I love trying new ski brands. From carving skis to powder boards I’ve demoed them all.
But when it comes to buying my own pair, I consider both the on-snow performance and the ski’s brand.
I like to know the company’s heritage, what they support, and the brand’s image.
And all it takes is a simple scan of the lift line to tell that I am not the only one who considers the brand of my ski.
So with that in mind here are the 10 coolest ski brands coming into the 2020/2021 ski season.
(Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links.)
10 of The Coolest Ski Brands of 2020 & 2021
1) Black Crows
Black Crows is quickly becoming a household name. Founded by two professional french skiers in 2006 this brand prides itself on producing performance-oriented skis with an artistic flair.
Black Crows is a freeride ski brand that focuses on twin-tip skis, backcountry skis, and carving skis. I like this brand because of its signature top sheets and their video projects on their Youtube channel.
If I could choose two skis out of their line up I would choose their 115mm Anima ski for my big mountain charger and their 107mm Corvus Freebird for my backcountry ski missions.
(Looking for a new pair of skis? Use this calculator to learn what length ski is right for you.)
2) J Skis
J Skis is relatively new compared to other ski brands. Jason Levinthal, the guy who created the original twin tip ski, Line Skis, and Full Tilt Boots, branched out in the winter of 2013-2014 to create his own ski brand, J Skis.
This company uses a direct-to-consumer business model meaning that you can only order their skis on their website. But this reduces the total cost of their skis. What makes this company unique are their limited edition top sheets. Each top sheet is only produced either 100 or 250 times and then retired forever, making each pair of J Skis truly one of a kind.
If I could choose two skis out of their line up I would choose their 104mm The Vacation which I already have, (you can read my review here), and their 117mm pow ski, The Friend, for those deep days when I leave all my other friends in the lift line.
(Love Skis? Learn what 3 skis you need in your quiver here.)
3) Faction Skis
Faction Skis was born in Verbier Switzerland as a response to the boom of snowboarding in 2006. This brand is one of the leading pioneers of freeski culture. They are known for their playful yet aggressive style.
This company is unique because of how they are leading freeski culture. Every year they release their own ski movie and multiple edits that set the bar high for freestyle progression. Also, you cannot mention Faction without talking about Candide Thovex who is a partner in the brand and is someone who has single-handedly helped progress skiing to where it is today.
The two Faction skis I would choose are the 112 Candide 3.0, hopefully, it would make me ski like him, and the 106 Agent 3.0 for those days in the backcountry.
4) Season Eqpt.
Season Eqpt is a brand new ski and snowboard company started by Eric Pollard and Austin Smith. They produce gender-inclusive gear that is meant to last a lifetime.
Eric Pollard is responsible for designing some of Line Ski’s most popular skis including the Sir Francis Bacon and the Pescado. Now he has branched out to create his own company along with his friend Austin Smith. Right now there are 3 skis and boards in the lineup, one for hardpack conditions, one for variable days, and a directional powder shape.
This company is cool because they are certified climate neutral meaning they offset and reduce off their carbon emissions. Which makes sense for a company that’s livelihood is based on the environment. Take note, big brands. This first year they are also offering a season pass, which includes a complimentary first mount of the skis or board, lifetime waxes, and a free tune-up every fall.
I would love to try their 118mm directional fishtail powder ski, the Forma, and their 106mm variable ski the Nexus.
5) Blizzard Skis
Blizzard is an Austrian skiing giant. Owned by the Tecnica Group, this ski company makes serious alpine skis for both the tourist and enthusiast alike.
Founded in 1945 this company has a racing heritage but is also known for it freeride skis. You can find their athletes in most Olympic races and at every Freeride World Tour stop. No matter what type of skier you are Blizzard makes a ski that would work well for you.
The two skis I would choose from Blizzard are the 114mm Rustler 11, for my big mountain charger, and Brahma 88 for a frontside ripstick.
6) Moment
Moment Skis are manufactured just outside of Squaw Valley in Reno, NV. These skis embrace the spirit of Squaw Valley and are meant to be skied fast and aggressively.
This company is cool because their skis are made in the United States and while they have made a big name for themselves they are still a small business.
If I could choose two Moment skis I would choose the Wildcat 108 for my daily driver and the Meridian to try their full rocker technology.
7) Salomon
Salomon isn’t new to the ski game, they are actually one of the oldest ski brands. Founded in 1947 they are a household name, but what I like about this brand is how they’ve maintained their alpine culture.
Salomon caught my attention because of the video projects they produce. Their Youtube channel, Salomon TV, is always cranking out high-quality ski edits. Also, their athlete Cody Townsend is in the middle of a huge video project filming his quest to ski the 50 classic ski descents of North America.
The two Salomon skis I would choose are the QST 118 for my powder skis (already own them) and their Stance 90s for carving.
8) ON3P
Pronounced O-N-three-P, ON3P hand makes burly skis in Portland Oregon that will last you for multiple seasons.
I like this ski brand because their skis are meant to be skied fast and unlike other freestyle skis, they are very stable at speed. Also, ON3P offers a custom ski option letting you choose your own top sheet, base, sidewall, and layup.
The two ON3P skis I would choose are the Jeffrey 108 for my inbounds freestyle ski and the Billy Goat 108 for my touring ski.
9) DPS
DPS Skis are very technologically advanced and sport a price tag to match. Manufactured just 10 minutes away from me in Salt Lake City Utah this brand specializes in touring-oriented skis.
DPS skis use a lot of carbon fiber and because of this are very light and strong. They also have pioneered a base technology called Phantom. This technology forever eliminates the need to wax your skis by applying a polymer to the base of the ski that enhances the glide.
The two DPS skis I would choose are the Wailer 112 for my touring ski and a pair of their limited edition Powderworks skis that they release every year. I would also apply Phantom to both skis because who wants to wax their skis?
10) Line Skis
Line Skis is the household freestyle ski name. Founded in 1995 by Jason Levinthal, they were one of the first ski brands to bring the twin-tip ski to the general public.
Now under the umbrella of K2 Sports, Line continues to produce top of the line (pun intended) freestyle skis along with skis for whatever discipline you enjoy. I also love the Line Traveling Circus which is the longest-running ski Youtube series to date.
The two Line skis I would choose are the Blends for park skiing and the Sick Day 104s for a 50% inbounds and 50% touring ski.
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