The 9 Best Powder Skis of 2023-2024
By: Jordan Sunshine: Ski Buyer | October 18, 2023
There’s nothing more aspirational and exciting than a new pair of powder skis. Sure, daily drivers might be more practical, and carving skis might be better for honing fundamentals, but when it comes to pure, unadulterated fun, powder skis take the cake. The best powder skis make the best days of skiing even better. There’s just something special about those wide skis that you only take to the hill when it’s dumped overnight, and you’re guaranteed fresh turns. So treat yourself, the snow gods reward optimism. If you buy new pow skis it’s nearly guaranteed to snow a bunch this winter, right!?
New This Year:
As enthusiasts of powder skiing eagerly await the fresh offerings of 2024, the spotlight shines on the updated Nocta. This newcomer embodies a blend of innovation and finesse, promising to redefine the powder skiing experience. The Nocta, with its meticulously crafted design, invites skiers to glide effortlessly on the soft snow. The arrival of this model not only enriches the variety but also signifies a forward leap in ski technology, aimed at catering to the diverse demands of powder skiing aficionados. The 2024 lineup, with these novel additions, beckons powder skiing enthusiasts to explore the untouched snowy trails with vigor and enthusiasm.
Atomic Bent Chetler 120
Well deserving of induction into the Powder Ski Hall of Fame (if there was one), the Atomic Bent Chetler 120 Skis stand tall in the 120mm waist class. Poppy, surfy, and light enough to whip through tight spots with cat-like reflexes, the Chetler 120 is a longstanding favorite, not only for powder hounds but also backcountry types who want a fatter ski to earn their turns.
| Weight Per Ski (g) | Waist Width (mm) | Original Price |
| 1800 g | 120 mm | $849.95 |
Salomon QST Blank
When the Salomon QST Blank Skis hit the deck a season and a half ago, the buzz over how good they were was immediate, and meant the ski was really hard to find for some time. That's no longer the case, but the ski remains at the top of the heap for freeride skiers with a thing for the best riding on the mountain, meaning the Blank can tame anything you put it up to and then some. Hip deep, formidable mank, crusty tracked up leftovers, you name it - the Blank is your tool.
| Weight Per Ski (g) | Waist Width (mm) | Original Price |
| 2040 g - 2400 g | 112 mm | $799.95 |
Season Forma
The Season Forma Skis are much more than your average, run of the mill powder skis. Designed by Eric Pollard, these swallow-tailed beauties are crafted to surf fresh snow with the kind of playful agility usually found in less directional shapes. They're the first thing to reach for when conditions are all time, and their impressive edge hold makes them a great choice for hunting leftover stashes in the days that follow. The latest model is updated with an Ultralight Core and carbon layer for targeted weight savings, along with a durable Nylon topsheet and an all new 177cm size. Outstanding.
| Weight Per Ski (g) | Waist Width (mm) | Original Price |
| 1825 g - 2050 g | 114 mm - 118 mm | $899.95 |
Line Skis Pandora 110 - Women's
The Line Skis Pandora 110 Skis deliver full-fledged powder performance in a lighter and more maneuverable package. Using the THC technology of the touring-oriented Vision series, the Pandora 110 comes in at a mere 1500 grams in the 170 length, making it a great choice as a mid-winter touring ski as well as guaranteeing lightning-quick response in tight spots and trees.
| Weight Per Ski (g) | Waist Width (mm) | Original Price |
| 1500 g | 110 mm | $799.95 |
Blizzard Hustle 11
We've been dreaming for years of a lighter Rustler 11 that will do dual duty as a freeride ripper and backcountry slayer. The dream becomes reality this season with the introduction of the Blizzard Hustle 11 Skis. Built in the same molds but with a lighter TrueBlend Free Core and a modified Carbon D.R.T. insert instead of the Titanal one, the Hustle 11 kills it on powdery descents without killing you on the skin up. Mount this puppy up with a hybrid tech binding and light the fuse - the fireworks will be a thing of beauty.
| Weight Per Ski (g) | Waist Width (mm) | Original Price |
| 1850 g | 112 mm - 116 mm | $849.95 |
Coalition Snow Rafiki - Women's
Powder prowess meets feminist flair with the Coalition Snow Rafiki Skis. These all-terrain delights, complete with a dual radius sidecut, carve through fluffy snowscapes effortlessly, from the deep delights to the final descent. Embrace both performance and friendship, as each purchase contributes to tree-planting in Kenya – a true Swahili-inspired camaraderie on the slopes.
