Paul Jacobs of California Ski Company waxes rhapsodic about the Laser SX: “Simply put, the best on-piste ski for the advanced skier. Quick, smooth and stable at any speed, with gobs of rebound energy. The harder the surface, the more remarkable this ski becomes. If you know how to carve a ski, it will put a smile on your face.”

Note the emphasis on rebound energy, an oft-overlooked trait among shaped skis. Raw, unrefined power oozes from the Laser SX’s every pore. This is a serious ski, ready to settle down and commit to a long-term relationship with every turn it meets. But when pressured, the Laser SX cuts cross-hill as if stung by a wasp, slinging its partner into the next turn with the suddenness of skydiving.

If the Laser SX does have a speed limit, it lies outside the range of human endeavor. Somehow this speed addiction is channeled into short-radius turns that can cut a corner faster than a cat in a blender. (The cat lives, of course – this is a family-friendly ski site.)

Smaller or less aggressive skiers can take advantage of the extensive size range available, an indication that Stöckli believes the Laser SX is suitable for women and children of all ages. Unless America receives a sudden infusion of athleticism (and disposable family income) this isn’t going to happen, but it does bode well for the skilled mademoiselle who know how to arc and spark ‘em.