Best Skis 2024-2025: Our Models Recommended by the Blister Buyer’s Guide
Best Skis 2024-2025: Our Models Recommended by the Blister Buyer’s Guide
It’s always flattering to receive such great reviews for our skis, especially from the #1 buyer’s guide, BLISTER, known worldwide for its honest and detailed evaluations. Our Explo 86, Explo 96, Pionnier 104, and Surfeur 112 models stand out in the prestigious Blister Buyer’s Guide. Here are the reviews.
“The Ferreol Explo 86, which is designed and manufactured in Quebec, was one of the more surprising skis we got on last season. On one hand, it's quite light for its size, and its design is more reminiscent of wider all-mountain skis than most similarly narrow alternatives. On the other hand, it's uncommonly damp and stable for its weight, and it feels very secure one you get it on edge. Its slightly tapered and rockered shovels don't initiate carved turns as readily as other similar skis, but some of our reviewers actually found the Explo 86 more confidence inspiring while carving firm and/or cut-up snow. Off piste, the Explo 86 has a very low swing weight and is pretty easy to release and pivot, making it a strong all-mountain option for those who want a narrower setup. Plus, if you'll occasionally skin up the resort before / after the lifts spin, the Explo 86's low weight is even more appealing. From intermediates to experts, many skiers seeking a versatile and agile ski for firmer conditions have reason to check out the Explo 86.” — BLISTER
“The Explo 96 rounds out the middle of Ferreol’s lineup, designed to handle a bit of everything, whether on foot or via lifts. The Explo 96's “3P camber” profile features added camber sections fore and aft of the binding area, which translate to notably strong edge grip on firm snow, though they can take some getting used to. On the other hand, the Explo 96 still has some tip and tail rocker, and combined with its not-super-rearward mount point and lively pattern, that makes it feel fairly playful and maneuverable off piste. The Ferreol Pionnier 104 is better if you want a loose, surfy ride in soft snow, and we found the narrower Explo 86 more intuitive to carve on very firm slopes. However, the Explo 96 is a worthwhile option for those looking to cover a lot of bases with a single ski, including some uphill travel, especially if you favor quickness and energy over a really planted, stable ride.” — BLISTER
“Ferreol's original ski, the Pionnier 104, is an agile all-mountain option with a few interesting twists. Its fairly short sidecut radius and tapered shovels make it pretty easy to both carve and slash through tight terrain, while its stiff-flexing midsection and less tapered tail make it feel very secure on edge — even when making much larger turns than its on-paper sidecut radius might suggest are possible. The Pionnier 104 also offers nice suspension for its weight, while not feeling like a major burden on the skin track; if you'll be doing a lot of touring on it and are caught between sizes, we recommend going shorter to maximize its maneuverability. If you want something more forgiving and fun on piste, the Pionnier 104 warrants a close look. Or, if the Pionnier seems appealing but you want to maximize maneuverability in softer conditions, be sure to check out the Ferreol Surfeur 112.” — BLISTER
“The Surfeur 112 is Ferreol's widest and most playful ski, and also one that showcases their innovation in terms of ski construction. Specifically, it ditches fiberglass (ubiquitous among modern skis) for natural flax fibers. Doing so was no easy task (see Ep.248 of our GEAR:30 podcast), but the Surfeur 112's flax laminate translates to an impressively damp ride quality for a ski this light, while its notably tapered shape and deep rocker lines make it highly maneuverable and playful. Despite those latter aspects (and its faily tight sidecut radius), the Surfeur 112 is still quite predictable and pretty stable in a variety of soft-ish conditions, from deep pow to variable spring snow. The Surfeur 112 is much more engaging at moderate speeds without feeling like a super niche model. It's a touring-friendly ski that's easy to pilot in most conditions, but it's one that experienced skiers can still really enjoy when skied with a more dynamic style.” — BLISTER
Find out our collections here : https://ferreol.ca/en/collections/skis-24-25