Best Line Ski Review Guide For 2022-2023

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Best Line Ski Review Guide For 2022-2023 – SourceLine is another American ski company that bootstrapped its way into the ski industry and has since cemented itself as one of the cornerstone brands of freestyle skiing. This year, as the rest of the industry at large swings back towards metal laminate charging skis, Line has forged their own path with some innovative takes on how to have fun on the mountain.

The following are our favorite 10 Line Skis available this season, and what we think makes each one of them worthy of your ski rack. To find out more keep reading our Best Line Ski Review Guide For 2022-2023.

Tom Wallisch Pro

When Tom Wallisch signed to Line 6 years ago there was a lot of excitement about the kind of skis that this great melding of the minds would produce. This pro model was the result, and park skiers everywhere have since rejoiced. This ski has seen some minor adjustments since its release, but remains one of the more trusted models from Line for hitting XL park features.

Product Details:

• Base & Dimensions: Fatty Base Sintered 1.7 mm
• Weight (G/Ski): 1800
• Flex Pattern: Symmetric
• Sidecut Radius Avg (M): 19.0
• Stance Back From Center (mm): -20

Specs & Features:

• Fatty Base and Edge
• Multi Radius Side Cut
• Capwall Construction
• Carbon Ollie Band
• 157cm, 164cm, 171cm, 178cm variations

What we like:

• Serious park skis that can also carve with the best of them
• Packed full of features with a pretty traditional construction
• Tip and tail taper can save you from some nasty slams

What we don’t like:

• Wood sidewalls aren’t as strong as the newfangled ABS ones
• There are other super light skis from Line with a lower swing weight

At 90mm underfoot, Wallisch Pro’s are just on the thinner side of the average park ski. They’re stiffer than most of the other trick models from Line, so you can confidently launch into orbit knowing that you have a solid set of landing gear under your feet.

But what really sets them apart is a unique tip and tail taper. The edges on either end of the ski are designed to be forgiving when landing rotation, so you don’t catch an edge and slam when you don’t quite bring your spin around. It’s more of a well rounded all mountain alternative to the Honey Badger.

They’re mounted a little behind the center to lend a little more directional performance, and dependably ski the rest of the mountain. The Tom Wallisch Pro should be at the top of any serious park skier’s shortlist.

Honey Badger

There are skis that you can take into the park, and then there are skis that you never want to take out of the park. The Honey Badger is everything that a playful freestyle ski should be: durable, lightweight, and cheap.

While they’re much too soft for the pipe and bigger kickers, the Honey Badger should catch the imagination of anyone who loves rails, presses and spinning off of mid-sized features.

Product Details:

• Wood Core Material: Aspen Veener
• Base & Dimensions: Fatty Base Sintered 1.7 mm
• Weight (g/ski): 1661
• Flex Pattern: Symmetric
• Sidecut Radius Avg (m): 19.5

Specs & Features:

• Fatty base and edges
• Multi Radius Sidecut
• 4D Fibercap Construction
• Aspen Veneer Core
• 155cm, 166cm, 172cm, 177cm variations

What we like:

• Rugged park skis with plenty of flex in the shovels
• Really good quick rotation on rails due to their low swing weight
• Can absorb some prolonged abuse

What we don’t like:

• Can’t be dependably ridden outside of the park for more than a few laps

As the name implies, these skis are tough and can handle some prolonged time in the park. The best park skier I know has an old pair of Honey Badgers that he refuses to let die. While I can’t condone skiing with six inches of edge ripped out, he claims that it just makes it harder to hook an edge.

The other notable feature about the Honey Badger is their ridiculously low swing weight, an enticing feature for snappy spins off of smaller features.

For all that they’re capable of inside of the rope line, the Honey Badger is by no means a daily driver for the average skier. The soft tips and tails bend too easily to engage a carved turn. But for people who spend every day in the park, they’re an affordable and fun option that can handle anything you throw at them.

Blend

The Blend is difficult to define. The best distillation we could come up with for these Line skis is “mid-waisted park-y pow ski.” It’s a mix of the stylistic freedom of a freestyle ski with the performance capabilities of a more generalized all-mountain model. To note, the Blend isn’t a park ski, it’s an all-mountain ski inspired by the park.

Product Details:

• Best Use:Park & Pipe
• Skill Level:Intermediate
• Tip/Waist/Tail: 133/100/122
• Rocker: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
• Flex: 5/10

Specs & Features:

• Fatty Base and Edge
• Symmetrical Flex
• Multi-Radius Sidecut
• Capwall Construction
• Carbon Ollie Band
• 171cm, 178cm, 185cm variations

What we like:

• An all-mountain ski thats based off of rideability rather than pure charging power
• Good trick ski for natural features

What we don’t like:

• For something inspired by the park, it’s not a great park ski.

