Liberty Super Radian 88 Review: An Energetic Carver with All-Mountain Manners

Introduction

Liberty has had the Radian family around for a few seasons now, with the 92, 100, and 106 often taking top billing. The new Super Radian 88 is a bit of a throwback for the brand, echoing the kind of energetic carving skis Liberty used to make, such as the Evolve 90, but with more all-around versatility baked in. It brings more carving performance to the mix while keeping the Radian line’s all-mountain character.

In an 88mm category stacked with high-performance options like the Volkl Mantra 88, Nordica Enforcer 89, Blizzard Anomaly 88, Rossignol Arcade 88, and Kestrel MX88, the Super Radian 88 positions itself as the more accessible choice. The charm here is that it delivers energetic carving performance with less effort. It is not overly demanding, but you get a lot of energy in return.

A Carving Ski with a Freeride Twist

The shape tells the story. Liberty leans more freeride than frontside here, especially at the shovel, with a notable tapered tip. That taper allows for easy edge engagement and better soft snow compliance, so the ski does not hook into the turn and yank you across the fall line the way some other 88s can. The Rossignol Arcade 88 sits at the opposite end of that spectrum, flared out where the Super Radian carries meaningful taper.

The tail is more conventional than the tip, with similarities to something like the Anomaly 88. There is some all-mountain versatility there, but the overall profile is a little flatter, which keeps the ski on the snow longer and adds smoothness and performance as a result.

The standout number is the 15-meter turn radius in the 179cm length, and this ski likes every bit of it. Stretch the turn longer and it starts to complain, but hold that 15-meter arc and it rewards you. It is a clean carving ski with a smooth feel and nice energy, built with a mentality for short turns and higher energy rather than high-speed straight-line stability.

Construction: Three Woods, Metal, and Carbon

Liberty puts serious effort into the build. The core blends three woods: bamboo, which returns for this year, alongside ash and poplar. On top of that sits variable metal technology, a full-width metal sheet that tapers to a point in the forebody and half section of the ski, plus carbon stringers layered over the core.

That mix creates an interesting feel. Ash, carbon, and metal rarely show up together in a soft, easy-riding ski, so there is genuine power and pop in the construction, balanced against the lighter bamboo and poplar that keep things from feeling overly aggressive.

Things to Consider Before Buying

This ski is not looking to be driven super hard by a very aggressive expert skier. It wants to stay within a swing-turn style, and within that range it does a really nice job. Turn-shape versatility is not its strongest suit, though there is real soft snow compliance on hand.

If you want a ski for bumps and packed-out trees on a typical Vermont day, the Super Radian 88 makes a genuinely good option. It handles some wonky snow and longer turns when needed, staying smooth and crisp while also feeling damp.

Who This Ski Is For

Testers describe the Super Radian 88 as quick and forgiving, a short-radius machine that loves fast, snappy short turns without feeling out of place elsewhere on the mountain. It suits intermediate-to-advanced skiers who prioritize carving energy and easy handling over maximum straight-line stability, and who value a ski that does not demand hard work to feel rewarding.

If your days lean toward groomed carving sessions with occasional forays into bumps and trees, this ski fits that brief very well. Skiers who want a demanding, high-performance charger for long, fast turns will find better matches among the harder-hitting 88s on the market.

Conclusion

The Liberty Super Radian 88 is an interesting mix of a freeride-inspired, tapered shape and a strong, sophisticated build with three woods, metal, and carbon. It delivers clean carving performance, a smooth and damp feel, and snappy short-turn energy without requiring expert-level input. For skiers after an accessible, energetic carver with enough all-mountain compliance for softer and more variable snow, it is a real winner and a welcome return of bamboo to Liberty’s lineup.