[The test results for the Amphibio 16 XTi Fusion are from 2016 and 2017; its only changes for 2017 are cosmetic.]

The Amphibio 16 XTi works like it’s on the midnight shift: it’s made to check in super early and be out of the turn promptly so the next shift can start. The forebody has a voluptuous 48mm difference between the front contact point and the pinched-in, 73mm waist, giving the Amphibio 16 the innate desire to dive into a short turn the instant it’s tipped on edge.

The tail, in contrast, is as skinny as a runway model’s calves, so it’s duty-bound to release the edge shortly after crossing the fall line. The sidecut in combination with the fully cambered inside edge produces a continuous, flowing edge with minimal pilot input. A soft-flexing carver that favors the light touch of the Finesse skier, the Amphibio is “very stable” confirms Superior Ski’s Steve Bagley, adding what could be the first line of a ski haiku: “Smooth, good energy.”