Salomon "30-Second" ski reviews: new for 2008
X-Wing Cyclone
Salomon recently has all but ignored high-edge, high-speed aficionados. Now, after a season in which Salomon offered but 1 sub 74mm ski, they have added a couple of technical skis to the lineup. The Cyclone, while no SC, Lab, Equipe or Crossmax, is still the best (only) unisex narrow carver/cruiser the former technical leader offers.
Rush
Powerful, focused, female-specific front-side hard snow carver. Requires energy and solid technical skills. Reasonable Nastar ski. Limited versatility beyond etching carves at speed.
Crystal
Easy fun for women on the groomed (and in mild bumps). Good technical performance, although not at high speed, easy to turn even at low speeds, great cruiser or technical skill-building ski.
X-Wing Fury
Unfortunately, the "upgraded" Fury scored lower in versatility than did last year's model. Specifically, the ski seems to have lost some of the hard snow prowess of the original, while becoming more difficult to handle at slower speeds. Still a respectable carver for a wide big mountain ski, but despite Salomon's claim that this is a 1 ski quiver, our test skiers did not find it so; focus on fast, broken and deep snow skiing.
The Dumont
Park-focused twin; can double as an all mountain ski for the frugal jibber.
Temptress
Versatile, non-demanding, competent backside/frontside ski for solid level 6-8 female skiers.Some room to grow,, but not for aggressive, fast skiers. Good first true deep snow ski. OK in moderate bumps. Traditional steering technique OK.
Also reviewed on subscription site: unchanged '07 carry-over models and additional '08 models—Origins, Topaz, Jade
