Line Blade Optic 96

They're a little wide for them, yeah, but nice and springy to get you from bump to bump and the softer tip you could really kind of crush through and ...

The Line Blade Optic 96 is one of the best new skis for this weight. Line has done a nice job taking some DNA from the OG Blade and packaging it into ...

So make sure you check out this all-new Lineblade Optic 96 here at SkiEssentials.com, and we will see you out there on the hill.

I would not recommend these skis to racers who really like to drive through the front of the boot through the ski.

If you want to keep some playfulness and ability to throw tricks you'll probably want something slightly softer and less directional than the skis you identified, which are primarily directional metal laminate all mountain skis. The Ranger 94 FR or new Ranger 96 would definitely work, as would the Liberty Origin 96, Line Blade Optic 96, ON3P Woodsman 96, and Dynastar M-Free 99. You'll sacrifice a bit of carving performance with the above skis but gain more playfulness off piste.

I'm 6'1, 210lbs, and my daily on the east coast here for very similar priorities is that maverick 95 ti. If I weren't on it, the ski in that category that's impressed me the most is the line blade optic 96.

Chop on chop they are great. I also like the Rossi 98 Black Ops, Line Optic 96, Blizzard Rustler 9/10.

QST 98. BLack Op 98. Line Blade Optic 96 or 104. One thing to keep in mind that in firm snow extra waist width does not really help you and greatly contributes to how easy or hard a ski is to ski.

but I just want to add: if you’ll be skiing aggressively at all don’t get the Optic 92, get the Optic 96. K2/Line have a tendency to make their narrowest version of any model a budget ski without the features of the model as a whole, and the 92 is the only Optic without the Gas Pedal Metal pattern underfoot, which basically makes it a floppy beginner twin instead of a chargable all-mountain one.

I'd be looking at the new Line Blade Optic series, Solomon Stance, Blizzard Rustler, to put a few other similarly constructed skis on your list. I will personally be on the Blade Optic 96 this year - crazy fun ski and gets up on rails. I haven't been on the Declivity 102, but the 92 is an awesome ski that was a lot of fun as well. With your height/weight, 188 would be good.