K2 Apache Recon M1 (2007)

The plush new Recon is damp (like the Outlaw, above), adaptable, and supremely even-tempered in any terrain. It rails hardpack arcs with nary a chatter, and it’s easy to disengage when you need to scrub speed. Glides through the gnarliest chop with velvety smoothness. gripes: So damp, the rebound initially feels sluggish at first—but it’s not. props: Enough forgiveness for an advanced skier, but with all the tools for pro-level stomping. tester’s take: "So confidence-inspiring you don’t need to do any recon—just ski." —Lindsay Yaw