Liberty Horizon 87 Review: A Light, Energetic Ski for Groomers and Smoother Terrain

Introduction

The Liberty Horizon 87 is the narrowest model in the Horizon collection and the most frontside-oriented ski in that family. With an 87 mm waist and a 14 m turn radius, it is built for skiers who want a quick, energetic ride that feels at home on groomed runs while still being willing to follow you into bumps, trees, and softer snow.

What makes it interesting is how Liberty gets there. The ski uses a Recoil core that blends poplar and ash, adds carbon stringers, and includes a partial metal laminate rather than a full one. That mix is what gives the Horizon 87 its crisp, clean energy without the weight that usually comes with a damp, powerful build.

At a measured 1,386 g in the 159 cm length, the ski is easy to move around underfoot, and that low weight shapes almost everything about how it rides. It is not designed to be a heavy, dampening plank. It is designed to feel lively from edge to edge and from turn to turn.

Who This Ski Is For

Intermediate through advanced skiers are the clearest fit. If you are looking for an easier, more energetic ride that responds quickly without demanding a lot of muscle, this ski makes a strong case for itself. The 87 mm waist keeps it in a practical all-mountain range, wide enough to mix conditions and terrain, narrow enough to stay quick on firmer snow.

It is also worth being clear about who it is not for. Strong, aggressive skiers may push past its breaking point. The build can still be fun for advanced and expert skiers, but only if you are not expecting supreme stability, dampness, and power. This ski does not have the weight or the mass to drive through variable snow the way a heavier freeride model can.

Main Strengths

The first strength is turn feel. A 14 m turn radius combined with positive camber underfoot makes the Horizon 87 turn on a dime. The modern tip shape, which is more pin tipped at the front, gives a clean entry into the turn, and because there is not a lot of early taper, the rocker actually extends further into the ski than the taper does. The result is edge grip at the start of the turn, with the wider section and the rocker adding flotation when the snow gets softer.

The second strength is edge grip and composure. Partial metal laminates deliver good edge grip along the sides of the ski and a damper overall feel, while the carbon and the poplar and ash blend keep the ski responsive and energetic through the flex. The tail is rounded and tapered, with a longer yet lower rocker profile. That shape does not stay hooked or feel catchy at the end of a turn the way a squared off, less tapered ski can, which increases mobility from turn to turn.

The third strength is versatility within its comfort zone. It is a quick turner that is fully capable of making crisp, clean arcs on groomers, and it stays supportive in bumps and trees where the snow is softer but not deep.

Construction and Ride Feel

Liberty builds this ski around the Recoil core, mixing poplar and ash for a light, lively platform. Carbon stringers run through the build to keep the flex responsive without adding bulk. The variable metal technology is worth understanding, because it is not a full metal laminate. The metal runs thinner at one point, visible through the window in the ski, then widens through the middle before narrowing again in the tail. That partial placement is what delivers edge grip to the sides of the ski and a damper overall feel, while the rest of the construction keeps the ski nimble.

In practice, the ride feels smooth and quick rather than planted and heavy. It likes things a little smoother, whether that means softer snow or firmer, well-groomed surfaces.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The main trade-off is mass. Because the ski is light, it loses some stability and power once conditions turn variable. If you regularly ski chopped up, wind-affected, or heavy snow at speed, you will notice the lack of weight more than you would on a heavier model. It also is not the ski to choose if supreme dampness and a powerful, planted feel are your priorities.

Width is the other consideration. At 87 mm underfoot, the Horizon 87 sits in the intermediate range of all-mountain widths. Most skiers will use it primarily as a groomer ski and take it into deeper places, bumps, and trees when the snow is softer rather than truly deep. That narrower waist is exactly what makes it better for on-trail skiing and carving, so it is a deliberate trade rather than a flaw.

Where the Horizon 87 Fits in the Lineup

Within the Horizon family, the 87 is the narrowest option and the most frontside-leaning. If you already know you want a wider platform for softer, deeper snow, a broader Horizon model is the more logical choice. If your days lean toward groomed runs, firm snow, and smoother terrain with occasional detours into bumps and trees, the 87 is the version of the line built for that.

That positioning also explains the intended skill range. The width keeps it more in the intermediate range, while the construction leaves enough headroom for advanced and expert skiers to enjoy it, provided the conditions stay relatively smooth.

Buying Advice

Buy the Liberty Horizon 87 if you are an intermediate to advanced skier who wants a light, agile ski with real energy out of the turn. It rewards a relaxed, quick-footed style on groomers and smoother terrain, and it holds up well in bumps and trees. The 159 cm length weighed in at 1,386 g, so expect a ski that is easy to pivot and quick to bring across the fall line.

If most of your skiing happens on groomed runs and smoother snow, the priorities line up well. If you spend your season chasing deep powder or charging through variable snow at high speed, look for a heavier, more damp ski instead. Match the ski to the terrain you actually ski most, and the Horizon 87 is a confident, enjoyable choice.

Conclusion

The Liberty Horizon 87 is a narrow, lightweight all-mountain ski with a clear personality. It delivers clean, crisp energy, strong edge grip for its class, and a turn shape that stays mobile and predictable. It is not built for maximum stability or power in rough snow, and it does not pretend to be. For intermediate through advanced skiers who spend most of their time on groomers and smoother terrain, that balance makes a lot of sense.