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 Instinct Rush 2008

The Rush is a great looking and nomble womens allmountain/piste ski. They performed much better on piste to be fair and even though they are marketed as an advanced ski my intermediate level girlfriend found them stable and very responsive. They score highly for agility and enable you to feel confident and throw the skis around a little without feeling insecure. The combination of lightness, grip and slalom style radius make for a really good allround intermediate to advanced ski for the one or two week a year skier.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Instinct, Rush, 2008, Womens, Piste, Carver, Intermediate, Advanced, Skis:

Powerful ski for maximum performance.
For women with character, the Instinct Rush will more than meet your highest expectations. Performance, precision and excellent energy transmission all in a light ski designed to match your own carving talent.

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 Jewel Crystal 2008

The Jewel Crystal is a lovely allround ladies ski. Ideal for the progressing intermediate. Very comfortable on blues and reds, easy to control, the slightly wider shape gives you added stability and also a helping hand when you are fortunate enough to have fresh snow.
The light construction gives you lots of agility but at the expense of stability so more aggressive advanced skiers may want to head for the Jade or Origin.
The graphic looks great, the Crystal is a very pretty ski and should prove very popular with blue and red run skiers.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Jewel, Crystal, 2008, Womens, Piste, Recreational, intermediate, Advanced, Skis:

All terrain pleasure.
All-mountain skiing performance is at your fingertips with the Jewel Crystal skis. Extreme stability and control combined with tolerance and forgiveness make this ski perfect for you topped off with the funky feminine design to ski in style.

Salomon Crossmax V10 2008

Sharpish, quickish and refreshing. A definite move forwards from the old school Crossmax skis. Advanced skiers looking for an allmountain carver with lots of sporting propensity. I was very impressed by the edge hold on firm snow, much better than the V12′’s from previous years.
The new construction seems to be much lighter, more agile and not the mono-turner of old. An excellent ski to fire up the aggressive intermediate or speedy advanced skier.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Crossmax 10, 2008, Piste, Carver, Advanced, Skis:

Tackle your first real Skier-X thrills.

The fearless & fierce ski, the Crossmax 10 will let you challenge your closest competitors. Beat them to the bottom with the extreme power provided by the direct transmission and a smooth ride at high speeds.

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 Instinct Fever 2008

Extremely light and agile. Great in short turns and the Fever will really get you carving and feeling like you have grip and control on piste. They are great skis for the intermediate skier or slightly timid advanced skier without pretentions to ski off piste or to attempt the jumps and spins of the park.
Instinct Fever are skis that are slalom-like in their turn shape so make very neat short to medium length turns but can feel a little twitchy when you wind up the knots and start hurling youself down the reds and blacks.
In all a very positive and fun pair of skis for the aspiring intermediate or female advanced skier who’d love a nippy, agile pair of friends.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Instinct, Fever, 2008, Womens, Piste, Allround, Intermediate, Carver, skis:

Fire up the slopes with speed and precision!

For women who want it all: light manouevrablem tolerant and not lacking in performance. The iNstinct fever will let you experience the sensations you have been searching for. Carve in style, ski with your instinct!

Salomon Amber 500 2008

This is the tougher-built Amber 500 constructed for the rental market. The edges, base material and core are all beefed to deal with their more abusive life. Ideal for beginners to intermediate skiers.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Amber 500, Rental, 2008, Womens, Piste, Intermediate, Beginner, skis:

Head out for all-terrain exploration.

Salomon Aero Ti 2008

As with all the Aero skis the ethos is that they are incredibly versatile and "Hybrid" skis that combine the latest construction and shape innovations to give you a ski that will help you perform at your best on piste conditions. The Aero Ti is built for the intermediate to advanced skier and as such ha a slightly softer flex tamer sidecut so the turn-in when you initiate the turn is less aggressive and they are going to be somewhat more forgiving when the going gets tough on the reds or black runs.
Lightweight, easy to use and with a sporty feel they are great for the eager intermediate but probably a little too tame for an aggressive advanced skier- they should head for the Aero GT + or really break the bank and plump for the excellent Aero X.

The manufacturer says this about the Salomon, Aero Ti, 2008, Piste, High Performance, Advanced, skis:

Carving control on demand.
With the Aero Ti and you can switch from carving to sliding in an instant! With technological assistance fo the hybrid technology. You’ll carve beyond your limits.

Atomic SL 10ib 2008

The SL 10’s are great slalom style skis. the sidecut is very much that of a slalom ski but the flex is toned down and the tail is less whippy than with a thoroughbred.
Advanced skiers will find that they can arc all day long on the SL 10 without exhaustion and experts will enjoy a more laid back ride than with the full-on SL 12pb.
The thing is with slalom skis is that they get you carving and enjoying a feeling of control over what you are doing on-snow than the normal gliding in thin air feeling. that is why so many ski instructors and professional skiers like to use skis with lot so of shape like this- the ski does the work for you.
Whilst not in full race territory the SL 10 is quite nippy and will give you lots of smiles for your bucks- i think they are a great and exciting pair of skis and every advanced skier should have a pair of slalom skis.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, SL 10ib, 2008:

Maximum performance on even the hardesst slopes. The new slalom ski for lovers of short and medium radii. versatile and easy to turn, this ski features an integral bridge and dual torsion bar for a perfect transmission of power and excellent edge grip.