2023 Men's Mid 100 mm Freeride Ski Comparison with SkiEssentials.com

What are the best all mountain ski at arount 100mm width that ca still perform well on firm snow ? I've heard the bent 100 has its limits i was wondering if there was an all mountain/freeride skis that is playful and that can still perform well on firm snow groomers

Hello guys
how would you compare the qst 106 and the black crows atris?
thanks in advance :)

I wish they'd have put the Volkl Mantra 102 next to the Blaze 106.....I'm torn as to which I should use in my 2 ski quiver.

Quote of the Year: “Bouncy and poppy - like Tigger” hahahaha…well said.

Fantastic review guys, as usual! "Do whatever you want - it's America!" (c). Well Done!

I’ll take a Nordica Enforcer 104 Free if you’re just gonna give it away 😁

Hi guys, how would you compare volkl revolt 104 and k2 rekoner 102?

If you guys had to grab one of these skis for your daily driver out west what would you go for?

Thanks for the thorough review.... Just coming off the Kore 105 and wanted to change it up. I'm a 50 year old ex racer and still love to charge and jib so looking for something to do it all in the BC mountains. Settled on the QST 106 and looking forward to next season to try them.... thanks! PS. I threw on the Shifts just for those odd day side country turns.... 95% resort still.

J skis all day!

Hi! How is the enforcer 104 compared to the head kore 105 in plafulness and over all performance would you say? Great video!

Need help with a 1 ski quiver for pnw skiing , alwaysblooking more fun than hard charging , but hit crud and hard pack while looking for soft. Adv/int. Rustler 10 or blade optic (or declivity 102)? 5'7 165, 172?

Hello, i really like your reviews! What ski would you guys recommend to someone trying to get more into freetylish skiing on thé slopes? I consider myself a decent skier. And want to start learning switch. 180's etc. I was considering thé koala 103 , blade optic of thé Nordica enforcers. Would love to get some advice

Hey guys! Been watching a lot of your vids lately and they have been super helpful! I’m looking to grab new skis this off-season to replace my 2016 soul 7s. Im looking for something more stable but still light and energetic. I’m 5,11, 170, expert skier but do like softer and more poppy skies. I demoed the QST 106 and enforcer 104 free and found the QST not very agile and the enforcer free too heavy but fun. I’m leaning towards the enforcer free unlimited or hustle 10, I will be skiing on resort, primarily in British Columbia. In your review you mention how similar they are but wondering which you think would be a better ski for a more advanced skier that primarily does trees and bumps but still wants on piste stability. Thanks in advance!

Hi guys, love the reviews as usual! The QST 106 has been my go-to Whistler ski for the past 5 years. The 181cm is starting to feel a bit short for me now that I ski more and more. I am 6’, 175lbs and 45 years old. I ski mostly blacks and double blacks. The 189cm seems too long. Is there another comparable ski that comes in something like a 184 or 185cm? Also curious whether the new 106 skis longer or shorter. I have the blanks for bigger days in the 186cm and love them but wouldn’t want to go any longer. Thank you!

Have the enforcer 94s in a 172- im 5 7 168. Love the enforcers but think they are a little heavy and looking for a lighter, more playful ski with a different feel. Love to go off trail but still rip turns. Love the trees. Looking for something to complement that that is going to be good on a powder day- would you recommend the enforcer unlimited 104 or the bent chetler 100 and in what size? Tried the bent chetler 100s in a 164 and loved those.

Hi Folks!
Seeking for an advice :)

I am a more advanced skier and looking for a new pair of all mountain ski.Till now I rode on wayback88 but I feel I need something more powerfull, strong and all around.
What I am looking for is when you will go somewhere in the alps, that you can go through in all conditions in one day, startin in a powder, soft snow, crud, crust icy and in the end slush.
also descending from some steep culuars (45degrees and more)
It will be 90% free touring and rest resort.
I am ok to have 4kg pair of ski and I am 176 cm tall

My Research include this skis :
DPS koala 103
Ranger 102
Black crows justis
black crows artis
Blizard hustle 10 (I think no - has thiner edges then rest )
Rossignol sender 104

Many thanks in advance !

So do you think the reckoner 102 isnt a durable ski?

