Best skis for intermediate skiers of 2027
Intermediate skis should be easy to turn but solid enough that you won't outgrow them in a season. Most land between 84 and 98 mm underfoot.
These are ranked for a skier on most blues and starting on blacks, mostly on groomed runs.
- 1
Elan, 2026/27
Ripstick 84
84 mm all-mountain. For a 178 cm skier: 168 cm.
- At 84 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 73% of your days)
- Comes in 168 cm, inside your 165-173 cm range
- No metal, so it's forgiving and easy to turn
- 2
Nordica, 2026/27
Alldrive 84
84 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 166 cm.
- At 84 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 73% of your days)
- Comes in 166 cm, inside your 165-173 cm range
- Rated for levels 4-7 skiers, matching your level 5
- 3
Völkl, 2025/26
Blaze 82
82 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 166 cm.
- At 82 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 73% of your days)
- Comes in 166 cm, inside your 165-173 cm range
- No metal, so it's forgiving and easy to turn
- 4
Head, 2026/27
Discovery Pro 86
86 mm all-mountain. For a 178 cm skier: 170 cm.
- At 86 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 73% of your days)
- Comes in 170 cm, inside your 165-173 cm range
- No metal, so it's forgiving and easy to turn
- 5
Rossignol, 2026/27
Arcade 82 Xpress
82 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 168 cm.
- At 82 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 73% of your days)
- Comes in 168 cm, inside your 165-173 cm range
- Rated for levels 4-7 skiers, matching your level 5
- 6
Elan, 2026/27
Wingman 80C
80 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 168 cm.
- At 80 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 73% of your days)
- Comes in 168 cm, inside your 165-173 cm range
- No metal, so it's forgiving and easy to turn
- 7
Völkl, 2026/27
Revolt 86
86 mm all-mountain, twin tip. For a 178 cm skier: 172 cm.
- At 86 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 73% of your days)
- Comes in 172 cm, inside your 165-173 cm range
- No metal, so it's forgiving and easy to turn
- 8
Völkl, 2026/27
Revolt 81
81 mm carving, twin tip. For a 178 cm skier: 168 cm.
- At 81 mm it handles soft groomer, firm groomer and trees and bumps well (about 73% of your days)
- Comes in 168 cm, inside your 165-173 cm range
- Rated for levels 4-7 skiers, matching your level 5
- 9
Head, 2025/26
Kore 74 X
74 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 170 cm.
- At 74 mm it handles soft groomer and firm groomer well (about 64% of your days)
- Comes in 170 cm, inside your 165-173 cm range
- No metal, so it's forgiving and easy to turn
- 10
Head, 2025/26
Shape e.V5
74 mm carving. For a 178 cm skier: 170 cm.
- At 74 mm it handles soft groomer and firm groomer well (about 64% of your days)
- Comes in 170 cm, inside your 165-173 cm range
- No metal, so it's forgiving and easy to turn
How this list is made
No paid placements. Every ski from the last two seasons that fits the guide is scored by the same engine behind the quiz: how much of this skier's season its shape handles well, how well it matches their level and style, and some variety so the list isn't ten versions of one ski. Your own list will differ, because it depends on your height, level, home mountain and the skis you already own.