Salomon does reconstructive surgery on their classic lineup this year. The S-LAB Equipe 10 Classic ski leads with the now requisite “2 skis + 1” lineup. The cold snow ski uses a wood laminate for a lower ski-to-snow profile; the Classic Warm uses carbon fiber for a higher profile. Both tout the “propulsion construction,” shorthand for “fast with good kick.” Add to these a no-wax race ski, the Equipe 10 Classic Zero, using a variant of the old-time rubber no-wax base.
Salomon classic boots, both the S-LAB and RC Carbon, adopt the RS17 pin position introduced last year on their skate boots. The 17 is the distance in millimeters of the pin rearward from the front of the boot (Profil boots were 10 mm back). The heel adjustment strap, a long and anemic little thing, is more robust and easier to use. The S-LAB boot looks easier to put on (a long-standing complaint on previous models) and uses a seamless waterproof upper. Both sport the Pilot 3 outsole for improved energy transmission.
Salomon unveils the all-new SNS Propulse Classic binding. Up front it sports a bumper reminiscent of the SNS Profil. The binding is a minimalist version of Salomon’s traditional look. The center ridge remains but the rest of the binding plate is gone. The sole of the boot straddles the center ridge and rests on the top sheet of the ski itself. The lower position will give a better feel of the ski. It is compatible with all SNS Pilot boots. Salomon and Atomic both will use the binding; cosmetics are the only difference.
Atomic, meanwhile, has not been sitting still. Their always popular World Cup Classic FL (Featherlight) ski sees some redesign work. The all new Vasa Race Classic mimics a lot of the World Cup features at a lower price, and the Motion Skate, a “looks too hot to be so inexpensive” ski, comes in at $149 and looks like a killer value for skiers looking for a hot ride without breaking the bank.
Atomic forges ahead in boots with a revamped World Cup Skate boot built on the Pilot RS17 sole. The Atomic boot runs a tad wider than the S-LAB Salomon (102 mm vs. 100 mm) – a plus for some skiers who find the S-LAB too snug. The RS17 classic sole shows up on the World Cup Classic boot, a lightweight, nice fitting classic race boot.
Atomic also introduces a really nice-looking recreational ski, the XCruise 59 Grip, a no-wax ski for 50 percent in-track and 50 percent out-of-track skiers.
The Norwegian gnomes that make New Nordic Norm bindings introduce the NNN XCelerator. It’s about the sweetest binding I’ve seen. It’s light (listed at 175g vs. the NNN R3 at 310g), it’s easy, it’s simple. The binding housing is identical for classic and skate. The only difference is the easy-to-change flexor (no tools required and you’ll spend more time reading this sentence than it takes to change it). There are two different flexes for skate, three for classic. The XCelerator is available for NIS plates only; no screw-in version exists. Look for it from all NNN-affiliated companies.
When Rossignol revamped their popular X-ium NNN boots a few seasons ago they took a nice-looking boot, tweaked it and unveiled it in a bracing color. They called the color Solar, a garish orange in real-life verbiage. The collective XC world called the color hideous and reacted as if they really were radioactive. Next year it’s back to the drawing board for the next generation X-ium, and not a day too soon.
The new X-ium Skate (and classic) boots feature toned down graphics (orange is still there but as a muted accent color) and a host of new features, from asymmetrical lacing to a water-resistant outer and lighter overall weight. They look to be back on the right track again.
X-ium skis still sport orange highlights (the skis were never seen as over-the-top ugly as the boots) and a new skate design. Gone are women’s-specific skate skis. Overall length on the skate skis has been reduced and the thickest part underfoot has shifted back a shade. A step-down skate ski, the Delta Course, uses a carbon laminate at a midprice point.
For backcountry skiers, Rossi introduces the BC125, a wide slab of a ski (123 mm at the shovel) that comes in one length only (165 cm) but two flexes.
Over at Alpina, race boots (built on NNN soles) get some attention. The ESK (E represents the Elite series) is a skater built around a new lace system that promises better fit. Add a carbon cuff, a waterproof upper and a NNN sole and you’ve got a detail-rich boot. The CSK (C for competition) offers a step down but not by much. A waterproof and breathable upper, a new heel grip and lower price point ($359 vs. $429 for the ESK) make this a logical choice for a host of citizen racers. More than a few high-end features make it down to their SXS (Sport Series) boot. At $179, it’s a deal.
