Fish-Shaped, Swallow-Tailed, and Versatile: Season Equipment Forma 177 Powder Ski Review

Taking in the breathtaking view over Vail’s Outer Mongolia Bowl, I was met with unspoiled powder as far as the eye could see. The sky was a clear blue, offering the perfect setting for my test run. Despite the fresh 5 inches of snow, it appeared that my group was the first to venture into the area that morning.

This was the perfect opportunity to put Season Equipment’s Forma powder skis to the test in their natural element. Until then, I had mainly used the 116mm swallow-tailed skis on hardpack at the resort and in wind-scoured backcountry runs, where they exceeded my expectations with their performance. These skis handle hardpack extremely well, providing a strong grip and effortlessly cutting through various snow conditions.

From the beginning of my testing, it was clear that the Formas did not struggle on harder snow, unlike some powder skis. They performed like true all-mountain skis and felt at home on any terrain.

Up to that point, I hadn’t had a chance to test the powder skis on real powder. I had only encountered small stashes here and there, giving me a glimpse of the Formas’ performance in deeper snow. But it wasn’t enough to make a definitive judgment on their powder capabilities.

Finally, the day had arrived. I carefully selected my path down the gentle slope into Outer Mongolia, cleared off the snow from the Formas’ plain matte black topsheets, gripped my poles, and set off.

Instantly, I felt like I was skiing on a completely different pair of skis. The aggressive demeanor on hardpack was replaced with a graceful and elevated disposition. My turns were smooth, effortless, and precise, with impeccable edge control and seamless buoyancy. It seemed like I had transitioned from Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll.

In summary: Season Equipment’s Forma (tested at 177 cm) is a versatile, powder-focused ski that excels in deep snow, thanks to its swallowtail and shovel tips that provide excellent floatation. It handles hardpack with ease and navigates tight trees and moguls with agility, despite its 116mm underfoot width. The steep sidecut allows for both short, lively turns and long, sweeping carves. These skis are perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a versatile powder ski for deep powder days.

If you’re considering a purchase, check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best All-Mountain Skis to compare the Formas.

Season Equipment Forma 177 Powder Skis: Review

When I initially started testing the Season Equipment Forma ski, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew about Season Equipment, Eric Pollard’s independent ski and snowboard brand, and had seen a few of their distinct black silhouettes at the resort. However, I had not yet ridden any of their skis.

The Forma was introduced in 2021. It is a rigid, fish-shaped ski with a unique shape, setback stance, and elongated rocker, making it ideal for gliding through fresh snow, as described on the Season website. The 2024 Forma features a new topsheet material for enhanced durability and is now available in a new size — 177 cm, in addition to the existing 167 and 183 cm options.

Despite the ultralight Karuba wood core and carbon layer for weight reduction, the Formas still have some heft, weighing in at 1,950 g for the 177 mm length, making them a heavier choice for backcountry use. Nevertheless, Season Equipment assured me that the Forma was designed for backcountry skiing. It was equipped with Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC 13 bindings and I was ready to put them to the test.

I began testing the skis in late December when Colorado’s snow cover was still relatively thin. I anticipated that the hardpack conditions would not be ideal for the Forma and that they would not perform well. I expected to have to exert significant effort to control them at high speeds or through tight terrain.

However, I quickly realized that my concerns were unwarranted.

On Hard Terrain

As I initiated my first turn on the Season Forma skis, I was immediately struck by their power. While I typically ski on stiff, fairly aggressive skis in the resort, these were a class apart. On hardpack, the Forma skis handled like they were built for it.

Despite being technically powder skis, they matched the performance of my go-to K2 Mindbender 99 Ti’s — an all-mountain ski that is 17 mm narrower underfoot. The Forma’s swallow tail, tight (18 m) turn radius, and 4mm camber all contributed to this remarkable performance. The broad waist seemed to almost disappear once they were in motion.