ski reviews

Atomic Vantage X 86 Ti Dimensions: 123-86-106.5* Radius: 18.2m@173cm Sizes: 165, 173, 181 Size tested: 181 Design: All New *scaled The Vantage 86 Ti is a bit of a throwback, back to the days of original Nomad Crimson Ti and Völkl AC50, a burly mid-80mm-waisted charger but now with a modern...

Rossignol Experience 88 Ti Dimensions: 127-88-117 Radius: 16m@180cm Sizes: 159, 166, 173, 180, 187 Size tested: 180cm Design: All New Rossignol is offering the biggest change to the Experience collection since its introduction almost a decade ago. The Experience 88 has been the focal model of...

Völkl Deacon 74 Dimensions: 125-74-104 Radius: 16m@173cm Sizes: 163, 168, 173, 178 Size tested: 178 Design: All New Drahtguy Kevin: Volkl introduced these new skis with a big online campaign. I was excited to see what the big deal was. Both models have the same damp, quiet ride that is solid...

Stöckli Laser AX Dimensions: 123-78-110 Radius: 15.6m@175cm Sizes: 159, 167, 175, 183 Size tested: 175 Design: Carryover/NGT Ron: (from last year) The new AX represents the new class of narrow all-mountain skis. It has a very unique build with softish, slightly rockered tips but is quite stiff...

Salomon S/Max 12 Dimensions: 121-70-106 Radius: 15m@170cm Sizes: 160, 165, 170, 175, 180 Size tested: 175 Design: All New Ron: For 2019, we are seeing an influx of hard-snow carvers. Salomon has revised its X-Max line, and the new S/Max ski is a welcome addition. At 72 underfoot, this ski likes...

Renoun Z-77 Dimensions: 123-77-111 Radius: 15m@174cm Sizes: 157, 165, 174, 180 Design: Carryover Ron (from last year): On the groomed, it didn't take long to figure this ski out, although it was just fine skiing some slow ride-the-arc turns, it loves speed and even at the shorter length, it...

Rossignol Hero Elite ST Ti Dimensions: 122-68-104 Radius: 14m@167cm Sizes: 157, 162, 167, 172 Size tested: 172 Design: New Construction Rossignol Hero Elite LT Ti Dimensions: 119-71-101 Radius: 17m@177cm Sizes: 167, 172, 177, 182 Size tested: 177 Design: New Construction Philpug: Well yes...

Nordica Dobermann Spitfire RB FTD Dimensions:122-72-102 Radius: 15m@168cm Sizes: 156, 162, 168, 174, 180 Size tested: 174 Design: All New Drahtguy Kevin: The timid need not apply. I’m certain "RB" doesn’t stand for Rippin’ Bastard, but it should. The RB is a true slalom ski with a super tip...

Line Blend Dimensions: 132-100-122 Radius: 21m@178cm Sizes: 171, 178, 186 Size tested: 178 Design: Carryover/NGT dean_spirito: (from last year) The Line Blend is a ski I’ve wanted to get on for a long time, and this year I finally got the chance. As its name suggests, it blends characteristics...

K2 Turbo Charger Dimensions: 129-72-107 Radius: 13m@165cm Sizes: 158, 165, 172 Size tested: 165 Design: Carryover/NGT Drahtguy Kevin: (from last year) This K2 offering is easier to ski than a race-oriented slalom ski. Turn initiation is a tad slower and the ski isn’t as quick across the fall...

Kästle LX73 Dimensions: 115-73-99 Radius: 15m@164cm Sizes: 140, 148, 156, 164, 172 Size tested: 164 Design: Carryover Tricia: (from last season) Kästle has changed its LX lineup; it added a sidewall construction, making this ski completely different from past versions other than the LX in the...

Icelantic Sabre 89 Dimensions:130-89-115 Radius: 16m@174cm Sizes: 164, 174, 184 Size tested: 184 Design: New Construction Philpug: The 15 mm of taper in the Sabre can really be felt. With its trademark Icelantic dampening and solid feel, the Sabre needs just a bit of ankle roll to come into a...

Head Supershape iMagnum Dimensions: 131-72-110 Radius: 13.1m@170cm Sizes: 149, 156, 163, 170, 177 Size tested: 170 Design: Carryover/NGT Philpug: The Supershape i.Magnum unfortunately suffers from middle-child syndrome. When there was just the Supershape i.Speed, it had a following. Then Head...

Fischer RC4 The Curv DTX Dimensions: 121-72-106 Radius: 16m@171cm Size tested: 178 Sizes: 157, 164, 171, 178 Design: Carryover Philpug: The Curv GT is getting the lion’s share of the attention in the Curv collection, but the DTX is the sleeper. At 72 mm underfoot, Fischer’s magnificent...

Faction Candide 1.0 Dimensions: 121-90-121 Radius: 18m@182cm Sizes: 164, 170, 176, 182 Size tested: 182 Design: Carryover dean_spirito: (from last year) When the greatest freeskier on the planet designs a ski, people should probably stop what they are doing and take notice. While many brands...

Elan SLX SL Dimensions: 121-68-104 Radius: 14/12m@165cm Sizes: 155, 160, 165, 170 Size tested: 165 Design: Carryover/NGT Drahtguy Kevin: (From last year) A dual-radius ski (14/12m) with tons of personality, the Elan SLX was super easy to turn with energy to burn in about any shape you want...

Dynastar Speed Zone 12 Dimensions: 121-72-106 Radius: 15m@174cm Sizes: 158, 166, 174, 182 Size tested: 174 Design: Carryover/NGT Drahtguy Kevin: (from last year) The Speed Zone 12 is an easily engaging ski with confidence-inspiring stability. It crosses the fall line quickly in a calm fashion...

DPS Cassiar Alchemist 79 "The Trainer" Dimensions: 123-79-106 Radius: 12.5m@160cm Sizes: 160, 167 Sizes tested: 160, 167 Design: All New Weight: 1380g/ski@160cm, 1445g/ski@167cm Philpug: This is a ski that I did not expect from DPS; in fact, just looking at it, neither would you. Not so much...

Blizzard Firebird Competition Dimensions: 121.5-70-104 Radius: 14.5m@172cm Sizes: 154, 160, 166, 172, 178 Size tested: 172 Design: All New Drahtguy Kevin: A quick hookup and exponential energy from turn to turn make this ski an exciting and rewarding ride. Power and precision are attributes...

Atomic Redster S9 Dimensions: 119.5-68-97.5 Radius: 12.5m@165cm, 13.3m@171cm Sizes: 153, 159, 165, 171 Size tested: 171 Design: Carryover Drahtguy Kevin: (from last year) Click in and hang on. This ski exudes power and speed. At 68mm underfoot and a 13.3m radius, the ride is quick but stable...