Ski Tests 2007
SKI TESTING
Testing for this season started back in January 2007. Trips to Sweden, Austria (4 times!) and Canada involved staff, instructors, friends and professional freeskiers. All abilities were covered and every style was seen. 100’s of skis were thoroughly tested, pistes carved up and parks lapped; powder runs were skied till no fresh snow remained and all the conditions and terrain in between were savoured and enjoyed. The end result is a range that surpasses anything we have stocked before, representing the best skis available and some of the most interesting and appealing choices you’ll find this season.
Training began in June with a 5 day staff test on the Stubai glacier and it’s followed up by regular indoor demos at our UK slope stores. Austria in early summer is the perfect place for in-depth training, with all day skiing, no queues and deserted pistes. Staff from all stores made the trip, gaining first-hand knowledge of the range, and getting the experience necessary to provide you with accurate information.
(in no particular order)
Name: Steve Wells
Age: 33
Height: 6ft
Weight: 13½ stone
Years skiing: 20
Describe your skiing: Lazy style!
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
Scott RC / CX – Both really surprised me with how good they were. I love the fact they are relatively wide but totally rule on piste. I knew Scott were making good freeride and freestyle skis, but hadn’t realised their more piste orientated models were also class leaders.
Volkl Mantra – Super stable and grippy freeride ski that can be pushed hard, but is surprisingly stable to ski. Ticks the right boxes: well-made, good performance, wide range of user, and of course it looks pretty special too!
Head Monster iM82 – This would make the perfect all round ski for so many people. It’s smooth, stable and has a touch of ‘zip’ to it, perfectly suiting groomed terrain as well as more testing conditions. The 82mm waist is brilliant on a variety of terrain, without feeling at all wide on pisted runs.
Dynastar Exclusive Fluid – So smooth, so, well… fluid. A lovely ski to use that requires very little energy to ski nicely, but responds encouragingly when you start to push it. Flatters and encourages.
Fischer Vision Zephyr – A bargain at £390. This is a mini-rocket ship that loves to be pushed, zipping from turn to turn and responding the more you push it. The tail is stiff and enjoys being worked. Not many skis, not just women’s, have this kind of performance sub £400.
What is your personal favourite (s): I still really like the RX8 and Eliminator, with the Mission most definitely still a favourite. But I especially enjoyed the Scott P4 and couldn’t get over that it skied like a much narrower model, and I loved all the mid-fat twins. The Bridge was solid and looks amazing, the Enforcer was lively and stable and so much fun to ski, and the MSP was a beast at slow speed but an unshakeable ripper that was solid and full of response at speed on any condition – giving me a major confidence boost.
Put down your thoughts on the range: Freestylers are fully covered, there’s a huge range for women to choose from taking in all aspects, freeriders won’t be disappointed, all-terrain shredders are spoilt, and piste monkeys have some great options. All abilities are covered and there is choice everywhere. But then I would say all that as I help select the range! The skis have been carefully selected and I do genuinely think that there is quality for all levels and depth to decide from.
Any other comments: Thanks to all the people who helped with the testing this year. Whilst there may not have been loads of snow on all the trips, they were all great fun.
Name: Rhys Jones
Age: 24
Height: 5ft 9
Weight: 75kg
Years skiing: 9
Describe your skiing: Lazy intermediate who doesn’t mind a bit of speed or some powder
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
Scott Punisher – Scott have got it spot on with this one and it excels on piste as much as it does in the deep stuff and kills in the park. This ski really suits me and it felt amazing all the time. If I was going away and could only take one ski then this would be it.
Fischer RX6 – Didn’t really expect to like this one, but it’s probably my favourite all mountain carve ski on the market. At medium pace it offers so much grip and liveliness, this would make such a good choice for the improving intermediate.
Nordica Enforcer – I don’t really know what it was about this ski that I liked so much but I just spent the whole time smiling. It really made me want to try new things and push my skiing. The graphics are as good as anything I’ve seen in years and I really wish I had some deeper snow to try them in.
