If you live for high-flying aerials and love stomping rails, you need a solid set of park skis on your feet. Sure, you can head into the terrain park with an all-mountain option, but if you want to really make the most of it, you’ll want a more focused model.
I’m Christine, an avid skier who has been sliding down snowy slopes for most of my life. I have a lot of experience choosing quality park skis, making me a reliable resource for other skiers.
My top pick for the best park skis of the year is the Armada ARV 96. This model can handle every feature in the park and then some. They are well constructed to endure constant abuse and can push your freestyle skills to the limit.
In this post, I’ll show you all of my top picks for park skis. Whether you are a full-on park rat or simply want to explore a new style, there is something for everyone here.
Time to get after it.
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Who Should Get This?
If you spend more time in the terrain park than in other parts of the mountain, you should get park skis.
A dedicated set of park skis will enable you to develop and improve all of your freestyle abilities. Such models tend to be lightweight, strong, and flexible. They also have a twin-tip design that allows you to easily ski switch.
If you like to play in the terrain park but don’t spend all of your ski days there, you probably won’t need a set of dedicated park skis.
All-mountain skis, which give you the ability to handle different conditions, are likely better for you. Park skis can work in other situations, but all-mountain styles simply have better versatility.
What kind of skis are good for park?
If you take park skiing seriously or want to, you need to get twin-tipped skis. These will allow you to ski switch much easier and are also built to specifically handle the demands of park skiing. All-mountain skis would be a second option.
Are shorter skis better for park?
Yes, shorter skis are typically better for the terrain park and other types of freestyle skiing. A small length is easier to maneuver and lighter, making them ideal for aerials and other tricks. Ski length is still a personal preference, however.
Are J skis good for park?
Yes, J skis are definitely good for the park. They have all the performance characteristics you want and need from top models designed for the terrain park.
Can park skis be used as all mountain skis?
Park skis can be used in other areas of the mountain. But if you have a dedicated park ski, they won’t be quite as versatile as a true all-mountain option. This is mainly because park skis are typically a bit narrower, limiting versatility.
Top Picks of Best Park Skis
Here are my picks for the best park skis of the year. Every model you find in this section comes highly recommended for amateur and dedicated park rats alike.
1. Armada ARV 96
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Fun to ski, very durable, excellent response, stands out in the park, AR freestyle rockered profile
- Sizes: 163, 170, 177, 184
- Ability Level: Beginner to advanced
- Cost: $$
The Armada ARV 96 (review) is the best overall option for the park. These skis are a ton of fun to ride and will help let your freestyle skills shine.
This is a park skier’s dream, thanks to its super-durable construction and responsive feel. It has an AR75 sidewall and poplar ash core that enhances strength and provides a lightweight, flexible ride.
The AR freestyle rocker profile is another great feature, and this keeps the tip and tail up off the snow to give you the ability to easily butter and press.
It’s not the most versatile option outside of the terrain park, but if you like to stick to freestyle situations, it’s hard to beat.
2. Volkl Revolt 95
- Best for: Beginners
- Key features: Easy to ski, tip and tail rocker, durable construction, full sidewalls
- Sizes: 157, 165, 173, 181
- Ability Level: Beginner to advanced
- Cost: $$
Beginners who want to start learning how to ride in the park should consider skiing on the Volkl Revolt 95.
These are affordable option that delivers quality park performance without being too aggressive. They also have very strong construction that will help prevent damage from features in the park.
Plenty of rocker in the tip and tail will let you learn the basics of riding switch and performing butters and presses.
Full sidewall construction helps increase the strength without making them too stiff while also providing a lot of stability and control.
I don’t have many negative comments about the Revolt, aside from some chatter at high speeds if you take them outside of the park.
Also Read: Best Beginner Skis
==> You can also get it on Evo or Curated or Outdoor Gear Exchange
3. Head Oblivion 94
- Best for: Park and All-Mountain
- Key features: Versatile, park and pipe rocker, responsive, strong construction, tuff-wall base and edges
- Sizes: 163, 170, 177, 184
- Ability Level: Beginner to advanced
- Cost: $$
The Head Oblivion 94 is a solid park ski that lets you venture all over the mountain. It’s not a true all-mountain option but sits in the sweet spot of versatile park performance.
This model is built with a park and pipe rocker profile that keeps your tips out of the way when you launch big and come back to earth. This also comes in handy when navigating variable conditions outside of the park.
A strong construction keeps the Oblivion 94 from wearing down too quickly, and these skis can take a beating and keep on going.
Tuff-wall construction in the base and edges add another layer of performance and protection to keep you satisfied for seasons.
This is another model that lacks excellent performance at high speeds, but it can still tackle nearly anything on the mountain.
