Top 5 Best Mogul Skis

Whether you ski moguls for fun or competition, it’s a good idea to get skis better suited for this style. A mogul-specific ski or one more suited to the style will have you bouncing from bump to bump like you were born for it.

My name is Christine, and I’ve been on the slopes for decades. I love nearly every version of the sport, and I have experience with many different mogul skis. I know how to find the best options available to help you properly ski in the bumps. 

The Rossignol Experience 94 Ti is my pick for the best overall mogul skis of the season. These have a thinner width and heavy side cut that allow you to turn quickly and effectively. They are built to help you crush the bumps. 

There are a handful of other high-quality mogul skis available, and I’ll show you all the best options in this post. Whether you want to spend all day bouncing through the bumps or just hit them every once in a while, these will help. 

Let’s pick and line and get going. 

Who Should Get This

If you like to ski moguls, you’ll want a ski that can handle this type of terrain. If you’re a mogul racer or have aspirations to become one, then you’ll definitely want a dedicated mogul ski more focused on that style. 

The shape and design of mogul skis allow them to be more maneuverable than other types of skis.

If you prefer other types of terrain or are more of a big mountain type of skier, you will not need to get a dedicated mogul ski. 

Mogul skis are typically more narrow and shorter than other styles. A narrow and short ski is not great in powder and can suffer in certain resort conditions.

Mogul skiing can be challenging, and it’s definitely not for beginners. If you are an intermediate skier, you should be able to handle the bumps but always be sure to ski within your ability level, so you don’t get hurt.

Mogul skiers generally use a smaller length ski than other styles of the sport. This helps make them quicker to turn, which pays off in the bumps. There isn’t a specific size that’s used, though. It just depends on the skier.

Yes, shorter skis are better suited for moguls. Shorter skis are quicker to turn, which is very helpful when navigating the bumps. The shorter the skis, the easier they are to use in moguls.

Typically, narrower skis are better for moguls. Wider skis can hold you back in the bumps because they don’t allow you to turn as quickly, and they just aren’t as fast. You’ll want a narrower ski than your all-mountain skis for peak performance.

Mogul skis aren’t really any stiffer than your standard intermediate or advanced ski. They are stiff compared to beginner skis, and this helps them stay stable at higher speeds and turn more effectively in the bumps.

Top Picks of Best Skis for Moguls

Here are all of my top picks of the best skis for moguls this season. 

1. Rossignol Experience 94 Ti

  • Best for: Overall
  • Key features: Progressive sidecut, relatively thin, stable at speeds, quality construction
  • Sizes: 166, 173, 180, 187
  • Ability level: Intermediate to Advanced 
  • Cost: $$$

The Rossignol Experience 94 Ti is my pick for the best overall mogul skis of the season. These are a high-quality pair that will have you covered in and out of the bumps. 

They feature a progressive sidecut that helps them excel in the moguls. This increases your turning abilities while also making the skis very reactive. 

You also get a high-quality construction that makes for a reliable and durable experience on the mountain. You can count on these to give you a great day in the bumps. 

The Experience 94 Ti isn’t a mogul-specific ski, which might detract some bump purists out there. 

2. Volkl Kendo 88 

  • Best for: Advanced Skiers 
  • Key features: 3D radius sidecut, tip and tail rocker, carbon tips, lightweight Titanal frame
  • Sizes: 163, 170, 177, 184 
  • Ability level: Advanced 
  • Cost: $$$$

Advanced skiers who love moguls will appreciate everything that the Volkl Kendo 88 offers. These are another great set of skis for the bumps. 

They feature a 3D radius sidecut that enhances turning performance to help you shine in the bumps. This can help you turn quickly and effectively. 

I also like the tip and tail rocker because this gives you less edge to get in your way when you need to keep your knees together and really rip. 

They are a little expensive and are not a good option for beginners. 

==> You can also get it on Evo or Buckman’s or Skis.

3. Atomic Vantage 86 C 

  • Best for: Turning 
  • Key features: Prolite construction, great turning characteristics, quality construction, energy backbone
  • Sizes: 154, 161, 169, 177
  • Ability level: All 
  • Cost: $$$

The Atomic Vantage 86 C is an excellent option for any mogul skier who wants a little extra turning capability. 

These have less rocker in the tail, which gives you more edge control in the rear of the ski. The result is quick turning abilities that shine when you dive into the moguls. 

You also get a high-quality construction with features such as a foam core that limits vibrations and an energy backbone that helps you stay in control at all times. 

These aren’t as great for aerials, which might not be ideal for any competitive mogul skiers out there. 

==> You can also get it on Sun & Ski Sports.

4. Armada ARV 86 

  • Best for: Freestyle 
  • Key features: Effective mogul skis, fun performance, very capable, twin-tipped, durable 
  • Sizes: 163, 170, 177, 184
  • Ability level: All 
  • Cost: $$$

Mogul skiing is technically a freestyle aspect of the sport, and the Armada ARV 86 skis will let you explore nearly everything within this style. 

