The star on top of the new Constellation series from Salomon, the Gemma, left an impression of quiet competence.  Gals looking for a powerhouse at the head of this Frontside family are probably better served by saddling up the new W-Max.  The Gemma has just enough girth to make skiing the irregular terrain in the trees a pleasure, and sufficient stability on edge to keep control on any groomed slope.  The flotation facility aside, our test panel found the narrower – and less expensive – Constellations, such as the Cira, to compare favorably to the Gemma as on-trail tools.