By Ethan Sullivan
4Front Renegade
Overview
The Renegade is a float-first powder and big-mountain freeride ski built for deep snow and serious backcountry lines. Its full reverse-camber (full rocker) plan shape and broad shovel and tail prioritize surfy float and playful handling in untracked terrain. Expect excellent flotation when sized appropriately and a surf-like feel that encourages wide, flowing turns in open bowls. While the ski’s layup gives it enough stability at speed for big-mountain runs, its primary focus remains on deep snow performance rather than hard-edge piste carving.
Construction and technology
Construction blends an aspen + maple wood core with carbon stringers and a neoprene rubber tip. The wood core balances liveliness and strength, while carbon stringers add longitudinal stiffness and pop without unnecessary weight. Neoprene in the tip soaks up vibration and protects against impacts. The semi-cap, tapered directional shape and stable layup enhance high-speed confidence in powder. On touring builds the 4-Lock skin integration is a practical touch, making the Renegade viable for long approaches and serious backcountry use where secure skins matter.
Specs explained
When talking specs: rocker profile (full reverse-camber/full rocker) means early rise in tip and tail and maximal float in deep snow; tip width (≈135–137 mm) and tail width (≈129–131 mm) combined with a 122 mm waist create a very wide shovel and tail that promote surfy behavior; the listed sidecut radius (~30 m) points to wider, more stable turn arcs at speed; available lengths (177 / 184 / 191 cm) change flotation and swing weight; the stated weights (about 1946–2166 g per ski) affect uphill carry for touring and agility underfoot. Each spec is clearly optimized for deep-snow performance.
On-snow performance
On snow the Renegade rides like a powder surfboard: it floats exceptionally, smooths chop thanks to rocker and the neoprene tip, and encourages long, flowing lines. It is less confident carving on hard snow — the full rocker and generous radius favor slippage over bite when conditions firm up. At speed in deep snow it remains stable owing to the carbon reinforcement and the stable layup; in tight, technical trees the ski can be managed but requires active technique and pressure control. It excels where the main priority is maximal float.
Comparison, who it's for and drawbacks
In comparison to other powder-oriented full-rocker skis, the Renegade leans strongly toward surf and permissiveness rather than aggressive, carved control on firm snow. Think of it alongside other broad, surfy freeride shapes: it will outperform narrower big-mountain skis in deep snow but trail them on hardpack. Ideal buyers are riders who chase deep days, prioritize float and surfy feel, and want a ski that can be taken on longer tours thanks to the touring options. Drawbacks include reduced edge hold on firm snow and a higher swing weight than narrower skis.
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