The Frontside category is home to the vast storehouse of mediocrity occupied by entry-level and second-price-point package skis. That most of these models go untested by specialty shop personnel is probably just as well, as many only serve as placeholders until the skier can afford a more supportive ride. Within this dim corridor of the ski market Salomon’s Frontside women’s skis shine as exemplars of what step-up skis should be.

Salomon’s entire women’s Frontside collection receives a performance upgrade in 2018 to keep pace with the innovations infiltrating Salomon’s new XDR Frontside series for men. Our female testers’ favorite for several seasons, the Cira, returns at the $499 price point, an awesome value for a all-wood core ski with a first-rate binding (Lithium 10 W). Women who want the extra support and damping provided by basalt, in the same skill-building footprint as the Cira, should opt for the new Astra ($599 with binding).