In brief, it’s a beauty. Built on the bones of the MX84, it’s covered in carbon, enough to absorb shocks measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale. The only other ski in its league in this department is the Stöckli Laser AX, our top Power pick. The power pumped out by the MX Limited is like that of a placid river: it seems to move calmly and effortlessly while it’s cutting its way through solid stone.
The Yumi can play several different roles in a woman’s life. It can be the first new ski for a teenager who has grown up on hand-me-downs. For the mother who’s watched every other family member get new skis while she’s soldiered on with relics, it can be her first experience with a modern ski. The Yumi is also a great catch for the woman who’s spent her humdrum ski life on groomers and is ready to try an occasional foray off trail.
The Yumi works wonders as a step-up ski for the intermediate skier of any age. It can be skied skillfully or somewhat crudely; the Yumi isn’t judgmental. It’s in the self-esteem business, building a woman’s skills. Once the skier acquires technical talent, the Yumi is ready and able to perform at higher speeds and more exaggerated edge angles.
Some carving-centric skis are built beefy, the better to handle the shocks of riding hard snow at speed. But the Total Joy feels sensationally light and responsive, thanks in large part to Graphene™, the only material measured by the atom. Graphene allows the Total Joy to be both super light and torsionally stiff so the edge stays calm in all but the roughest terrain.
Skiers looking for a skills-improvement pill in ski form should take two Total Joys and go skiing every morning. All a lightweight skier has to do is tip it and the Total Joy takes over. “Easy peasy,” purrs Kelli Gleason of Boot Doctors, “it’s forgiving and light yet maintains a big sweet spot for recovering from a backseat turn.”
Once upon a time, Secret deodorant’s slogan was, “Strong enough for a man… but made for a woman.” The same could be said about the Rossignol Temptation 100 Ti, a poplar and Titanal powerhouse that demands to be driven at high edge angles and higher revs.
An examination of the Temptation 100 Ti’s shape reveals its predisposition to carve on firm snow. The sidecut extends all the way into the Air Tip, allowing edge contact to commence as soon as the ski is tipped. Edge hold in the belly of the turn is all but assured by two Titanal laminates. The tail is shaped to hold on or let go, according to the pilot’s bidding.