Dynastar Legend 8000 – This is my favourite Dynastar ski I’ve ever used because it’s so good every where. On piste it feels really smooth and stable but dead easy to use in powder. Last years model was something special and this ones better so I really think this will be a big seller.
Armada Pipe Cleaner – If you’re not into your park skiing then don’t bother with this one. However if you love your park then just buy it because this ski is the way forward. It looks amazing, feels easy on rails and has to be the best pipe ski available.
What is your personal favourite (s):
4FRNT MSP – A real surprise, took me about half a run of messing around on these to tell they were my favourite. Couldn’t wait for the top of the chair lift to come sooner. The perfect ‘do everything’ twin tip.
Also really like the new Crossfire, the Mission and of course the good old Eliminator
Put down your thoughts on the range: Every year the range is getting better and better, there really is something for everyone. I would happily own any of these skis, what’s really noticeable is how good the cheapest skis were compared to previous years. The Ranger is probably the best value for money ski in history and once again the twin tips have stepped up. The women’s stuff also looks really good and I kept hearing lots of good feedback on that.
Any other comments: This looks like it could be a really exciting season, it was so good to try lots of the boots too. The Salomon SPK boot is just brilliant and I’m really impressed with the new Lange boots. Also I think everyone should buy the new Thruster in a 181, its just better in that size!!! (is that because you promised to buy any pairs that were unsold at the end of the season?)
Name: Bernhard Haaser
Age: 35
Weight: 60kg Height: 174 cm
Years skiing: 25
Describe your skiing: Lacking snow time in the last couple of years. I prefer off-piste skiing to on-piste skiing - no freestyle – confident on all runs. I personally want to do more ski-touring.
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
Salomon X-Wing 6 – A real confidence booster that can be pushed surprisingly hard – easy to carve, lively and stable.
(w) Dynastar Legend Powder – Brilliant go anywhere ski. Easy to ski on, very lively for its width, stable with excellent edge hold – my favourite women’s ski on the test. (this ski could quite easily skied by a lot of male skiers)
Scott P4 – Amazing on-piste performance – floats like a boat. One of the biggest surprises on the whole ski test - brilliant! You don’t have to be an amazing skier to have fun on it.
Dynastar Nothing But Trouble – More then just a freestyle ski. Very lively, excellent all-rounder - a bit of a confidence booster - it looks cool, and you don’t have to work hard to have a lot of fun.
(w) K2 Tough Luv – Brilliant all-rounder, lively and stable, needs to be skied on 'properly'. Very lively and powerful, quick from edge to edge - responds very quickly with power in the tail.
What is your personal favourite (s): (Skis that I would buy - None of the ones that surprised the most, but that’s due to the kind of skiing that I like to do.) Dynastar Legend 8000, Head Monster 82
Put down your thoughts on the range: A very good range that covers most types of skiers. I am very impressed with the women’s range. Going more and more in a ‘freeski’ direction is a good decision.
Any other comments: It’s becoming increasingly difficult to categorize certain skis, which is probably a good sign. Skis are becoming more versatile and the fun-factor is becoming more and more important.
Name: Miles Barrington
Age: 43
Weight: 95kg
Height: 6’2”
Years skiing: 34
Describe your skiing: Getting lazier by the year
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
I like to ski a bit of everything which makes most of my choices hybids…
-Dynastar Legend 8000. So much versatility, powerful without being difficult to ski
-Nordica Nitrous. Again, amazingly versatile but a bit more ‘beef’ to it. Not such an easy ride as the 8000, but if you put the effort in, you’ll be rewarded with amazing feel and control.
-Salomon GT+. GT for Grand Touring? The equivalent in car terms would be an Aston Martin or Bentley. OK maybe not quite that high end… Comfort, control, and power when you want it or need it would be the characteristics.
