Nothing builds confidence like stability wedded to maneuverability, a formula followed by the Salomon X-Drive 8.8 FS.

Salomon’s previous generation of Frontside and All-Mountain East cruisers, the Enduro series, tipped too far in the direction of stability and were deemed lugubrious.

To introduce a greater measure of agility, Salomon removed a sheet of Titanal, substituting X-shaped carbon reinforcements at critical vibration nodes.  The result is a lighter ski that’s whippet-quick off the edge, but only if it’s properly tipped and pressured.  The X-Drive 88 isn’t a set of training wheels meant to gently coax an intermediate into a measure of competence (there are several other X-Drive models that serve this purpose), but a precision instrument that takes some skills to operate.

The X-Drive 8.8 didn’t lose the Enduros’ appetite for speed; its best scores are for stability and accuracy à toute vitesse.  While it’s lighter and quicker than the Enduro that preceded it, the X-Drive 8.8 won’t waver or flutter on hard snow, and roaring through a foot of fresh is mother’s milk to this stick.

More than one tester noticed that the X-Drive 8.8 virtually compelled better technique from its riders.  As Matt from Footloose observed, “it’s a competent and commanding ski, still one of the best in the category.  Could get my award for “most technically rewarding.”