==> You can also get it on Curated or GritrOutdoors or SidelineSwap.
4. K2 Poacher
- Best for: Park and Powder
- Key features: Solid performance in the park and deeper snow, all-terrain twin rocker, carbon laminate, double barrel core
- Sizes: 163, 170, 177, 184
- Ability Level: Beginner to advanced
- Cost: $$$
If you want to take your park skis for a ride in fresh snow, the K2 Poacher will deliver solid performance in the park and in powder.
These have an all-terrain twin rocker profile that gives you everything you need in freestyle situations while delivering plenty of float when the snow gets deep.
A double-barrel core helps reduce impact for a stable and supportive ride and gives the Poacher a powerful but playful feel.
Carbon laminates add another element of response and help the skis bounce and stay lively on park features and when carving.
These are on the expensive side for park skis, but they are still more affordable than most powder skis on the market.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Curated.
5. Armada ARW 96
- Best for: Women
- Key features: Women’s specific model, AR freestyle rocker, lightweight, durable and strong construction
- Sizes: 156, 163, 170
- Ability Level: Beginner to advanced
- Cost: $$$
The best women’s specific park ski is the Armada ARW 96. These can work well for any ability level and deliver solid freestyle performance.
They come with an AR freestyle rocker that gives you easy access to riding switch while also having camber underfoot to help increase pop when you want to go big.
The ARW 96 is also super lightweight, making them easy to maneuver in the park or pipe. If you live to spin or get big airs, they are built to handle it all.
A poplar-ash core helps shed ounces while keeping the skis stable and smooth, and an S7 base gives you a lot of durabilities while also making the ARW quick on the snow.
These aren’t a great option for variable conditions outside the park, but they will get the job done if you are spinning laps.
Also Read: Best Skis for Women
==> You can also get it on Evo or Outdoor Gear Exchange or Backcountry.
6. Atomic Punx 5
- Best for: Budget Option
- Key features: Affordable, park rocker, lightweight, Densolite core, Resist edges
- Sizes: 160, 170, 175
- Ability Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Cost: $$
If you are on a budget and still want to get a solid park ski, check out the Atomic Punx 5. These deliver excellent performance in the terrain park without breaking the bank.
They have nearly a true symmetrical shape, which translates into equal rocker in the tip and tail with a balanced performance you can count on when riding switch.
The Punx is a simple ski but a blast to ride on. They don’t have a ton of technical features, but they don’t need them. These will have you covered in the park.
They also come with a Densolite core that helps reduce impact and dampen vibrations. Resist edges are designed to stay sharp and hold up well even when constantly hitting rails.
The Punx do have their limitations outside of the park and don’t provide that much all-mountain versatility. They are best kept inside the park or in other freestyle situations.
==> You can get it on SidelineSwap.
How to Choose Best Park Skis
There are certain factors to look out for when picking out terrain park skis. Any ski can work in the park, but specific skis designed for this type of skiing will do much better.
Shape
Park skis should have a twin tip shape. This hourglass and symmetrical style is quite common in today’s ski world and can be found on numerous ski types. A twin-tipped ski will enable you to ski switch and perform more tricks and maneuvers than other shapes.
If you take your park skiing seriously, you want to get twin tips. They don’t need to be exactly symmetrical, but they should be close.
Rocker
A park-style rocker is a ski that has both tip and tail pointing upwards. This is often synonymous with the twin-tip shape mentioned above, but always check to be sure.
A decent rocker on the tip and tail will ensure your skis excel in the park. This upward turning profile will also allow you to ski switch and give you a way to perform slashes and butters.
Strength/Durability
Park skis take a lot of abuse. In other skiing styles, you typically try to avoid obstacles, but you head right for them in the park.
Grinding rails and getting huge airs can take a toll on your skis, which is why it’s important to make sure they have high-quality construction. All of the skis listed here are strong enough to handle constant park use all season long.
Useful Tips
Terrain park skiing can be a lot of fun, but it can also be pretty intimidating. You need to be an intermediate to advanced skier even to attempt many of the features in the park. But with practice and patience, you’ll get there.
Remember to play it safe and not attempt anything over your abilities. Always wear a helmet and make sure your lines and landings are clear of other skiers before launching into any feature.
If you’re just starting to explore park skiing and want to improve your skills and abilities, take a look at the tricks in the video below. Some good tips for beginners, and any other park skier who needs a refresher, can be found here.
Final Verdict
My pick for the best overall park skis is the Armada ARV 96. These have been a favorite among park and freestyle skiers for years, and they will give you everything you want and need in the terrain park and beyond.
All of the options you find here can help you become a better park skier. Each model is built to be easy to maneuver and hold up well while hitting the various features you’ll find in the park. Unlocking their potential is up to you!
