If you love the JJ, but want juat a bit more ski, check out the AK. The 195cm only AK JJ is longer, wider and stiffer than Regular JJ, and is just the ticket for big strong skiers looking for steep lines, deep pow, and big drops.

The JJ is one of the skis that is redefining our sport. It's EST construction offers the best of both worlds: rocker tip and tail, with standard camber/sidecut underfoot. This makes the JJ awesome for surfing soft snow, but very skiable on the groomed. The JJ is very light for its size, and surprisingly quick. Dont' wait, last year we sold the JJ so fast that the demos were sold before they ever got mounted.

By far one of the coolest new skis, the Armada TST just plain rocks. We like to think of it as a slightly narrower JJ without the tail rocker, making it a great everyday ski that can still dominate in the powder. Look at it this way; everyday may not be a JJ day, but everyday is a TST day.

The TSTW was a huge favorite of our testers. The girls found it to be quick and responsive, but also versatile and forgiving. All agreed it is a great everyday all mountain ski, and was a blast even on the firm snow and hard bumps during the test.

This is a ski that we have been wanting; a women's JJ with sizes down to 165. Our testers had a great time skiing it on hardpack and crud, but it really shines in the powder. Everybody liked going fast on it, and found the standard sidecut and camber underfoot very solid and stable. In the crud the rocker smoothed everything out and made junk snow fun.

For good skiers, the Black Pearl may be the most versatile all mountain ski around. It excels in all terrain and turn sizes, and gets more responsive with speed. Like the men?s ?Flip Core? skis, the Pearl?s tip and tail rocker makes it playful and maneuverable without compromising stability or responsiveness.

Bonafide is the Flip Core ski most experts will want to check out. With ?Flip Core? construction, twin titanal layers and a 98mm waist Bonafide is solid and playful at the same time. Our team really liked how quick and lively it was, and was astounded by how fast and hard you could ski it. The Bonafide is great ski for ripping up big steep mountains regardless of snow condition.

Bushwacker is the narrowest ski in waist dimension? Blizzard?s ?Flip Core? line of rockered skis. Its wood core construction combined with tip and tail rocker make for a playful and fun ride, while still providing a solid ride at speed and tons of versatility. We really like the ?Flip Core? tech, it has great energy and stability, while the rockered tips and tails keep it loose and maneuverable.

At 108mm underfoot, the Cochise gets it done on firm snow, but lives for the soft stuff. With metal laminate construction, the "Cheese" might have been a bit of a tank, but thanks to "Flip Core" tip and tail rocker it is surprisingly spry. It is however a ski that loves speed, wants to be ridden aggressively, and is not especially forgiving.

The M Power FS IQ is way more fun than it sounds. With just a touch of early rise in the tip, this ski takes the all mountain carver to versatile new heights. It's great for tippin? and rippin' on the groomed, but more than happy to mix it up off-piste. The M Power is smooth and powerful, but also quite lively and nimble.

A truly versatile big mountain ski, The Crush carves it up in any snow condition, and dances in the powder. It is a stiffer ski with sidewall construction, but tip and tail rocker really help loosen it up. The graphics are pretty sweet too.

If you love to turn, this is your ski. The 8.1 have lots of shape and zero rocker, so it pulls you into turn after short radius turn. It will arc a longer radius if you back off, but it really loves quick snappy turns and firm snow conditions. It's a great ski for ladies who stay mostly on the groomed, and boogie down the fall line.

There is probably no ski closer to the hearts of our staff than the Elan Apex. When it first came out it as the 888 it was a breakthrough in construction and performance. Its pioneering thin aluminum construction has moved on to power skis like the Elan Spire and the Volkl Mantra/Kendo/Aura family. This simple yet rare design offers very smooth and balanced performance with plenty of grip and responsiveness. One of the key elements is the thin tip that slices through the chunks and crud without getting deflected. This effect is now enhanced by a touch of tip rocker that loosens it up while maintaining its hook up into the turn. Of course, a bit of tip rocker also enhanced Apex's bump and soft snow performance. Put it this way; even the best skis can get better.

Elan's ladies powder ski is responsive and easy to turn. The Bliss shines in any turn size, and is versatile enough to ski every day. It is a light ski that has moderate tip and tail rocker and vertical sidewall construction.

One of the favorite skis of the test was the Elan Olympus. This bad boy mates the metal-topped construction used in the Apex and Spire with a bigger footprint for serious big mountain powder slaying. Of course, this construction means the Olympus is solid enough for everyday use, but still supple in the fluff. Thanks Elan, we have been waiting for this.

The Elan Spire defines the big mountain category. Its metal-topped construction provides a smooth and responsive ride, while the lower profile tip and rocker cut through anything. Considering the Spire's beefy metal construction and relative girth, it is actually quite playful and nimble. Many skis claim to be the perfect quiver of one; for strong skiers, the Spire really is.

Here is a ski that our girls have been waiting for; an Apex for ladies complete with metal topped construction. Our testers loved the positive feel, and smooth strong grip. The rockered tip helps keep it forgiving, but this is one of the burlier skis we carry, and may surprise some with its stiff flex. Advanced and expert skiers need look no further for a versatile and high performance ski; the Zeal delivers. It was our test team's favorite ladies ski. Love it!

