The Liberty Origin 96 is a little bit Pipe & Park, a little bit backcountry. Its grandparent was the Origin 116, an indication that the 96 will retain a surfy attitude in its shrunken dimensions, and indeed it does. In the 3-4 years since its inception, the Origin 96 has grown in popularity as its tip splay has lowered, as it did again this year. As currently constituted, the Origin 96 has a 60/40 split personality, made of 40% technical rectitude and 60% mayhem.

As designer Dan Chalfant defines it, the Origin 96 is a “combination of fun and strength that resonates well from East to West.” Veteran Realskiers tester “Doctor” Bob Gleason praises the way is “schmears and pivots with ease, yet when put on edge and driven, the Origin 96 shows strength and character.” Jon Beebe from Jan’s confirms this Liberty’s upside, citing its “better edge hold than most skis in the [All-Mountain West] category.” Karl Jacobson, also of Jan’s, would beg to disagree, characterizing the Origin 96’s surfy snow contact with the best one-word review of 2019, “soap.”

If Jake’s remarks sound dismissive, consider they come from a technical skier with a different perspective on snow contact. But precision – the opposite of “soap” – isn’t what everyone wants in an all-terrain ski. If you like your turns served with a dash of smear and a large dollop of forgiveness, the lightweight Origin 96 merits further inspection.