Review: Line Chronic 101 Skis · 2024
By Curated Experts
Jake Renner, max pilling and Eli Hernandez
Line Chronic 101 Skis · 2024
from:$375.00
$649.95
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The Curated Take
4.3/5
The Line Chronic 101 skis are tailored for freestyle and all-mountain skiers seeking a versatile, playful experience. They excel in various conditions, featuring a lightweight design for easy maneuverability, full tip and tail rocker for float and pivoting ease, and a playful flex with camber underfoot for pop and edge grip. The skis are ideal for those who enjoy dynamic skiing, from park tricks to off-piste exploration. However, their softer flex may limit high-speed stability, and the thin tip and tail could impact durability. Overall, they balance agility, performance, and versatility for creative and adventurous skiers.
Ideal for
- Light swingweight allows for ease of spinning and turn initiation
- Full tip and tail rocker plus a 101mm underfoot provides decent float and ease of pivoting motion
- Playful flex rating with a touch of camber underfoot provides pop and edge hold
Not ideal for
- Thin tip and tail tech may cause durability issues with regard to delamination
- Softer flex rating creates a bit of movement in the nose at high speeds and on hardpacked snow
Flotation
When it comes to performance, the Chronic 101 offers a dynamic and lively ride. The camber underfoot provides reliable edge hold and decent carving on firm snow, while the rocker...Read more
I was pleasantly surprised by this ski in powder. For how narrow it is, the soft tip and tail with a bit of rocker helped me to be able to...Read more
The Chronics feel like they were designed for powder when riding through any depth of powder. I have my bindings a little bit back-mounted, and it picks up my tips...Read more
High Speed Stability
The Chronic 101 offers a lively ride with plenty of float for those fresh days, but how do they hold up at higher speeds? In variable terrain and conditions off-piste,...Read more
I was pleasantly surprised by how well this held up. Despite the lighter tips, this ski did not chatter that much. The camber made sure to have edge control, but...Read more
Although I can ride at high speeds and be okay, they are not as sturdy or stable as I would like. This is due to the poppy and flexibility of...Read more
Carving
The stiff underfoot enabled the ski to hold up well, while carving and the short turn radius made initiating the turns well. While I felt like I could not dig...Read more
Carving on the Chronics is a unique and exhilarating experience. With a strong edge hold and quick and easy turn initiation, carving down the mountain is a fun experience. What...Read more
Playfulness
This ski is built like a park ski but beefed up. Because of that, it encourages one to ski dynamically and jump as much as possible. The flex allows for...Read more
These skis are pretty fun to ride on and very playful. They are very easy to butter and ollie on due to their flex, and the skis' poppiness makes throwing...Read more
Durability
Unfortunately, the Chronic 101s have an average to below-average rating concerning durability, credited to their "improved" thin tip/tail tech. Thin tip/tail tech cuts back on weight by using less material...Read more
The one downside with Line skis is they make super-fun skis that are less durable. The thin tip and tail, which help in maneuverability and low swingweight, also directly affect...Read more
The Line Chronics and Line skis, in general, have one major fault when it comes to their durability: their topsheets could be more durable. They're easy to chip and scratch...Read more
Turn Ease
At 101mm underfoot, the Chronic 101 offers a bit more float and a slightly longer turn radius than its little brother, the Chronic 94. That being said, a full tip/tail...Read more
Because I normally ski a stiffer, wider ski, the Chronics felt very easy to turn. It has a short turn radius, which really helps for short, quick turns all around...Read more
The Chronics have a very tight turn radius and, matched with the softer flex and playfulness of the skis, makes turning and whipping these skis through tight turns quick and...Read more
Versatility
The Line Chronic 101 skis are known for their versatility and playfulness, making them a popular choice among freestyle and all-mountain skiers. They are designed to excel in park and...Read more
This ski is pretty versatile. Many people ski park in these, and I got to ski a good mix of powder and chop in the skis. Freestyle skiers could get...Read more
The Chronics are a do-it-all ski. They are highly playful in the park, shred on the groomers, twist and turn through the trees easily, and effortlessly float through powder. These...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Jake Renner
max pilling
Eli Hernandez
About the ski gear
- Model: Line Chronic 101 Skis · 2024
Test conditions
- When I tested these: March 2023
- Days tested: 2
- Where I’ve used them: Aspen Snowmass
- Terrain: Trees, bumps, jumps, tracked-out powder, and groomers
- How many times I've used it: 2
Expert Reviews of the Line Chronic 101 Skis
Jake Renner The symmetrical twin-tip design of the Chronic 101 makes it well suited for freestyle and park skiing, allowing skiers to effortlessly ski switch and perform tricks in both directions. The ski's moderate flex pattern strikes a balance between stability at higher speeds and playfulness for tricks and jumps.
