Liberty Horizon 87 (2027) Review: Light, Playful, and Quick on Groomers

Introduction

The Liberty Horizon 87 gets meaningful updates for 2027, including a new graphic and construction changes that make it a bit more damp and a bit more playful while staying energetic and fun in carved turns, especially on groomers.

At 87 mm underfoot, it carries all-mountain connotations: it is versatile enough for off-trail settings like bumps and trees. That said, the overall character leans more toward on-trail, on-piste carving, with a distinctly frontside feel. Within that range it is quick, energetic, and pretty light, and most testers found it fun and engaging even if it lacks the high-end threshold of denser skis in the same width range. A ski like the Volkl Mantra 88 will outpace it in overall power and precision, but the Horizon 87 counters with lightness and quickness.

Construction and Materials

Liberty puts a lot into this build. The wood core blends poplar, ash, and bamboo, with a welcome return of bamboo to the brand’s lineup. On top of that sits variable metal technology: a metal laminate that runs full width but tapers to a point and ends before the tips and tails. Carbon stringers run alongside it, on top of the core.

Three types of wood, a partial metal laminate, and carbon stringers add up to a nice mix of energy and stability. The 167 cm length weighs just under 1,500 g at 1,460 g, so it is light and easy to throw around. The flex is decent, though you can feel a bit more stiffness underfoot, and Liberty uses a thinner core profile here, one of the thinner ones around, which lets the ski bend easily.

Shape, Rocker, and On-Snow Feel

The shape brings a short 15 m turn radius, so it moves quickly edge to edge. Camber is positive underfoot, but for a ski in the upper 80s, the taper is a bigger story than the rocker profile. That taper aids flotation and easy mobility, helping the ski get from turn to turn with ease.

There is not a lot of rocker, which helps the edges hook in on groomers. It is a mix of a tapered freeride shape and a more directional all-mountain style. There is some tail rocker, though not much, and that little extra helps in tight, technical woods by making subsequent turns more manageable. The tail is fairly pointed as well, with a somewhat dramatic back shape that allows easy steering.

In softer snow you feel the taper more; on firmer snow you still get the effective edge and a long, smooth feel that testers liked. Test feedback from Colleen Fitzgerald noted the ski was fun, cruised well in long turns, was easy to control and responsive underfoot, playful while stable, did well on hardpack, sliced through crud, and held its edge firmly for the conditions.

Who This Ski Is For

The Horizon 87 suits skiers who prioritize quick, lively carving on groomers but still want enough mobility for bumps and packed-out woods. If you want a ski that bends with terrain and transitions fast from turn to turn, this is a strong match. Skiers chasing maximum power and high-speed precision in dense, demanding conditions may prefer a heavier, stiffer alternative.

Buying Advice

If your days are mostly on piste with occasional forays into trees and bumps, the updated Horizon 87 makes a compelling case. Its light weight, easy bending flex, and short turn radius reward skiers who value quickness and fun over brute force. The blend of woods, partial metal, and carbon gives it enough stability to stay composed when the snow firms up.

Conclusion

The 2027 Liberty Horizon 87 is a light, quick, and playful ski with a frontside-leaning character and genuine all-mountain versatility. It trades some high-speed authority for agility and fun, making it an easy recommendation for carvers who like to mix in bumps and trees.