Despite being a sizable ski the Blend has a super low swing weight. Most of the bulk and stiffness is relegated underfoot. Wide and pliable tips and tails make them a particularly forgiving ski and helps butters and presses. This year’s updated model has a little more edge length to further highlight those all-mountain characteristics.

The Blend brings the park to the rest of the mountain by being awesome on jib runs and flying off of whatever natural features pop up in your path, but also shine in tight and light terrain like powdery aspen stands. It’s worth mentioning that it falls short in its stability at speed and rebound capabilities off of big hits. The Blend isn’t a park ski, but it frees up playful terrain on the whole hill.

Sick Day 104

The Sick Day is a ski that gives back whatever you put into it. Which sounds like a copout, but really just speaks to the versatility of this well-rounded tool. With a more traditional mount point and a more traditional attitude than most Line skis, there’s a Sick Day out there for any skier, but the 104 is our pick for the most well-rounded Line skis.

Product Details:

• Best Use:All Mountain
• Skill Level:Advanced
• Tip/Waist/Tail: 137/104/121
• Rocker: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
• Flex: 6/10

Specs & Features:

• Directional flex keeps some stiffness behind the foot for driving power
• Multi-Radius Sidecut
• Capwall Construction
• Carbon Magic Fingers
• 172cm, 179cm, 186cm

What we like:

• Affordable and versatile performance ski
• Can be ridden anywhere for basically any purpose, very well rounded

What we don’t like:

• Lack of any particular specialization means it doesn’t excel in any one place

The Sick Day splits the difference in terms of stiffness. It doesn’t have as much driving power as you’d think an “all-mountain” ski would, but Line is great at selling what some would consider faults as features. It doesn’t ski like a charger because they want to evoke a more inventive and playful style of skiing as opposed to bulldozing everything in your path.

It’s a ski with a wide range of appeal for its versatility and practicality. It can be used reasonably for nearly any discipline of alpine skiing, and is light enough to do some touring in. In terms of options for a single ski season, the Sick Day 104 by Line Skis can get any job done with reasonable performance benefits.

Vision 118

In their tradition of straying from the path, Line Skis’s Vision series are playful and freeride oriented skis in the same weight class as dedicated touring options. Given their size, these skis are crazy light. They’re a solution for skiers who want to avoid the “pingy” performance feeling that more directional lightweight skis are prone to falling into.

Product Details:

• Best Use:Touring
• Skill Level:Expert
• Tip/Waist/Tail: 152/118/138
• Rocker: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
• Flex: 7/10

Specs & Features:

• Multi-Radius Sidecut
• “Triple Hybrid Construction”
• Blended Maple and Paulowina core
• 175cm 183cm, 189cm

What we like:

• Ridiculously light freeride ski
• Still skis relatively stable and damp given how light it is
• Great performance in powder

What we don’t like:

• Prone to deflection based on how light it is

Lightweight powder skis aren’t anything new. But they usually don’t have the kind of freedom and play that the Vision 118 offers. Line uses what they call “THC Construction ”, a triple layer stack of three laminates that absorb different vibrational frequencies. That means these skis have a super damp ride on a greater variety of conditions.

The Vision 118 could be used for many different purposes, and it brings a playful attitude to different disciplines. It’s a little wide to be an every day resort ski, but a strong contender as a wider touring option or a dedicated powder ski.

Vision 98

The Vision 98 is a pretty straightforward ski, which in a way is a major curve ball coming from Line Skis. The entire series is competitively light compared to any ski, not to mention within the freeride category. Because of the weight, we think that the Vision 98 makes the most sense as a playful, poppy, touring ski for low-consequence slopes.

Product Details:

• Best Use:Touring
• Skill Level:Expert
• Tip/Waist/Tail: 152/118/138
• Rocker: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
• Flex: 7/10

Specs & Features:

• Multi-Radius Sidecut
• “Triple Hybrid Construction”
• Blended Maple and Paulowina core
• 172cm 179cm, 186cm

What we like:

• Crazy light ski in the same class as a lot of dedicated touring options
• Great soft snow skis, and can hold their own on powder despite the narrow waist

What we don’t like:

• Prone to deflection in icy conditions

You might want something wider for touring in powder
The shape of the Vision 98 is pretty close to a twin tip, but with a generous shovel and some directional influence retained in the tail. Their narrow waist makes them a more well-rounded option than the 118s, and their wide tips make it possible to plane out on deep snow once you gather a little speed.

