2026-27 Intermediate All-mountain skis (East coast / Europe)

[nycskidiva]

Hi everyone, first time posting here.
I'm shopping for a new skis. I'm 5'2" 145lb living in east coast.

Considering 2026 Black Pearl 88, 152 cm. Unfortunately missed demo opportunities :(

A bit confused about the hype of BP88...
- I read BP88 are for upper intermediate to advanced, and then also read "beginner-friendly", or mom-with-kids friendly ...
- I saw a review that they have "speed-limit", which I am fine with...I do not want to go too fast
- Some adjectives confused me: like "fun" "energetic" – meaning easy or fast ? Also "responsive"...like racing skis?
- Some said 84 is easier but isn't 88 better for spring and damp days ?

I currently have two skis:
Volkl Chiara 77 155cm – For some reason they were too overwhelming in spring condition for me after 5 years of blank. This year there was a lot of mashed snow in March...and I was having hard time to cut the crud and turn...to compensate, I found myself lifting one feet at the turn, which I really want to correct. On ice I was also losing edges, which is partly my fault not having them sharpened...I feel they are too demanding at this point and my quads are on fire after 2 hours...The radius is almost 16 m which might be too large.

Rossignol Temptation 74 146cm – My first skis. They are really easy skis but may be too beginner for me and too short. They exaggerate every turns especially small turns. Light. I might still keep them for practicing on mogul.

I gained 20lb since Covid, and felt I was going faster...Or maybe because I haven't skied in a while...

Background:
I downhill skied about 10 years before stopped around COVID time in 2021. I mostly skied in Northeast, and made a few trips to Chamonix and Hakuba, Japan...I am (or was) a solid intermediate, was able to go down slowly on very long red in those places. After pandemic, I switch to Nordic skiing for less crowd and reasonably priced activities. I do like both types of skiing and want to maintain and/or improve my skills...

Intended Use:
Mostly in east coast, good coverage / dump days and spring condition. I am not planning to get any season pass or Ikon pass, not planning to go west, but maybe another trip or two in Europe or Japan...My favorite mountains are Pico VT and Bretton Woods NH. I am also interested in exploring smaller non-Vail mountains like Magic or Black Mountain...I may go to Whiteface and Gore. I am planning to split my time doing Nordic in cold days and switch to Alpine/downhill on less windy days, or after good accumulation, or sunny spring skiing. I like being on groomers, but my husband wants to explore backcountry and or tele. I might try easier backcountry in Europe but I'm terrified of ice & tree backcountry in Northeast. Need to do more mogul first if anything...

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Though BP88 is one line that has been consistently highly rated, I'm also curious about other competitors like Santa Anna, Ripstick etc.
But depends on the year model, they change strategies? For example I guess Santa Anna were more free-style one point, or some says stiffer construction. My Volkl Chiara are pretty stiff and heavy...I feel I should stay away from another set of a carver...but I am not sure. All in all, alpine skiing and gears seems to have changed a lot in 5 years – shapes and width are so different, and a lot less "women" lines than I remember...feeling like I've been living under a rock...lol

Any other recommendations are welcome !

 

[Aerlind]

Lots of women love the Black Pearl. I wasn't one of them. I liked it well enough but felt it needed more "driving" than I wanted to give it, or was able to at the time. That was a couple of years ago so the skier I am now may feel differently, but I'm rarely able to demo unless I want to pay $70/day, which I don't at this time because I'm not in the market for skis.

I personally also demoed, and loved, and bought the Santa Ana 93s. Note: I ski out west and primarily off-piste and soft bumps, so I was looking for something a little wider. They do have an 87 and an 82 underfoot, I believe. I LOVE my Santa Ana 93s. I first loved them because they rewarded good technique but didn't punish me when I made a mistake. I still love them because they haven't held me back and have improved my confidence, especially at speed: I literally feel like I can safely ski the whole mountain with them. Icy crud? Blasting through it. Ripping down a groomer? They're there for me, never getting chattery or unstable, no matter how fast I push them. Laying down a carve? With the asterisk that I as a skier am NOT a carver, they've been a blast to learn more about the concept of carving on, and I'm confident experimenting putting them on edge because I know if I fail, they won't punish me and I can adjust to get out of it without losing control. You say you don't want to go fast: I didn't either, until I got the Santa Anas, and they inspire SO much confidence at speed I've found I enjoy going faster now than I used to. I'm still not one of those who's going to straightline at the edge of control, but I'll happily lay down some fast turns on a nicely-groomed run without a second thought!

I also know a lot of women here, based out East, love their Volkl Blaze 86s. I've never skied the Blaze, so can't comment. I want to though!