Thanks to a progressive design, these can rip through the bumps, making them quick to turn and very reliable. 

They also come with an AR freestyle rocker profile that enhances what you can do in other areas of the mountain as well. 

You lose just a bit of edge control with the twin-tipped design here, but these are still very effective for mogul skiing.  

==> You can also get it on Outdoor Gear Exchange or Buckman’s or Skis.

5. Armada ARW 86 

  • Best for: Women 
  • Key features: AR freestyle rocker, excellent turning ability, 2.5 impact edges, fun to ski
  • Sizes: 156, 163, 170
  • Ability level: All
  • Cost: $$$

The Armada ARW 86 is a very solid women’s specific ski that excels in mogul skiing situations. These are very similar to the ARV 86 but are built for female skiers. 

They have an AR freestyle rocker that helps them react quickly in nearly every on-snow situation, moguls included. 

You also get a very durable and high-quality construction that includes a low-maintenance S7 base and 2.5 impact edges that help reduce potential damage. 

These aren’t the fastest mogul skis around, but they might be the most fun women’s specific option you can find. 

==> You can also get it on Evo or Buckman’s or PRFO Sports.

How to Choose Mogul Skis

Here are some important considerations to keep in mind when choosing the best mogul skis to meet your needs. 

Width

Mogul skis are more narrow than your average modern ski. Ski width has increased over the years, and while that makes many models versatile and proficient in a range of different conditions, it does not cater to mogul skiing. 

You want to be able to turn quickly when you’re in the bumps, and a wider ski makes it more challenging to do so. A narrow all-mountain ski can work well in the bumps if you’re just looking for a versatile option that will help you have fun. 

However, more specialized skiers should get a model that’s made for mogul runs. Such options will be more narrow than your average ski and specifically designed to turn quickly and efficiently through moguls.

Length

Another consideration when getting mogul skis is their length. A shorter ski will be far more maneuverable and easier to turn than a longer one.

Also Read: Short Skis vs Long Skis

Dedicated mogul skis are therefore shorter than other styles in a way that allows them to carve and bounce through the bumps. Regardless of its focus, a long ski is harder to use on those runs.

Shape/Profile

Good mogul skis will have a shape and profile that complements their other features. In addition to the width and length considerations, mogul skis will typically have a light parabolic shape with a slight rocker at the tip and tail. 

A good underfoot camber will provide turning control and speed, while the light rocker enables the skis to make quick turns. Mogul skis often have a deeper sidecut to help you turn quickly and effectively in the bumps. 

Useful Tips & Resources

A lot of skiers are intimidated by moguls. While that’s understandable, bumps don’t have to be as imposing as you first might think. With the right technique and plenty of practice, mogul skiing can be as amazing as any other form of skiing. 

Skiing moguls is not the easiest thing to do on skis, but it can be rewarding and plenty of fun. If you want to learn how to improve your technique and abilities in the moguls, check out this helpful video.

Final Verdict 

The Rossignol Experience 94 Ti is my pick for the best overall mogul skis this season. These are a speedy set of skis that are easy to turn, making them ideally suited for the needs of anyone who loves the bumps. 

If you want to dive into mogul skiing, all of the models in this post will help you out. They are great for the bumps and will help you become better at that skiing style.

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  • Lois A Lynch

    I cannot wait to get a pair of K2 244’s – I am an expert mogul skier and ski in Colorado. I am 5’2” — what would you recommend in terms of height of ski for me?

    And are Look bindings the best? Mounted where on the ski?

    Thanks a bunch for the help!
    May we have tons of great turns during this upcoming season!

    Reply
    • Christine

      Hi Lois,

      Happy to hear you are pumped up about getting those K2s! I’d probably go with a length that comes up to about your forehead since you are an expert skier. So whatever that translates to for your height. Those Look bindings are pretty sweet, and I’ve had a lot of good experiences with them. You probably want to mount them a little back from center for moguls, but I’d check with whatever ski shop you get them mounted at and see what the techs recommend. Hope that helps and that you have a great winter season!

      Reply
  • Rob Griffin

    I want specifically a TELEMARK mogul ski. Is the K2 244 Mamba a Telemark ski? If so, is this the best Telemark model available. 20 years ago I use to ski Karhu skis – an awesome Teley ski. Please give me your advice. So little Telemark gear is now available. Many thanks, Rob Griffin

    Reply
    • Christine

      Hi Rob,

      There really aren’t that many Telemark-specific options out there anymore. But you can mount tele bindings on any of these skis and take advantage of their performance benefits. I’m not sure if the K2 244 is the best Telemark ski out there, and there are too many factors to narrow it down to a single one. If you live somewhere with a good ski shop with backcountry options, I’d go in and talk with the techs to see what they suggest. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  • Deep Blue

    I was fortunate to be the the project of a buntch skiiers+bumpers. Yah, I said BUMPERS…off season we ripped singletrack…I miss them , here’s a throwout to Holiday Valley and the gang ! I miss you all

    Reply