Men's ski reviews 2011
BEST SKI
Rossignol Radical 9 SL TI review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Slalom Best ski 2011
A spectacular mark(the highest ever given in a Winter-Sports.com ski test) for this ski which is impressive in every area. The Rossignol Radical 9 SL TI is particularly well positioned in the "Slalom" programme where we asked the brands for a good performance ski that was also accessible to a non-racing public. It is designed for a wide range of skiers from middle-of-the-road to confirmed, who are looking for... Read on
BEST SKI
Atomic Race D2 GS review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Giant slalom Best ski 2011
The Atomic GS D2 got a 'special mention' from our reviewers who particularly appreciated the performance/pleasure combination. The feeling of safety, comfort and fluidity gives this ski a real edge. It's an excellent choice for skiers ranging from good to competitor who want a ski that offers great performance, is fun to use and exciting.
Fischer has produced a good slalom ski here. It offers high performance while remaining extremely accessible. The ski is an excellent choice for skiers looking for slalom ski sensations without necessarily having the thighs of Alberto Tomba, nor his technique. Racers and skiers looking for a more aggressive ski and radical performance are more likely to go for the Atomic D2 SL.
BEST SKI
Dynastar Contact Cross TI review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Men's advanced Best ski 2011
Our reviewers really loved this ski. While its roots are based in Ski Cross and the slalom, the Contact Cross is an exceptionally versatile and well-balanced ski. It matches our "Advanced" criteria perfectly. Always enjoyable, it's suitable for a wide range of skiers from intermediary to expert, looking for an excellent "pleasure-generating" alpine ski that is effective, comfortable and easy to... Read on
BEST SKI
Dynastar Booster 10 review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Men's intermediate Best ski 2011
The Dynastar Booster 10 got a ‘reviewers favourite’ rating and they gave it top marks for its technical potential. It’s a great choice for post beginner to intermediate skiers who want to enjoy themselves and feel safe at the same time, and who are looking for a ski that will keep pace as they advance while helping them to develop their technical skills.
BEST SKI
Dynastar Spin review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Freestyle Best ski 2011
The reviewers gave the Dynastar Spin a resounding thumbs up as it corresponds perfectly to our "Freestyle" criteria, where we're looking for a ski that gives excellent park performance and can follow the piste. We recommend this vivacious and agile ski for freestylers searching for performance and versatility. The reviewers didn't test the ski in freeride, but with its parabolic shape and 87mm underfoot,... Read on
The Atomic SL D2 is a highly technical ski that is close to an FIS (in other words, a pure racing ski). This ultra-performance ski was penalised by our reviewers for its lack of accessibility. In effect, in the "Slalom" category we're looking for a ski that is not just extremely effective but that is also usable by a wide-ranging public. While it doesn't meet the latter condition, the SL D2 remains... Read on
BEST SKI
Dynastar Speed Course TI review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Giant slalom Best ski 2011
The reviewers loved this ski. It's great for the Giant slalom, offering excellent performance without being simply a "long-radius turns on hard snow" ski. It's a good choice for experienced and sports-oriented skiers who would prefer a powerful tool that is relatively polyvalent rather than a thoroughbred, cutting-edge and highly demanding racing ski.
BEST SKI
Rossignol Alias Carbon review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Men's intermediate Best ski 2011
A’reviewer’s favourite’! The Alias Carbon is a really successful ski. It would suit both beginners and advanced skiers looking for a ski that’s both playful and manageable.
The ski tested was a 166cm, a size that was judged a little short by the reviewers. Moreover, the bindings on the model sent to us by Rossignol were too far forward. They needed to be moved back around 3cm for the test.
Read on
BEST SKI
Atomic Blackeye Ti review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Versatile freeride Best ski 2011
The Blackeye has been Atomic's choice for our "versatile freeride ski" (70% piste/30% off-piste) for a number of years. The titanium-reinforced 2010 version cut a fine figure and got a 'special mention' from our reviewers. They were impressed by its design, its versatility and the overall level of performance. The Blackeye Ti is great for athletic skiers looking for an all-round ski that performs... Read on
BEST SKI
Fischer RC4 World Cup RC review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Giant slalom Best ski 2011
Our reviewers loved the Fischer RC4 World Cup RC which is an excellent Giant slalom ski. Exceptionally well-balanced, it feels healthy and safe, and offers excellent performance, accessibility and pleasure. It's a good choice for good to expert skiers looking for strong sensations, particularly at high speeds in long-radius turns.
BEST SKI
Rossignol Zenith Z76 Ti review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Men's advanced Best ski 2011
With its focus on accessibility and comfort, the well-balanced Rossignol Zenith Z76 Ti is particularly well-suited to the "Advanced" category. We would recommend this excellent ski to all intermediary to experienced skiers who are looking for an "easy" tool that offers reasonable performance for polyvalent performance on the slopes.