-Nordica GS14. Similar to the GT+ with a more mellow, long radius feel too them. Smooth, suave and subtle.
-Scott Maya. This has to be one of the top 3 all rounders for the girls. Had a blast on this ski, looks great, easy to handle. Would suit a massive range of abilities, and I would put money on them ALL having fun…
What is your personal favourite (s): If I was going to own a pair I’d have the Legend 8000. Lovely in all conditions. Cruisy weeks in the Alps with a group of ‘social’ skiers, I think the GS14 would be my tool of choice.
Put down your thoughts on the range: In short, Cherry picking! The best skis for their jobs from all the ranges available. Looks quirky at first glance but each ski has earned its place in the range and can hold its head high.
Any other comments: From the K2 Apache Raider to the massive Scott P4 and the frisky Nordica Dobermann Spitfire, there’s something for everyone. Good to see more girl specific stuff coming through and performing at such a high and consistent level
Name: Rob Evans
Age: 30
Weight: 13st
Height: 6ft 4
Years skiing: 24
Describe your skiing: Back Country, Powder Hound
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
Dynastar Legend 8000 – Such a smooth ski and considering it has got vertical sidewalls and a titanal reinforced wood core, you will not believe how light it feels to use. Super easy to turn with great stability and just as at home with a touring binding on.
Head Monster iM 82 – From short swings through to long ‘whooping’ turns, this ski performs great. Whether you’re cruising down the piste or taking yourself to more adventurous places, this has to be one of the most versatile skis Head have produced.
Salomon Thruster – By changing the construction to an Isocell wood core and adding a few extra mm’s at the waist, Salomon have made an awesome ski. What a difference! Loads of pop, great fun, will get you tip pressing in no time.
K2 Crossfire – Yet another ski that has changed and the difference is amazing. Wider dimensions and sidewall technology has greatly improved the crossfire’s all round performance, with better stability and more responsiveness.
Head Monster iM 88 – A wider version of the 82’s that remind me a little of the Legend 8800 from last year, only better. One of the most stable Freeride skis I have used. Perfect for aggressive skiers, awesome for powder 11’s.
What is your personal favourite (s): I would be very happy on any of the skis that impressed me the most, as they are all awesome. But my personal favourite for my style of skiing has to be the Head Monster iM 88’s. When you ski off piste you never quite know what type of snow you are going to get. Sometimes it’s heavy and wet, other times it’s wind blown and scraped. On rare occasions it’s soft and fluffy (hooray). The 88’s ski the lot, excellent dimensions for floatation and a combination of a wood core with liquidmetal technology ensures a responsive and stable ride.
Put down your thoughts on the range: What a range! There is a ski for everyone no matter how fast or timid, on or off piste, and the freestyle skis are amazing.
Any other comments: Yet again I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved making the ski test possible.
Name:Chris Bryant
Age: 19
Height: 6ft
Weight: 85kg
Years skiing: 10
Describe your skiing: Aggressive Intermediate, not technically perfect but try to push as hard as I can.
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
Scott Mission – What more needs to be said about this ski, that hasn’t already been said? It just does everything and makes you smile while doing it. Something that actually lives up to its hype.
Scott RC – For a long time the Eliminator has been the only wide-bodied piste ski worth a shout, but now there’s finally a worthy contender. The RC was just as snappy out of the corners, would let you really charge the tail up for that extra speed boost. Hung to the piste really well in the short and aggressive turns, and felt really smooth and stable in the longer carves. Loved it!
Salomon Thruster – As with the X-Wing 6, the Thruster has totally flipped my perception of the Salomon range for me, and I think it might be something to do with a more, let’s say traditional approach to core design. In one word ‘JIBTASTIC!’ it instantly turns any slightly bumpy piste in to a playground. Smiles all round.
