The new XDR series from Salomon is another example of the Lighter is Better movement extending its reach into the Frontside realm. While the XDR flagship, the 88 Ti, falls into the All-Mountain East genre by dint of its waist width, in fact its tip and tail – and everything else about it – match the make-up of the Frontside XDR 84 Ti. Whether you consider the 88 Ti to be a fat Frontside ski or a legit all-terrain model, its carbon and flax construction creates a lightweight chassis (1650g @ 179 without its system binding) that’s easy to guide.

“I’m impressed with its light weight and agility,” notes Bobo’s Paul Van Sickle, who adds. “Skis well off piste for a Frontside ski.” Boot Doctors’ Bob Gleason found the tip a bit too loose for his liking, observing that it “flutters lightly in the turn and drops out of the arc on steeps and firm snow.” This foible didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of Start Haus’ Jim Schaffner, who opines, “The XDR 88 TI is just what the category’s looking for. Easy to navigate in any condition and very good balance of finesse and Power qualities.”