They also feature Line’s super stable “THC Construction” method. But just because they’re damp doesn’t mean you can fly into a field of death cookies and expect to emerge unscathered. They are a great ski for spring corn touring or soft snow days at the resort, but they also require a little bit of thinking about your line when the conditions are less than ideal.

Blade

Line Skis made their name in the park, but their innovative spirit cannot be confined to the controlled environment of terrain park. The Blade is one of several models released by Line that reimagine skiing at its most basic: just making turns down a mountain. It’s the most straightforward of a new series of carving skis that offer a refreshing take on the frontside.

Product Details:

• Tail Profile Flat
• Construction Type Sidewall
• Core Material Wood
• Metal Layer Yes
• Intended Use All Mountain

Specs & Features:

• Fatty Base and Edge
• “Gas Pedal Metal” Titanal Sheet
• Multi-Radius Sidecut
• Huge Shovel
• 169cm, 176cm, 181cm variations

What we like:

• Awesome groomer ski that brings fun back to the frontside
• Accessible to skiers of all skill levels
• Reimagining the art of the turn

What we don’t like:

• Limited by the specificity of its design
• Rides a little longer than a typical ski, so size down

The shovel is very wide compared to the waist (154-90-124 for those curious), this obviously lends itself towards hooking into tight turns. In a lot of ways this would demand nothing but snappy tight turns all the way down the hill if not for the sidecut. Another Line skis feature is a multi-radius side cut that allows for a dynamic range of turn shapes, and some slashing.

The Blade is a freeride ski sensibility brought back to the groomers. It’s soft and pliable, the kind of ski you can carve in a perfect circle with your ankles. It’s not going to be the ski that you take out every day, or on every line. But it’s a super fun ski and accessible for riders of all skill levels.

Pescado

Line Skis got their start by tinkering around with traditional concepts behind the tips and tails of skis. They’re progenitors of the twin-tip, and now they’re bringing back the swallowtail. Between the Blade above and the Sakana below, Line is doing their best to make groomers fun again with the Pescado. It’s a push towards exploring the hill in a more intentional way as opposed to destroying everything in your path.

Product Details:

• Best Use:Big Mountain
• Skill Level:Expert
• Tip/Waist/Tail: 158/125/144
• Rocker: Rocker/Camber
• Flex: 2/10

Specs & Features:

• Directional Flex
• Multi Radius Sidecut
• Swallowtail
• 180 cm

What we like:

• Super unique powder ski that planes out
• Reinventing the turn
• Ski for all skill levels

What we don’t like:

• Swallowtail isn’t as resilient as other tail shapes
• Limited to a relatively tight turn radius

The Pescado is built for deep snow. The swallowtail decreases surface area in the rear and lets the tails drop into deep snow, allowing your tips to plane out with some speed. This allows for a unique ride that feels a little more engaged than your powder slashes. It’s a way to “carve” deep snow while retaining the sufy feel of powder ski

The Pescado is not for super steep or technical lines, and the tail isn’t going to be supportive for rolling off of any rocks. But what it does have is excellent side-to-side rebound and reasonable performance when there isn’t any powder to be had.

Sakana

The Sakana is a retooled version of the Pescado designed for soft groomers and spring skiing. “Sakana” comes from the Japanese term referring to a small snack customarily served with alcohol, maybe Line is trying to tell us something here. It’s a bluebird slush slayer that pairs well with a couple of beers.

Product Details:

• Tail Profile Raised
• Construction Type Sidewall
• Core Material Wood
• Metal Layer No
• Intended Use All Mountain

Specs & Features:

• Directional Flex
• Multi-Radius Sidecut
• Swallowtail
• Carbon Flax Tape
• Early rise
• 166cm, 174cm, 181cm variations

What we like:

• Bringing the frontside of skiing back into the limelight
• Rip hard turns side to side in a tight radius

What we don’t like:

• Doesn’t hold up well on icy or super variable terrain.

I like to think of the Sakana as akin to a Vespa or other zippy commuter scooter. You’re sure to turn heads in the lift line and get comments on their size and the tail. But, you’ll likely be having more fun than anyone else while you’re zipping around. It’s definitely a specialty piece, but it has a more broad range of applications than the Pescado.