Really interesting comment from Bob on the 104 Unlimited vs. the Bent 100. I ski a Bent 100 and have been progressing my skiing to the point where I'd like something a bit stronger on the groomers, but I don't want to give up the maneuverability in trees, and soft snow / bumps. Would the 104 Unlimited provide that? Have you moved away from the Bent 100 to the 104 Unlimited yourself?

Fascinating and hugely helpful comparison and review! Appreciate all the time you guys are putting into these. Helps people like me who don't have the mountain around the corner and are left doing desktop research a lot! Question I was hoping you could help with: I was put on a pair of Atomic Bent 100s in the Swiss Alps last week and was blown away by how manoeuvrable and versatile they were. Was a joy skiing them. Led me to do some research with the help of your videos for the purpose of buying a new pair of skis. Looking for width of 100-105, something versatile across the mountain and was hoping to keep the weight down (as I suspect one of the reasons I had such a good time on the Bents is its lightness). I ended up shortlisting the following 4: Atomic Bent 100 @ 188cm / Blizzard Hustle 10 @ 188cm / Nordica Enforcer Free 104 @ 186cm / Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104 @186cm.
(I'm 190cm tall.)
Think these are all great skis (though the Bents are noticeably absent from most "best skis reviews") but any tips or insights as I zero in on the final choice would be appreciated. Thanks!

How does the origin 106 compare to the qst 106?

Any reason the faction dancer 3 isn’t in this video?

What about the Unleashed 108? How does it compare to these?

I will second the "go your own way" recommendation. Been trying to find a particular ski to fill my quiver and have noticed in demoing skis it doesn't really matter what the stats are, they can't really express its character until u ski them. And skis I enjoy are not what I thought I would on paper.

How does Black crows atris compare to Nordica enforcer free 104 unlimited. What would you recommend between 50/50 tight trees (Swedish forrests) and big mountain (alps) objectives?

How would you recommend mounting binding on free 104 unlimited for maximum maneuverability in tight forrest?

What would be better for a mountain like Snowbird? Rustler 10 or the Blade optic 104? Or ? Looking for best all mountain ski for snowbird and Alta. I like to ski switch small jumps groomers, crud, trees. Big powder runs, Small powder stash of groomers. Just the best all around but can do good when snowbird gets 2 ft of powder in one storm. Right now I have the Rustler 9. Great Video

Hi, thanks so much for all these vids!

I recently broke my Line Vision 108's and am looking for something with a similar feeling and width but a bit more robust, i really loved how playfull they were both on and off piste. I'm a fairly light skier, around 140 pounds, and 5/9 I currently ski 100% in resort but I'm looking to get into something like 30% touring later this season, I ski about 80% off piste when conditions allow it. I like everything about the volkl blaze but i do some occasional backwards skiing and landings. For me it's not about charging, but more drops, jumps, fun, surfy,...

I really like everything about what you are telling about the QST 106 and the revolt 104. Since I'm looking to get into touring I was thinking on putting a Kingpin or shift on it, just to start somewhere, or just alpine bindings i can take from my visions. Any thoughts about this?

Hiii, i'm considering the ranger 96 or the ranger 102, the head kore 105, or the nordica enforcer 104 free. Which one do I choose. I'm 180cm and 75kg (165,3 pounds) and consider myself as an advanced skier. Mostly skiing in Europe. I'm used to head oblivion 90 but is looking for something wider and capable of cutting through yet still playful and fun. I love to ride all over the mountain but is looking for a wider one ski quiver. Thanks:)

Hi, I'm looking for a opinion between unlimited 104 and backland 107 , looking for 50/50 one ski quiver which is light , how the skis feel mostly offpist, trrees, steep skiing .

Do you think the rustler 10 or kore 105 Would best complete my current quiver of
Kastle mx 74, dx 85, mpro 90, qst 92, ______? Fyi, the Kore is only 98mm underfoot in my length (163cm) This will be used as West Coast all mountain ski for My yearly vacation. Plus East Coast powder ski. I haven't been on many 100 mm skis. ( I did demo and like the Maverick. Did not care for the BC Justis much, found it Too heavy and stiff to use as my softer snow ski. Really Liked the mfree 99 love my qst 92, just as a reference. )

Advanced Skier. 5'5" 160 lbs. (Pretty strong physically.)Love side hits. Love to go to the trees. But also ski pretty fast on the groomers.