Head iM82 – Weighs a tonne in your hand but feels half its weight on your feet, also I skied it fairly long and was surprised at how long they were when I took them off, they felt about 100mm shorter! Everything from basic snow-ploughs to straight-line blasts, this 82 is the instructor’s new weapon of choice. At last, a ski to replace the well outdated B2, YES!
Völkl Mantra – This was something of a new one for me having never tried a really wide, really straight looking and semi twin-tipped ski before, I was expecting the Mantra to handle like a tractor, but it I was hugely surprised and found myself smiling at every turn and thinking just ‘HOW?!’ Definitely an off-piste and couloir-conquering tank of a ski, but with a softer side.
What is your personal favourite (s): It’s a close call between the almighty Mission and the greatly fun and exciting RC, what can I say, Scott’s got my vote!
Put down your thoughts on the range: I feel that the range is stronger than last season’s in the sense that, having skied a lot of them, I don’t dislike any of the skis that have been chosen. I can see the type of customers that will like which ski.
Name: Ryan Hooper
Age: 25 - Height: 6ft - Weight: 11½ st
Ability: Beginner (advanced snowboarder)
Years skiing: 2 ½
Describe your skiing: Consistent intermediate , love the pow / slush
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
Fischer Zeal – Super easy to use, looks great and so much fun in the pow / slush.
Salomon Tornado – Makes you look like you know what your doing, loves to be on an edge, lively and stable.
Scott Mission – Ploughs through anything, smile away and live the dream.
Dynastar Nothing But Trouble – Suprisingly stable at speed, super easy to chuck around, good on an edge too.
Dynastar Exclusive Legend – Looks amazing, feels full of life but you can push it too… great women’s ski.
What is your personal favourite (s): Fischer Zeal, Scott Mission. (a man of few words or no more need saying???)
Put down your thoughts on the range: Really strong range this year, both graphically and technically. Great rack appeal and value. Really impressed.
Name: Helen Louise Gallimore
Age: 21
Weight: 10.3- 10.6 st
Height: 5’9”
Years skiing: 10 year, once a year
Describe your skiing: “Slow and steady wins the race” – Good intimidate, still improving, like corduroy and power reds.
List the 5 skis that impressed you the most:
Salomon Thrusters- Slightly improved on piste, still are great all round ski, funky graphics, my ideal do anything ski.
Dynastar Legend Powder- Really a joy to ski, very light and responsive, super stable in the slush, would love to try again on a powder day.
Scott Mission- Really powerful but I was able to control it, I felt like I could take on anything. Confidence inspiring and a really good all round ski which lends it self to early and late season.
Dynastar Exclusive Sensation- Amazing price, although aimed at cautious intermediate it excels at higher speeds as well, it did not feel flappy or as if I could really out ski it. Really like the styling of the 2 new Dynastar skis this year. A sure best seller.
K2 Apache Crossfire- Really surprised me this one, usually find K2 unnecessarily heavy and uninspiring but this one held like a dream. It held an edge amazingly and made me feel confident in going faster and pushing myself a bit more.
What is your personal favourite (s): Dyanstar Exclusive Legend Powder & Salomon Thrusters
Put down your thoughts on the range: Really strong women’s range lots of variety and higher level skis. Graphics are really becoming more interesting.
Name: Tom Wilson
Age: 25
Weight: 12.5st
Height: 6’3”
Years skiing: 6
Describe your skiing: Fast, aggressive, lazy
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
Head Monster 82 – Super smooth on-piste turning, stable and manageable at various speeds, would ski beautifully in powder, far superior to Rossi B2.
K2 Crossfire – Didn’t like how this ski behaved in last years model, this years feels much more stable at the higher speeds and really smooth and progressive all the way round the turn, always feel in control.
4FRNT MSP – The most stable twintip ski I’ve ever used. At high speed, downhill carving this feels more solid and capable of letting the skier go faster than most carving skis, it is grippy and responsive, its width makes you confident in its stability and all this applies whether ridden forward or switch.
