Sidecut

Presented by brands as ‘120 / 95 / 115’ (numbers will vary) this figure shows the width of the tips (first number), waist (second number), and tail (third number) in millimetres. When combined (also taking the amount of tapering into account), the sidecut also gives the radius (in metres) of the ski in question.

This radius is the distance the ski would travel to make a turn, if you were to put it on edge and follow the shape that the sidecut creates. For example, the set of numbers in the paragraph above represent a radius of 25 metres for 180cm ski. Skis with a longer radius are stable at speed through long turns, while skis with a shorter radius are easier to turn and create shorter snappier turns.

Freestyle skis tend to have a medium radius making them easy to handle, but stable at the higher speeds required for ultimate control on kicker in-runs and landings.

Shaping

Unlike traditional skis (often referred to as ‘directional’ skis), freestyle skis feature near symmetrical shaping in the tips and the tails, which is why you’ll often hear them referred to as ‘twin tips’. This symmetrical shaping is what allows freestyle skiers to ride switch (backwards) as effortlessly as forwards. Skis intended for exclusive use in the park tend to have a more symmetrical sidecut, whilst freestyle skis designed with all-mountain versatility in mind feature more directional shaping for downhill and powder performance.

Mounting point

Freestylers learn early on that keeping your body weight evenly distributed over your skis is the key to stability and control. Freestyle skis are usually ‘centre mounted’, meaning the boot is placed almost directly in the middle of the ski to help you remain centred.

For those used to directional skis where the binding is situated closer towards the ski tails, this requires some adjusting, but a centre mounted ski makes switch skiing, spinning, and landing tricks a whole lot easier.

‘Freestyle recommended’ mounting points are a fail-safe mounting option for those who are new to freestyle. Make sure to ask your ski technician if you want your ski mounted in the true centre, as this often differs slightly to the recommended mounting point.

Width

Freestyle ski widths tend to fall within a range of 80 – 100mm. Smaller waist widths (approx. 80 –  88mm) offer more bite on firm snow as power from your boot can be directly driven to the edges of the skis – great for generating speed and power off booters.

Wider waist widths (90mm +) create a larger surface area underfoot, providing stability on rails and enabling the ski to act as a launchpad for buttering around. A waist width of 95+ starts to take you into the realms of an all mountain/freestyle ski.

You don’t really want to go wider than 100mm for a freestyle ski, however, as too much width and swing weight underfoot will feel clunky on features and hard to handle in the air.

Armada ARV 106

Why we chose the Armada ARV 106: All-mountain ripping, no matter the conditions

Lengths (cm): 172, 180 & 188 cm
Sidecut (mm): 134 / 106 / 124 (180 cm)
Radius: 20m (180 cm)
Weight (per ski): 2,125g (180 cm)
Price: £540

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Armada is known for their creativity and dedication when it comes to freestyle skiing, always having some of the best graphics and consistently innovating new technology to ensure they have a ski for every skier out there. Your choice: disappear into the mountains or never leave the streets like an urban junkie. The ARV 106 is the perfect in-between and, what’s more, they haven’t cut corners when it comes to durability.

Who Is The Armada ARV 106 For?

The ARVs are the perfect ski for someone who wants it all without having to break the bank , and load the car with several pairs of skis, to get it. These are playful enough for spring days in the park and still have enough ski about them to charge through some early season crud. You’ll very rarely feel out of place on these skis and it’s very unlikely you’ll break them either. A great ski for the all-rounder.

Selected for the 22/23 Mpora Ski 100. Check out our full Armada ARV 106 Review here

Volkl Revolt 90

Why we chose the Völkl Revolt 90: World Cup winning heritage, freestyle-specific
Lengths (cm): 168, 174, 180, 186
Sidecut (mm): 118 / 90  / 118  (180 cm)
Radius: 21.5m (180 cm)
Price: £475

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Völkl has some of the world’s most competitive riders on their team. From Birk Ruud (the four-time X-Games medalist) to Markus Eder (one of the best freeride-freestyle hybrid skiers of all time). No one can doubt their ability to produce some of the highest-performing skis on the planet, and the Revolt 90 is no exception.

Who Is The Volkl Revolt 90 For?

The Revolt 90 is a ski that is really suited to people who want to be riding in the park all day.  It is what they have been designed to do and they do a bloody good job too. You will of course have a great time riding out of the park on these, but if you’re looking for something to take on a powder day or shred the open-face gnar with your mates then I’d click the back button and keep on scrolling through the Ski 100. 

Selected for the 22/23 Mpora Ski 100. Check out our full Volkl Revolt 90 Review here

Head Oblivion 84

Best For: Lightweight durability
Sidecut: 120 / 84 / 109 (176cm)
Radius: 19m (176cm)
Price: £335 / €350 / $475

Head are ‘beefing-up’ their current Caddy freeski line and relaunching the revamped skis under their revived Oblivion range name. Developed alongside park and pipe legends Jesper Tjäder and Aaron Blunck, Head have focused their efforts on crafting a ‘virtually indestructible ski’ to withstand the numerous beatings thrown upon any park ski. They have achieved this increased durability by incorporating thicker impact resistant ABS sidewalls, their toughest base material, and a laminate sandwich core construction.

