Ski Gear
Most Anticipated 2027 Skis: Six New Skis Worth Watching
From a wider Stöckli freeride ski to DPS's newest Piste Works platform, here are the 2027 announcements that have us paying closest attention.
Introduction
Every new ski season brings a wave of announcements, but the 2027 lineup looks unusually interesting. Some brands are reaching outside their comfort zones, others are refining platforms that already proved themselves, and a few first glimpses suggest genuinely fresh ideas. As always with pre-season hype, nothing here replaces time on snow, but these are the releases we are watching most closely.

The Wild Card: Stöckli Storm Rider 108
Stöckli is known for masterfully damped, precisely built carving skis, so the announcement of the Storm Rider 108 is a genuine stretch for the brand. The 2026 redesign of the Storm Rider 88 delivered a very accessible turn, and mixing that approachable character with a wider platform could be one of the most interesting freeride releases of the year. Details are still scarce, but Stöckli rarely does things without intent, and the distinct look alone has already sparked plenty of curiosity. Brands stepping out of their lane often produce some of the most exciting innovation, and this could be exactly that.

The Challenger: Blizzard Canvas
There are plenty of twin-tip powder skis, but few have seriously pressured the Atomic Bent in recent years. The Blizzard Canvas looks like the first real challenger. The shape is progressive without an overly aggressive twin tip, keeping useful volume in the tails, and 108mm underfoot is a fantastic width for that style of ski. It pairs poplar and paulownia in the core with UD glass and carbon, which adds a springy character that could make tree runs especially fun. An 18-meter turning radius rounds out what looks like a very well-balanced platform.
The Precision Play: Kästle Sublime 88
Kästle announced two new skis, the Sublime 83 and Sublime 88, and both look promising. The brand builds on its Hollowtech Twin Core design with titanal in the mix, and Kästle has a track record of only releasing dialed-in products. The 83’s fairly aggressive turn radii, around 16.3 meters at 177cm and 17.8 meters at 184cm, suggest a potentially excellent daily driver for hard-charging groomed-snow skiers.
The Carving Contender: Head Discovery Series
Head has quietly been on a roll, rebuilding its core series from the ground up and integrating titanal effectively. For 2027, the new Discovery carving series continues that momentum with the 82 Pro, 86 Pro, and 82 Sport. The 82 Pro draws the most attention, though the 86 Pro looks like a strong daily driver candidate too. Carving skis are a category where Head has earned renewed credibility, and this lineup deserves a spot on any piste-focused shortlist.

The Gap Closer: DPS Piste Works 94
The Piste Works 89 and 79 represented arguably the most interesting all-mountain ski design shift in years, and the new Piste Works 94 could be the bridge that brings that platform to a much wider audience. For skiers who want a slightly more versatile daily width while keeping the innovative construction, this is the version to watch closely.
The Refinement: Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition
The Ripstick series has long been a favorite for a broad range of skiers, and a retooled 2027 Ripstick 96 Black Edition is welcome news. The green version has often been the preferred pick of the two, so changes to the Black Edition could shift that balance. Either way, updates to one of the most versatile all-mountain lines on the market are worth tracking.
Other Gear Worth Watching
Beyond the headline skis, several smaller updates round out the season. Stöckli’s Storm Rider 108 leads our own most-watched list for its sheer ambition, while elsewhere in the market there are redesigned Nordica Unleashed models, a Rossignol Sender 118 worth a look for dedicated powder days, updated Marker Griffon X bindings, and a high-volume version of the Head Caliber boot that already impressed as a go-to all-mountain option. Race glove and mitten designs, including the Mikaela Shiffrin series from Roeckl, also tend to appear around Olympic years.

Conclusion
The 2027 season looks strong across the board, from freeride newcomers like the Blizzard Canvas and Stöckli Storm Rider 108 to refinements of proven platforms like the Ripstick 96 and Piste Works. As always, on-snow impressions will settle the arguments, but for now these six are the ones we would watch first.