Though it’s similar in shape to the Pescado, there are several features that give the Sakana an edge when there isn’t a ton of powder. Aside from a narrower waist, the swallowtail is reinforced with metal for firmer snow. It’s also a little less rockered, and has a mix of carbon and flax stringers running through the body to dampen vibrations. You won’t be skiing top-to-bottom zipper runs through bumps, but instead flit around like a fruit fly in a much more energetic and creative descent.

Sir Francis Bacon

Named for the father of empiricism and one of the developers of the scientific method, the Sir Fancis Bacon is more than just another cheeky name from Line Skis. It’s an innovative ski, as of 2019, the first to feature a true convex base at the tips and tails. It’s an all-mountain ski that refuses to be pigeonholed into a particular category, and can be ridden by skiers of any skill level.

Product Details:

• Tail Profile Raised
• Construction Type Sidewall
• Core Material Wood
• Metal Layer No
• Intended Use All Mountain

Specs & Features:

• Fatty base and edge
• Multi-Radius Sidecut
• Convex Tips and Tails
• Longer active edge
• 176cm, 184cm, 190cm

What we like:

• One of the most versatile and fun skis on the market
• Super low weight
• Renewed emphasis on all mountain aspects

What we don’t like:

• Again lacks the charging capabilities of a lot of modern freeride skis

The spoon-like “Convex Base Tech” adds a few benefits. Less surface area on the snow means it picks up speed faster, floats a little better, and frees up some room for slashing and ccarving. The SFB still lets you use your edges when you want to make “real” turns. That being said it can hold its own in variable conditions, provided you keep it’s low weight in mind and don’t get unexpectedly deflected off of a chunk of ice. It’s a forgiving ski, but not capable of turning a bad snow day into a good one

They’re another lightweight carving ski from Line, but they are unique in their ability to provide a surfy feel when the snow gets a little deeper. It’s one of the more versatile options from Line, and modern classic that deserves a place in your collection.

Best Line Ski Buyers Guide For 2022-2023

Before getting into the specs and story bits, check out Tom Wallisch demonstrate how playful and possible look easy in his Line skis:

Line Skis Tech Specs:

Multi-Radius Sidecut:

The sidecut of your ski determines what kind of turns they’ll naturally make when tipped on to their edge. Less pronounced sidecuts will result in a bigger turn radius, while more pronounced sidecuts lends themselves to tighter, more aggressive turns. It’s not uncommon for all-mountain skis to be shaped to accommodate two or three different turn radiuses.

While the concept of a multi-radius sidecut isn’t anything new, but it’s seldom executed to the degree that Line takes it. Their proprietary “5Cut” design is exactly what it sounds like: a unique shape to their ski that lends itself towards a wide range of different turn shapes. The one caveat is that the models with this design usually aren’t stiff enough to make super aggressive GS turns.

Fatty Base and Edge:

One of the most anxiety-provoking aspects of buying a new ski is the dreaded coreshot, or worse, a ripped out edge. While you can’t yet file a rock-insurance claim on your new skis, you can build a better ski that’s more resistant to such eventualities.

Line’s “Fatty Base and Edge” are thicker-than-typical take on than you’d suspect from the lightweight construction we’re seeing out of Line’s ski catalogue. This makes them more resistant to rails, rocks, stumps, and whatever other carnage you may face. A thicker base also means you can get a few more grinds out of your skis before the shop tecs get nervous.

Carbon Ollie Band:

When you’re doing the type of skiing that begets Line’s products, there’s a good chance you’re really going to be bending your skis aggressively. Over time your skis are going to lose their natural pop, and no one wants to ride dead skis.

Line’s “Ollie Band” is a way to retain some of the spring and pop on your favorite pair of skis. The pre-stretched carbon bands they run down the center of the skis do a better job of keeping their shape over time.

Carbon Magic Fingers:

Carbon is a useful material for ski construction due to its weight and its shape retention properties. Line makes good use of it in skis like the Blend and the Sick Day series. For lightweight, turn-oriented or all-mountain skis, these carbon stringers add stability without the use of a heavy metal plate.

THC Construction:

Triple Hybrid Construction is yet another dampening technique from Line. It’s a three layer ply of carbon, amarid, and fiberglass. This blend offers a way to provide some of the weight benefits of a carbon dominant ski. Line claims that the three materials absorb different vibrational frequencies, meaning a more stable ride over a greater variety of conditions.

Splitting up some of the carbon distribution also gives the ski a little more resistance to the kind of deflective ride that carbon-heavy skis are likely to provide.

Conclusion:

Thanks for taking the time to read our Best Line Ski Review Guide For 2022-2023.