Ski Tests All Mountain
- 86mm+ Waist

Group verdict

Here you have a Melbourne Cup field; absolute thoroughbred quality. You could just about close your eyes and grab any one of them and ski away with a smile. But every Melbourne Cup posts a winner and this year it's the German horse with the Japanese theme - the Volkl Kendo, our 2011 Ski of the Year came out on top and was joined as a gold medalist by the Kastle MX88 and Scott Crusade. Taking silver were the Elan Apex, Fischer Watea 94 and K2 AMP Aftershock.

Target skier

This skier is more likely to split their time between Australia and the Northern Hemisphere; wants a powder performer but doesn't yet want to get into the high-fat, radical rocker territory.

Skier ability:
On the ski school rating scale, these skis will suit classes 3 to 1.

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Armada ARV
Comments: Very stable when pushed - loves the longer turns but is nimble enough to tackle them tighter; Kent. Really versatile for a twin tip; Tom. Verdict: Versatile performer and twin tip cool.

Atomic Crimson Ti
Comments: Good fun, predictable cruiser and it's very forgiving; Kent. Fun to ride - the more I skied it, the better it got, would suit intermediates up; Pete. Verdict: All mountain qualities with appeal down the ability scale.

Dynastar Legend Sultan 94
Comments: Solid and stable, a nice platform for heavier skiers; Peter. A big, burly powder pig that slays the crud with ease; Macca. Verdict: Suits the category nicely, particularly for stronger, heavier skiers.

Elan Apex
Comments: Likes it all and does it all well, super-versatile; Kent. Capable and silky performance in the fresh but stable on the groomed; Jim. Really easy to ski but still a quality performer; Peter. Verdict: Great choice, very close to gold.

Fischer Watea 94
Comments: Nice powder board, loves the big turns in the fresh; Tom. Ripper ski for the group - lively, capable and versatile, a sweet carving feeling on the groomed, beautiful in the soft; Jim. Verdict: As Macca put it; you name it, this ski will inhale it, handles spring snow like a Kassbohrer.

Head Peak 90
Comments: Very versatile and stable with nice drive through the crud; Jim. Perfect partner for skiers who like open, across the fall-line type turns; Macca. Verdict: Stands up well in this company and narrowly missed the medals. Great choice.

K2 AMP Aftershock
Comments: Great initiation and transition and acceleration on the exit, pretty damn good really; Chris. Tip rocker gives easy initiation, great for carving or cruising; Doug. Verdict: Outstanding all-mountain performer.

Kastle MX 88
Comments: It's a gun - solid, fast, stable. Just awesome everywhere; Peter. Great combination of torsional strength and sidecut make for an awesome all rounder; Kent. Verdict: Go for gold - wind it up and enjoy the ride.

Line Prophet 90
Comments: Nice and stable all round resort/adventure ski; Jim. Cranks in all terrain and handles most conditions; Kent. Verdict: Has all the moves, wherever you want to make them.

Rossignol Experience 88
Comments: Added sidecut makes for enthusiastic performance on the groomed but handles soft snow (and spring corn) very nicely; Jim. Good dimensions - nice option for "old school" skiers wanting to ski the pow "new school" style; Macca. Verdict: Macca's on the mark.

Salomon Sentinel
Comments: This is the 4x4 of off-piste, just loves big powder turns; Kent. Super-stable, you feel the bulk on the traverse, but they're very manoeuvrable once you point 'em; Jim. Verdict: Quality performer, best for heavier, more aggressive skiers.

Scott Crusade
Comments: Super edgehold, solid on the piste and playful off it; Kent. A strong ski with plenty of spice; Peter. Great ski and very versatile, floats on the heavy; Tom. Verdict: Has everything you need in the category; a star choice.

Volkl Kendo
Comments: Give it some grunt on the groomed and it rips, get in the soft and it glides, sensational ski; Jim. Super versatile and precise, edgehold, flex, sidecut all work perfectly; Kent. Verdict: Ski of the year - what more can we say?