I’ve carefully examined these images, covering every board model without omission. I tried my best to find corresponding riding videos for each model on YouTube and combined that with the written reviews, which yielded a lot of insights. Since many of these boards aren’t ones I’d use myself, I hope this can be helpful to others.

First up are the mainstream all-mountain carving boards (also known as slalom boards)

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The Blizzard boards are worth a closer look. Personally, I was also pleasantly surprised after trying another rider’s 160 cm board—it’s very user-friendly, with uncompromised performance, stable, fast, not overly aggressive, easy to initiate turns, and not twitchy.

Then there’s the D2 SL, which remains consistent year after year in terms of feel, but I still find myself missing the SL12 more.

I didn’t get the chance to try the RC4 or Head boards shown in the picture.

But this year’s Dynastar Omega Glass also performed exceptionally well. I had the chance to ride someone else’s, and it was great on regular slopes. On steeper terrain, it seemed to offer slightly better feedback than the D2 SL, possibly because I’m lighter in weight.

Xiao He’s SV is this year’s latest tech race slalom board. There’s a shop for it at our Gongchangling ski resort in Liaoning, and I’m one of its fans. Over the years, boards with similar specs—whether SX, SE, or SV—have felt softer compared to other competitive slalom boards and more resistant to ungroomed snow. In other words, they handle really well on well-groomed slopes, though I can’t say for steeper terrain.

As for why the 9S is considered good, you can see from its W and S values that it’s suitable for riders with low to medium weight. It’s easy to press into turns, easy to initiate, and the S value reflects its precise and non-aggressive handling. So this kind of board should perform well (boards with smaller W and S values tend to be softer, more refined, and smoother), but for heavier riders or those with more aggressive styles, it may lead to over-turning, excessive snow spray, or loss of control and stability—as the reviewer put it, becoming “overpowered.”
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Next are the mainstream all-mountain carving boards with medium to large turning radii (all-terrain, do-it-all, etc., etc.)
[attach]1316566[/attach] The first image is a bit small—the text is written below.

ATOMIC REDSTER DOUBLEDECK GSLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 164, 169, 174, 179*, 184
sidecut: 114.5/70/99       turn radius: 18.4 @ 179   MSRP: $1549 with bindings
BEST IN: LONG RADIUS, EDGE GRIP, STABILITY * AVERAGE SCORE: 7.9
ability:  7.4        conditions: 7.3     style: 7.0     weight: 6.1
MEN: The skis in this category are racehorses at heart, and that was the impression our testers got from the Redster Doubledeck GS. There were lots of comments about how stable and damp the ski felt at speed, and how they handled a variety of conditions without blinking. If you like it fast and precise, this is the ski to try. Peter Eaton had this to say: “This ski has the rare ability to make both light finesse to heavy power skiers smile. It does all turn shapes and speeds very well.”

ATOMIC CLOUD D2 VF75LENGTHS AVAILABLE: 148, 157*, 166
sidecut: 122/75/109       turn radius: 12 @ 157   MSRP: $999 with bindings
BEST IN: EDGE GRIP, STABILITY, LONG RADIUS  *  AVERAGE SCORE: 7.9
ability:  7.0  conditions:  7.0  style:  6.8  weight:  6.4
WOMEN: The test team raved about how well-balanced this ski felt with the flex of the ski making it easy to find the sweet spot. It handled speed well, and was playful in the soft snow as well as on edge on the groomers. This was a fun, fast ride that was well liked by all. Janet Kuijt was ready for takeoff on this one: “Want flying lessons? Here’s a great option and it’s cheaper than buying your own jet. What a beautiful fast ride, with amazing sleekness at top speeds.”

BLIZZARD R-POWER FULL SUSPENSION IQLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 167, 174*, 181
sidecut: 113/68/97       turn radius:  17.5 @ 174    MSRP: $1560
BEST IN: EDGE GRIP  *  AVERAGE SCORE: 7.6
ability: 8.1   conditions: 8.4   style: 8.0   weight: 7.6
MEN: This ski made our testers want to step on the gas pedal. They commented on its stiffness and stability, and felt the ski came in closer to the race-ski end of the spectrum, as opposed to some in the category that were closer to all-mountain skis. If you’re looking for a solid frontside machine, this won’t disappoint. Fernie local Chris Ebbern certainly wasn’t disappointed: “Sit back and enjoy the ride. Fun at speed! The whole ski carves to life at speed. Good rebound in shorter turns, as well.”

BLIZZARD VIVA ULTRASONIC FULL SUSPENSION IQLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 153, 160*, 167
sidecut: 119/73/103        turn radius: 14 @ 160    MSRP: $1000 includes bindings
BEST IN: EDGE GRIP, STABILITY  *  AVERAGE SCORE: 7.4
ability:  6.4   conditions: 7.7   style: 6.4  weight:  5.6
WOMEN: The Viva performed well in a variety of situations and seemed like it did everything well. In fact, every aspect that goes into making a good ski got mentioned: initiation, edge grip, balance and flex, speed, cruising, you name it, it all got a check mark. Gillian Browning recommends giving it a try: “If I could have only one ski, this would be it. If cruising the groomers with occasional adventures off-piste is your calling, this might be the one. It’s light underfoot but powerful in response.”

