Stormrider 108 review

Overview

The Stormrider 108 is new for 26/27 and the widest ski in Stöckli's Stormrider freeride line, above the Stormrider 95 and 102. It was developed with freeride pro Maxime Chabloz and Stöckli positions it as "extremely stable and agile": a 137-108-129 mm sidecut in all four lengths, radii of 14.9 m (174), 16.9 m (180), 17.9 m (186) and 19.6 m (192), and a Big Powder Rocker tip paired with the Freeride Tail. Stöckli lists 3.80–4.40 kg per pair, so 1,900–2,200 g per ski. It is sold flat from 1,199 EUR on stoeckli.ch, with a Griffon Demo 13 offered as an optional binding.

On-snow performance

Everything on the spec sheet points at deep and variable snow. The 108 mm waist and the 137 mm shovel with Freeride Tip Technology (a light, stiff insert that steadies the tip) are there for float and a shovel that does not flap in crud. The radii are short for a ski this wide — under 17 m at 180 cm — so the construction suggests a ski that turns readily in trees and couloirs rather than one that only wants big open faces. The Freeride Tail, a high-tech polymer tail with a new rocker angle, is lighter and softer than the rest of the ski, which should let the back end release and smear easily when you want it to. Underneath is a full Light Core sandwich with a Titanal Technology Pro top layer and Polywall sidewalls, so the damping and stability Stormriders are known for should carry over; riders will notice it is a substantial ski at 2 kg per ski in the 180. On piste it will carve long arcs on edge, but at 108 mm it is slow edge to edge on hardpack, and that is not what it is for.

Construction & specs explained

• Construction: Sandwich System, Swiss made.
• Core: Light Core, particularly light European wood species.
• Metal: Titanal Technology Pro top layer with a protective textured coating; graphics printed directly on the Titanal.
• Sidewalls: Polywall, a softer, more elastic sidewall with damping and high impact resistance.
• Edges: Solid Metal Edge Light.
• Tip: Freeride Tip Technology insert; Big Powder Rocker (20 mm high over 60 mm).
• Tail: Freeride Tail (polymer tail section, new rocker angle, lighter and softer).
• Base: Racing-Graphite.
• Dimensions: 137-108-129 mm in all lengths.
• Radius: 14.9 m (174), 16.9 m (180), 17.9 m (186), 19.6 m (192).
• Weight: 1,900 / 2,000 / 2,060 / 2,200 g per ski (174–192), from Stöckli's per-pair figures.
• Sold flat; Griffon Demo 13 bk 110 optional on stoeckli.ch.

Who it's for & comparisons

This is a ski for strong, experienced freeriders who ski powder and cut-up snow at speed and want a damp, metal-topped charger that still turns in tight terrain. In Stöckli's own line, the Stockli Stormrider 102 (135-102-125, 17.4–22.3 m) is the longer-radius, slightly narrower alternative and the Stockli Stormrider 95 is the daily driver for mixed resort days. Against the competition, the Volkl Mantra 108 is the other metal-laminate 108 with piste manners, the Blizzard Rustler 11 and Kästle Paragon 107 are a touch more playful, and the Nordica Enforcer 110 free is the heavier, more directional big-mountain option.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Big Powder Rocker and 137 mm Freeride Tip for serious float and a calm shovel.
• Short radii (14.9–19.6 m) for a 108 mm ski: agile in trees and steeps.
• Light Core sandwich with Titanal Technology Pro and Polywall for damping and stability.
• Four lengths up to 192 cm for tall and heavy skiers.

Cons

• 1.9–2.2 kg per ski: heavy for anything beyond short hikes.
• Slow edge to edge on hardpack; a dedicated soft-snow ski.
• Premium price at 1,199 EUR flat; the binding is extra.
• The 174 cm shortest length rules out smaller skiers.

Verdict: The Stormrider 108 brings Stöckli's damp, metal-topped build to a true powder width with surprisingly tight radii. Strong freeriders who want stability first and agility second will find it the most capable deep-snow Stöckli yet.