Salomon Stance 96 Skis 2022

The Stance 96 is an exciting new direction for wider Salomon skis. It's firmer and more powerful than any models before thanks to a solid wood core, C/FX layers and twin Titanal laminates. It has the width for soft snow and exploring, and the precision and grip of a dedicated hard snow ski. This makes an appealing mix for stronger skiers who like to ski anywhere on the mountain with no compromise when conditions aren't perfect.Terrain Type & Ability LevelTerrain Type It will go everywhere, from crushing out high speed turns on steep pistes to dealing with any snow that you might find away from the marked trails. It's only possible weak point is the very deepest days, but no all rounder can compete with powder skis on a pow day. That said it does have the width and rocker to deal with most fresh snow runs. It's a departure for Salomon, and very different to the QST 99. The Stance offers more grip and power, competing with other brand's stiff all mountain offerings, suiting a mix of pistes and all terrain skiing that involves much more than the holy grail of untouched powder runs.Skier TypeStrong all mountain skiers who demand grip, precision and power from a ski. Heavier, aggressive intermediate skiers will have no problem on the Stance but its main target is confident advanced and expert skiers who don't want to lose any hard snow performance and need a ski with the profile to deal with all conditions.OverviewShapeThe shape is that of freeride ski, with a 96mm waist and a 20m radius (182cm), built for stability and float. The construction resembles an all mountain ski, bringing power and grip to this all condition shape and is aided by the All Terrain Rocker. The result is a versatile ski for stronger or heavier skiers.RockerAll Terrain Rocker uses rocker at the tip for improved control and float, with camber underfoot for grip and energy. A smaller rocker on the tail aids turn completion and handling in soft snow without compromising hard snow performance.CoreA full poplar woodcore offers stability, liveliness and good ski-to-snow contact while filtering vibrations. A double layer of Titanal, one either side of the core, improves hard snow performance. It increases precision, offers good edge grip and aids responsiveness.ConstructionFull Sandwich Sidewalls maximise the precision and the energy transfer, resulting in the best levels of edge grip and control. Metal Twinframe Technology builds on this to reinforce the hard-charging nature of the ski.Key FeaturesMetal Twinframe TechnologyA double Titanal laminate is paired with C/FX. The top layer of Titanal improves stability and uses recessed windows that are strategically placed in the tip and tail, framing the C/FX layer. C/FX is Salomon's carbon and Flax layer which is used instead of heavier traditional fibreglass as it adds more precision and has better dampening properties. The result of this pairing is a damp ski that wants to go fast regardless of the terrain or conditions.eB tester’s comments: Luke (Buying Team) Proper fast charging all mountain ski. Handled crud and chopped snow with ease and were better on hard packed snow than I expected. Not a forgiving ski but I found them easier to control and initiate turns than some others in the same category.  Technical SpecificationsSize (cm)Tip Width (mm)Waist Width (mm)Tail Width (mm)Radius (m)Weight (g)16812694108191890176130961121919501821329611420194018813496116202070General InformationSkier Ability: Advanced/expertTerrain Type: Freeride Rocker: Tip/Tail RockerRadius: LongBase: SinteredBindings: Ski sold flatDIN: n/aConstruction: Full SidewallCore: Wood, Carbon, Titanal LaminateDemo: YesSizing Description: Forehead to over head height. The increased length ensures better grip, stability and floatation and is essential to making the ski work to its full potential. Large rockers at the tip mean it is important not to size down.