DYNASTAR SPEED COURSE TiLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 159, 165, 171, 177*, 183
sidecut: 121/72/105        turn radius: 15 @ 171  MSRP:  $900
BEST IN: INITIATION  *  AVERAGE SCORE: 7.0
ability: 6.2   conditions: 7.0   style: 4.5  weight: 5.0
MEN: Our testers felt the flex pattern was forgiving enough to allow the ski to perform both on-piste and off, and that the easy flex would allow a wide range of skiers to enjoy it. The flex pattern in the tip allows for ease of turn initiation, while the ski maintains good grip and hold throughout the rest of the turn. Donny Dion was noticeably impressed: “Fun, light and versatile. It’s easy into the turns with enough release on the way out not to throw you around. Good balance of energy and forgiveness.”

DYNASTAR ELITE LIGHTLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 153, 159, 165*, 171
sidecut: 120/72/104      turn radius:  14 @ 165  MSRP: $950 with bindings
BEST IN: LONG RADIUS, INITIATION  *  AVERAGE SCORE: 5.7
ability: 5.1  conditions:  7.4  style:  5.6  weight:  4.9
WOMEN: Our testers thought the personality of the Elite Light was a bit opposite of its name. There were several comments about the tip being fairly stiff, which pushed the balance point back somewhat, and that the ski wasn’t overly forgiving and might challenge skiers who aren’t consistently in balance. This is a ski for women who like to go fast and do big fall-line turns, according to Wendy Lemoine. “I had to ski it from more directly under the foot. The tip was a little stiff, making it challenging to initiate turn.”

ELAN GSX WAVEFLEX FUSIONLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 164, 170, 176*, 182
sidecut: 110/67/96        turn radius: 18.6 @ 176  MSRP: $1325 with bindings
BEST IN: LONG RADIUS, EDGE GRIP, STABILITY  *  AVERAGE SCORE: 6.8
ability: 6.3  conditions:  8.3  style:  5.8  weight:  5.9
MEN: The GSX Waveflex proved to be a solid, comfortable ski. It had a powerful grip and was able to mix it up nicely from long- to short-radius turns, and its predictability made it an easy ski to enjoy. This is a ski that will do a variety of jobs and do them well. D’Arcy Sego had this to say about the Waveflex: “The ski initiates easily and prefers a lighter touch on the edge. Once you have the ski hooked up, it whips out of corners like a racecar.”

ELAN INSOMNIA FUSIONLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 152, 158, 166*
sidecut: 125/74/104        turn radius: 11.3 @ 152   MSRP: $1150 with bindings
BEST IN: LONG RADIUS, STABILITY  *  AVERAGE SCORE: 7.8
ability: 7.1  conditions:  7.1  style:  7.3  weight:  7.3
WOMEN: The Insomnia lived up to its name―it kept the girls awake and sharp. They definitely liked its solid platform and responsive personality. There was consensus that more aggressive skiers will like it better and it’s not so suited for the timid or faint of heart. The flex was on the stiff side, so some speed or a bit of weight will help get the most out of it. Janet Kuijt thought that time in the gym would also help: “A fast, focused ride. This ski likes to rock, so get ready for a fast-paced day.”

FISCHER RC4 WORLDCUP RCLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 165, 170, 175*, 180, 185
sidecut: 116/71/100        turn radius: 17 @ 175     MSRP: $1249 with bindings
BEST IN: INITIATION * AVERAGE SCORE: 6.9
ability:  5.6  conditions:  8.2   style: 4.8  weight: 4.3
MEN: This ski definitely impressed our testers without blowing them away. They commented that the ski seemed to prefer medium- to long-radius turns, which makes sense for this category and its sidecut, and that it would best suit a lighter more finesse-oriented skier. Fernie’s Chris Ebbern (who is a western transplant) had this comment on his test card: “It’s a very easy ski to use; it turns itself once on edge. Short turns feel a little sluggish. This is a fun, cruisey ski for an eastern hardpack guy.”

Fischer ZEPHYR C-LINELENGTHS AVAILABLE: 145, 150, 155, 160, 165*
sidecut: 118/68/98     turn radius:  12 @ 155   MSRP: $950 with bindings
BEST IN: INITIATION, LONG RADIUS * AVERAGE SCORE: 7.9
ability: 6.9  conditions:  7.4   style:  6.0  weight:  6.3
WOMEN: The Zephyr is best suited to a more aggressive skier who isn’t afraid of a bit of speed. The women really liked the solid edge grip and carving abilities in long turns. Skiers who like to ski below the posted limit might not get the full potential of this ski. Wendy Lemoine, who definitely fits into the confident, aggressive skier category, said, “The tip, which hooks up really fast and takes you into the turn, combined with a large sweet spot for added stability through the turn, make this ski a winner. Beautiful ride!”

