Salomon Crossmax W12 2008

W12’s although available in Europe last season have now made their way, in revised form, to the UK for 2008. It was a pleasant surprise amongst several of us who tested these skis that they were so positive and reassuring to ski. On hard pack they were one of the few skis to retain grip yet still allow you to vary your turn shape without being over conscious of the toughness of the conditions. The new graphics looked a lot fresher and the overall packaging of the ski has improved a lot. In all a great ski for those of us who love high speed cruising on the groomed runs- the W12 can also mix it up well in varied conditions so an excellent choice for the advanced to expert skier looking for an adept sporty cruiser.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Crossmax W12, 2008, Piste, Carver, Advanced, Expert, Skis:

The ultimate skier cross machine.
Extreme turns,, rough terrain and high speeds require the ultimate Skier-X machine. THE ski approved by our Saab Salomon Crossmax Team, the Crossmax W12, is for skier-X warriors looking to challenge the world’s best competitors on extreme tracks. When the gates open, let loose!!

Salomon Equipe 2V Race 2008

Race bred FIS Giant Slalom skis for the advanced to expert skier. Retaining their slightly classier black graphite finish the Equipe 2V is a versatile and easy to use, relatively, race ski. They do adhere to FIS rules but are not really in the same league as the LAB ski, in fact I really enjoy this ski for coaching or a day off when I want a good, fast and comfortable piste cruiser. Great for club skiers just setting off to do their first GS races but not for the hard core skier wanting bat out of hell performance, blood curdling speed and grip sharper and harder than a guillotine.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Equipe, 2V Race, 2008, Race Skis, Giant Slalom, Advanced, Expert, skis:

Improved performance for expert GS racing.
Ever wonder how the champions do it? With the Equipe Race Mg that has no speed limit and filters terrain irregularities. This full woodcore ski with the Protrak Mg will let you perform amazingly well in races or radical carves.

Salomon Dumont 2008

Formerly the LAB the Dumont of 2006 and available on a strictly limited basis. Its success has justified its inclusion in the main range this year. Perhaps this is the way Salomon need to go with many of their top level skis- actually make them for people who can ski rather than market them and manufacture them for people who just think they can ski.
The Dumont is a fantastic and powerful pair of skis for confirmed freestyle skiers. The flex pattern, the shape and the core are all tailor made for the job and they are an exceptional pair of skis for skiers with much greater ability than mine in the park or pipe!!

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Dumont, 2008, Freestyle, Pipe, Advanced, Expert, Skis:

Simon’s choice
Graphics were huge for me. I really wanted something original and expressive. I worked with an amazing artist from Whistler, Chili Tom, and I was able to get exactly what I was looking for. I love how the artwork on my skis blends together. As for the construction,, I knew I was lookin for a ski with a different sidecut so I could mount my skis more forward than the traditional centre mounting. I couldn’t be more stoked than the end result.
Simon Dumont

Salomon Equipe GC Race 2008

The GC is excellent for aging racers like myself who find it increasingly difficult to tame the full-on FIS race skis. A full wood core and slightly over-sized sidecut give you heaps of stability and a slightly tighter radius. This increases your control so that you can finish the turn without wondering if you may end up impaled in the car park as your trusted planks refuse to go any direction other than straight.
Ideal for the sporty advanced ski or expert the GC’s can be skied pretty much anywhere on the hill but do prefer some nice groomed terrain if at all possible.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Equipe, GC Race, 2008, Race Carver, High Performance, Piste, Advanced, Expert, Skis:

High-performance carving.

Looking for radical performance? This full woodcore ski is still accessible and versatile yet performs extremely well in icy conditions. With the attractive design and finishing. You can take on the medium to long turns with the mindset of a champion.

Salomon Foil 2008

Another year and we get another Foil. unchanged from ‘07 the Foil has proven to be a huge success due to their combination of lightness, reasonable firmness of flex and a sidecut that still gives a good carve with enough width to keep you on top of the fluff. The ski itself has proved itself stronger, stiffer and much more suited to the latest jibbing and back-country adventures of the Freeride generation than the now long gone 1080 of yore. Confidence has been restored in the Salomon brand on the back of the Foils and last years LAB Simon Dumont & LAB Gun which were great skis for the expert.
Sure to continue to be popular amongst the brigades of freeride/ freestyle jibbers the Foil is a versatile and fun allround backcountry to allmountain ski.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Foil, 2008, Freeride, Freestyle, Advanced, Expert, Skis:

Unlimited performance for parks and powder!

this ski does it all…get the fresh powder first thing and then hit the park in the afternoon without changing your skis. Rock solid structure that was built for performance. Mad action requires radical design, so Jamie Strachan dug deep into his sub-conscious to create his acid test vision of the world today.

