Best Intermediate Skis 2024
How we tested
When you’re looking for the right skis, nothing beats advice from a Real Expert. Every ski on this list has been tested by someone who knows skiing inside and out. People who wake up at 4 am to go for a tour, who know the difference between powder, crust and cord — you know the type. Collectively, our Real Experts have tried hundreds of skis from different brands, and they’re given no incentives to choose one over another.
If you’re looking for more personalized advice, you can chat with one of our Real Experts and get product picks!
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Questions You Should Ask
What type of ski is best for intermediates?
A frontside or all-mountain ski is a good match for an intermediate skier. Skiers who enjoy jumps and rails should also consider a park ski. A true race-inspired carving ski and wide powder skis will be a bit too challenging for someone who is still developing their skills.
What is the best width ski for an intermediate skier?
The best width ski for an intermediate skier is highly dependent on snow conditions and skier personality. A skier on the East Coast will want a narrower width ski than a skier on the West Coast. Additionally, a frontside skier will be better off with a narrower ski whereas a wider ski is the better choice for an off-piste skier.
What flex should an intermediate skier look for?
The flex profile for an intermediate skier is dependent on the skier type. A softer flex pattern is more appropriate for a playful skier spending time in the moguls and trees. A stiffer flex pattern is ideal for high-speed carving on groomers.
Are longer skis harder to turn?
Once a skier is no longer using the "pizza" shape and is able to exclusively make parallel turns, a longer ski will actually provide more benefits than hinderances. A longer ski will have more stability at speed, and will actually make it easy to make those large, sweeping turns on groomers and open bowls. Short, quick turns will become more difficult, but a skier with strong skills will only feel a marginal difference.
Best Intermediate Skis for Stability at Speed
For intermediate skiers who like to go fast, take a look at the skis in this category. They have a stiffer flex and construction that offers excellent control, minimal chatter, and therefore a smoother ride at high speeds.
Strong edge hold
Stability at speed
Hard snow carving
All-mountain skier with a preference for groomers
Requires a strong skier
Deep powder
The K2 Mindbender 89Ti is the perfect all-mountain ski for an East Coast skier or for someone who values groomer performance. It has phenomenal edge hold paired with great dampening for those icy days, yet it is light enough and features a freeride profile to allow for fun in the soft snow and on off-piste terrain.
High-performance carving
Good edge grip
Fast turn initiation
Deep powder
Not as capable off-piste
The Stance 90 from Salomon attains stability and power with the use of two titanal laminates. The titanal laminates deliver the dampness and torsional rigidity desired by a hard-charging skier looking for control and precision in their skiing style. Salomon uses recessed windows in the top layer of titanal to increase the maneuverability in the tips and tails, allowing hard-charging skiers the flexibility to charge through the bumps and crud with the same confidence found on-trail.
Best Intermediate Skis for Carving
These skis are for the ones who just can’t wait to lay into their turns on freshly groomed runs. With narrower waist widths, deeper sidecuts, and more camber in their profiles, these skis are ideal for carving on-piste.
Versatile turning radius
Highly responsive
Stability at speed
Deep powder
Stiff
The Volkl Kendo 88 rewards an aggressive skier with lively responsiveness and high-speed stability. The Kendo 88 is a consistent favorite amongst East Coast and frontside skiers who want power and dampness on hard packed snow. These skis are also quite capable in moguls and trees and reward good form with quick turns.
Lightweight
Supportive edge
A full day of skiing
Deep powder
The Head Kore 87 features a supportive edge that allows for a stable ride while being very lightweight. The Kore has a versatile turning radius, making it fun for carving as well as in tight trees and moguls. The Kore 87 is an excellent option for someone who wants to carve and hit bumps but doesn't necessarily have the desire or access to bowls and powder.
Best Intermediate Skis for Advancing Your Skills
For those intermediate skiers who are striving to continue to advance their skills and explore new terrain, look no further. Skis in this category have a combination of features which makes them super versatile, so skiers can have the confidence to challenge themselves on new terrain and in various snow conditions.
Easy to maneuver
Lightweight
A strong and/or heavier skier
K2 utilizes carbon in the Mindbender 90C to allow the ski to be more approachable and forgiving for skiers looking to progress their skills. The carbon is strategically braided throughout the length of the ski to reduce the overall weight and increase the maneuverability of the ski without compromising high-speed carving performance. At 90mm underfoot, a progressing skier has access to high on-trail performance as well as enough width to begin exploring off-piste.
