First up in this year’s ski test are skin skis. We tested seven pairs of skis from the leading brands to help you find the one that suits you.

This year’s Big Ski Test is split into four parts: skin skis, double-poling skis, mid-range skate skis and an updated version of the pole test. We tested this year’s models to see which ones offer the best balance between grip, glide and handling. Each ski was rated and given an overall score (1–5) based on the testers’ impressions.

How the test was done

The tests took place in September at Torsby Skidtunnel in Värmland, Sweden. The temperature was −3 degrees Celsius, and of course no wind at all, and every ski was tested under the same conditions. The testers tried the skis, rated them and wrote their comments independently. The results presented in the test are an average of both testers’ scores. Each ski was tested for 10–12 minutes in varied terrain to give a fair overall impression.

Grip: How easily the ski holds and kicks in the snow.
Glide (release): The feeling that the ski wants to move forward. The ski’s liveliness and response. How much the skin drags when double poling.
Handling: Tested in corners and when changing tracks. Describes, among other things, how easily the ski can be moved sideways.

About the testers

Both testers are experienced skiers who competed at elite level for many years, in both long-distance and traditional cross-country skiing. Madelene Halvardsson is 174 cm tall and weighs 70 kg, and Maja Eriksson is 171 cm tall and weighs around 68 kg.

Atomic C8

Rating

Overall score: 4.7 / 5
Grip: 5.0
Glide: 4.25
Handling: 4.75

Testers’ comments:

The best skin ski in the test. The grip is good and the ski feels almost like a waxed classic ski, while still gliding easily. Stable and easy to ski on. A ski that suits most skiers.

Facts

Skin: 100% mohair
Lengths/weight: 186, 195, 204 cm/630 g (195 cm)
Recommended price: approx. €550 (SEK 6,100) incl. bindings

About the ski:

This ski suits ambitious recreational skiers looking for a versatile ski for everyday use. It combines the fast feel of the Redster series with the simple and reliable grip of Skintec. The whole construction is fine-tuned to get the most out of the Skintec system.

Salomon Equipe Pro Skin

Rating

Overall score: 4.4 / 5
Grip: 4.5
Glide: 4.75
Handling: 4.0

Testers’ comments:

Really good grip and good release. Glides easily, but can give a slight jolt when double poling.

Facts

Skin: Eskingrip +, 100% mohair
Lengths/weight: 188–206 cm/1,360 g (201 cm)
Recommended price: approx. €510 (SEK 5,700) excl. bindings

About the ski:

The Equipe Pro Skin is the ski for those who want a really sharp skin ski for training and racing. The Innowave core is both light and dynamic, which makes it very pleasant to ski on. Well-balanced reinforcement inside the ski gives a camber with both good grip and glide. The G5 universal base glides well in all snow conditions, and the option to quickly switch to the Eskinrace skin for even more glide makes the ski race-ready.

Fischer Twin Skin Speedmax 70

Rating

Overall score: 4.3 / 5
Grip: 4.75
Glide: 4.0
Handling: 4.25

Testers’ comments:

Very stable and easy to get grip with. The testers felt the skin dragged slightly when double poling.

Facts

Skin: 100% mohair
Lengths/weight: 182–207 cm/1,190 g (197 cm)
Recommended price: approx. €510 (SEK 5,699) excl. bindings

About the ski:

A skin ski in the middle of Fischer’s skin range. A stable and easy-skiing construction that delivers great glide along with secure grip. Equipped with Fischer’s unique Twin Skin technology, a 100% mohair skin, low weight and a race base in the glide zones.

Peltonen Astra Skin

Rating

Overall score: 4.2 / 5
Grip: 4.75
Glide: 3.75
Handling: 4.0

Testers’ comments:

Good grip and comfortable in the track. Can feel a little heavy when double poling.

Facts

Skin: 100% mohair
Lengths/weight: 130–200 cm
Recommended price: approx. €310 (SEK 3,499) excl. bindings

About the ski:

An easy-skiing and stable skin ski for recreational skiers. What sets the Astra Skin apart in this class is its low weight, which makes the ski feel agile and easy to maneuver whatever the snow conditions. With a wide range of lengths, the Astra Skin works for skiers from 30 up to 110 kg.

Rossignol X-IUM

Rating

Overall score: 3.8 / 5
Grip: 4.25
Glide: 3.25
Handling: 3.75

Testers’ comments:

A stable ski, but it can feel somewhat hard to maneuver. Suits a skier with a lot of power.

Facts

Skin: 100% mohair
Lengths/weight: 186, 191, 198, 203, 208 cm/1,100 g
Recommended price: approx. €580 (SEK 6,500) excl. bindings

About the ski:

A large sweet spot makes race-proven technology accessible to both experienced and elite skiers. The honeycomb construction provides ultralight precision and power. The universal flex and camber work in a wide range of conditions, while the R-Skin base offers good grip and glide.

Madshus Endurace Skin

Rating

Overall score: 3.7 / 5
Grip: 4.5
Glide: 3.0
Handling: 3.5

Testers’ comments:

Stable, easy to get grip with and good for beginners. However, the skin drags when double poling and the ski feels somewhat hard to maneuver.

Facts

Skin: Profibre, 100% polyamide
Lengths/weight: 182–207 cm/1,094 g (187 cm)
Recommended price: approx. €450 (SEK 5,000) excl. bindings

About the ski:

A good, stable and easy-skiing premium recreational ski that provides secure grip and good glide for active training and long-distance races. A completely new construction strengthens and builds on the model’s previous qualities and makes it even better value: more robust, more stable and faster.

Kästle XP20 Classic Skin

Rating

Overall score: 3.3 / 5
Grip: 3.0
Glide: 2.75
Handling: 4.0

Testers’ comments:

Stable and easy to maneuver, but the ski jolts and it was hard to get good grip.

Facts

Skin: 100% mohair
Lengths/weight: 188, 196, 201, 206 cm/516 g per ski
Recommended price: approx. €490 (SEK 5,499) excl. bindings

About the ski:

The Kästle XP20 Classic Skin XH combines a light honeycomb core with good glide, grip and clear rebound for energy-efficient classic skiing.

Summary table – skin skis 2026

Torsby Skidtunnel is the partner of The Big Ski Test 2026

Torsby Skidtunnel opened in June 2006 as Sweden’s first ski tunnel and was, when it was built, the longest in the world at 1.3 kilometers. The track follows the natural terrain, the temperature stays constant at around −3 degrees Celsius, and you can ski both classic and skate. The tunnel is located at the Valberget outdoor area near Torsby and is used by everyone from beginners and recreational skiers to national team athletes.