This once-garage brand made it to the big time without selling its soul: Its vibe is still indie, its price is affordable for people living the life, and its skis are damn good. The all-new Soul Mate has the same wood core and sandwich construction as the men's version, but it's simply lighter. Testers appreciated its consistent balance and power and felt it suited a Westerner's needs perfectly. It loves soft snow and scored No. 2 in Flotation, but it heads for the trees when asked to bite on ice. Notes: New this season, the Soulmate is the women's equivalent of the Influence series. It is intended for aggressive, directional skiers looking for a powerful sk It has a layer of metal to improve the stability and dampness of the ride and a blend of rocker and camber for on- and off-piste performance. It is intended for more advanced female skiers.