s and the K2 Poachers are fun, but the Line Chronic skis offer a little more backbone and playfulness.

Final verdict

The Line Chronic is a great ski option for a freestyle rider looking for a ski that can crush the park. For those who want a solid, versatile twin tip that crosses over between the terrain park and the rest of the mountain, it's tough to beat the Chronic.