A day on the mountain is great no matter what, but a good pair of skis makes it even better. The women’s Valhalla ski from Rocky Mountain Underground (RMU) is the ski that can make skiing down the white ribbon of death at the end of the day fun. It’s a ski that floats in the deep stuff and cuts through the hard stuff on a cold winter morning. RMU, based in Breckenridge, Colo., is known for its production world-class skis and Valhalla and North Shore prove that, each awarded the 2017 skier’s choice award from Powder Magazine.
Pros: The rocker tip and tail and 104mm waist make skiing through powder effortless and all the more fun, and the five-point ski design makes the ski more than suitable in different conditions. Pros, patrollers and women athletes designed the ski together and their expertise definitely comes through while skiing the Valhalla. Usually, I’m on a 156cm ski and when demoing the Valhalla, I went with a longer 172cm. I was cautious taking them through tight trees because I am used to turning a shorter ski, but the Valhalla turned fluidly in the trees with more ease than my shorter skis. What makes these skis even better is RMU just opened a showroom and taproom in downtown Breckenridge so make sure to grab a beer and check out their ski press while perusing the skis.
Cons: These skis are fast, so when you’re flying down a groomer make sure you stay out of the backseat. Once you ski these though, you’ll never go back.
Where we took it: Vail Mountain and backcountry, and Beaver Creek, Colo.
