2017 Salomon X-Drive 8.0 FS
1

Ski Stats

Sidecut 125.2/80/110
Radius 15.9m @ 175cm
Lengths 168,175,182
Weight 3207g @ 175cm (w/ binding)
MSRP $950
FIND
Power Score: 8.17

Finesse Score: 8.16

3
0
0
Crisp turn entry, clear snow sensations shining through the turn midsection and confident finishing power are traits any Frontside ski would be proud to possess. Salomon’s X-Drive 8.0 FS is built on these principles and it lives up to them every day it’s allowed out to ski. The X-Drive 8.0 FS gets its gumption from a blend of three dampening elements. Like it’s big bro, the 8.8 FS, it uses basalt as a base layer, then adds a sheet of Titanal and an X-shaped structure over the rocker zones to keep them from acting up. This creates “a great combination of edge grip (torsional stiffness) and off-piste versatility," pens Sturtevant’s Olin Glenne, placing it on his personal podium in the Frontside category.

[The test results for the X-Drive 8.0 FS are from 2015 & 2016; the only changes for 2017 are cosmetic.]

Crisp turn entry, clear snow sensations shining through the turn midsection and confident finishing power are traits any Frontside ski would be proud to possess. Salomon’s X-Drive 8.0 FS is built on these principles and it lives up to them every day it’s allowed out to ski.

The X-Drive 8.0 FS gets its gumption from a blend of three dampening elements. Like it’s big bro, the 8.8 FS, it uses basalt as a base layer, then adds a sheet of Titanal and an X-shaped structure over the rocker zones to keep them from acting up. This creates “a great combination of edge grip (torsional stiffness) and off-piste versatility,” pens Sturtevant’s Olin Glenne, placing it on his personal podium in the Frontside category.

Olin wasn’t alone in praising the X-Drive 8.0 FS for its off-piste prowess, although its scores would imply that such facility is its least developed skill. Skis around 80mm underfoot aren’t always receptive to off-trail forays; finding one that is, opens one’s options when opportunity knocks.

In this its third season in the Salomon line, the X-Drive 8.0 FS is no longer available flat, i.e., without a system interface. Naturally, the 2017 edition comes with a matching Salomon XT12 binding.

Find this ski at the following Realskiers Test Centers

We are still loading in more Realskiers test centers to our FIND list. Check back soon!

Test Score Data

Total Score: 82.30
Early to Edge:
Continuous Carve:

Rebound/Turn Finish:

Stability/Accuracy @ Speed:
Short-radius Turning:
8.60
8.20
8.20
8.40
7.30
Off-piste Performance:
Low-speed Turning:
Forgiveness/Ease:
Drift/Scrub:
Finesse/Power Balance:
8.50
8.40
8.40
8.20
8.10