2005's Freeride ski of the year!? Immensely popular at the end of the season when we had some test skis available in France, even though they have a hefty 89mm at their centre they still grip well and have enough torsional rigidity to hold a strong edge on-piste and in chopped-up, frozen crudey filth. Great in the hands of both advanced skiers trying to further themselves and with experts who want a no holds barred all-mtn ski. Slightly stiffer again would be the Volkl 724 Pro, the Fischer Big Stix 8.4 or for something a little more "exotic" give the Atomic Metron M: EX Puls-Ti a whirl, not forgetting Head's Monsters also.