The 10 Best Carving Skis of 2022-2023
By: Jordan Sunshine: Ski Buyer | September 20, 2022
If you love to lean deep into your turns, trusting in your edges as you drag your hip pulling high G’s on pristine corduroy, you’re in the right place. When choosing skis a pair of carving skis are a great choice as they bring the power and performance of race skis to every lap, in a more accessible package. They’re not as one-dimensional as traditional race skis, instead, they can handle the occasional off-piste lap. But really, they’re made to rail turns, as hard as possible.
New This Year:
As carving skis have evolved and grown, manufacturers have managed to make them more accessible to a wider range of skiers, without compromising on top-end performance. So it’s easier than ever to get comfortable on carving skis, and they won’t punish you for questionable technique. Carving skis have also gotten lighter, no longer are they heavy bricks that take a fair amount of speed to turn. Lighter skis are just more fun, and manufacturers are using exotic materials to shave weight without hurting performance. So the best carving skis are even better than ever before!
Völkl Kendo 88
Just like sending a Rottweiler to obedience school and your dog coming back with a veneer of civility until he really needs to use his teeth, the storied Völkl Kendo 88 Skis get an update that makes them a tad more forgiving at slower speeds without losing any of their grit when the chips are down. That means better slow and mid-speed performance, less hookiness at the tip, and still the tenacious edge grip you expect when you lay the ski over. Völkl gets it done with the addition of Tailored Technology - the Titanal laminate has been sculpted - and Tailored Carbon Tips, and you're the beneficiary. If you’re looking for a mean carving ski that won’t beat you up, look no further than the Kendo 88.
| Core | Waist Width | Original Price |
| Multi-Layer Woodcore | 88 mm | $699.99 |
Stockli Stormrider 88
As good as they get for frontside ripping, the Stöckli Stormrider 88 Skis rail turns with the best of 'em and handles cut up crud or variable snow conditions with confidence. As with the other Stormrider skis, the 88s feature a sandwich construction, a full sidewall build with a topsheet of Titanal for power and smoothness, and the combination is hard to beat. The Stormrider has a long and storied history, and this new Stormrider 88 carries on that legacy.
| Core | Waist Width | Original Price |
| Paulownia & Poplar | 88 mm | $1099.00 |
Black Crows Mirus Cor
For too long, all new ski tech has been made only for the deepest powder, the steepest lines, and the biggest stomps. But over the past few years, a new trend has started. Crazy new shapes are coming out designed specifically for the average day. And we're all about it. The Black Crows Mirus Cor Skis are the wacky French ski manufacturer's take on a wacky ski designed to have the funnest, wackiest time possible ripping around the resort on an otherwise unremarkable snow day. It has a skinny waist, a short length, a super tight turn radius, an eye-catching swallow tail, a single plate of Titanal, and a nearly symmetrical twin shape. If this sounds like a crazy mishmash of carving features and park features, you're right. If you think this sounds like a crazy amount of fun, you're right again. The Mirus Cor might not fit your preconceived notions of a carving ski, but it does everything you’d want, with a little extra twist.
| Core | Waist Width | Original Price |
| Poplar / Fiberglass | 87 mm | $899.95 |
Rossignol Experience W 86
Love precision and smoothness in your skiing, but don't want a heavy "charger" ski? The Rossignol Experience W 86 Basalt Skis + NX 12 Konnect GW Bindings deliver just what you're looking for. With a lightweight Paulownia wood core and Basalt Fiber in the layup, the Experience W 86ws create a damp ride without unnecessary weight. They're a great choice for eager intermediates who stick mostly to prepared snow, but who aren't afraid to head out after a storm. The Experience W 86 is perfect for women just looking to get into higher-performance carving skis.