When it comes to performance, the Chronic 101 offers a dynamic and lively ride. The camber underfoot provides reliable edge hold and precise carving on firm snow, while the rocker in the tip and tail enhances maneuverability, flotation in powder, and forgiveness in variable conditions.
Whether hitting jumps in the terrain park, exploring groomed runs, or venturing off-piste, the Chronic 101 skis excel at adapting to various terrain and conditions. They offer a good blend of versatility, agility, and all-mountain performance.
max pilling I was lucky enough to borrow a friend's pair of Chronics for a few days here at Alta. This ski wanted to hit all the side hits, go switch, and butter around. It felt very nimble, and it suits a more freestyle-oriented skier. The rocker enabled me to have a surfy style in the powder, while the camber helped me to have a good edge hold on groomers. I was surprised by the stability of this ski. While it is not a charger, it held up surprisingly well on harder snow and was a bit stiffer than I would have thought. Despite this, it felt very poppy and had a slow swingweight, making hitting jumps tons of fun. Overall, this was a very enjoyable ski that helped me be a bit more creative and encouraged me to find a different, fun way down the mountain.
Eli Hernandez The Line Chronic 101s are an enjoyable ski that can shred anything on the mountain. They give me the float to rip in the powder with ease while also giving me the pop and play of a park ski for when I want to rip the park. With a short turn radius, these skis have the turn ease that skiers dream of, making quick and snappy turns a breeze. The Chronics also have a great edge hold, giving me the ability to carve hard and fast while maintaining stability and control. These skis are great for any skilled rider looking for a single ski that can do it all.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2024 |
| Ski type | All Mountain, Freestyle |
| Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced |
Review Ratings
Averaged between reviewers, view below how all experts voted.
Flotation
4/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. When it comes to performance, the Chronic 101 offers a dynamic and lively ride. The camber underfoot provides reliable edge hold and decent carving on firm snow, while the rocker in the tip and tail enhances maneuverability, flotation in powder, and forgiveness in variable conditions. Its 101mm underfoot offers a touch more float than its little brother, the Chronic 94.
max pilling gave 4 of 5 stars. I was pleasantly surprised by this ski in powder. For how narrow it is, the soft tip and tail with a bit of rocker helped me to be able to slash through turns. At 101, I had enough width to ski everything but really deep powder. This ski's playful nature helped me maneuver well in powder, and its surfy tip and tail helped me to slash. While I could not get super far forward in the powder, the ski had a surfy feel.
Eli Hernandez gave 4 of 5 stars. The Chronics feel like they were designed for powder when riding through any depth of powder. I have my bindings a little bit back-mounted, and it picks up my tips just enough to have an absolute blast through the deepest powder. Their rocker camber hybrid design also helps keep my tips up and on top of the powder.
High Speed Stability
4/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. The Chronic 101 offers a lively ride with plenty of float for those fresh days, but how do they hold up at higher speeds? In variable terrain and conditions off-piste, the Chronic 101 feels like a solid blend of stability and maneuverability. Lighter tips and tails may experience a touch of chatter but not quite as much as a softer ski without any camber underfoot and really only when bombing hardpacked snow or groomers when the ski is flat.
max pilling gave 4 of 5 stars. I was pleasantly surprised by how well this held up. Despite the lighter tips, this ski did not chatter that much. The camber made sure to have edge control, but the stiff torsional strength made sure that the ski held up when going fast. While this ski is by no means a charger, for how playful it is, it performed well.
