Salomon has specialized in lightweight ski design since the brand launched its ski division with its signature monocoque shell. A year ago it introduced the off-trail QST series that continued the lightweight tradition by using a mix of flax and carbon instead of Titanal to dampen and strengthen the chassis. This year Salomon has applied the carbon/flax (C/FX, for short) combo to its new on-trail collection, the XDR series.

If you take its integrated bindings out of the equation, the XDR 84 Ti would only weigh 1,620g at 170cm, which is not a lot for any ski and really featherweight for a Frontside model. That it still holds a solid edge on hard snow is testament to how well C/FX helps dampen vibration without the added heft of metal.

One advantage of lighter weight is the ski automatically feels quicker, able to flip from one edge to the other on a whim. Rob Parent of Sun & Snow admires the XDR 84 Ti’s ability to switch from sedate to spunky: “Very smooth and relaxed, with excellent transmission into higher speeds. Surprised to feel so much rebound.”

One venue where the XDR 84 Ti’s tandem traits of quicks and quiet work to full advantage is moguls. Maneuverability is at a premium in the tortuous troughs made by today’s bumps; the XDR 84 Ti is up to the challenge. A lot of our Power Picks are too stiff, heavy and uninterested in tiny turns to navigate happily in these choppy waters, but this Salomon dives in without flinching.