HEAD i.SUPERSHAPE MAGNUMLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 149, 156, 163*, 170, 177*
ability: 121/71/107       turn radius:  13.5 @ 170  MSRP: $1100 with bindings
BEST IN: LONG RADIUS, STABILITY, EDGE GRIP  *  AVERAGE SCORE: men  7.6; women  8.5
MEN: ability: 7.1  conditions:  7.8  style:  6.4  weight:  6.1
WOMEN: ability: 7.1  conditions: 7.1  style:  7.0  weight: 6.6
MEN & WOMEN:  Comments that highlight a ski’s stability are usually accompanied by some mention of speed. The two seem to go together―a good combination because if a ski feels stable, then it lets the rider have the confidence to go faster. And  this ski was definitely a confidence-builder. Shane Lehman said, “One word says it all: stability. Damp even in rough terrain, which makes for a smooth ride.” Wendy Lemoine added, “What a great ski! It’s easy to initiate with great stability and feel. It really hugged the snow. Great on groomers, but performed well off-piste!”  

K2 BOLTLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 172, 179*, 186
sidecut: 125/72/99       turn radius:  18 @ 179   MSRP: $1100 with bindings
BEST IN: STABILITY  *  AVERAGE SCORE: 7.5
ability:  6.9  conditions:  6.4  style:  6.8  weight: 7.1
MEN: The Bolt left our testers talking about how versatile it felt in a variety of conditions. The geometry of the ski, which is a bit wider than some in the category, gave it an advantage over others in deeper snow. But it also didn’t sacrifice the ability to carve at speed. The Bolt is more than a one-trick pony. “The ski is wider underfoot than others in this category, making it versatile in different snow conditions. It’s torsionally rigid enough to let bigger, stronger skiers enjoy big turns with ease.” That’s how D’Arcy Sego described it.

K2 SUPERBURNINLENGTHS AVAILABLE: 146, 153, 160*, 167
sidecut:  121/72/106      turn radius:  12 @ 160   MSRP: $900 with bindings
BEST IN: AGILITY *  AVERAGE SCORE: 7.1
ability:  3.5  conditions:  5.6  style:  4.0  weight:  3.5
WOMEN: Ski Canada’s test team had a lot of fun with the arc of the Superburnin and its light, playful feel. Most of the women would have liked a longer test length, but this is a ski that wouldn’t intimidate most skiers. It does most things well, from long turns to short, and without having to put a ton of muscle into it. Katy Joyce enjoyed the ride: “A fun, poppy, playful ski. It’s easy to manoeuvre, but could still hold on edge. The tip and tail are soft, but the ski felt solid underfoot.”

K
sidecut: 121/78/105      turn radius:   18 @ 178   MSRP:  $1149
BEST IN: INITIATION, EDGE GRIP, STABILITY, LONG RADIUS  *  AVERAGE SCORE: men  6.9; women  9.3
MEN:  ability: 6.0  conditions:   5.8   style:  5.7   weight:   5.2
WOMEN: ability: 6.8  conditions: 7.0  style:  5.8  weight: 6.0
MEN & WOMEN: The men felt it did well at most speeds and conditions, though some thought it was better on smoother terrain than off-piste. Ryland Nelson said it handled whatever he threw at it: “Silky smooth carver, it likes to play in the powder on the sides, and slices and dices crud.” The women were smiling from the top of the mountain to the bottom from its ease of initiation, solid feel and versatility. Liz Billam wrote: “Initiation was effortless, and it does just what you want. It’s stable throughout the turn and surprisingly nimble in short turns.”

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Visually, the ome glass TI's big turn board also seems to be a softer board. I haven’t ridden it myself, so I can’t say much, but compared to the D2, it’s marked in red.

I’ve ridden the ogasaka MV. To be honest, even though the board isn’t very stiff, you can still carve slightly tighter turns if you push really hard. But if you relax a bit, it feels very comfortable for medium turns. (Personal impression, no side-by-side comparison with other models.) Ogasaka’s division of competitive carving boards into three radius categories—large turn LV, medium turn MV, and small turn SV—is quite good. This approach makes the ogasaka TC MV stand out uniquely among top-tier competitive carving boards. By segmenting the market, it creates a “professional medium-radius competitive carving board.” Whether it’s good or not will depend on market response.

As for the rest, you’ll have to decide for yourselves.


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Finally, there are the mountain boards (I don’t use them much, but you can check YouTube—feel the differences in radius, hardness, and technology through the visuals, commentary, and review texts).



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Coach Maru says: Skiing is more comfortable in casual clothes.
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Coach Maru also says: Why ski at all? Barbecue is the real truth.
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Coach Maru says: What are you looking at? Yeah, you—stop skiing and come eat hot pot.
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Coach Maru says: Want a drink?
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Coach Maru says: Winning three straight technical competitions is nothing but fleeting clouds.
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Coach Maru says: Don’t worship, don’t deify, don’t obsess over admiration or jealousy, don’t get stuck in rigid thinking, and don’t be arrogant or overly modest.

                   Skiing is just a small part of life, growing together with me.