Whipping down frontside groomers is always an enjoyable experience, but this can often be mindless for many skiers on the mountain. Some rippers are looking for more of a challenge which has caused moguls to gain popularity with all different types of skiers from beginner to expert.
One awesome part of the bumps is that no run is the same. Moguls vary in shape, spread, and they often aren’t kept up by groomers on the mountain so they can be one gnarly adventure.
If you’re looking for more general-purpose skis then check out our guide to the best all-mountain skis.
Related: Best Ski Boots For Moguls
Having the right mogul ski can set any skier up for success and that’s why I have you covered with best skis for moguls.
1. Rossignol Experience 80 Ca with Xpress 11 Bindings
Quick response and shaped for navigating bumps with ease, these skis are our top pick for mogul skiing.
Rossignol designed these skis with the mogul skier in mind. Everything you want in a mogul ski is included in the Experience 80 and they perform extremely well in the bumps.
They have a narrow 80mm underfoot and the combination of this with their quick response rocker shape makes turning on these skis mindless. This easy turning ability puts you in control of your skis at all times on the slopes.
Turning with ease will help your confidence level in the bumps which will make for a successful trip down the trail.
Rossignol innovated the tip and tail rocker in this ski by slightly flattening each side. The high tip/tail rocker in previous Rossi skis didn’t give skiers great control and this was a complaint in past years.
The company listened and their innovative technology now gives skiers edge ability without fear of slipping which was something nobody wants when traveling through the bumps on previous Rossi models.
The Experience 80 comes with Xpress bindings which cut down your cost because you won’t have to look for a separate pair. Xpress systems are high-quality bindings that pair perfectly with Rossi models.
Even with the bindings included, the price of these skis can’t be beaten for the quality that you’re getting when taking mogul runs. My one issue is that these skis don’t operate great in powder. Due to their small underfoot width, you won’t have much floating ability through the freshies.
Despite this, if you want a high-quality mogul ski that comes in at a fair price, the Experience 80 couldn’t be a better match.
2. k2 Reckoner 92
The K2 Reckoner 92 is an affordable ski that has the strength to excel on steep slopes and navigate through bumps.
K2 has created a lightweight option for moguls that holds up better than a lot of skis on the market. The technology in this ski is amazing when you factor in the price.
The K2 Reckoner 92 Skis are versatile twin-tip skis designed for the park, effortlessly maneuvering over features while maintaining the strength to excel on steep slopes, navigate through bumps, and return to the park for celebratory runs at the end of the day.
With a core made from aspen veneer and an all-terrain twin rocker, these skis maintain a lightweight feel underfoot while providing the necessary stiffness and agility for all-around mountain performance. Playful and moderate speed is the name of the game.
The Reckoner 92 is an extremely affordable ski when you think about the variety of skiing you will do with it. Do not hesitate to attack choppy snow or book a park lesson with it.
Even though powder can be tough, you’ll still be able to rip on the frontside and take trips to the bumps for a very fair price. For those reasons, the Press was a no brainer for the best budget choice.
3. Rossignol Experience 76 + Xpress 10 GW Bindings
Light and maneuverable ski that will let you stay in control on moguls as a beginner.
Rossignol’s Experience line features a selection of skis specifically designed for on-piste and on-trail skiing, with the 76 model being the narrowest within this range.
It is clearly positioned as an entry-level ski, meant for beginners and those who are relatively new to the sport. It’s an ideal choice for individuals looking to bypass the rental process or those transitioning from their very first day on rental skis.
It is a suitable option for beginner bump skiing because it is a light and maneuverable ski for someone who wants to stay in control and at medium/slow speed no matter how bumpy the terrain.
Rossignol Experience 76 will be happy to get you into a carving mood when the groomers are fresh in the morning and will have your back when you will feel like sweeping the short turns through the rougher afternoon slush with bumps.
A great ski for lighter individuals who are working on their confidence.
4. Völkl Blaze 82
Lightweight and powerful skis that will give you what you need to level up your mogul skiing as you improve.
Völkl Blaze 94 skis, characterized by their lightweight yet powerful design, proudly lead the category, offering an ideal blend of weight reduction, edge grip, and nimbleness underfoot.
Whether equipped with a tech binding or hybrid frame binding, these skis eliminate concerns about long resort lines, as they serve as a blazing backup plan ready to tackle any terrain.
They will make you happy while lapping the resort chairs for staying on groomers or enjoying some leftover powder next to the trail.
Blaze line is known for its versatility and often promoted as a touring ski which can handle resort skiing too. I am not surprised that when it comes to mogul skiing, this ski can handle it with excellence, since the conditions out of bounds when touring are often not powdery and perfect.
5. K2 244
Basically flawless mogul ski that will give you a competitive advantage as an advanced or competitive skier.
K2 makes the best advanced mogul ski that you’ll find on the mountain in my opinion with their 244 model. The technology is flawless and really gives a competitive advantage to skiers who are familiar with taking trips down rippers.
If you live for moguls, spend the majority of your day on these trails, or race competitively, the 244 is the best ski you can buy. K2 crushed the design of the 244 and this will make for some happy mogul skiers this season and for many winters to come.
The underfoot measurement comes in at a slender 66mm which is smaller than any ski on this list. For mogul skiing, this couldn’t be more ideal. The ski response you’ll get on the 244 is unlike any other ski on the market.
With such a small underfoot width, getting on edge in the bumps is seamless and will allow you to efficiently maneuver the toughest terrain on the slopes. The skis don’t widen much at the tip and tail which is another benefit for your ability to carve through mounds and have one epic day on mogul terrain.
As far as a mogul ski, there are no major issues with the K2. The company has changed the game with this ski, but if you’re looking to take some trips to the frontside or float for a big powder day, don’t buy this ski.
The 244 is a pure mogul ski that is strictly meant for moguls. It will not give you a great ride outside of the bumps, but if your sole purpose in buying this ski is moguls then you can’t go wrong with this purchase.
What To Look For in Mogul Skis
If none of these skis match your ideal choice for a pair of mogul rippers, there are some categories that you want to focus on when you’re ski shopping. For mogul skis, the fitting process and model build will be slightly different than a traditional all mountain ski.
Length
The traditional length of a ski should be one that ends between your chin and head when held up from the ground. More advanced skiers typically go for longer skis for added power and performance on the mountain.
The measurement for mogul skis should be a little shorter than you would traditional buy in a frontside or all mountain ski. I would recommend going at least one size down from your suggested length to gain maximum control when taking trips through the bumps.
Width
If you notice the characteristics of the skis I listed, they are all very slender when it comes to their underfoot width except for the Blizzard Rustler 11. Wider underfoot widths make quick turns tougher, so mogul skis tend to be made with smaller widths than your traditional models.
If you want to spend all day in the bumps or are a competitive mogul skier choose a smaller underfoot width. If you want to split your time between the bumps and the rest of the mountain, I would go slightly wider so you get better overall performance throughout the entire resort.
Profile
If you want to conquer the bumps, you’ll want to buy a light ski that has a slight tail and tip rocker. If the rocker is too large, this could be trouble in the bumps because it will increase your turn time. With moguls, quick turns are key for success.
For the rest of the profile, underfoot camber is not required for a great mogul ski, but it can be a bonus for increased speed and control so check this style out as well during your ski search.
If you remember these three characteristics and think about your individual goals, you’ll be successfully ripping down the bump all winter long.