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 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.

Atomic Thug 2008

Big, this ski is real big. Guess it is like a comparing the average to Pamela Anderson, you kinda get the feeling that you are going to have to commit a little more. The Thug’s are 120mm at their narrowest point, fat enough for a weight watcher to faint, so they can handle the powder till it reaches over your head- they are supposedly great and well balanced for landing switch off the cliffs, but I’ll leave that for others to explore. So the new graphic is a little toned down, its fine, nothing revolutionary but adequate for the market but the Thug really does need some taming.
The37m radius is huge and half way between a World Cup Super G and DH ski in terms of turn raidus, so either you need a lot of space to put in an arc, some soft snow or legs like an oak.
Pure powder performance for the dedicated backcountry Freestyler who has really got tired of and too cool to hang in Park anymore.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, Thug, 2008:

The fat kid out of the Freeskiing family. With its 120mm waist width this sandwich babyy makes you float on the top of the fresh powder and gives you the chance to land your backcountry kicker tricks switch. Since last years graphic was over the top we had to give it another go for you.

Atomic Urban Punx 2008

Urban Punx are one of the most focused Pipe’n Grind skis aroundalbeit with a view to hitting some of these kickers in the backcountry. A very specialised ski that you can ski pretty much everywhere but they are designed to excel in the Pipe with their genuine twin tip construction and Atomic’s dual edge "Dura EdgeSidewall Reinforcement". They U-Punx are super strong on the edge and sidewall to give you the confidence to huck jumps & hammer them on the rails. A focused package for the dedicated freestyler.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, Urban Punx, 2008:

Believe it or not but the Punx and Urban Punx are the only pure twin-tip skis on the market and seeing guys like Jossi Wells, Travis Redd and Charly Ager on it proves its shred potential. This kinetic core sandwich ski with its double edge annihilated any rail in its path and comes out unscathed

Movement Thunder 2008

Fantastic. The Thunder is perhaps the hardest core of Movement’s range. They are a stunning, demanding and focused bit of kit. Perhaps more tolerant than the originals, the 2007 model I tried seemed to share a slightly softer tip- similar to the Goliath- that helps initiate the turn but the Thunders narrower shape helps them to be more direct and gives the skier a more precise carve through the crud and chopped icy conditions. As with most of Movements skis this is one for the experts, they are about as tolerant as a Ferrari in the wet- sadly I can only dream of the formers intolerance whereas I have felt the intolerance of the latter! Highly recommended if you’d like to up your ante.

The manufacturer says this about the Movement, Thunder, 2008:

The Thunder is the leader of our mixed use, with Freeride orientaed DNA. Its proprietory construction and design has created a remarkable ski. It is a true experts toool and has dimensions for the whole mountain. Steep couloirs, crud, powder, high speed cruising, tight trees. It is one of our flagship designs. It is a big mountain ski since it will eat up vertical as fast as you can feed it. It is happiest when pushed….pushed hard and fast. One of the remarkable skis that gives back more and more the harder you push it.

Rossignol Scratch Steeze 2008

Manufacturers review- testing 123

The manufacturer says this about the Rossignol, Scratch, Steeze, 2008, Big Mountain, Freeride, Backcountry, Expert, Pro, Skis

Stunning in every sense. I first caught a glimpse of these on the Grand Motte glacier in Tignes in Autumn ’06 and couldn’t believe my eyes- the graphics are really out there and fun, kinda where skiing should be. Every component is there for an awe inspiring pair of backcountry Freestyle skis and with Rossignols heritage with the Scratch and Bandit range of skis I am sure that they will ride well- Thovex’s choice for the those big powder hucks.

Jon Olsson Pro Model 2008!

Perhaps the coolest and surely one of the classiest graphics for 2008- what they ski like we don’t know yet- imagining they are the Pro Model of one of the Worlds top free skiers I’d expect them to ski pretty well. But with the Olsson Pro Model I am sure they will no doubt be bought for looks alone.

Keep checkin’ out skireviews.co.uk for upcoming skis and more info on the 2008 models such as the JO Pro Model.

Head Raptor Race boots 2008!

Bold colour, bold design, 100% race-bred and 100% for the racer within you- the new Head raptors look amazing and felt stunningly snug upon the foot. Head only had one single boot at the test and it was a touch nippy to go skiing with only one boot so I can only talk of the design- this is a departure from the S-Line from this current season with a narrower but more ergonomic last which impresses with its accuracy. The buckles themselves have protectors over the ratchet to protect from opening due to impact with gates- this seems a great idea and I’m sure it works well but is a bit of “faff” when trying to clip up quickly and get skiing in a hurry.

There is also a well-thought-out double-strap that allows you to adjust the cuff depending upon the size of your calf muscle for a more accurate and comfortable fit. The very interesting triple bolts in the rear cuff will enable you to accurately tailor the flex and rebound of the boot for your method of skiing plus forward flex. All this combined with a new and improved liner will make the Raptors one of the most competitive boots on the market- certainly enough to battle with the likes of the Nordica Dobermann, Lange WC or Salomon LAB X2.

chris