4FRNT STL – One of the more stable “park” twintips, the STL has more grip and liveliness when used on-piste than many of its K2 and Salomon counterparts. Add to this the awesome flex pattern in tip and tail, which makes buttering and jibbing a breeze, and the overall bombproof construction (which I have tested on many rails) and you’ve got a ski which you can shred slopes with all morning, then take to the park and have fun on all afternoon.
Fischer Zephyr – Tested in 150cm for my 6ft build I wasn’t expecting the level of grip, feedback and stiffness I got from this ski. Easy turn initiation leading to a progressive build-up of pressure with a slight snap in the tail when carving round the end of the turn, this will suit any lady who’s already confident parallel skiing to take it to the next level.
What is your personal favourite (s): 4FRNT MSP if I had a mountain at my disposal. STL’s as I primarily have an indoor slope to use.
Put down your thoughts on the range: A huge choice of really good looking skis that will cater to a wide spread in abilities, there is an even balance between lower- and higher-end levels of performance while maintaining a focus on the recreational market and should be able to offer something to suit every individual’s dream of progression.
Any other comments: Thanks to the company for giving us the opportunity to fully test the new products in a proper mountain environment and for all the training we were given relating to other aspects of the day-to-day business.
Name: Julian Thorp
Age: 38
Weight: 19 stone ish
Height: 6’ 3”
Years skiing: 34 years
Describe your skiing: Fast, technical and aggressive. Absolutely love a steep hard icy piste, or anything with moguls! Off-piste with good powder, not bothered if it’s heavy and skied out! Too old and knackered for that now!
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
In no particular order
Volkl Mantra – It’s a machine! For a specific freeride ski it’s surprisingly versatile and lively. The edge grip is awesome even on hard snow! I would happily use the Mantra as my only ski – it carves, it floats, it grips equally well and god help any soft moguls that get in its way – it’ll just destroy them! A brilliant ski!
Nordica Dobermann Spitfire – This is my kind of ski, I love it! Anyone who likes the feeling of an edge biting and holding on for grim death will love it too! Short and long turns are easy thanks to the SL tip and the GS sidecut, just shift your weight forward or back a bit to alter the turn shape! It works a treat. The interface is one of the only 100% integrated systems too so ski, boot and binding really do work as one!
Head Monster iM82 – A traditional all-mountain ski, built for skiers who only want their skis to point forwards. I was a little sceptical about the monsters until I skied them and they blew my mind! No terrain or snow type will phase these skis they do cruise effortlessly through anything, literally! Great fun and VFM!
Scott P4 – I liked this because it put a smile on my face. I loved the graphics when I first saw them but I thought something that wide will ski like a builders plank! How wrong I was! The first time I skied the P4 was on boiler plate in St. Anton as a laugh! I skied it all morning it was so much fun! I refused to believe it was 108mm underfoot as it’s so quick edge to edge! In the crud and off-piste it really comes alive! A real grin-maker!
K2 Silencer – An inexpensive little gem! Proof that you don’t have to go to great expense to get a fantastic product. The Silencer is so smooth and fun for any standard of skier. It’s perfect for a first freestyle ski, or something to trash on the rails that wont cost a fortune to replace! I loved it for blasting through the chopped up slush on piste and it makes a superb mogul ski, as it’s a little stiffer it rides over bumps and rough snow beautifully. You can ski fast on this baby and its £240! A bargain!
What is your personal favourite (s): Out of the whole range of skis I would have to say my personal faves were, The Nordica Hotrod Nitrous (again) it’s just so good! It grips like a race ski and blasts through slush, powder or whatever the mountain can throw at it with ease! I didn’t want to choose this one again but it’s almost impossible to beat at what it does! So here it is again!
I’m also a big fan of the Scott skis. Scott have really clicked with this range, they all ski superbly, I can’t easily pick one that skis better than the others but for my skiing style I loved the RC and the Neo!
