Ski Tests Fat Boys

Group verdict

There’s some significant variation in width at the waist among these skis, and that can make the comparison challenging. Nevertheless, with the target skier in mind, our ski-of-the-year, the K2 Xplorer was a solid leader but the Elan 888 and Nordica Supercharger Enforcer scored enough votes to also warrant gold medal status.

Target skier

Accomplished younger skiers and regular travellers want fatter skis. This is the ski for those with that preference – they’ll be good skiers who can handle the boards here and travellers who want a ski to handle the conditions anywhere.

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


Dynastar Legend Pro Rider
Dynastar Legend Pro Rider
Loves to crank big turns in the fresh; Rod. Fast, solid and versatile; even at this width; Ant.

Elan 888
Elan 888
Eats up the crud, a very versatile ski; Ant. Great traveller’s ski, very versatile; Pete.

Fischer Watea 84
Fischer Watea 84
Could have stayed on it all day – loved the groomed and the wind-blown fresh; Rod. Great all-mountain carver; Andy.

Head Mojo 94
Head Mojo 94
Very comfortable cruiser; Ant. Off-piste weapon; Pete.

K2 Xplorer
K2 Xplorer
Awesome all-mountain ski for home or away; Rod. Nice finish, nice radius, nice hold – all good; Andy.

Nordica Supercharger Enforcer
Nordica Supercharger Enforcer
Great flex, a dream to ski on; Rod. Very responsive and powerful for such a powder-oriented ski; Marc.

Rossignol Zenith Z15 Mutix
Rossignol Zenith Z15 Mutix
Arms on front and rear add stability; Andy. Stable and positive and cranks out the turns; Pete.

Stoekli Stormrider XXL
Stoekli Stormrider XXL
Initiates well and hangs on wherever you are; Rod. Great ski to blast the whole mountain; Marc.

Volkl AC50
Volkl AC50
Unreal, get on ‘em and go – anywhere; Rod. Awesome all mountain ski, can’t fault their performance; Andy.

 

jim darby/the snow biz
There's a lot to like about ski lifts, and the people who make them.

arnie wilson/from the alps
Life is full of ironies. The Alps got the snow and Russia got the Olympics.

go flip/flip byrnes
Meet the fashion victims; a whole winter world of them.


There's a lot to like about ski lifts, and the people who make them.

Life is full of ironies. The Alps got the snow and Russia got the Olympics.

Meet the fashion victims; a whole winter world of them.