An intriguing ski is the Peltonen Nanogrip. The old Finnish fave, Peltonen is distributed in the U.S. by Alpina. It is a no-wax race ski, albeit a step down from the high end. What is most interesting about this ski is that the no-wax area is not apparent and the entire base apparently works for grip and glide. No wax at all is required.
Alpina also picks up distribution of Yoko poles and gloves, breathing new life into a longtime popular brand for North America.
Madshus revamps their race skis using a new variant in the tip (to lower swing weight, another common theme this year). The Nanosonic, Terrasonic and Ultrasonic all use the new tip design. The Nanosonic Carbon Skate R and the Nanosonic Carbon Classic Cold will each provide the most versatile ski in their respective lineups. The entire Norwegian-built race series looks as good as it always has.
Of note is the continuing shift of a significant portion of Madshus production to China. Madshus is not the first to do so, nor will it be the last. While it may be tough to stomach for Nordic purists, the Chinese have shown clear evidence of their ability to build quality skis and boots. Madshus has used Chinese factories for several years and the equipment they’ve produced has been very good. The all-new Intrasonic race ski comes from China as well as the Lillehammer, one of the sweetest skiing traditional skis in recent years, now moved from Norwegian production to China.
Boots from Madshus have been prevalent on the World Cup scene this year. Look for more of that in the Nano series for men and the comparable Athena boots for women, all of which show subtle improvements for 2011.
Fischer uses their “hole in the tip” profile on their Carbonlite race ski lineup (including new junior skis). They also use rocks in some skis. Basalt, a volcanic rock, is ground up, processed (don’t ask me how), formed into a fiber and woven into a matt resembling fiberglass. The resulting Basalight is lightweight, environmentally friendly in a way that petroleum-based material is not, and consistent in temperature extremes. Fischer uses Basalight in a new race ski, the CRS Vasa (classic and skate) and in the old standard, the Superlight.
Fischer has made two previous runs at a race boot. Both models had some traction but neither was dominant. The all-new RCS Carbonite looks to change that with a host of innovative features that make this boot really stand out. Better fit, more positive control over the ski, more efficient power transfer and more. This one could move Fischer boots to a higher level.
Fischer’s top pole uses the all-new QuickFit strap. The strap features a zipper that runs center, top to wrist. With the zipper shut, one adjusts the wrist strap to fit. To take it off, unzip it. Voila! The straps stay in their perfect setting and next time out simply put the strap back on, zip it up and go. I gather this was designed with biathlons in mind, but it makes sense for nongunning skiers, too.
Fischer addresses the undeniable fact that children grow. They get taller and need longer poles from year to year and, if well fed, from month to month. So they make a “this is so obvious why didn’t anyone do it sooner” adjustable length junior pole that is variable over 20 cm. Neat idea!
True confession: I’m not really into ski poles. Gotta have them but don’t gotta get excited about them. That’s my line. So I was ready for a yawner of a presentation by Swix. I was wrong. The Triac blew me away. A triangular cross section gives the shaft its light and stiff requirements. But combine that with a reworked strap design and an all-new basket and the pole is special. The basket does not use glue but is held in place by a locking device that allows easy change of baskets (it comes with two sizes), reduces weight and smooths swing weight. It will take you longer to read this paragraph than it will take to change the baskets. It’s a winner. I stand in awe.
Swix carries over its improvements down through most of their line (think more carbon) as the $399 list price on the Triac may limit its sales.
Recreational gear may get short shrift in this report, but there are improvements aplenty from an improved no-wax pattern, the G2+ from Salomon and Atomic (both of which use the base on some nifty new recreational stride skis), to a wide range of very nice-looking skis and boots, and pricing that will not cause heartburn – or at least not a lot of heartburn.
I’ve been looking at new skis at the shows for nearly 30 years. I’ve seen good and I’ve seen bad. This year’s crop looks very, very good.
Mitch Mode started cross-country skiing some 35 years ago. He has skied every Birkie since 1978 but no longer races. He is the co-owner of Mel’s Trading Post, a sporting goods store in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, named after his late father who started the business in 1946.
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