| Weight Per Ski (g) | Waist Width (mm) | Original Price |
| 1542 g - 2087 g | 111 mm - 115 mm | $799.00 |
Armada Whitewalker 121
Sammy C's Whitewalker Skis have quickly gone from experimental offering to freestyle staple, and now they have a big brother. The Armada Whitewalker 121 Skis feature the same pintail, twin tip design as the the originals, but with an even wider waist width for the deepest days. These skis are the ultimate playful powder tool. They're nimble, surfy, easy to spin, easy stomp, and ski just about as well backwards as they do forwards. And with a respectably lightweight build, they're an awesome choice to pair with a hybrid binding for a 50/50 powder ski.
| Weight Per Ski (g) | Waist Width (mm) | Original Price |
| 1850 g | 121 mm | $999.95 |
Black Crows Nocta
The game-changing Black Crows Nocta Skis change their game ever so slightly for 2024, adding a touch of camber underfoot and a few millimeters of width at the tip and tail. The result is just as amazing, with float that goes on for days and slightly improved performance on groomed snow (the Nocta was already probably the best in this category, but you know the drill - always be ready for hard snow on the way back to the lift even on a deep day). With a unique tip and tail shape that harks back to the brand's chevron motif and a return to the solid orange background on the topsheet, we're all in on another pair of the Noctas for the quiver.
| Weight Per Ski (g) | Waist Width (mm) | Original Price |
| 1900 g - 2100 g | 122 mm | $1,099.95 |
Rossignol Black Ops 118 Tatum
Finding the right combination of playful surfiness and straightline stability in a pow ski is as tough as fishing a Rainbow out of the creek with your bare hands, but Rossi nailed it with the Rossignol Black Ops 118 Tatum Skis. Tatum Monod's signature ride is a straight-up 176 men's ski (have you seen her vids?) featuring a one-of-a-kind graphic by David Habben. Get them now before they're gone.
| Weight Per Ski (g) | Waist Width (mm) | Original Price |
| 2250 g | 118 mm | $799.95 |
Learn More With Our Other Ski Guides:
Skis - Kids' Size Chart and Buyer's Guide
Skis - Rocker Technology Explained
Ski Bindings – How to Choose & DIN Setting Chart
Ski Boots - Sizing & Buyer's Guide
Ski Boots - Boot Sole & Ski Binding Compatibility
Ski Boots – How to Make Your Boots Fit Better
Ski Poles - Size Chart
Skiing - Beginner Skiing Tips
Skiing - How to Fly With Skis
Skiing - How to Get in Shape
Ski Maintenance - Base Repair
Ski Maintenance – How to Store for the Summer
Ski Maintenance – How to Tune
Ski Maintenance – How to Wax
Gloves & Mittens - How to Choose
Goggles - How to Choose
Goggles - Wearing Goggles with Glasses
Helmets - How to Choose & Fit Guide
Outerwear - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
Outerwear - How to Wash Waterproof Jackets & Clothing
Outerwear - Regional Ski & Snowboard Guide
Ski Socks - Sizing & Buyer's Guide
Avalanche Probes - How to Choose
Backcountry - Choosing an Avalanche Airbag Pack
Backcountry - Choosing an Avalanche Beacon
Backcountry - Climbing Skins Size Guide
Backcountry - Dynafit / Tech Binding Basics
Backcountry - How to Buy Alpine Touring Bindings
Backcountry - How to Buy Alpine Touring Ski Boots
Backcountry - How to Choose an Avalanche Shovel
Backcountry - How to Choose Climbing Skins
Backcountry Backpacks - How to Choose
Backcountry Basics - How to Get Started
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The Best Beginner Skis
The Best All Mountain Skis
The Best Powder Skis
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The Best Carving Skis
The Best Park Skis
The Best Intermediate Skis
The Best Freeride Skis
The Best Ski Bindings
The Best Touring Ski Bindings
The Best Men's Ski Boots
The Best Women's Ski Boots
The Best Touring Boots
The Best Ski Socks
The Best Beginner Ski Boots
The Best Value Skis
The Best Ski Poles
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The Best Kids' Ski Boots
The Best Cross Country Ski Boots
The Best Ski Boot Liners
The Best Gifts for Skiers
The Selection Process:
Our ski buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things skiing stemming from years of experience in the ski industry in tandem with their countless hours spent on slopes everywhere from groomers to the remote backcountry around the world. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Jordan Sunshine
I was born and raised in northern Vermont and moved west as soon as I turned 18. I bounced around the PNW for a while eventually following evo’s store openings to Denver where I have called home since and although I will always take even the wettest of pow days, have come to appreciate any day skiing in the sun, be it with friends or my kids.I have been skiing since I was 2 and started working in a ski shop when I was 14, which was way more fun than washing dishes. Over the years I have worked as a ski tech, boot fitter, liftie, product copywriter, and eventually came to manage evo’s Portland and Denver stores. Now I am the Ski Buyer, overseeing ski hardgoods and backcountry accessories.