BEST SKI
Dynastar Sultan 80 review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Versatile freeride Best ski 2011
The Sultant 80 is well placed in the "Polyvalent Freeride" category, designed for 70% piste/30% off-piste use. Its facility/performance combination make it ideal for a range of skiers, from pre-intermediate to expert, who are looking for a ski that's agreeable and can perfom well on groomed slopes, while able to show off its talent off-piste. It should be noted that the size we tested (172cm) was considered... Read on
BEST SKI
Atomic Nomad Crimson TI review 2011
Men's skis 2011 > Freeride midfat Best ski 2011
With the Nomad Crimson TI, Atomic has come up with a very good midfat freeride ski that gives excellent performance both on and off piste. Our reviewers were impressed, and we recommend it for good freeriders who want a ski that's both versatile and powerful, capable of cutting through the piste and floating a wall of powder. The size we tested (186cm) is somewhat rigid, making it suitable for very good and/or strong... Read on
The Atomic VF73 is an excellent ski but unfortunately there’s too much emphasis on performance for our "Intermediate" programme. It just missed getting a “reviewer’s favourite” rating as it was considered less accessible than the other models in the category. It’s nonetheless an ideal ski for a wide range of skiers, from the intermediate (relatively sportive) to the good skier who’s... Read on
Rossignol has come up with a very exclusive ski that is similar to an FIS (competition ski endorsed by the International Ski Federation). Designed for skiers with excellent technical and physical prowess, the ski's stability and radius capacity places it somewhere between the Giant slalom and the Super G. This is the ultimate weapon for committed skiers and competitors looking for a specialised and truly high performance... Read on
The Sultan 85 is a very good, well-balanced mixed ski, 50% freeride/50% piste. Dynastar has developed a true all-rounder here, a "4-wheel drive" that's able to adapt to all situations. It's suitable for a wide range of skiers, from competent freeriders who want to make progress to pro riders. Just make sure you don't choose one that's too short.
The Rossignol S4 is versatile, and suitable for both park and piste skiing. It's a good choice for beginners and intermediary/confirmed freestylers who want to tear up the park and enjoy riding the piste. Expert frestylers, especially the well-built and those who want to attack hard snow, are likely to prefer a less flexible and more technical ski.
A good all-rounder, the Rossignol S80 is easy to handle, enjoyable and stable. It's a very good all-terrain ski, excellent for intermediary skiers and for vesatile on-piste skiing, yet equally at ease off the beaten tracks. This relatively flexible ski is better for lighter and average frames, and for skilled female skiers.
The Rossignol S86 is a really excellent freeride initiation ski and is suitable for intermediary to good skiers looking for a user-friendly and enjoyable tool that will help them progress both on and off piste. Expert freeriders and the more aggressive will probably prefer a more technical ski.
Like many Atomic products, the VF72 was designed for performance. It's a good ski, but too demanding and not accessible enough for the "Advanced" category. Good and very good skiers with larger-than-average build who are looking for an effective tool that will carve turns out of the snow will like it though, particularly on hard snow.
Not really made for the piste, the Atomic Punx is a good ski for beginner and average freestylers, and it has interesting aerial qualities. It's a good choice for freestyle learners and better skiers looking for lightness and manoeuverability in the pipe and rails.
The Dynamic VR27 LT is a good ski for intermediary skiers who enjoy long turns without needing to use too much pressure.
Fischer's Progressor 8 is a good, well-balanced ski, but loses points in that it's unforgiving at lower level while expert riders will find it lacks performance. This lowers its ranking in the progress category where we're looking for a reassuring and docile ski. It could be good though for intermediary to expert skiers, and for less demanding piste skiing.
Despite Fischer's great brand image, with products that regularly get excellent ratings in Winter-Sports.com ski tests, this year we felt there were notable shortcomings in the two Watea skis tested in the "Versatile Freeride" and the "Freeride midfat" categories, and in the Progressor 9, tested for the "Advanced" category. We found it difficult to 'understand' the skis we... Read on
Despite Fischer's excellent reputation, and the fact that its products regularly get top marks in Winter-Sports.com ski tests, this year we noted a number of shortcomings in the Watea skis tested in the "Versatile Freeride" and "Midfat Freeride" categories, and the Progressor 9, tested in the "Advanced" category. We found it very difficult to get a handle on the skis delivered for the... Read on
Despite Fischer's excellent reputation, and the fact that its products regularly get top marks in Winter-Sports.com ski tests, this year we noted a number of shortcomings in the Watea skis tested in the "Versatile Freeride" and "Midfat Freeride" categories, and the Progressor 9, tested in the "Advanced" category. We found it very difficult to get a handle on the skis delivered for the... Read on
Just occasionally we get a ski that makes skiing difficult and unenjoyable. Unfortunately, we don't know if this was simply a production fault on the skis we were sent to test, or a more general production or design weakness. If you're tempted by the ski's look and the mythical reputation of the "VR77" name, we strongly recommend you try out the ski before buying. As far as we're concerned,... Read on