| Core | Waist Width | Original Price |
| Paulownia Wood Core | 86 mm | $849.95 |
Season Kin
Forget gate bashing, aerodynamic optimization, and torture devices disguised as ski boots. Skiing is supposed to be fun, remember? The Season Kin Skis know it, and they won't let you forget. These twin tools of all mountain destruction are perfect for skiers who view the resort as one giant playground, boasting a playful, pressable flex and a versatile sub-100mm waist width that hits the sweet spot for life spent both in and out of the park. The Kin is the rare ski that jibs and carves with equal grace.
| Core | Waist Width | Original Price |
| Poplar Wood Core | 95 mm | $599.00 |
Blizzard Phoenix 72
The "Frontside" category rules in Austria, so it figures that Blizzard has that one down. It's true, at both the learning and expert ends of the spectrum, and the Blizzard Phoenix 7.2 + TLT10 Bindings combo is a great way to transition away from the rental scene with a great setup of your own. Sturdy but forgiving Composite Sidewall construction gives you the control you crave without the hookiness you hate, the binding mount point is moved slightly forward to account for the female anatomy, and a 6mm rocker profile keeps edge-to-edge transfers manageable. A great ski for progressing intermediate skiers that will speed you on the way to better turns and more fun. These are a great entry point to the wonderful world of carving skis.
| Core | Waist Width | Original Price |
| Composite | 72 mm | $449.95 |
Atomic Redster Q7 Revo C
Push harder, ski faster, and dig deep into the freshly groomed snow on your new Atomic Redster Q7 Revo C Skis + M 12 GW Bindings. With a Titanal-powered wood core backed up by Revoshock carbon technology for added stiffness and response, these 100% camber piste bashers love to turn and don't mind a bit of chunder at the end of a long day. The Redster name is well known in the world of racing, and the Q7 takes that pedigree and makes it accessible to everyday skiers.
| Core | Waist Width | Original Price |
| Densolite Core | 84.5 mm | $799.95 |
Black Crows Vertis Birdie
The Black Crows Vertis Skis are smooth turning, short radius carving skis that turn every day into a vert staking festival. If you live for hot lapping groomers and feeling the flow of one turn blending into the next, the Vertis will help you unlock a deeper carver and a tighter arc than ever before. These are the perfect everyday resort ski for making the most of any piste, any time. Carving, is at its heart, supposed to be fun, it’s impossible to forget that on the Vertis Birdie.
| Core | Waist Width | Original Price |
| Poplar / Fiberglass | 85 mm | $749.95 |
Stockli Montero AX
You want the feel of a race ski underfoot, but the reality is you'll get your pass pulled in a week if you ski fast enough to use one, and the majority of your skiing is on groomed runs, not a prepped race course. Reach for the new Stöckli Montero AX Skis and see what the wizards at Stöckli (who love a clean turn as much as anyone) have come up with. This ski delivers impeccable on-edge performance with enough of a forgiving character to handle superbly at reasonable speeds and even dice it up in bumps and off-piste. The Montero AX makes every lap feel like a race practice lap but is surprisingly versatile off the course as well.
| Core | Waist Width | Original Price |
| Light | 80 mm | $1299.00 |
K2 Disruption 78 C
The K2 Disruption 78C Skis + M3 11 Compact Quikclik Bindings are all rip it, but without the grip it. Thanks to the lightweight stiffness provided by their carbon fiber backbone, these skis offer speed and power on the hardpack without the feeling that you're on a runaway train and you've just got to hang on to survive. When pushed, they can produce beautiful high-speed carved turns, but despite that, they're a reasonably forgiving ski. Perfect for riders with a burgeoning corduroy addiction, or casual skiers with solid technique who love to rip groomers with their friends and family. These are the ultimate gateway drug for skiers who are curious about ripping race turns.
| Core | Waist Width | Original Price |
| Aspen Veneer | 78 mm | $649.95 |
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
Discover Our Favorite Gear:
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The Best Beginner Skis
The Best All Mountain Skis
The Best Powder Skis
The Best Touring Skis
The Best Carving Skis
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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
The Best Kids' Skis
The Best Kids' Ski Boots
The Best Cross Country Ski Boots
The Best Ski Boot Liners
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.