5 Best Skis for Moguls
- November 29, 2020
Whether you’re an athlete looking to compete or a rare someone that genuinely enjoys skiing moguls, you’ll need a specific type of ski to perform well. The best mogul skis tend to be shorter, narrower, and lighter than your standard ski but still have a strong, stable core. If you’re still learning how to ski moguls, be sure to choose skis that are friendly for intermediates. Building your confidence in skiing blues and black diamond runs will also help.
One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a ski is what type of terrain you’ll mainly be riding in. If you’re a true front-side skier and prefer moguls, then these top few choices will be great options for you. However, if you’re an all-around skier that enjoys everything, from cruising down groomers to skiing in powder, then the more versatile skis at the bottom of the list will be better for you.
Mogul Skis: Product Overview
- Excellent agility
- Lightweight & responsive
- Quick turning radius
- Designed for moguls
- Strong & powerful
- Wood core provides flex
- Maneuverable for front-side skiing
- Early-rise tips
- Lightweight, yet stable
- Titanal frame sheds excess weight
- Full length sidewalls
- Powerful, yet precise
Best Mogul Skis
At a Glance
- Construction: Carbon / Wood
- Profile: Rocker / Camber
- Best For: Intermediate – Advanced
Favorite Features
- Core construction provides excellent agility
- Lightweight and respond precisely to skier input
- Rocker profile and quick turn radius are great for navigating bumps
The Details
A favorite for many skiers, the Rossignol Experience 80 Ci skis provide the precision you need to easily navigate moguls. The all terrain rocker profile allows you to carve smoothly no matter the conditions.
With its lighter weight and narrow dimensions, these skis enable you to effortlessly pivot through a mogul field. Nonetheless, with mogul skiing you’re still in for a bumpy ride. So, Rossignol designed Air Tip VAS technology, which helps minimize the impact to your ankles and knees.
In addition, these skis include Line Control Technology to make them more responsive to skiers’ movements. The Paulownia wood core also balances lightness and performance, providing superior grip and rebound. The Rossignol Experience 80 Ci skis are fluid and nimble, making them some of the best mogul skis out there.
At a Glance
- Construction: Wood
- Profile: Rocker
- Best For: Expert
Favorite Features
- Only ski specifically designed to tackle moguls
- Extreme stiffness increases strength and power
- Wood core provides right amount of flex
The Details
A dedicated mogul ski, the K2 244s are designed for skiers that exclusively want to competitively ski bumps all day long. These skis are stiff and skinny, making them ready to annihilate the tightest zipper lines you can find on the mountain.
With an all terrain rocker profile, you can easily control these skis in variable conditions. Using a process that has been patented by K2, strands of fiberglass are interlocked around a milled core, increasing torsional strength while retaining the natural flex patterns of wood.
The sidewalls are built from a DuraCap construction, resulting in a lighter ski with enhanced durability and forgiveness. In addition, the fir and aspen combination for the core absorbs impacts for skiers while remaining lightweight. If you’re a current mogul competition racer or just a bump junkie, look no further than the K2 244s.
At a Glance
- Construction: Carbon / Metal / Wood
- Profile: Rocker / Camber / Rocker
- Best For: Intermediate – Advanced
Favorite Features
- Versatile and maneuverable for front-side skiing
- Early-rise tips absorb bumps
- Lightweight but stable construction
The Details
The Nordica Navigators are a top choice because they straddle the line between a front-side and all-mountain ski. They are slimmer than many modern carving skis, but their flat profile gives them more versatility and maneuverability. These skis also retain a strong edge hold, even in icy conditions.
Flat tails make turning easy, while the early-rise tips help you absorb bumps and vibrations through the snow. A layer of titanal contains intentional cutouts to shed weight while still providing stability.
The core is constructed with laminated poplar and beech wood and provides medium flex. With a narrow waist, these skis are easy-turning for intermediate skiers but can also be aggressive for the veterans on the slopes.
