Salomon has been riding the Lighter is Better bandwagon for several product cycles, laboring to refine a combination of fibers that will deliver the quiet ride of two sheets of Titanal without the weight. It’s a noble quest, and Salomon’s 20/21 QST series made giant strides in that direction, but at the end of the day, every material in a ski has certain inimitable behaviors that include a signature vibration all its own.
Which is a long way of saying that nothing else vibrates at the same frequency as Titanal, which is why it is de rigeur in every race ski extant. With the S/Force Bold, Salomon set its lightweight agenda aside and unleashed a high-tech arsenal of shock-sucking devices that includes top and bottom Titanal laminates.
Once Salomon opted for stability over agility, it went all in, inserting an interface between ski and (integrated) binding called Edge Amplifier that channels energy directly to the edge. Its Crossover tip is embellished with TPU bumpers on either side of a layer of carbon/flax (C/FX) fibers that work with the Ti and TPU to keep its slightly rockered tip from wavering off course.
The S/Force Bold is an unapologetic Frontside carver. If you want to find out how deep a new snowfall is, take a run on the S/Force Bold and you’re almost certain to find the bottom. Any ski this stable can make its way through off-trail porridge, but it will send out the occasional reminder that you’re running against its grain. The reason the S/Force Bold is laden with dampening agents and associated avoirdupois is to maximize edging power and stability on hard snow, which is its happy place.
When it’s running fast and loose in its element, the S/Force Bold is “damp, stable, with very strong edge hold,” says Bobo’s Pat Parraguirre, identifying its dominant traits. “If you like speed and grip – this ski is for you! Great high-speed carver.” Note that Pat didn’t mention short, slow turns on his list of likes, for the S/Force Bold shows its disdain for their ilk by ignoring them entirely.
Longtime fans of Salomon skis will remember the Enduro, its last Frontside series to make bombproof long turns. The S/Force Bold represents a return to this type of damp, dedicated carver after several generations of lighter weight solutions. In a laid-over, big-bellied arc it’s as secure and comfortable as riding in the back of a limo.