[The test results for the Amphibio 88 XTi are from 2016; its only changes for 2017 are cosmetic.]

The most versatile Amphibio carver, the 88 XTi can’t disguise its carving inclinations. “The perfect hardpack ski,” assessed Scott Sahr of Aspen Ski and Board. “Metal in its makeup gives the ski just enough dampening for a quiet, smooth feel, but not enough to weigh it down.” Scott’s wingman Mike Langdon was equally smitten, claiming the Amphibio 88 “took everything you threw at and could still handle more.”

A couple of our Snowbird-based testers in whose terse comments we place a lot of stock, Gary Black from Christy’s and Bags from Superior Ski, were singing from the same hymnal as our Midwestern contingent. Blackie unabashedly “loved them. Smooth, consistent edge grip, easy to transition [to next turn].” The “easy to transition” bit could be attributed to the Amphibio effect, which on the 88 is distributed across a broader beam, magnifying its influence.