The most versatile of K2's AMP skis is the Aftershock. It has the same construction and tip rocker as the Rictor, and shares its well balanced performance. Aftershock's wider footprint adds platform and stability off piste, without sacrificing carving performance on groomed runs. This is another K2 ski with a huge sweet spot and great user friendly handling. Click in and got ski anywhere.

Charger is the narrowest and least rockered of the AMP skis, but that doesn't keep it from taking on the whole mountain. It's lightning quick and super responsive without being twitchy or unstable. We like it for arcing it out in firmer conditions and tight spots, not to mention bumping. It?s slightly rockered tip gives it a playful edge not traditionally found in narrow carve skis, and surprising all-mountain versatility.

Some skis are just right; you hop on them and everything works. K2 knows how to find the perfect balance between user friendliness and performance better than anyone, and Rictor exemplifies this. It's a smooth and versatile carver with plenty of energy and a huge sweet spot. The Rictor's tip rocker gives it smooth turn initiation and increased maneuverability. It may not hook up across the hill like some more shaped and rocker-free skis, but it's easy handling makes a hero out of everyone. Lovers of the old Recon will find Rictor to be more responsive, with better grip, and more apt in variable snow.

Finally, a true powder ski for kids. 100mm waist? Check. Rocker? Check. Cool graphics? Oh yeah!

Every groms favorite ski gets even better this year, thanks to "all terrain" rocker in the tip.

The new MissDemeanor is the most versatile yet, thanks to a wider waist and a bit of rocker tip and tail. This bad girl is smooth and confident, without losing the lively fun edge that she's known for. Whether you get MissD for the powder, the park, or just looting the whole mountain, you count on her for the kind of fun that a good girl just can't deliver.

This is a ski that many have been waiting for; a 117mm underfoot twin with plenty of rocker built by K2 for women. On the snow MissD delivered in a big way. We expected her to rock in the soft stuff, but everyone was blown away by her performance on hard snow and even on the groomed runs where the team had no problem rolling her up on edge. We would not expect a ski this wide to be nimble but short turns were easy and slushy bumps fun. Buy her for powder, but don't be surprised if you ski her every day.

The latest version of the Seth Morrison Pro model is the widest yet, and trades a bit of versatility for powder domination. With a big round tip and generous rocker expect serious face shots, and great "release and smear" maneuverability, but don?t be surprised that you can still get up on edge when the snow gets hard. Seth shines as a soft snow surfing machine, and every day off piste ATV.

Q: How much ski can you get for $299? A: A whole lot more than you expect. Even though K2 markets the Press as a durable twin for impoverished jibbers, we think it’s a great everyday ski. The Press features K2’s “jib rocker”; a combination of moderate tip and tail rocker with flat camber under foot designed to give it plenty of “pop” and make buttering a breeze. It certainly shines in the park, but us non- jibbers really like how lively it is for quick turns and bumps. Bonus: it glows in the dark.

K2 has a long history of making great all mountain twins, and the Recoil is no exception. It?s a well-balanced ski: smooth and solid, yet light and playful thanks in part to moderate tip and tail rocker. It has good edge grip, and a springy feel, especially in the tail. Wes and Preston had a blast skiing it in gullies and soft bumps at Alpine Meadows, and Hunter loved it at Mammoth.

Every year one ski stands out at the test; this year it was the Sideshow. We think it?s the best all mountain ski K2 has ever made, and that is saying a lot! Everyone commented on its light weight and how well it carved on hard snow, but it really stood out on the just plain fun factor. Its light weight metal laminate construction with moderate tip rocker gives it a livelier feel than K2?s AMP skis, and provides more response and precision than the Factory Team twin tips. At 90mm underfoot, its narrow enough to carve it up on firm snow, but wide enough to be in the game on a powder day. Like all of K2's Backside skis, the Sideshow is made w'th backcountry utility in mind, so put a Barron on it and ski it every day in bounds or out.

The Burnin' Luv lives on as the aptly named Superburnin. With a new sidewall construction, this carving machine is more precise and powerful than ever, but still easy and forgiving with a smooth round flex. This has always been a big favorite of our staff, and a reminder of just how much fun a narrower ski can be. With its slight tip rocker Burnin is much more versatile than you would expect, and a great everyday ski for good skiers who want a quick ski with the power and stability of metal laminate construction.

Easy to turn, and easy to like was how Susan nutshelled the user friendly Free. Aerin agreed noting how you could stand on it anywhere. Cara though it was a touch stiffer than the old Free Luv thanks to its new sidewall construction and liked it best for short to medium turns. All of our team liked the big sweet spot, versatility and great graphics.

Replacing the Lotta Luv is no easy task, but Superstitious does it. Slightly wider, and upgraded with a sidewall construction, Superstitious is both more versatile and more responsive than Lotta ever was. Our girls called it an awesome all mountain do everything ski, noting its large sweet spot, easy turn initiation and great edgehold. They also liked how easy it was to move from carve to skid, and the loose feel of the rockered tip. For our test team Superstitious is the all mountain ski by which all others are judged.

