Rossignol Experience 88 HD (Konect) review 2017

PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments

The reviewers agreed that the Experience 88 HD's performance had made great strides compared to its predecessors. The ski is enjoyable, reassuring and instantly manageable. The first rides are smooth and stress-free thanks to its well-balanced and healthy behaviour. The Experience 88 HD responds well and is docile. It's especially happy when carving, and on soft snow it's a real treat!

Off-piste, it will take riders wherever they want to go, although it fails to excel because of the shape which is too sharply carved (extremely narrow waist). However, its overall behaviour and, above all, performance in the crud had improved significantly compared to previous models.

In more demanding conditions, the ski's flexibility holds it back. At very high speeds, on hard pack and steep slopes, the ski shows its limits. Grip could be better and the ride becomes less precise.

Up against the best skis on the market, Rossignol's Experience 88 HD does well, despite its obviously more piste-oriented behaviour. We recommend this ski for average to good skiers who want to make progress on the manicured slopes and, above all, improve their carving or ride in the powder when the conditions are right.

Review: Pros

• Sound, well-balanced behaviour
• An accessible and tolerant ski
• Overall enjoyment, especially on soft snow
• Good performance on the piste
• Good carving potential
• Great fun

Review: Cons

• Shape still too strongly carved for freeride, tail hampers rotation
• Performance slightly under par, especially on hard pack and steep slopes or at high speeds

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Manufacturer's remarks

The new EXPERIENCE 88 HD will make you forget its mythical predecessor, the EXPERIENCE 88 Bslt. In effect, this new ski features a brand new Carbon Alloy Matrix fibre. This revolutionary fibre is an alloy of diagonally woven Carbon and Basalt which amplifies every aspect of the ski and its performance. This Carbon Alloy Matrix fibre gives the ski more grip, greater security and stability, while remaining highly adaptive in its All Mountain programme. The new Experience 88 HD is consequently a formidable on-piste carving machine that's also perfectly at ease off piste. The EXPERIENCE 88 HD also features an Air Tip that facilitates flotation in soft snow. Combined with the Auto Turn Rocker (rocker in the tip and tail), the ski turns intuitively on the piste. The Auto Turn Rocker means you can control the ski's speed with far less effort.
The Look Konect bindings system offers easy adjustment and maximum precision.

50% piste - 50% off-piste - Sandwich Construction - Carbon Alloy Matrix Fibre

Features of the Experience 88 HD (Konect)

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Reviewed by PROSKILAB™