Goode Impact (2012)

Carbon has its advantages, and no one loves a heavy ski, but testers agree skis need some heft for stability and tracking. The Impact still has the snappiness of carbon, but the introduction of a wood core-new for Goode-yields instant performance benefits. Other skis in the category are more stable at speed and/or calmer in broken snow, but with an 88 mm waist (and a short 177 cm test length), the Impact was tied for No. 2 in Quickness. "Has a light energetic feel, with a nice punch out of every turn," said Gleason. Notes: The 88 waist will make the Impact a great everyday, any-conditions ski for the Western skier (especially if he or she has something fatter for the biggest powder days). Slight tip rocker should smooth the ride and make the ski easy to pivot and skid. Construction: wood core with all-carbon-fiber torsion box. Goode made a radical change in its layups for 2012, going with wood cores instead of foam in all of its cores. Testers were greatly impressed by the difference in performance, enjoying the extra heft of wood core Goodes, which have improved tracking and stability but retain the quickness of carbon-construction.