The Punisher lives up to its name - it gives crud in particular a real hammering, cutting through what are the most common off-piste conditions with ease.
It's also versatile enough to give a confident, stable ride in powder and on piste too, and given the price it's a great value one-quiver ski.
The Punisher features relatively wide shovels, a twinned tail, and tip and tail rocker, a combination that allows it to pivot, float, and carve turns more easily, and the solid construction prevents excessive chatter on firmer snow.
'Pivot' was in fact the word that one of our test team first came out with when describing the Punisher, remarking on the ease with which you can swing it around, especially in short radius turns; it also adapts very well to hard packed piste given that the 185 version we skied is 95mm underfoot.
The Punisher has a heavy freestyle feel too and would be at home in the park should that be your chosen playground.
Off-piste and in crud we preferred the Punisher in bigger, long radius turns, but to be honest we were pretty happy to take it anywhere - if you're looking for one ski to take you everywhere this winter, and at a decent price, you need to check out the Scott Punisher 95.