The Best Frontside Skis of 2027

Featured Image: Keegan Rice

Frontside skis are made for one thing and one thing only: slicing and dicing every last morsel of corduroy across resorts. If you're a carving enthusiast who’d rather mark your territory on a groomer than a powder field, this category of skis is for you. Below you’ll find the 2027 frontside skis made for the groomers of Vermont to the wide-open slopes of the Mountain West.

Elan Ripstick 88 Black Edition

Lengths 154, 161, 168, 175, 182, 189 cm

DIM 127-88-106 mm

Radius 15.8 m @ 175 cm

Elan's Black Edition skis are the brand's most aggressive high-performance offerings, featuring double the carbon of its non-Black Edition counterparts. For 2027, the Ripstick 88 is getting the Black Edition treatment, transforming the precise frontside ski into a snappy and energetic carving machine.

Faction Dancer 89 TI

Lengths 153, 159, 166, 173, 179, 185 cm

DIM 126-89-115 mm

Radius 15 m @ 166 cm

Occupying the narrow end of Faction's Dancer family, this ski is the newest sibling, slotting in right between the narrowest 79 TI and the all-new, all-mountain 99 TI. Faction has traditionally been known as a freestyle ski producer but in recent years the brand has expanded its Titanal-infused offerings, catering to hard-charging skiers who live outside of the park.

Atomic Bent Decode

Lengths 158, 167, 176, 185 cm

DIM 123-92-117 mm @ 176 cm

Radius 17 m @ 176 cm

Lauded by skiers the world over, the Bent collection has inspired countless riders to attack the resort and backcountry with a loose and surfy style reminiscent of Chris Benchetler himself. Until now, the designers at Atomic have never produced a Bent model dedicated to park skiers. The new Decode model is here to fill that niche, combining all of the flow and finesse of its older brethren into a narrow-waisted version that's ready to slay parks from coast to coast.

Rossignol Soul 92

Lengths 142, 150, 158, 166, 174, 182 cm

DIM 125-92-115 cm

Radius 15 m @ 166 cm

New for 2027, Rossignol's Soul 92 is a versatile frontside ride for skiers who spend most of their time cruising groomers, while occasionally dipping into the trees and moguls. This ski boasts a similar shape to its wider sibling, the Soul 102, but with a softer flex. It has a directional shape with a touch of tail rocker and moderate tip rocker, making it manageable for intermediate skiers and, overall, less aggressive than the 102.

Dynastar M-Free 94

Lengths 156, 163, 171, 179, 188 cm

DIM 124-94-118 mm @ 179 cm

Radius 17 m @ 179 cm

Dynastar's M-Free 94 leans into a more playful, slightly softer performance that's immediately evident in tighter terrain. With an early-rise profile that helps it stay loose in soft snow, the ski feels nimble and easy to pivot while keeping turn initiation quick and intuitive. Whether you're weaving through trees or working through bumps, it has a natural ability to release with little effort.

Salomon QST 94

Lengths 156, 164, 172, 180, 188 cm

DIM 133-94-120 mm @ 180 cm

Radius 16.5 m @ 180 cm

This endlessly fun, all-mountain ripper is back for 2027 and anchors the narrow end of Salomon's QST lineup. The 94 is a damp, playful and directional frontside ski that has developed a strong following thanks to its unique construction, malleable profile and tail shape.

Icelantic Tempest 94

Lengths 155, 162, 169, 176 cm

DIM 135-94-119 mm

Radius 14 m @ 169 cm

Following a successful redesign of its Nomad line, Icelantic is showcasing another major overhaul for 2027. The new Tempest replaces the directional Riveter, bringing a livelier core, increased camber and an exciting shape that truly makes it stand out in the directional all-mountain category.

K2 Mindbender 96

Lengths 168, 173, 178, 183 cm

DIM 135-96-123

Radius 20 m @ 183 cm

Rarely does a design overhaul alter a ski's personality so greatly, but K2's new vibration-damping tech has taken this new generation of Mindbenders to the next level. Managing vibrations is one of the biggest challenges in ski design. Traditionally, brands have relied on large amounts of metal to create skis that remain calm and predictable at speed. This often comes at the expense of maneuverability and weight. Previous generations of the Mindbender 96 leaned into that philosophy, pairing a stiff directional shape with a substantial Y-shaped Titanal laminate.

Icelantic Torrent 96

Lengths 166, 171, 176, 182, 188 cm

DIM 137-96-121 mm

Radius 18 m @ 182 cm

Defined by its new energetic core and the ever-popular artwork of Travis Parr, the Torrent 96 marks a new direction for Icelantic's all-mountain directional lineup, replacing the long-running Pioneer series. While the Pioneer was approachable and easy to ski, it often felt caught between the damp, smooth feel of metal-laden competitors and the snappy energy of more playful carvers. The Torrent 96 breaks free of that predicament and establishes a clear identity as an engaging and energy filled ski.

K2 Mindbender 96 W

Lengths 153, 158, 163, 168, 173 cm

DIM 135-96-123 mm

Radius 16 m @ 168 cm

The younger sibling to K2's Mindbender 101 W, this ski has been entirely redesigned for girls who want a damp and versatile ride that's fun in any snow condition. We're talking a new shape, profile, core construction and most importantly, new damping tech, which delivers in spades.

Volkl M7 Mantra

Lengths 163, 170, 177, 184, 191 cm

DIM 139-96-121 mm

Radius 16.8 @ 177 cm

Now in its seventh generation, the Mantra remains one of the most recognizable hard-charging, all-mountain skis on the market, prioritizing stability, precision and power above all else. While many all-mountain skis have become more forgiving and playful, the Mantra continues to cater to those who want a directional ski that thrives under pressure.