2026 Mammoth WWSRA Reviews
It's that time again; after a two year hiatus, I returned to the WWSRA on-snow demo at Mammoth Mountain for some good old-fashioned chairlift reviews.
I mean skis. I didn't cover a lot this year, but I did take the pulse of the mid-width (100mm) category, and, crucially, I tested the new Zero G 96, which of course replaces the ZG 95.
All-Mountain/Freeride
In its final iterations the ever-stiffer Bonafide specialized itself right out of existence. Blizzard's Anomaly is a welcome reboot. Considerably more accessible but still tuned for stronger riders, the Anomaly strikes a reasonable balance between technical and versatile.
Blizzard's Rustler 10 began as a soft-snow specialist and then evolved to be more directional. No, it's not the powder ski it once was, but certainly worth a look if you find the Anomaly too constraining.
Like the Bonafide, Fischer's Ranger has evolved into a high-energy carver. Yes, it can make World Cup GS turns, but does that really make sense at this width? Noticeably sluggish until you hit the red zone; unapologetically built for experts.
Atomic's Bent 100 flips the script on directionality, offering a compelling case for surfy versatility as an ethos. Loose and lively and a lot of fun; distinctly different from the carve-only crowd. Not as happy on grabby snow.
Rossignol's Sender Free 100 returns next year (2026/2027) as the "Sender". Otherwise unchanged, this is my personal AM/Freeride workhorse. At its best, the Sender transitions effortlessly between directional and surfy turn shapes, allowing you to dictate the style. A standout soft-snow ski, but, like the Bent, it can struggle on grabby snow.
Touring
In terms of feel, Blizzard's Zero G 95 was never the sort of ski you fall in love with, but as a light mountaineering plank, it's been hard to beat. Retired going forward so grab 'em if you can. The 95 remains an excellent choice for big, high-consequence objectives in the backcountry.
Blizzard's Zero G 96 feels like a new ski rather than an update—and one that intentionally addresses the ZG 95's weakness in powder. Softer, more forgiving, and a tiny bit heavier; not as confident on steep hard snow, but likely to appeal overall to a broader audience.
At only six pounds per pair (170cm), Dynastar's M-Tour 100 offers a shocking amount of pound-for-pound downhill performance. Gloriously balanced and delightful all over the mountain. Feels a lot like a touring version of the Sender. Not as snappy as the ZG 95 but you may not care.
The ZAG UBAC 95 is a Chamonix ski, literally and figuratively. Quite stiff for a touring plank, with very impressive edge grip; heavier riders not wanting touring noodles should give this a try. Nonstandard geometry takes a bit of time to get used to, but performs well on and off-piste once you figure it out. Very confident on the steeps.
The Black Crows Camox Freebird is a bit softer than the ZAG and seems to skew more toward long-radius turns (at least on groomed snow). The ski has a very nice feel to it; at 97mm underfoot, it's a strong one-ski quiver contender. Edging toward heavy, at 6.5 lbs/pair, but if that's not a concern, the Camox is a solid choice.
— February 12, 2026
Andy Lewicky is the author and creator of SierraDescents