The Best Powder Skis of 2026

Developed in collaboration with the legendary pro skier Sammy Carlson, the Whitewalker 116 is a very  lightweight ski (1,800 grams per ski for the 185 cm length) that excels in deep, untouched snow. While it’s one of Armada’s wider skis, lightweight caruba wood in the core keeps the width-to-weight ratio balanced.

First launched in 2007, the Corvus stands as Blackcrows’ original model and has cultivated a devoted following worldwide. Positioned as the second widest option in the brand’s big-mountain lineup, the 2026 version carries forward unchanged from last year except for refreshed topsheet graphics.

The Dynastar M-Free 112 excels at cliff drops, sending wind lips, and attacking pillow lines. There’s something special about the way this ski navigates aggressive big-mountain terrain.

Founded in 2024, Ellis was started by industry insiders Kevin Schaefer and Sean O’Brien, who spent two years prototyping after working at brands like DPS, Blackcrows and Never Summer. The Meraki 112 is the powder ski in a tight, three-ski lineup intended for freeriding. This ski targets untouched morning turns that inevitably turn into a tracked-out afternoon.

Building on last season’s complete overhaul of the Nomad collection, the 2026 Icelantic Nomad 112 continues to showcase the dramatic improvements that marked the most comprehensive redesign in the brand’s history.

Designed in collaboration with Karl Fostvedt, the 2026 K2 Reckoner KF is built for advanced skiers who want to blend surfy powder turns and freestyle creativity. As a former Kings and Queens of Corbet’s champion and one of the best backcountry skiers on the planet, Fostvedt brings serious cred to the Reckoner KF’s design ethos. It’s part of the freeride-focused Reckoner collection, and while it shares the same playful spirit as its siblings, the KF dials up the versatility to tackle bigger, deeper terrain with confidence.

Building on the brand’s freeride family of Unleashed skis, Nordica unveils the powder-eating machine 120 for 2026. Although these boats look massive underfoot, the maneuverability and snappy response time left our testers reeling with pure powder joy. The shape of the Unleashed 120 is reminiscent of Atomic’s Bent Chetler 120, but a Nordica build means there’s a bit more muscle, or should we say metal, under the hood.

This freeride monster has been a staple in some of the best freeride segments and competitions in recent memory and for good reason—this ski is a great fit for the modern-day freerider. Rossignol has found a great combination of weight, stability underfoot and tip and tail flex to create a ski that feels damp and surfy for the creative freeride skier.

For 2026, Salomon has completely redesigned its entire QST collection. Unlike the numerous big changes throughout the family, the QST Blank received just a few modifications that make the ski more capable than its previous generation while keeping its big-mountain freeride identity.

Brand new last season, the 2026 Scott Sea 116 maintains the same innovative design as Scott’s widest all-mountain offering and its primary freeride powder platform. The ski features a substantial poplar core with strategic Titanal strips underfoot and carbon reinforcement, creating a robust foundation that balances freestyle capabilities in a powder ski that still remains relatively soft compared to others in this class. Testing revealed its powder-focused character, with the pronounced rocker profile and the substantial 116 mm waist providing effortless float.

The Revolt 114 returns with refined graphics while maintaining the distinctive construction that has made it a favorite among freeride competitors. This wide-bodied ski continues to occupy a unique position in the Revolt series, bridging the gap between Völkl’s Mantra collection and the other, more freestyle-oriented Revolt models. The result sits somewhere in the middle of both, leaning more toward big-mountain directional skiers who want a stable landing gear in the tail and a buoyant shovel in the tip.