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Reviewers' score
18.3
BEST SKI

BEST SKI

Rossignol Hero Elite ST Ti (plaque R21 racing) review 2017

BEST SKI
Best ski 2017

PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments

Once again, we noted how a change of plate can alter a ski's performance by playing on the stiffness of the waist.

During a discussion with the brand about the model to be reviewed in this category, we decided to test the Hero Elite ST (for Short Turns) that features a composite 'Race' plate (called R21 racing) and this choice proved highly judicious.

The Hero Elite ST has a standard "Konect" plate and is a good ski, but we did not feel its performance was quite good enough during the pre-reviews for this "Slalom" category.
The R21 plate provides the additional stiffness and performance that was lacking, putting it in first place, mainly due to the excellent accessibility/performance compromise.

The ski is remarkably efficient, while remaining very accessible and intuitive. Thanks to a relatively flexible tip, turn initiation is instinctive and fast, extremely incisive when going into the turn. It grips and holds the turn faultlessly and has good rebound at the end of the turn.

Very easy to handle, the ski is also very tolerant. It will forgive poor positioning and pressure, and does not jump into a push-off at the end of each turn like many other slalom skis.

Big surprise for a ski in this category: the ski is very versatile. It carves, skids and slides as you want, and will coolly alternate dynamic turns at high speed and silky smooth turns at medium speed, for both long and short turns.

The Elite ST Ti R21 is not a racing fiend but it stands out for the truly amazing compromise between accessibility and performance. With its R21 plate, it is remarkable for its incredible versatility and is perfect for a wide-ranging public, from the good to expert skier. We particularly recommend it for skiers who already have good technical skills and who want to improve their performance or even think about competitive skiing.


Review: Pros

  • Sound and reassuring, intuitive, extremely easy to handle
  • Requires reasonable physical effort for this category
  • A really enjoyable ski for pleasure, agile and playful,
  • Very good overall performance
  • Good rebound, good pressure quality coming out of a turn
  • Good ski/snow contact

Review: Cons

  • Nothing special

The ski review scores

Turn initiation
☆☆☆☆☆
18.0
Stability
☆☆☆☆☆
18.5
Stability/turning performance
☆☆☆☆☆
18.5
Grip
☆☆☆☆☆
18.5
Short turn performance
☆☆☆☆☆
18.5
Long turn performance
☆☆☆☆☆
17.5
Skid turn performance
☆☆☆☆☆
17.0
Handleability
☆☆☆☆☆
18.5
Comfort
☆☆☆☆☆
19.5
Snow contact
☆☆☆☆☆
18.5
Soft snow fluidity
☆☆☆☆☆
17.5

Who's it for?

Good → Expert

Manufacturer's remarks

The HERO ELITE ST Ti has been designed as a short turn ski or even a slalom leisure ski. It's ideal for riders looking for maximum responsiveness in short turns and change of direction, and very fast edge to edge transition. Recommended for advanced to expert skiers. It features the PROP TECH technology (this year in colour) which gives it more adaptive torsional flex for greater control, improved turn initiation and better power transfer. The integrated tip Power Turn Rocker accelerates turn initiation for more engaged turns. The wood core sandwich construction gives the HERO ELITE ST Ti rock-solid stability for every eventuality. The HERO ELITE ST Ti is a perfectly balanced carving tool, designed for the piste and icy snow, and happy on steep slopes and moguls.
This year supplied with the new LOOK KONECT SPX12 & NX12 bindings for even greater sensations and energy transmission.

  • 80% piste - 20% off-piste - Sandwich construction - Fibro-metal reinforcement- Glass fibre - Prop Tech, Petex 4000 Graphite base.


Features of the Hero Elite ST Ti (plaque R21 racing)

Brand : Rossignol
Model : Hero Elite ST Ti (plaque R21 racing)
Year : 2017
Family : Slalom
Size tested : 167 cm
Tip size : 122 mm
Waist size : 68 mm
Tail size : 104 mm
Radius for the size reviewed : Not available

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Logo La Clusaz

Reviewed by PROSKILAB™

in La Clusaz, France, March 2016