Ski Test Tour de Méribel 2019

BLACK CROWS ORB BIRDIE

This formidable all-terrain ski is very fast and powerful thanks to the addition of two titanal plates along the ski. An energetic ski with bounce that likes to go fast, its rocker profile and width enable it to be very effective in powder and variable snow.

This ski is comfortable on both piste and powder. It's best suited to big curves. With this ski, you don't feel the faults of the piste, you're really stable and you cushion the bumps.

BLACK CROWS CAPTIS BIRDIE

Fast, agile aerial - Intermediate liftFast and lively, the Captis is the ideal ski for ski areas. Thin and therefore more responsive with fast edge-to-edge transition. The Captis is very forgiving and very pleasant to ski.

This ski is very pleasant to ski both on the piste, because it's very maneuverable and light, and off-piste. What's more, I found the sensations with this ski to be superb, as you get the impression of having a "4x4" attached to your boots because the skis absorb all the imperfections of the piste, or the bumps outside for example. They're made to go everywhere. Their weight is just right if you're going downhill fast, because they hold up very well and give you confidence when you're going downhill. I usually ski with this model, and this new one has once again scored points for me... :)

FACTION DICTATOR 1.0X

If you like to carve precise curves at high speed when you open the slopes, and then prioritize maneuverability and responsiveness when tracing through the moguls in the late afternoon on your way to après-ski, look no further than the Dictator 1.0.

This ski is really light and pleasant. It's a touring ski, hence its lightness. I only tested it going downhill, not uphill. It's very easy, you can do both small and big curves. You can also do a bit of powder. It adapts to all types of snow.

FACTION DICTATOR 2.0X

The Dictator 2.0 turns the whole mountain into a freeride playground. The 95 mm skate, the dynamic core Fusion Lite core surrounded by two layers ofsuper-stable Titanaland double-radius sidecut offer a perfect compromise of power, lightness and responsiveness so you can ski ski with confidence.

The Faction Dictator 2.0X ski I tested was a touring ski with alpine ski bindings. Suitable for both on- and off-piste, it's a pleasure to ski off-piste. For my part, I found it harder to make big curves than with other models, but I found this pair very light and pleasant.

ZAG PATROL H-86

Intuitive and comfortable, don't let its waspish waist and short radius fool you. If this ski allows you to enter curves effortlessly on the piste, it also proves remarkably versatile off-piste, thanks in particular to its progressive tips. A ski for skiers who want to get off-piste as soon as conditions are right, without sacrificing performance on hard snow when conditions aren't right.

A very versatile ski, comfortable both on and off piste. A little stiff for my taste on short curves. It's a light ski that absorbs snow imperfections well.

ZAG PATROL H-96 LADY

Designed for female explorers who like to venture off-piste, the H-96 Lady combines all-terrain performance with ease of use. This ski will awaken your destiny as a female adventurer, thanks to its grip on the slopes and its disconcerting ease of use in powder.

I found this ski to be very grippy and responsive on the piste, but above all I loved the off-piste playfulness it offered. You can jump all over the place, do all kinds of curves. It's very easy to use, and you immediately love its lightness and design. My personal favorite.

ROSSIGNOL EXPERIENCE 94 Ti

The brand-new EXPERIENCE 94 Ti is designed for all mountain adventures. This all-mountain ski made in France is aimed at experts who approach the mountain in its entirety, both on and off the slopes.

For me, this ski was a pleasant surprise, I felt totally confident, it gripped the piste very well, I had a superb feeling of speed, and off-piste the skis remained stable! A great ski for on- and off-piste versatility.

ROSSIGNOL NOVA 10 ti

With its wasp-waist shape, it's ideal for making small curves. This ski is made for hardcore technical piste skiers. It responds well to support and is very responsive. Off-piste skiing is not for this ski, but you'll have a lot of fun on the piste.

VOLKL KENJA

With itsgrip and stability in hard snow, pleasant handling and good off-piste lift, this ski has everything you need in a versatile ski. This ski is often appreciated by ski instructors who need a high-performance, durable ski that can accompany them in both hard and powder snow.

A ski with great grip on the piste. Ideal for big cuts as well as small ones. Very responsive, buta little stiff in powder and a little heavy.

Thanks to Justine and Alice for these ski tests.