Eli Hernandez gave 3 of 5 stars. Although I can ride at high speeds and be okay, they are not as sturdy or stable as I would like. This is due to the poppy and flexibility of the skis. They make hitting small bumps at high speeds feel much more aggressive than they truly are, which can sometimes be annoying. That said, it is a trade-off that I believe is worth it to have such a fun riding ski.
Carving
4/5
max pilling gave 4 of 5 stars. The stiff underfoot enabled the ski to hold up well, while carving and the short turn radius made initiating the turns well. While I felt like I could not dig super deep into the carves, the poppy nature of the ski helped pop me from one carve to the next. For what the ski is, it held up well while carving.
Eli Hernandez gave 4 of 5 stars. Carving on the Chronics is a unique and exhilarating experience. With a strong edge hold and quick and easy turn initiation, carving down the mountain is a fun experience. What really makes carving on the chronics so fun is I can carve as hard as I want, and my edges won't give out. They will hold that edge throughout the carve, no matter the speed and firmness of the snow.
Playfulness
5/5
max pilling gave 5 of 5 stars. This ski is built like a park ski but beefed up. Because of that, it encourages one to ski dynamically and jump as much as possible. The flex allows for buttering and smearing but still provides stability on the landings. The swingweight is low, so it makes flipping and spinning a breeze. The ski feels poppy and easy to maneuver, encouraging jumping off every bump in sight.
Eli Hernandez gave 5 of 5 stars. These skis are pretty fun to ride on and very playful. They are very easy to butter and ollie on due to their flex, and the skis' poppiness makes throwing them around easy and fun. It's not hard to hit side hits and butters all the way down the mountain with how easy and fun they are.
Durability
3/5
Jake Renner gave 3 of 5 stars. Unfortunately, the Chronic 101s have an average to below-average rating concerning durability, credited to their "improved" thin tip/tail tech. Thin tip/tail tech cuts back on weight by using less material in the tip and tail to offer a lighter swingweight, but it backfired somewhat, as our 2024 demo fleet was already delaminating when we got our hands on them.
max pilling gave 3 of 5 stars. The one downside with Line skis is they make super-fun skis that are less durable. The thin tip and tail, which help in maneuverability and low swingweight, also directly affect the long-term durability. I have had other Lines that delaminated after a season, and I assume this ski is no different.
Eli Hernandez gave 3 of 5 stars. The Line Chronics and Line skis, in general, have one major fault when it comes to their durability: their topsheets could be more durable. They're easy to chip and scratch and not very damage-resistant. The topsheets won't peel all the way off by any means, but just hitting the skis against each other when skiing will chip up the edges. However, the ski is quite durable even in early season conditions, hitting rocks and trees. The base has been holding up amazingly.
Turn Ease
5/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. At 101mm underfoot, the Chronic 101 offers a bit more float and a slightly longer turn radius than its little brother, the Chronic 94. That being said, a full tip/tail rocker creates a shorter turn radius than a ski with a flat tail and more surface area in contact with the snow. Relatively speaking, for a ski this wide, it feels above average with regard to initiating turns.
max pilling gave 5 of 5 stars. Because I normally ski a stiffer, wider ski, the Chronics felt very easy to turn. It has a short turn radius, which really helps for short, quick turns all around the mountain. At 101 in width, it is wider than a carving ski but narrow for all-mountain. The soft tips make it so that turns can be initiated at relatively low speeds without too much effort.
Eli Hernandez gave 5 of 5 stars. The Chronics have a very tight turn radius and, matched with the softer flex and playfulness of the skis, makes turning and whipping these skis through tight turns quick and effortless. I personally have only experienced such good turning ease on much thinner skis closer to a 90 underfoot. Having that type of turn ease on a 101 is fantastic. It makes these skis fun and offers a great experience.
Versatility
5/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. The Line Chronic 101 skis are known for their versatility and playfulness, making them a popular choice among freestyle and all-mountain skiers. They are designed to excel in park and freestyle environments while still offering solid performance across a range of conditions on the mountain.
