Best Skis for Women of 2022

Updated on October 2, 2020

Have you ever found yourself growing tired of the winter season? Do you dread the colder weather? Do you sit inside and bemoan the fact that you’ve already seen all the good holiday movies three times? Well then, it sounds like you need a new winter hobby, and we think that new hobby might just be skiing! When you first dive into the world of snowsports, it can be a bit overwhelming to figure it all out. But you don’t need to fear! We’ve compiled a list of the best skis for women right here to help you sift through a handful of our very favorite skis.

Just ahead, we’ll demystify the makeup and features of the best skis on the market. Spend a little time with this list, and before you know it, you’ll be cruising down a mountain, the wind in your hair, and a sweet view of glistening snow-covered trees all around you. We can’t think of a better way to spend the winter season. So what are you waiting for? Check it out below!

For more of our top ski gear recommendations, check out the Best Downhill Skis.

Quick Answer – The Best Skis for Women

Line Pandora 84 SkisView at REIArmada Victa 87 TiView at AmazonBlizzard Black Pearl 88View at REIBlack Crows Camox BirdieView at REIFaction Prodigy 2.0 XView at BackcountryVolkl Kenja 88View at REIK2 Mindbender 108 TiView at AmazonNordica Santa Ana 100View at Amazon

Comparison Table – Best Skis for Women

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Want to learn more about a technical term? Check out our Features Explained section below.

Need buying advice? Take a look at these Things to Consider.

Reviews – The Best Women’s Skis

Line Pandora 84 Skis

Specs

Weight: 5 lb. 14 oz.Tail Shape: FlatTerrain: GroomedWaist Width: 84 MillimetersCore Material: AspenTail Width: 110 MillimetersTip Width: 122 Millimeters

Features

Lifted Tip And Tail Design Helps With BalanceSofter Tip and Sturdier Tail Aids in Power And TurningHella Sweet Ski Art

BEST GROOMER SKI

If you’re just getting your feet..er…skis underneath you when it comes to downhill snowsports, you may be sticking to the groomed trails at first. Groomed trails have been altered to ensure a smooth and uniform surface, making them a bit easier for beginners and less hardy skiers. The Line Pandora 84s were made for this type of trail.

Their lifted tip and tail design sends the bulk of your weight to the middle of the ski, which assists in balance and power while turning. The tip of this ski is built to make turn initiation easy, while the tail provides stability and control. It’s a great ski for those who just want to get the basics down! Invest in this ski and you’ll be surfing groomed terrain like waves on the beach in no time.

View at REIView at Backcountry

Armada Victa 87 Ti

Specs

Weight: 7 lb. 8 oz.Tail Shape: Partial TwinTerrain: PowderWaist Width: 87 MillimetersCore Material: WoodTail Width: 120 MillimetersTip Width: 129 Millimeters

Features

Light Wood Core Is Built For Stability, Power, And Control On The SlopesSpecial Heat Treatment Applied For Added DurabilityFastest Armada Ski On The Market

BEST SPEED SKI

Speed Demons, look no further! This ski is built for you. It features a design that is specifically built for stability, control, and power even at high speeds, and the Comp-Series base-Armada’s fastest ski base-guarantees you’ll get there. Victa’s are made for varied terrain, so you’ll feel confident ripping it up on any part of the mountain. Their carbon and kevlar combo makeup ensure this ski’s longevity. The build also aids in that light, “bouncy” feel that so many skiers desire on the hill. The Armada Victa is sure to please those with a need for speed!

View at Amazon

Blizzard Black Pearl 88

Specs

Weight: 6 lb. 10 oz.Tail Shape: FlatTerrain: Groomed and PowderWaist Width: 88 MillimetersCore Material: Carbon FiberTail Width: 110 MillimetersTip Width: 126 Millimeters

BEST “UP YOUR GAME” SKI

Featuring a lightweight, yet high-performing cut, superior power and control, and premium turning capabilities, the Blizzard Black Pearl Ski is a great choice for someone who is looking to make a lot of growth as a skier on one set of skis. 

They are suitable for those just beginning as they are easy to control, but they’ll work well for intermediate and advanced skiers, too, as they are high-performing even at high speeds and varied snow conditions. That means that you can rely on these sweet puppies to be with you for a great number of years as your skills develop! The popularity of Blizzard skis on the mountain increases each year as they produce high-quality, high-value products.