I think I have to give the Volkl Mantra another mention too as it was soooooo good!
Put down your thoughts on the range: I’m a bit biased here as I had a hand in choosing the range but I think we have a range of skis that touch all the bases on price, performance, ability and style of skiing. There are quite a lot of new models that will not be familiar to you, our customers, so it’s even more useful that you can try before you buy at our Demo Centres at the Snowslopes. The retail prices have remained stable for another season so you really are getting great value for money today! If you remember just 10 years ago when a top end ski would cost in the region of £600 just for the ski! Today you can get that same performance level for less than £500 including the binding! That’s good value!
Any other comments: All we need now is the snow to slide them on! Fingers crossed for a great season!
Name: Katie Vangenechten
Age: 24
Weight: 10 st
Height: 5ft 5
Years skiing: 20
Describe your skiing: Fast, aggressive
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
Volkl Mantra – Considering size, shape and intended use, this ski was surprisingly easy to handle. Great binding features and options.
Salomon X-wing Tornado – This was my biggest surprise of the week. Expecting a typical soggy Salomon ski, I was stunned to find an incredibly responsive, capable ski which can deliver both fast carving turns and relaxed skidding turns with ease.
Fischer Vision Zephyr – Light, easy to handle and responsive. This ski is equally happy skidding as it is carving, an excellent ski in the women’s range.
K2 Miss Demeanour – This skied so well for a twin tip. An excellent ski on piste, with good park and off-piste ability. Certainly a ski for someone who wants a bit of everything.
Scott P4 – Being quite short myself, this was a massive ski at 190 something cm, which on the chairlift was giving me cause for concern. Totally stunned at how manoeuvrable they were! Skidding round turns was easy enough, and could carve quite easily on the softer snow. It would be interesting to see how they would cope on a harder piste!
What is your personal favourite (s): Volkl Mantra (added to my wish list), MissDemeanour.
Put down your thoughts on the range: I think every aspect of recreational and freestyle skiing has been well covered. With great performance level skis and a good choice of more specialised equipment, I think there will be very few customers we will be unable to please. Sad to see the Volkl Attiva go!
Any other comments: The ski test was an excellent week which I found very beneficial. Thanks again for the opportunity.
Name: Sarah Went
Age: 34
Weight: 9 ½ St
Height: 5ft 9”
Years skiing: 14 YRS. Last 4 of which as a qualified ski instructor.
Describe your skiing: Neat and tidy, strong and technical skier.
List the 5 skis that impressed you most, and explain why:
Dynastar Sensation – This ski pleasantly surprised me. It would be a real confidence builder. It snow ploughed and skidded well but also had loads of spring and was quick edge to edge so I feel this ski would really grow with a developing skier.
K2 Lotta Luv – Both lively and stable, quick edge to edge with lots of pop but solid enough that you don’t get thrown around. Powerful but doesn’t dominate.
K2 Crossfire – All speeds, all turn size this ski holds solid through turn. Lively yet stable, smooth even in the choppiest of snow.
Nordica Spitfire – NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED BUT GREAT! Powerful and solid on long radius turn enough pop to make short turns a pleasure. Need to stay on top of them but they were great at all turns all speeds.
Scott Mission – GREAT!! Powered through choppy snow. Turned on a sixpence with lots of pop and drive into every turn.
What is your personal favourite (s): Fischer RX8: AWESOME! It performs well where you’d expect it to but surprises in conditions you think it would shy away from. It holds solid and strong through long turns, quick edge to edge with lots of drive into next turn. It does everything you ask of it and can be pushed more.
Put down your thoughts on the range: A real thorough collection of skis. Everyone, everywhere and every snow type is covered!!
Any other comments: If I could have picked 10 impressers: Salomon Aero GT+, Dynastar 8000, Scott Maya, Nordica Nitros, K2 Burnin Luv
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