The newest Avenger is also the best one. By using basalt (yes, the same stuff Devil's Postpile is made of) stringers instead of metal laminates, Rossi has found a construction that really seems to combine the lively forgiving feel of a metal-free ski with the high speed/hard snow performance of a metal laminate. All of our testers were wowed by the 82 Basalt's smooth, solid and energetic feel that is perfect for carving arcs all over the mountain.

A rockered all mountain twin tip at a sweet price, the S3 is great for all mountain ripping, powder surfing, and buttery park action. It's a ski that will change the way you look at the mountain.

The S3W is not really a new ski. Last year the S110W changed width when you went from 160cm up to 168. The shorter sizes were 96 underfoot, and are the same ski as the current S3W. For small ladies the tip-and-tail rockered S3 is more than enough to play in the powder, and also a great every day all-mountain ski.

The S7 is an amazing ski. The Amptek rocker combines a tapered rocker tip, standard camber and sidecut underfoot, and tail rocker for maximum soft snow versatility. In powder its wide waist and rocker allow any turn size or shape, while the sidecut and camber let you carve the groomed back to the chair. The S7 is the perfect cheater for powder neophytes, or the ultimate in powder domination for experts.

The S7W is just as wild looking as her big brother the S7. She also rips just as hard, thanks to rocker, standard camber and shape under foot and a narrow powder tip. The BC 110 is fearless in soft snow where it will let you go scary fast but turn on a dime. It's a surfy ski that will make a powder hound out of anyone, but also works well on piste and in soft bumps.

The Super 7 ups the performance of the S7 by adding metal laminate construction. It still has the playfulness and maneuverability, but adds just enough beef to smooth out the ride and add precision and edge hold. The 195 are pretty burly, but the 188 are just right.

The Temptation 82 is a smooth carver that likes to tip it up and arc it out on the groomers. Its subtle tip rocker makes for smooth and easy turn initiation, while a touch of tail rocker gets you out of the turn just as easily as you went in. Basically the Temptation 82 is an effortless carver with good grip and a damp feel.

Aura gets a nice makeover for this season. It gets a touch wider, and now has a bit of tip rocker. This makes an already versatile ski even better in soft snow, without losing any hook up on firm snow. Aura is a great choice for adventurous skiers looking for one ski to do it all.

This season?s Gotama is a entirely new ski; it is wider, stiffer, and lessrocker underfoot, making it more versatile than ever. The new ?Goat? is great on hard snow and even fun in firm moguls, while still being a superlative powder ski. This is one of those skis people will buy for powder days, but end up skiing every day.

Volkl really steped it up last year by making the first junior ski with rocker. The Gotama Jr. is just as versatile as the adult version, but really shines in variable soft snow conditions. This is a ski that can really take your kids skiing to that next level.

Kendo returns unchanged for this season, and that?s a good thing. Kendo may be the ultimate statement in traditional camber all mountain skis. With its metal-topped construction and shapely tip, it can carve up the whole mountain, and handle just about any snow condition. Its light but solid feel is perfectly balanced with smooth transitions and plenty of energy. Kendo's thin tip profile lets it cut through the crud without getting bounced around and keeps it hugging the snow.

Kenja is just too good to change. It may be the ultimate traditional cambered all mountain ski. Kenja is light ?n?lively with good grip and smooth but nimble handling. Its metal-topped construction is responsive and easy to turn. Kenja is one of our best selling skis because she feels familiar, but better.

Kiku is all new this year; stiffer, slightly wider, less rockered underfoot, and more versatile than before. We have always loved Kiku in powder, but now it can tear it up every day. It is smooth and responsive, but has surprisingly good edge hold, and increased maneuverability. Sometimes ?new and improved? is just that!

This Mantra is really a whole new ski for 11-12. It has a wider waist, and finally gets just the right amount of tip rocker to loosen it up without sacrificing pull into the turn. Of course it is still a supremely versatile ski; a true go anywhere do anything ski for good skiers, especially those who ski the whole mountain, not just whatever was groomed last night. Mantra continues to be a benchmark in ski design; playful solid and versatile.

The RTM was one of the most talked-about skis in the test. It looks like a skiing contradiction; a hard snow carve ski with full-length rocker. On the snow, it still seemed like a contradiction to some of the crew. Quite simply this is a carve ski that can do things that no other carve ski has done well before. Sure you can tip it up and arc across the hill, but you can also keep it flat and pivot on a dime. It actually seemed like it was impossible to catch and edge on the RTM. For many skiers this could be the short-turn ski they have always been looking for, combined with a high-speed carver. Its catch-free tips and tails, plus its ability to either set an edge or pivot in a short turn, translated to game changing mogul performance. In short the RTM 84 is a unique and versatile ski that may take more than a couple runs to figure out, but could possibly change your skiing.

The Shiro Jr. is a fat rockered powder ski that will make sure you don't have to wait for your offspring on powder days. Will they wait for you? Probably not.