View at REIView at Backcountry

Black Crows Camox Birdie

Specs

Weight: 7 lb. 10 oz.Tail Shape: Partial TwinTerrain: Groomed and PowderWaist Width: 97 MillimetersCore Material: WoodTail Width: 115 MillimetersTip Width: 127 Millimeters

Features

Slightly Flexible In Order To Handle Various TerrainLonger Than Average Edge Helps You Dig In And TurnSki Stays Stable Even At High Speeds

BEST PLAYFUL SKI

For those who like to get creative on the slopes – traversing different terrain and pushing the limits – we’re introducing the Camox Birdie’s from Black Crow. Inspired by freestyle skiing, these skis strikes a great balance between stiffness and controllability. They remain stable at speeds both slow and fast, have medium flexibility for premium turning capability, and feature specially designed edges that are built to dig in deep when you need it most. You can play with these medium-width skis all over the mountain as they’re made for fun!

View at REI

Faction Prodigy 2.0 X

Specs

Weight: 6 lb. 13 oz.Tail Shape: Partial TwinTerrain: Groomed and PowderWaist Width: 96 MillimetersCore Material: WoodTail Width: 112 MillimetersTip Width: 122 Millimeters

Features

Ski Designed For Downhill Skiing With Playful/Freestyle FlairWood Core Designed For Premium Grip And ControlAnti-Chip And High-Resistance Treatment Boost DurabilityTwo-Year Warranty Included With Purchase

BEST FREESTYLE/DOWNHILL COMBO SKI

The Faction Prodigy 2.0’s are everything you’ve dreamed of in a multi-purpose ski. For those looking to strike a cross between downhill skiing and terrain park action, this is the ski for you! The Prodigy 2.0’s feature unbeatable grip and control to give you the power to carve like a maniac as well as conquer jumps and rails like a pro. 

The core of this ski is built to pop you right out of each turn and send you into the next quickly to maintain speed and stability. The outermost layer of this ski is designed to absorb shock so you can have a comfortable landing from jumps of any size. And as a bonus, these skis receive an anti-chip and high-resistance treatment to enhance their durability and keep you going strong year after year.

View at Backcountry

Volkl Kenja 88

Specs

Weight: UnavailableTail Shape: FlatTerrain: Groomed and PowderWaist Width: 88 MillimetersCore Material: WoodTail Width: 111 MillimetersTip Width: 129 Millimeters

Features

Frame Enforcements Add Stiffness In The Tip And Tail Area For Added LongevityCarbon Tips Combined With Multiple Layers Of Wood Makes For A Controlled RideBuilt For Versatile Terrain

BEST VERSATILE SKI

Want to tackle all kinds of terrain from groomed trails to straight powder? Want to hit the jumps and rails? Want to ski both forwards and backwards? Or maybe you just aren’t sure what kind of skier you want to be yet? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then the Volka Kenjas may just be the skis for you. 

The best thing about these versatile skis is that they are made to handle well in all sorts of snow and tailor to the needs of a wide range of skiers. Their multilayer, multimaterial core, carbon-protected tips, and rigid titanium frame work together to ensure stability and control. Take these skis anywhere across the mountain, and they’re sure to perform. With this investment, you can buy now and decide what kind of skier you’ll be later on.

View at REIView at Backcountry

K2 Mindbender 108 Ti

Specs

Weight: 4 lb. 8 oz.Tail Shape: Partial TwinTerrain: Groomed and PowderWaist Width: 108 MillimetersCore Material: WoodTail Width: 125 MillimetersTip Width: 136 Millimeters

Features

Ski Is Super Flexible To Maneuver Smoothly Through Varied TerrainAngled Sidewall Increases The Ski’s Responsiveness To Your MovementsStiffness Is Distributed Strategically Throughout Ski For Maximum Ease While Turning

BEST SKI FOR TOUGH CONDITIONS

The K2 Mindbender Ski makes skiing in tough conditions just a little bit easier. These medium-width skis have great flexibility and an angled sidewall, making them super responsive to your every move. Depending on where you plan to ski, ice and tougher conditions can be a significant difficulty factor. Especially if you’re just starting out, a super stable, yet flexible and responsive ski can make your experience on the mountain a lot better! These skis are a slick choice for beginners and intermediate skiers alike. If you’re just getting started, they’ll give you the confidence boost you need to achieve a higher level of skiing.