At a Glance
- Construction: Wood / Metal / Carbon
- Profile: Rocker / Camber / Rocker
- Best For: Advanced – Expert
Favorite Features
- Titanal frame provides performance without extra weight
- Full length sidewalls mean optimal power transmission
- Powerful, yet precise, for navigating and charging through moguls
The Details
The 2020 Volkl Kendos offer more precise movements than previous models and stand out as a stable mogul and all mountain ski. They use a titanal frame, which means the metal is positioned only where you need it the most. This reduces the weight of the skis and gives them more flex. The carbon tip also helps provide stability when you initiate turns.
Another unique feature of the Volkl Kendos is the 3 radius sidecut, which provides you with maximum turning ability. The tip and tail rocker profile maintains edge contact in hard packed conditions but also allows the skis to feel playful in softer snow, making them quite versatile.
With a multi-layer wood core, these skis are durable and stable. These skis are heavier than others on this list, which makes them a great option for skiers that want an all mountain ski that specifically performs well in moguls. The Volkl Kendos are recommended for advanced skiers that are seeking a balance of precision, power, and maneuverability in their skis.
At a Glance
- Construction: Carbon / Metal / Wood
- Profile: Rocker / Camber / Rocker
- Best For: Intermediate – Advanced
Favorite Features
- Light and dynamic design
- Sidewall construction increases durability and power transmission
- Versatile for all-mountain skiing
The Details
An all mountain ski that fairs well in moguls, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is perfect for the frontside resort rider that loves bumps. These skis are fun, poppy, and playful with a short turning radius. They feel light and dynamic, and the softer tips and shovels make them more forgiving.
With a rocker profile, the Blizzard Rustler 9 skis are versatile in soft and hard packed snow conditions. Blizzard’s Dynamic Release Technology uses titanal that is full underfoot but tapers toward the tip and tail, which sheds weight without sacrificing stability.
A sandwich compound sidewall enhances durability and power transmission. In addition, the carbon frame provides great, lightweight performance. If you’re looking to focus your skiing on moguls, be sure to choose a shorter length version of the Blizzard Rustler 9 skis for the best results.
More Mogul Skis
How to Choose the Best Skis for Moguls
Length
Mogul skis are shorter than the typical recommended length for skis. Shorter skis allow you to maneuver and turn with more precision, which helps with navigating bumps. With a smaller turning radius, you have more control of the skis at a lower speed. Longer skis are more stable, especially at higher speeds, but are far more difficult to turn in moguls.
Width
Skinnier skis are better for moguls. They give you more control and the ability to quickly turn as you pivot from bump to bump. All mountain skis that are on the narrow side can work well, but more and more ski brands are starting to manufacture mogul-specific designs. For a true mogul ski, look at those with a waist width of 80mm or below.
Weight
Mogul skis are lightweight and nimble, making it easier to turn. Your knees will have to work less with lighter skis, which can help reduce the likelihood of injury. Generally speaking, a ski under five pounds is ideal for moguls. However, note that lighter skis are less stable and may not be suitable for all mountain conditions and terrain.
Profile
The curvature design of the ski, or profile, is another characteristic to consider. Skis that are U-shaped, with a slight rocker in the tip and tail, are great for moguls. This is because the lift at the ends of the skis allow you to make quick turns, while a solid underfoot camber provides control.
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Mogul Skis FAQs
What size skis do mogul skiers use?
There is no exact size for mogul skis, although they should be shorter and narrower than your average skis. If you’re an intermediate skier still learning or want to make super quick, short turns, choose shorter, skinnier skis. Alternatively, if you enjoy skiing fast or exploring off-piste, choose skis that are slightly longer and wider.
Are shorter skis better for moguls?
Yes, shorter skis are better for moguls because they’re typically lighter and easier to maneuver between bumps. Shorter skis also have a smaller turning radius, making it easier to make controlled, quick turns.
Are park skis good for moguls?
Park skis, also known as twin tip skis, are indeed good for moguls. The design of twin tips makes it easier to go in and out of turns, which is obviously important for navigating moguls. Hence why many of the skis on this list have a rocker profile.
Final Thoughts
Advancing at mogul skiing requires more than just having the right type of ski. It’s challenging, and you’ll need to practice with persistence. The feeling of progressing and skiing down the bumps with more confidence and speed is worth it though. So, hopefully this list of the best skis for moguls helps you decide which planks are right for you.
Good luck and we hope to see you out on those mogul fields!