If the Oblivion survives Jesper Tjäder’s monstrous rail tricks, we’re pretty sure it will work for us. The Oblivion’s narrow 84mm waist is paired with a significantly wider tip and tail, making it easy to throw around on hardpack but difficult to destroy.

Selected for the 21/22 Mpora Ski 100. Check out our full Head Oblivion 84 Review here

Note: Faction Prodigy 1.0 pictured (same ski, different topsheets)

Faction Prodigy 1.0 X

Best For: Playful performance
Sidecut: 120 / 88 / 112 (164cm)
Radius: 16m (164cm)
Price: £469 / €469  / $500

There isn’t a more dominant ski on the women’s freeski podium than Faction’s Prodigy 1.0 X, repped by the likes of Swiss-trio Mathilde Gremaud, Sarah Hoefflin and Giulia Tanno (to name just three of the leading athletes sporting this ski). The Prodigy 1.0 combines playfulness with performance, making it a hit with those just dabbling in freestyle skiing to those topping podiums.

A poplar core makes for a medium flex ski and the relatively short turn radius (12 metres at 164cm) enables smooth and relaxed steering. But make no mistake, the Prodigy 1.0’s directional twin shaping ensure that when pressure is applied, these skis deliver maximum pop and enable explosive skiing. The Prodigy 1.0 model features an identical construction to the 1.0 X – only the top sheet and minimum/maximum lengths differ – which, of course, also lands the Prodigy 1.0 on our selection of best freestyle skis.

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Selected for the 21/22 Mpora Ski 100. Check out our full Faction Prodigy 1.0 Review here

K2 Poacher

Best For: Burly durability
Sidecut: 163 / 170 / 177 / 184 (184cm)
Radius: 19m (180cm)
Price: £435 / €500 / $500

We agree with K2’s assessment of the Poacher: their ‘twin-tipped freak’. From X-Games podiums to urban shoots and everything in between, the Poacher leaves its mark loud and clear. This is no flimsy park ski. Thanks to K2’s twin tech sidewalls, the Poacher is intended to withstand serious impact.

Added to its impressive durability, an aspen and fir core construction with additional carbon stringers woven throughout the ski, make for a stiff, energetic, and damp ski. At 2kg per ski (at 177cm), the Poacher is best suited to those who prefer a bit of burliness underfoot. This substantial weight does not, however, prevent the Poacher from more playful riding. The Poacher’s 96mm waist and considerable tip and tail rocker, will have you buttering, smearing, and slarving away. The Poacher is aggressive in its performance and serious fun.

Selected for the 21/22 Mpora Ski 100. Check out our full K2 Poacher Review here

Faction Prodigy 2.0

Best For: All-mountain playfulness
Sidecut (mm): 127 / 98 / 119 (183 cm)
Radius: 20m (183 cm)
Price: £470

Faction’s Prodigy 2.0 brings the park performance of the 1.0 with a good sprinkling more versatility thanks to its all-mountain friendly width. The 2.0’s 98mm waist is more than enough to keep you afloat during heavy powder days, yet not so much that it becomes a nuisance when you’re putting these skis on edge, or stomping spins in the park.

Gracing this shaping is some pretty standard rocker built into both the tips and tails, with 3 mm of camber underfoot, which’ll help you bite into those piste carves or booter takeoffs. Those who like their skis with a stout flex will enjoy the feedback generated by the 2.0’s responsive but light weight poplar core. In short, the Prodigy 2.0 can handle first lift powder frenzy just as smoothly as it handles cruising through the park.

BUY FROM

Selected for the 20/21 Mpora Ski 100. Check out our full Faction Prodigy 2.0 review here.

Atomic Bent Chetler 100

Best For: Playfulness across the entire mountain
Sidecut (mm): 129.5 / 100 / 120 (180cm)
Radius: 19.5m (180cm)
Price: £450

We can’t get enough of the Bent Chetler 100. Featured in our Best All-Mountain Skis of 2021, we are now claiming it as one of the best park skis out there. Sure, at 100 mm underfoot the BC 100 is a good deal wider than your traditional park ski, but since it performs just as well, the added width only makes the BC 100 that much more versatile and more stylish.

Since the BC 100 features a directional rocker, sidecut, and recommended mounting point, we were surprised by just how smoothly these skis ride switch. Need convincing that this ski excels in the park like it does everywhere else? Just watch Annika Rava and Lukas Mullauer cruise through the park on their BC 100s. As we’ve said thrice before, if you’re an advanced skier looking to combine freestyle and freeride, the BC 100 is pretty damn close to a perfect one ski quiver.

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Selected for the 20/21 Mpora Ski 100. Check out our full Atomic Bent Chetler 100 review here

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