View at Amazon

Nordica Santa Ana 100

Specs

Weight: 8 lb. 8 oz.Tail Shape: FlatTerrain: Groomed And PowderWaist Width: 100 MillimetersCore Material: WoodTail Width: 119 MillimetersTip Width: 131 Millimeters

Features

Raised Tail And Tip Help This Ski “Float” On Top Of SnowDesigned For Superior “Edge Hold” To Maximize Control While Turning“Sandwich” Core Design Combines Wood, Carbon, And Metal To Enhance Stability

BEST POWER TURNING SKI

The Turn: it’s the single most important move in skiing. So wouldn’t you want a pair of skis that is designed for premium turning capabilities? We sure would! And that’s why we urge you to take a look at the Nordica Santa Ana’s. These bad boys will have you surfing down the hill with ease. Their raised tip/tail design places the bulk of your weight directly underfoot to help you balance, and its special core makeup provides added stability. With these stellar skis, you’ll zig and zag nimbly down the hill while you confidently float over all kinds of terrain with power and confidence.

View at Amazon

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING SKIS FOR WOMEN

WEIGHT

Some skis are heavier than others! Light skis are, well, lighter, and therefore much easier to carry and move around when they aren’t on your feet. That’s an advantage, but it comes at the cost of being a bit more difficult to cut through heavy snow and rougher conditions.

YEAR MAKE

The most recently released skis will always claim to be the best of the best, but they’ll come at a higher cost. Do your research and do not rule out past seasons’ models! They will come at a significant price reduction and can be just as good as this year’s skis. We’ve included skis from both last season and this season on this list.

PURPOSE/TERRAIN

Where will you be skiing most? Eastern U.S. ski slopes aren’t known for their powder, while on the other hand, Western U.S. ski slopes are. Many skis will work on lots of different terrain, but you should consider where you will be spending most of your time and go with a ski that is made for the kind of skiing you’ll be doing most.

FLEX AND STIFFNESS

Flexibility versus stiffness is an important consideration since a ski’s rigidity serves as one of the main indicators of the ski’s purpose. More flexible skis turn more easily and perform better on varied terrain like moguls or backcountry conditions. Stiff skis, though, tend to go faster and work great on consistent, smoother terrain.

HEIGHT

You should use a number of factors to determine the proper height of your skis, including your height, weight, skiing style, and ability. Here’s more information from Backcountry on choosing the proper size ski. 

TAIL TYPE

Tail type is one of the specs you’ll find here that helps define a ski’s purpose. The two most popular tail types on the market today are partial twin and flat. Partial twin tips are almost identical at the top of the ski and the bottom, and they allow the skier to ride backwards as well as forwards. Partial twin tips are generally a good pick for freestyle/terrain park skiers. Flat tips aren’t good for skiing backwards. They are found on what is called a directional ski. Directional skis are made with traditional downhill skiing and carving (turning) in mind.

COST

Like most outdoor equipment, skis are available at many different price points. There are other costs to consider when purchasing skis – such as bindings and boots – and those costs can add up fast. That’s why this list gives you a variety of price points for high quality skis! With just a little browsing, you should be able to find a pair of skis that works for your wallet.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Check out this helpful article from REI expert advice for more information on choosing and buying skis.

FEATURES EXPLAINED

TIPS, TAILS, AND WAIST

Tip refers to the frontmost part of the ski (equivalent to the toes of your ski). Tail refers to the backmost part of the ski (like your heel). Waist refers to the middlemost part. The widths of these three areas are important because together they determine the ski shape, which ultimately defines its purpose. Check out this article to help determine which kind of ski shape is best for you and for information on the meaning of ski width.

SIDEWALL

The outermost layer on the sides of the ski, which can affect the ski’s responsiveness, stability, and control.

CORE

The main material the ski is made of.

EDGES

Strips of metal that run along the sides of the ski. Edges are important for controlled turning.

READ MORE

For more of our top skiing gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer’s guides:

Downhill Skis

Ski Boots

Ski Bindings

Ski Poles

Ski Pants

Ski Jackets

Ski Goggles

Ski Helmets

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