As for length: don't be afraid to look for something in the 155-159 range (or about the same length as you are tall). I'm 5'5" and skied on 159s for too many years. By chance, my Santa Anas are 165, and I'm only ever going shorter for backcountry skis (and mostly because I already own and like them). The little bit of extra length has massively increase the stability of the ski, and I don't find it cumbersome in the bumps/trees. Like many women, I was always put on shorter skis, because that's what "the shop bros" thought I needed/wanted, when in fact I'm a skilled enough skier to manage the length and appreciate the stability.

 

[Tvan]

I have loved my BP88 159s. For me, they were great “crud busters” on variable conditions. I feel like they are easy to turn and easy to control. I’m taller and heavier than the OP…5’7” and 175lbs, and I’m a cautious intermediate skier.

I have just taken delivery on a new pair of Renoun Earhart 88s, 163. They’re slightly longer than my BPs (which I am keeping!) and I’m looking forward to exploring their ‘vibe-stop’ technology next season!

 

[Amplify]

Watching this thread with great interest!

I am 5'0", usually about 120lbs, and ski pretty exclusively on the east coast. For the last few years I've been skiing exclusively on Liberty v76, which I have in 151cm length, and I have been happy with them. I did not demo these or try any other lengths, I just bought them because I found them for like $250 with demo bindings included and had heard such good things about them and figured they could only be better than the very entry-level skis I had before that. And they have been! But now that I am spending considerably more time in bumps, trees, and other ungroomed terrain I feel like I am at that daunting milestone of wanting a mid-80s "all mountain ski" with more rockered tip/tails, still cambered, etc.

I know demoing is the best answer, but I'm pretty limited in my ability to do that. Honestly I think my best bet there would be to try to rent demo skis on a daily basis from local ski shops (can I rent skis in the summer? I guess I will find out) and take them to Big Snow (indoor ski slope in a mall - sadly they only demo Head and Burton onsite) over the summer for a 2-hour block. I think Big Snow does a mogul weekend once a month so if I got my life together enough to do that, that's when I'd probably go. But like man, even with a discount code, the cost of all of that basically adds up to the price of a pair of skis pretty fast (I'd probably bring my kids along so I'd have their rentals, their ski pass, etc too). Hard to commit to where if I just did it the dumb way and bought a pair of skis, I could try them and at least sell them later.

SO, all that said, I have thus far been able to google my way to being interested in the following skis:
- Volkl Blaze 86
- Fischer Ranger 84
- Renoun Earhart 88 (would have to just buy blind but the advantage is I could ski them at Big Snow in the six-month return window)
- Nordica Santa Ana 87

I don't really have anything I'm specifically asking for here. I know no one is going to come in and be like "buy this ski!" for me and I don't expect anyone to lol. I just wanted to document my similar search in this thread, for funsies and posterity, I guess!

also @nycskidiva Magic Mountain is one of our favorites! It's an absolute gem and probably what I consider best terrain:driving distance ratio in our area. (I'm in the Hudson Valley, about 90 minutes north of the city; for me it's about 3 hours to Magic.) I will say, for the Berkshires, this season Catamount had their glades open for several weeks, and they were the friendliest, gentlest, least stressful glades I personally have ever encountered. I chaperone my kids' school ski trips there and tons of parents who never ski glades ended up giving them a try and liking them. Super low grade, easy to make lots of choices and control speed, etc. So if we get good enough snow next season, keep an eye on that for just general "tree skiing for non-tree skiers" level of terrain, in day-trip vicinity.

 

[Aerlind]

Watching this thread with great interest!

I am 5'0", usually about 120lbs, and ski pretty exclusively on the east coast. For the last few years I've been skiing exclusively on Liberty v76, which I have in 151cm length, and I have been happy with them. I did not demo these or try any other lengths, I just bought them because I found them for like $250 with demo bindings included and had heard such good things about them and figured they could only be better than the very entry-level skis I had before that. And they have been! But now that I am spending considerably more time in bumps, trees, and other ungroomed terrain I feel like I am at that daunting milestone of wanting a mid-80s "all mountain ski" with more rockered tip/tails, still cambered, etc.

I know demoing is the best answer, but I'm pretty limited in my ability to do that. Honestly I think my best bet there would be to try to rent demo skis on a daily basis from local ski shops (can I rent skis in the summer? I guess I will find out) and take them to Big Snow (indoor ski slope in a mall - sadly they only demo Head and Burton onsite) over the summer for a 2-hour block. I think Big Snow does a mogul weekend once a month so if I got my life together enough to do that, that's when I'd probably go. But like man, even with a discount code, the cost of all of that basically adds up to the price of a pair of skis pretty fast (I'd probably bring my kids along so I'd have their rentals, their ski pass, etc too). Hard to commit to where if I just did it the dumb way and bought a pair of skis, I could try them and at least sell them later.

