If you live at the base of a big western mountain and still possess the strength and stamina of youth, you might want to make the Völkl Confession a daily ritual. Lord knows it has the strength to lay down rails on hardpack, thanks to a top sheet of Titanal that doesn’t run the full length of the ski because it doesn’t have to. The Confession dominates just fine as is, aided by a camber pocket underfoot that instills life into this powder-devouring glutton.

Just because the Confession can rail it respectably on groomers doesn’t mean it wants to. Left to its own devices, the Confession would gladly steer into a crud field with the throttle open and the brakes disabled. Speed control is managed with the aid of a power drift that can be called upon at any time to defuse a speed overdose. Short turns are left on the outside looking in, and slow-speed skiing is as fun as home dentistry. But if you have the confidence and cajones to drop the reins, the Confession will see to your salvation.