About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I purchased with my own money in November of 2022.

My take

The Line Blade is a unique ski that combines the tight radius of a slalom ski with a wide all-mountain platform to create a fun and lively ride. The Line Blade is a good ski for those looking to have some extra fun on those groomer days or late spring slush laps, but not a one-ski quiver. The 2022 model is unchanged from the 2021 model I own other than cosmetics.

About the gear

• Model: 2021 Line Blade
• Size: 176

About me

• Height: 5’9”
• Weight: 145lbs
• Experience: 15 years of skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: November 2022
• Days tested: 15
• Mount position: Factory Recommended
• Boots: 2021 Atomic Hawx Ultra 120
• Boot Size: 26.5
• Bindings: Armada Strive 14
• Where I’ve used them: Bridger Bowl, Big Sky, MT; Whistler, BC; Snoqualmie Pass, WA
• Terrain: Groomers, moguls, powder, chutes, and steeps—all over.

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was looking for a ski to have fun with when the snow isn’t great and to mess around on mild terrain. I was looking for something with a tight turn radius that excels on groomers but isn’t a narrow carving ski. I was also looking for a pair with metal inside the core for extra stability.

Why I chose this gear

I own Volkl Revolt 121s for powder and DPS Koala 103s, but these filled the gap for the rougher snow days when a wider ski isn’t necessary. They are an incredibly unique shape rarely seen, with a 95mm waist and 154mm tip, and that’s what mainly stood out to me. Black Crows offers the Mirus Cor in a similar shape and narrow turn radius, but it is a narrower ski more meant for pistes, and I wanted to have a unique ski that I could take into challenging terrain if I wanted.

What I love about them

• Speed: They hold up very well at speed, especially when on edge.
• Edge hold: The edge hold of the blade is great, and the tips pull me right into the turn.
• Turns: Turning on these is as easy as putting a bit of pressure on the outside ski, and the shape does the rest for me.
• Groomers: The Blade excels on groomers and easily pulls me into the next turn without much input needed. Such a smooth ski on groomers.
• Powder: The huge 154mm shovel allows these to float relatively well for a 95mm underfoot ski, but the heavier and plentiful powder can be difficult.
• Trees: I haven’t spent lots of time in trees with these, but each time I do, they are a ton of fun carving around the tight spaces in glades.
• Moguls: Moguls are a blast on the Blade. The skis can hold an edge as I carve around moguls very well and make for a super fun and quick ride down a field of them.
• Weight: No complaints about weight. They are quite average at around 2,050g a ski in 176cm.
• Stability: The metal layout inside the ski makes for a stable ride without chattering at higher speeds. Stability is best when on edge.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Park: Not a park ski whatsoever. It might be fun to carve off some kickers and throw a three, though.
• Backcountry: These skis' shovels are massive and unnecessary for a backcountry ski. There are just way better options out there.
• Durability: The durability of these is really poor. The topsheets are very soft and get chipped almost instantly. I chipped mine underfoot to the point where I can see the metal.
• Switch riding: They have a slight swallowtail, so they are not ideal for switch. The tails are very slightly rockered but not enough to make for a smooth ride.
• Steeps and chutes: The shovel of these skis are very soft, so I’ve found that on more intense terrain, they can struggle to hold up when I drive them hard with my weight into the tips of the skis.
• Versatility: As I mentioned in “steeps and chutes,” the skis can struggle when pushed hard on steeper and more challenging terrain. They shine on crisp blue groomers, for sure.

Favorite moment with this gear

I was up in Whistler during the holidays and happened to hit a 12in powder day that fell the night before, so the groomers were crisp and off-piste was soft. So I brought the Line Blades out for the day, and they surprised me at how well they could carve up the powder and handle conditions the skis were not built for. The tips are quite soft, but I was surprised at how well they held up in front of me at speed and had an absolute blast. I was able to drag my hips on the groomers and get face shots on the same day.

Value for the money vs. other options

The Line Blade is much cheaper than other similar options, such as the Mirus Cor or the Hinterland All-Mountain Carve skis. The Blades are not as durable as other options, but they are reasonably priced and have metal inside the ski at a relatively low price point. Line also offers a two-year warranty, which gives extra assurance with the durability issues and makes spending a large amount of money less painful.

Final verdict

The Line Blade is a great ski for groomers, moguls, and even some light powder and would serve a lot of skiers well as an addition to their current quiver. The Blade isn’t a one-trick pony by any means, but it is a fun and very responsive ski that is a blast on the right terrain. I would recommend these for advanced to expert skiers with relatively good form, as they love to be on edge no matter where they are on the mountain. I would not recommend these skis to beginner skiers, those looking for a touring setup, and those planning on skiing big mountain terrain specifically on them.