Highly versatile on and off piste
Stable yet forgiving
Deep powder
The Ripstick 96 from Elan is an energetic and lightweight ski that can be skied fast and hard but remains forgiving while a skier is progressing their ski ability. At 96mm underfoot, the Ripstick 96 is an ideal width to carve hard-pack groomers and explore soft snow in the bumps and trees. The use of carbon instead of metal allows the ski to be light enough for maneuverability while also providing the energy and stability needed for high-speed turns.
Best Intermediate Skis for Variable Terrain
For those who are starting to take their skills off-piste and want skis that can go with them, take a look at the skis in this category. With medium-width waists and side-cuts and rocker profiles that support easy turning and maneuverability, these skis are designed to perform well in various snow conditions and terrain, so an intermediate skier can handle anything the mountain throws at them.
Wide-range of turn shapes
Quick turns in trees and bumps
Chattery on hardpack at high speeds
Blizzard reaches a broad audience with their Rustler series by creating a ski that is evenly balanced for a variety of terrain. The Rustler 9 is 92mm underfoot and is aimed at both East and West Coast all-mountain skiers looking for a daily driver that performs equally as well on hard-pack as off-piste in the bumps and trees. The Dynamic Release Technology (D.R.T.) is a shaped titanal layer that allows Blizzard to give the Rustler 9 stability and control underfoot while keeping a low swing weight in the tips and tails.
Great one-ski quiver
Quick turns in tight trees
Soft snow floatation
East coast skiers and icy conditions
The Salomon QST 98 excels in a variety of terrain thanks to the combination of shape and materials. Salomon uses a woven fiber layer consisting of carbon and flax to provide the QST 98 ample strength and the dampening characteristics needed for groomer laps. The early rise rocker in the tips and tails allow the skis to float easily in soft snow and make the skis easier to maneuver in tight spaces such as trees or moguls. The long tail rocker and partial twin tip design also makes the QST 98's highly capable in the terrain park.
Best Intermediate Skis for Icy Conditions
Calling all East Coast and Midwest intermediate skiers who frequently find themselves on hardpack and icy snow. The skis in this category have a stiffer flex and narrower waist widths, allowing them to hold a strong edge on hard and icy surfaces.
Stability at speed
Hard-pack terrain
Reliable edge hold
Deep Powder
Off-piste
Atomic uses their Omatic Core (blend of thin metal laminates and a lightweight wood core) to accomplish a versatile blend of stiffness and flex in the Maverick 88 TI. The flex profile achieved allows the Maverick 88 TI to remain strong yet nimble and forgiving in sketchy snow. The minimal tail rocker encourages the Maverick 88 TI to be damp and stable when skied on hard-pack groomers or icy conditions.
Stability at speed
All-mountain skier with a preference for groomers
Strong edge hold
Requires a strong driver
Deep powder
The K2 Mindbender 89Ti is the perfect all-mountain ski for an East Coast skier or for someone who values groomer performance. It has a phenomenal edge hold paired with great dampening for those icy days, yet it is light enough and features a freeride profile to allow for fun in the soft snow and on off-piste terrain.
Best Intermediate Skis for Pow Days
For intermediate skiers who find themselves knee-deep in powder on the regular, the skis in this category are for you. These skis typically have wider waist widths and profiles with more rocker, allowing the rider to float on top of all that fluff!
Playful and fun
Wide-range of turn shapes
Floats very well
Power and precision on hard pack
Requires a strong skier
Blizzard's combination of Dynamic Release Technology (D.R.T.) and ski shape give the freeride skier plenty of floatation in fresh powder. The D.R.T. provides the ski with the durability needed underfoot but allows for a reduction in weight in the tips and tails to increase floatation. The shape lends itself to a more forgiving and playful style of skiing, so powder seekers can easily slash and pivot in deep powder.
Effortless float in powder
Fun off-piste, yet capable on groomers
Icy conditions
The Salomon QST line is incredible popular amongst all-mountain skiers. This lineup combines a freeride mindset with strong groomer performance. The QST 106 is the widest in the bunch, allowing for exceptional soft snow capabilities in a daily driver ski for higher snow regions.
Best Intermediate Skis for Trees
These skis are for those intermediate skiers who love exploring off-piste in the trees and bumps. With a shorter turn radius and slightly softer flex, these skis are ideal for making quick, tight turns.Quick turns in tight trees
Lively and maneuverable
Soft snow floatation off-piste
East coast skiers and icy conditions
The Salomon QST 98 has a relatively short turn radius (17 meters in the 183cm length) for an all mountain ski that allows the skis to be turned on a dime. Combining the turn radius with the early rise rocker in the tails makes the QST highly maneuverable in tight trees. Additionally, Salomon's use of carbon, flax and cork in the tips and tails offers a soft flex pattern that gives the skis smeary and playful characteristics that help a skier quickly pivot through the trees.