I've narrowed it down to these 2 because of the outstanding deal I can get through employee pricing.

Why not K2 Mindbender 106Ti here? It is funny because I think it is great freeride ski and not really powder ski how you match it. This is a power tank not a surfer. Powder is K2 116C imo

Thank you Guys so much!

Maybe not the best comparison, but if you had to choose between either the Armada Declivity 102 or QST 106 for a daily driver in Colorado, which one would you go with? Looking for something for the whole mountain. Bonus points to the ski that can grow with me as I work on my skills.

Can I use the fischer 102 for parks and pipes?

Thank you for another great review guys. You are my go-to channel for ski info…
I have a question:
I just sold my 2020 Nordica Enforcer Free 110 in 191 cm. It was a bit too heavy and maybe too much ski for me, so Im looking for a new daily driver.
I’m late 40’ies and have been skiing for 1000 years. Not an expert but maybe an anvanced skier. 187 cm and 85 kg. I dont ski park or butter etc. but I like a pretty centered stance I ski resort and offpiste. Mostly in The Alps.
I would like something that can go fast but also slow. I have been considering to mount a Salomon Shift or Dynafit Rotation binding for lightness and the ocational uphill struggle.
I have been looking at the Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104 and the Faction Mana 3.
I would appreciate any wise words from you guys :)

in the PNW the enforcer 104 free has been my daily driver for the past 2 seasons. I like the weight of the ski in the heavier snow. In between powder days this ski does it all for me. ( skiing inbounds at the resort )

Can you please review the DPS Foundation 106 C2 skis soon? It's really hard to find any reviews on them. Love your videos, thanks!

When are you doing the women's version of this comparison?

Love these! Thanks!

Hi team, love the work you are doing, excellent stuff.

Please help as I just cannot make my mind up and apologies if its a bit long but I have watched too much footage haha...

I mostly ski in Greece, we have a few resorts and lately its been dumping on strong years.

180cm - 82kg - aggressive charging all over the mountain in and out of bounds and hitting cliffs / sidehits and powder & trees, but also lapping icy beat up "blacks" with some atrocious snow / ice and sometimes rocks to avoid.

No ultra deep pow and not much park in Greece

Will be purchasing either:

volkl revolt 104 - 180cm (made in china or germany?)
atomic bent 100 - 180cm (maybe the 188cm adds some more strength to it?)
nordica enforcer 104 - (179 or 186cm?)

Although the revolt and bent sound like the "funner" and more "playful" options for our generally small resorts, the enforcer sounds like it will give the edge on the days of bad snow quality, which is often. Price is also somewhat of an issue here as I can find the bent 200 euros cheaper than the nordica enforcer. All will be mounted with a look pivot 15. Looking for a one ski quiver, durability is also somewhat of a concern.


Thanks anyways for the solid content, and if you have some time I would appreciate to hear your thoughts !

What'd you guys think of the Ranger 102s?

Hi guys, can you please let me know how does the bc atris compares with the Ripstick 106?

Your ski comparisons are an orgy of ski reviews, A buffet of ski info. I'm stuffed.

Hi, thanks for the great video. I'm currently debating between the Hustle 10 and QST 106. I'm 183cm, 153 lb and gonna be in Revelstoke this season, primarily off piste but also looking for some on piste ability. Prefer shorter turns with a more playful style. Also if I was going to go with the Hustle 10 would you recommend 172 or 180 cm? Thanks again

Hello! great comparison video. Could you please tell me the difference between the Salomon QST106 and the Atomic Backland 107? How would these skis feel compared one to the other. Thanks!!!

Had last model Atris.. ordered an RMU YLE 110. I’m leaning hard towards the new atris!!

Please differentiate the Salomon Blank vs Salomon QST 106. Thanks.

I have the Pagoda 94 and 106 and I feel the same way as you Jeff, I prefer the 106 for carving. I mentioned this when I was at a DPS test day and I believe they said it was to do with torsional stiffness (don't quote me, I could be wrong)