Rossignol Soul 7 HD W

The Rossignol Soul 7 HD W isn’t similar to the most popular Big Mountain ski of the last decade, it’s identical to it. Part of this model’s enduring appeal is the allure of its Air Tip design that decorates the shovel with filigree that appears jewel-like when illuminated from behind. Like a potential date who’s both brainy and attractive, the looks draw you in but it’s the substance that makes you stay.

All the real action in the Soul 7 HD W happens in the camber pocket underfoot. The roughly medium-radius (16m @ 164cm) sidecut ends where the tip and tail rocker begin, effectively consigning the lovely tip to the simple assignment of keeping its nose out of the snow. Right behind the eye-candy shovel is a long fiberglass arch, loaded with energy. When the skier compresses the camber line at the bottom of a powder turn, the glass deforms; the instant the energy lets up, the arch recoils and the skier is delivered back to the surface, where it’s a cinch to slip across the fall line and sink into the next rhythmic arc.

Secret 102

The new Völkl Secret 102 should not be mistaken for a set of training wheels. If you don’t have the requisite technical skiing skills, the Secret 102 can sense this shortcoming the way German shepherds can smell fear. As you digest the contents of Perry Schaffner’s critique of the Secret 102, cited below, please remember she’s fresh from a collegiate racing career and is an active coach who crushes every turn as if it owed her money.

“This is a great powder/off piste ski. Really carries speed well. I skied the top in the choppy powder [at Snow Basin, UT] and it cut through it fairly well. Additionally, it was surprisingly lively on the groomed snow. Obviously a little more challenging to ski it in groomers since it is fairly wide under foot. I think this is a great ski if you mainly ski powder with some random days of groomers thrown in there.”

Marksman

I’ve never met Pep Fujas, the big mountain athlete whose fingerprints are reputed to be all over the Marksman. No question he’s a jaw-dropping exhibitionist, capable of descents I can’t imagine even as I’m watching them on film. I’m equally certain his anything-goes...

Vantage 107 Ti

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FX106 HP

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