Incredibly lightweight
Smeary turns in tight trees
Playful skier seeking versatility
East Coast ice
The Bent 100 from Atomic is a highly versatile all-mountain ski made for playful skiers in soft snow conditions. Atomic keeps the Bent 100 lightweight and agile by using a poplar wood core. HRZN Tech inspired by surfboards is used in both the tips and tails to allow the ski to be smeary and surfy as a skier turns through trees and tight spaces.
Wide-range of turn shapes
Nimble and playful
Quick turns in trees and bumps
Chattery at high speeds
Blizzard combines their Dynamic Release Technology (D.R.T.) with the proper ski shape and profile to give the Rustler 9 the maneuverability needed for a high-performing tree ski. The tips and tails get a reduction in torsional rigidity thanks to the D.R.T. and a playful rocker profile that gives the skier an agile and playful ski to pivot around trees.
Best Intermediate Skis for Versatility
For those intermediate skiers who love skiing a little bit of everything, take a look at the skis in this category. They have medium-width waists and a mixture of features that will provide the versatility needed to comfortably ski a variety of snow conditions, terrain, and even explore different ski styles, without missing a beat.Quick turns in tight trees
Strong on and off piste
Soft snow floatation off-piste
East coast skiers and icy conditions
The Salomon QST 98 is an excellent ski for a skier searching for a playful all mountain ski that performs equally as well off-piste as it does on the groomers. The early rise rocker in the tips and tails provide effortless floatation in deeper snow and allow for easy turn initiation on trail. Salomon uses carbon and flax in the tips and tails to make the QST 98 a lightweight and highly maneuverable tree ski that excels in tight spaces. Additionally, Salomon places a titanal insert underfoot to give the QST 98 strong carving and on trail performance.
Playful and poppy
Easy to maneuver
Variety of terrain conditions
Powerful and precise carving
Icy conditions
The Blade Optic 96 has a playful personality and is well-balanced for a skier splitting their mountain time between groomers, trees, and bumps. The tips and tails are relatively soft which contributes to the playfulness and maneuverability desired by a playful skier. Line uses a unique layering of segmented titanal underfoot to give the Blade Optic 96 strong performance on hard-pack groomers.
Stability at speed
Hard snow carving
All-mountain skier with a preference for groomers
Deep powder
The K2 Mindbender 89Ti is the perfect all-mountain ski for an East Coast skier or for someone who values groomer performance. It has a phenomenal edge hold paired with great dampening for those icy days, yet it is light enough and features a freeride profile to allow for fun in the soft snow and on off-piste terrain.
Best Intermediate Skis for Value
For intermediate skiers who are looking for a pair of skis that won’t break the bank, check out the skis in this category. These skis are the best bang for the buck, often including bindings in the price. They offer good performance at a friendly price point.
Balanced blend of groomer and off-piste performance
Easy to turn
Solid edge hold
Expert and strong skiers
The Salomon QST 92 fits a wide range of ski abilities and ski styles. This provides a skier with peace-of-mind knowing their investment will continue to align with their ability and skiing style whether they are a low-intermediate cruising groomers or an advanced skier dipping in the bumps and trees.
Lightweight and maneuverable
Intermediate skier looking to progress
Heavy and/or advanced skiers
K2 utilizes carbon in the Mindbender 90C to give the skier access to a variety of terrain thanks to the lightweight and forgiving nature of the carbon braid. The carbon is strategically braided throughout the length of the ski to reduce the overall weight and increase the maneuverability of the ski without compromising high-speed carving performance. The result is a ski that is ideal for a wide range of ski abilities and a variety of snow conditions.
Playful skier seeking versatility
Smeary turns in tight trees
Beautiful, artist-designed graphics
Lightweight
East Coast ice
Dedicated carving ski
The Bent 100 from Atomic is a highly versatile all-mountain ski made for playful skiers in soft snow conditions. Atomic chose to build a value all-mountain ski by using a simple poplar wood core with precise shaping rather than throwing a bunch of tech and materials into the ski's build. The combination of rocker in the tips and tails and Atomic's Dura Cap Sidewall makes the Bent 100 capable in deep powder and hard-pack groomers. This allows a skier to have a one-ski quiver for a variety of terrain conditions rather than owning a separate ski for each condition.
