Salomon Scarlet (2009)

Skiing Wasatch powder is hard work. But with the Scarlet underfoot, our testers don't have much leverage for a raise. The only winning foam-core ski, the Scarlet is the antidote for quad burn. It whizzed through powder and trees with the grace and whimsy of a butterfly but busted through chop like a ski twice its weight. But being playful has its faults: This ski gets flighty speeding down groomers. "Light and fun. I didn't have to overwork it," said Stokes.

Best For

The flirtatious: It likes to keep things light.

Not For

Birds of Prey downhillers