SO, all that said, I have thus far been able to google my way to being interested in the following skis:
- Volkl Blaze 86
- Fischer Ranger 84
- Renoun Earhart 88 (would have to just buy blind but the advantage is I could ski them at Big Snow in the six-month return window)
- Nordica Santa Ana 87

I don't really have anything I'm specifically asking for here. I know no one is going to come in and be like "buy this ski!" for me and I don't expect anyone to lol. I just wanted to document my similar search in this thread, for funsies and posterity, I guess!

also @nycskidiva Magic Mountain is one of our favorites! It's an absolute gem and probably what I consider best terrain:driving distance ratio in our area. (I'm in the Hudson Valley, about 90 minutes north of the city; for me it's about 3 hours to Magic.) I will say, for the Berkshires, this season Catamount had their glades open for several weeks, and they were the friendliest, gentlest, least stressful glades I personally have ever encountered. I chaperone my kids' school ski trips there and tons of parents who never ski glades ended up giving them a try and liking them. Super low grade, easy to make lots of choices and control speed, etc. So if we get good enough snow next season, keep an eye on that for just general "tree skiing for non-tree skiers" level of terrain, in day-trip vicinity.

If you like your Libertys, it's worth keeping an eye on their site for demo/legacy models on sale. It's since sold but they had a new Helix 84 for like $219. My SO, who is an ex-freestyle mogul skier so very strong in bumps but also loves to lay down a good carve, LOVES his Libertys and keeps trying me to get a pair.

They do currently have this one: https://libertyskis.com/products/evolv-90w-2024 which might be a touch wider than you might find ideal, but maybe not? After all, 2-3mm underfoot is hardly noticeable for all but the most technical, expert skiers. I know I can't tell the difference between 93 and 95 underfoot (I have both, one's AT setup).

I can't speak for other places, but the Facebook Marketplace scene for gently used skis is HOT in Bozeman. There's a ton available, and they do sell...sometimes within hours (I tried hard to buy a pair of Sheeva 10s this week, but someone else beat me to them, and I messaged the seller within 4 hours of listing the item...) Some of this is location: we're a ski town. Anyway, there's always the availability to sell along something you truly don't like. Powder7 also takes trades: they'll give you money for your skis to put toward a different pair as long as your skis aren't too old, and they help you ship them to their Colorado location. So while it seems like a crazy "buy blind" purchase, there's always a market for gently used skis, somewhere!

 

[Amplify]

Wow, thank you for the heads-up on the Liberty skis! I do really like the Variant 76 and if I recall correctly your SO grew up skiing on the east coast which always warms me to a recommendation lol. So now that's another one on my list!

Yeah I kind of feel like, if I can find some of these skis at a reasonable price I may just get them and then sell them if they aren't "the one." My local "used ski marketplace" is pretty heavily centered on race kids, but I think there is also a thriving consignment shop in Vermont that will let you just ship your skis to them similar to what you mentioned, so it's good to remember those kind of options. The hardest part is sussing out the length - like I know lots of divas go shorter on the Volkl Blaze, things like that.

 

[Aerlind]

Wow, thank you for the heads-up on the Liberty skis! I do really like the Variant 76 and if I recall correctly your SO grew up skiing on the east coast which always warms me to a recommendation lol. So now that's another one on my list!

You are correct, Hunter Mountain was his home mountain for years, but he's skied pretty much everything in the east in his competing days. He has the Origin 96, but skis almost exclusively out west now. (The Origin became the Genesis which morphed into the Scope, and I have no idea where the Evolv fits in with that but it looks like a more groomer-oriented ski based on its shape). Skiessentials.com has a few Liberty models on sale and some really good in-depth reviews, which I appreciate when I can't try a ski before I buy it.

As for length, I can only help with the Santa Anas (I'd imagine the 87s would be similar enough to my 93s): I'm 5'5", 115lbs, and ski them in 165. I demoed them in 159 and that was fine too, but I appreciate the extra stability at speed the 165s give me. The limited demoing I've done since "seeing the light" and going longer than the 159 I was on for years have all been in the 163-168 range. Honestly I'd probably like something even in the 170-172 range if it had a decent amount of tip/tail rocker (thus a short effective edge) but if buying blind, would pick the 165 range. So for you, I'd maybe look in the 150ish range, since you're a bit shorter, but don't be scared off of something a touch longer if you like stability at speed, shorter if you prefer nimbleness in bumps/trees (my 159s are definitely more nimble than 165s).

 

[EasternSkiBum]

I'm very close to height/ weight of the op. I consider myself an advanced skier with a decent skill set. I'm not an aggressive skier anymore, but really appreciate a precise/damp feel underfoot and I thought I was going to buy the stockli laser mp (167 underfoot with slalom sidecut) which i demoed previously. That was until I skied the laser mx (171 underfoot), it was so versatile and stable it blew me away. I literally skied it in morning firm, to afternoon slush, to 6+ inches of powder and the ski just performed. I didn't go in the bumps but have been told they work well there too. I tried both the 152 and the 158. Went with 158 (13.2m) radius and I usually ski 160-163...

I know the op is looking at mid 80s but don't discount a narrower ski for "all mountain" east. Easier on the knees too.