Salomon X-Wing Tornado (2008)

With the narrowest waist in the category and a 14.5-meter sidecut, the Tornado blew away the competition in Short Turns. But it’s not just a waist-width story. It’s billed as an all-conditions ski with a bias for hard snow, where its Pulse Pad dampening strips, laid in over the edges, smooth the ride. But Salomon gives it a less stout construction than the X-Wing Fury (Freeride XL), and testers deemed it one of the most forgiving AME skis. "A playful all-mountain ski," said Rogan.

Best For

Finesse skiers.

Not For

Deep-powder surfing or GS arcs.