Powder review

Overview

The 1000skis Powder is the deep-snow specialist in the Swedish boutique brand's four-model line, built at the Åre Ski Factory on 100% hydroelectric power. At 117 mm underfoot with a poplar wood core and pre-preg fibreglass construction, it is unambiguously a soft-snow tool — but the brand's pitch is that this powder ski "feels light and nimble without compromising float", which is exactly what the spec sheet supports.

On-snow performance

Sidecut radii of 17 m at 180 cm and 19 m at 188 cm give the Powder the long, drawn arcs that make sense in open powder fields, while the 144 mm shovel and 140 mm tail combine wide surface area with a twin-tip-leaning shape for surfy slashes and switch landings. On firm snow the no-metal construction caps stability at high speeds — this is not a piste crossover — but the 2054–2155 g per single ski weight is genuinely light for a 117 and is what gives the ski the "unexpectedly easy to maneuver" feel the brand markets.

Construction & specs explained

The Powder uses a poplar wood core in a pre-preg fibreglass lay-up — no metal laminate, which is the source of the relatively low weight for the 117 mm category. Sustainability is built in: ~50% bio-based topsheet plus 10% recycled, 26% recycled steel edges, Mountain Flow bio-based bio-degradable wax, and ~28.8 kg CO2 per pair offset via tree planting. Manufactured entirely in Sweden at the Åre Ski Factory on 100% hydropower.

Who it's for & comparisons

The Powder fits advanced skiers who want a dedicated soft-snow ski that stays playful and pivotable rather than a heavy big-mountain charger. Compared to the Armada Arv 116 jj ul it is similarly playful and twin-tip-leaning; against the Nordica Unleashed 114 it is a touch wider with similar freestyle-friendly DNA; the Head Oblivion 116 sits in similar territory with comparable surfy-feel positioning.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Strong powder float at a 117 mm waist.
• Light weight relative to the category.
• Twin-tip-leaning surfy feel.
• Strong sustainability credentials.
• Swedish hydropower build quality.

Cons

• Narrow length range (2 sizes).
• No metal caps stability at very high speeds.
• Not a piste crossover.
• Limited distribution outside Europe.

Verdict: a focused playful powder ski for advanced skiers who want a soft-snow tool that feels light enough to throw around in trees rather than a heavy charging board.