Salomon Jewel Origins 2008

The Salomon Jewel Origin’s are a gorgeous pair of skis. With hand-laid fresh flowers under the tough topsheet the sweet looks belie one of the most versatile and tougher skis in Salomon’s women’s line. The 74 mm underfoot is capable of skiing offpiste and yet still laying down a decent carve on the firmer stuff.
Available in a limited edition and at quite a hefty price last season the success of an expert womens ski with a feminine look has been proven and this year the Origin is widely available and should be a first port of call for the experienced skier looking for a one ski does it all offer.
Grippy, lively, great in medium to larger turns the Origin is an excellent pair of skis for the adventurous advaced skier or expert who has her racing days behind her but fun days ahead.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Jewel, Origins, 2008, Womens, Allround, Advanced, Expert, Allterrain, Skis:

Unique and authentic feminine design meets technical superiority.

The game of seduction begins with the tantalizing design featuring hand placed flowers on a visible wood core making each ski unique. Completed with the best of our technologies including a womens specific sidecut for precision, the Jewel Origins is a ski of prestige.

Salomon Temptress 2008

The Temptress is the latest incarnation of the legendary 1080 but with a feminine graphic. Again Salomon have their graphics sorted for this year and the Temptress looks fantastic. The core is an isocell woodcore with a mix of wood and isocell foam- so you have the lightness and agility from the foam plus stability and durability of the wood.
The Temptress is one of the most versatile skis available with something to offer everyone from intermediate to expert skier and its not only freestylers who will have fun with this pair of twin-tips.
Highly recommended.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Temptress, 2008, Women, Freestyle, Advanced, Expert, Recreational, Skis:

Lead them to temptation.

Tempted to follow the boys to the park…don’t follow, lead them to the park! With all our latest freestyle technologies you’ve got better rail contact and even smoother landings. Just because you can stomp tricks with the best of them does not mean you can’t be punchy and feminine. Show them what you’ve got with this ski inspired by you.

Salomon Mynx 2008

Agile, mid-bodied and enough strength to let you tear it up. The Mynx is developed from the hugely popular Foil but with a graphic inspired for women. For 2008 they look great, feminine but cool without being too girly.
They ski very well and are great allmountain skis and very easy in fresh snow and heavy spring conditions. The light construction makes the Mynx easy to use for even the holiday skier whilst the seasonaire will find them adept throughout the winter.
Perhaps a touch wide for use in the bumps and also a little flappy at speed or on firm snow the Mynx is happiest when cruising off piste or on fresh snow. Both advanced and expert skiers will enjoy the Mynx in the right conditions.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Mynx, 2008, Womens, Freestyle, Freeride, Advanced, Expert, Skis:

Rock solid femininty….

The natural, elegant design of the Mynx may be feminine and delicate but you can still experience twintip action on the whole mountain with this rock solid ski packed with versatility. Show the guys who reigns the mountain!

SALOMON XW LAB 2008

Phew!! These are big! Massive in fact. Only available in a 198cm length this ski takes a little getting used to but they are surprisingly easy to ski. The flex pattern is very unusual and they are obviously designed to twist as you ski them so that they skid and smear their turns. In fact if they didn’t achive this then you really would need to be a hairy chested napalm swilling devil on skis to get any action out of them but thankfully this pliable flex pattern allows you to ski them on all sorts of terrain without too much fuss and without a lost feeling of inadequate control.
In all I really enjoyed my several runs on the XW LAB, they are extremely specialised and best suited to those perfect days when the snow never stops falling and you can’t feel the ground beneath your feet- but for lift line impressions, wooing the Swedish version of the opposite sex and for also skiing on they really are quite good!

The manufacturer says this about the SALOMON, XW LAB, 2008, Expert, Pro, Freeride, Skis:

A legend is born.

Nothing can stop you. No terrain is too tough or too high. you are capable at everything backcountry terrain can throw at you. Fly over the snow with no speed limit with the XW LAB, a legend is born.

Atomic ST 12pb 2008

Beautiful skis. the St 12pb’s are marketed as womens skis but they are also delightful as an easier alternative to the racy SL 12. Everyone on test loved this ski. They are just so grippy, so turny and so much fun. They are packed with energy, agility and are almost playful in the hands of an expert. Ideal for lighter men (in terms of kilos or lbs).
Superb slalom skis for the advanced to expert of either sex. highly recommended.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, ST 12pb, 2008:

`Highly versatile slalom racing ski. Also equipped with the latest Powerbridge technology, with a softer flex, but above all tuned to the racing needs of athletic racing skiers.