In terms of performance, the Chronic 101 skis typically offer a good blend of stability, maneuverability, and edge control. Their waist width of 101mm strikes a balance between medium-quick edge-to-edge transitions on groomed runs and sufficient flotation in moderate powder.
max pilling gave 5 of 5 stars. This ski is pretty versatile. Many people ski park in these, and I got to ski a good mix of powder and chop in the skis. Freestyle skiers could get away with this being the only ski in their quiver. While by no means a powder ski, this ski does hold up well in powder for how narrow it is.
Eli Hernandez gave 5 of 5 stars. The Chronics are a do-it-all ski. They are highly playful in the park, shred on the groomers, twist and turn through the trees easily, and effortlessly float through powder. These skis are the perfect pair to start one's collection and let skiers experience everything the mountain offers.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Jake Renner I had a blast on the Line Chronic 101 the day we got to demo them out. We had a bit of fresh snow and took these babies off-piste and through the trees and soft bumps. At 101mm underfoot, the Chronic 101 offered enough float to keep us on top of the powder without feeling too wide when they got onto groomers or when hitting the terrain park. Awesome late-spring powder day at Aspen Snowmass kept a smile on my face with the Chronic 101.
max pilling On a wildcat run at Alta, there was a mix of powder and chop. Using this ski on a run, I flipped a jump, landed in powder, and gave the skis a big slash. Because of their low spin weight, the Chronics felt super easy to flip and spin on. And even though they are only 101 in width, they still did great in the powder. They felt so fun to jump in because of their poppy nature and low swingweight.
Eli Hernandez I was at Snowbird, and it was dumping snow after days of already storming. I was in waist-deep powder getting fresh turns all day and then found some areas down the couloirs where it was chest-deep, and the Chronics floated like a dream, providing impressive powdery turns.
Why did you choose this product?
Eli Hernandez I chose these skis because I have been a fan of a lot of Line products and was looking for a new all-mountain ski to ride. I wanted something poppy and playful that would also be easy to get tight and quick turns on that would float in the deepest of pow. My roommate bought the Chronic 101s, and after riding his for a couple of days, I bought my own pair to shred. They were everything I was looking for: something pretty fun to ride in any and all conditions that, if I didn't already have a collection of skis, could be my one pair of do-it-all skis.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Jake Renner The construction of the Chronic 101 skis includes quality materials and technologies aimed at enhancing their performance. They typically feature a lightweight core that provides a responsive and lively feel, while additional materials and construction methods contribute to their durability and longevity.
While there may be other skis available at similar or slightly lower price points, the Chronic 101's reputation for versatility, freestyle capabilities, and all-mountain performance can make them a worthwhile investment for skiers seeking that specific combination of features.
All this being said, Line's new thin tip/tail tech has definitely jeopardized the long-term durability of the Chronic, Bacon, and other skis that include this feature. Our 2024 demo quiver was already delaminating by the time we got our hands on them. If skiers can get a good deal on the Chronic 101, go for it; otherwise, they may want to consider an alternative option if they're an aggressive freestyle skier.
max pilling Line stepped up their durability with this ski compared to the Chronic 94. The ski overall is a bit more burly and durable. They invest in quality materials. The ski is versatile enough that I don't need three other skis in my quiver. The Chronic can be a daily driver for most days. Because of this, it is a good bang for the buck. The only thing is that the thin tip and tail could be an issue in durability in the long run, and Line skis have been known to delaminate.
What do you love about this product?
max pilling This ski feels like a park ski that can handle the rest of the mountain. It feels like a park ski in the way that it is poppy, playful, and stable on the landings. It is quick to maneuver and caters to more freestyle-oriented skiers. With a softer flex, it is easy to smear around and find a fun and different way down the mountain when compared to most other all-mountain skis.
Eli Hernandez My favorite thing about these skis is their playfulness all over the mountain. These skis are as poppy as possible and are very easy to control and maneuver, making them excellent for side hits, park riding, and throwing the skis around on anything I can find.
Jake Renner
Ski Expertmax pilling
Ski ExpertEli Hernandez
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