Skis

Liberty Evolved 90 Review: A Front Side Leaning All-Mountain Ski

A 90 mm all-mountain ski with bamboo and poplar construction plus three vertical metal struts, built for riders who spend most of their day carving groomers but still want some off-trail versatility.

Pair of 90 mm all-mountain skis leaning against a pale concrete wall in studio light

Introduction

The Liberty Evolved 90 is an all-mountain ski with a clear bias toward the front side of the mountain. At 90 mm underfoot it sits toward the narrower end of the Evolve range, which spans 84 mm all the way up to 110 mm. That width is usually associated with a versatile daily driver, and the Evolved 90 does cover plenty of ground, but its shape and flex pattern push it firmly toward groomer performance rather than soft snow flotation.

Pair of all-mountain skis standing on packed snow at a resort base area

What sets it apart is the way Liberty has combined two ideas. The Evolve shapes are paired with a construction borrowed from the V series, which means a bamboo and poplar wood core reinforced by three vertical metal struts running through the length of the ski. The result is a ski that feels smooth and stable underfoot while keeping the blockier, front side oriented profile the Evolve line is known for.

Who This Ski Is For

This is a ski for the rider who spends the majority of the day carving turns on groomed terrain. The Evolved 90 rewards an engaged, edge-driven style, and the stiffer tail gives back energy when a turn is loaded properly. It is not a dedicated powder shape, and it is not the most freeride-oriented option in its width class.

That said, it does not lock you into the piste. The early taper in the tip adds a bit more composure when you wander off the groomed surface, so riders who want one ski for carving most of the day with occasional off-trail detours will find it a sensible fit. Anyone whose priority is soft snow performance at this width should look at a shape with a more balanced flex.

Main Strengths

Smoothness and stability are the headline qualities here. The vertical metal struts give the ski a calm, planted feel underfoot, and the bamboo core contributes a distinctive, quiet ride quality that stands apart from more conventional builds. It is a ski that holds a line without feeling nervous at speed.

Skier carving a clean turn on a freshly groomed run in morning light

Grip and energy come from the positive camber underfoot, which keeps a solid edge contact through the turn and delivers a lively release. The tip flexes relatively easily, so turn initiation is not a fight, while the stiffer tail provides a pronounced rebound when you drive through the finish of a carve. In moguls the softer tip keeps the ski manageable, so it stays friendly in terrain that would expose a stiffer, more demanding build.

Construction and On-Snow Feel

The construction story explains most of the on-snow character. Bamboo and poplar form the core, and the three metal struts are placed vertically rather than as a full sheet. That arrangement adds torsional stability without making the ski feel like a race plate, which is why the Evolved 90 stays composed at speed while remaining approachable at lower edge angles.

Rocker is deliberately restrained. There is some rise in the tip that transitions into a moderate taper, and very little going on at the tail, which stays flatter and blockier. A longer effective edge is the payoff, giving the ski super smooth control and consistent contact with the snow through the whole turn. The combination of a bamboo core, a substantial core thickness and the vertical metal gives the ski a feel and a sound that is genuinely different from most skis in this width range.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The Evolved 90 is honest about what it is, and that means a few trade-offs are worth accepting up front. The tail is noticeably stiffer than the tip, and you feel that rebound more than you would on softer, more all-mountain oriented skis of a similar width. Riders who prefer a loose, surfy tail will find this one more insistent.

Close-up of ski construction showing wood core layers and vertical metal struts

Rocker is limited at both ends, and the tail in particular has a blockier, front side oriented shape that translates directly to the snow. That is excellent for edge hold and carving, but it means the ski is not built to float or pivot freely in deep snow. If your season is mostly storm days and soft snow, this is the wrong end of the Evolve range for you. If it is mostly groomers with occasional adventure, the trade-off works in your favor.

Setup and Pairing Notes

Because the ski carries positive camber underfoot and a stiffer tail, it responds well to a neutral, centered stance rather than a heavily forward one. Riders coming from softer all-mountain skis may need a run or two to adjust to how much energy the tail returns at the end of a turn.

The quiet, damp feel of the bamboo core also means the ski communicates less vibration back to the boot, which some riders love and others need to recalibrate to. Give it a full day before judging it. The character tends to reveal itself once you are comfortable trusting the edge rather than fighting it.

Buying Advice

Choose the Evolved 90 if your days are built around carving and you want a ski that stays smooth and stable while doing it. The metal struts, the bamboo and poplar core and the restrained rocker profile combine into a well-rounded front side ski with just enough versatility for off-trail detours. It is a strong pick for an advanced rider who wants one ski for groomed terrain and does not want to give up all-mountain flexibility.

Skier standing at the top of a groomed run with mountains in the distance

Skip it if your priority is soft snow performance or a playful, loose feel. The Evolved 90 is at its best when it is on edge and being driven, and that is precisely the kind of riding it was shaped for. Buy it for the terrain you actually ski most, not the terrain you hope to ski.

Conclusion

The Liberty Evolved 90 delivers a distinctive blend of a bamboo and poplar core with three vertical metal struts, wrapped in a 90 mm front side leaning shape. It is smooth, stable and quietly confident on groomed runs, with enough tip taper to stay useful when the day wanders off the piste. Riders who spend most of their time carving will find it a very complete package, while those chasing deep snow should look elsewhere in the Evolve lineup.

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