Atomic SX 11 Skis 2009

Almost identical to the SX 12, you get the same profile but not the Power Bridge under th binding. If you prefer a lighter or easier flexing ski that is more forgiving in varied terrain then try the 11's - if you enjoy a solid ride and tenacious contact with the hardest of snows then grab the 12's for their Power Bridge, it is a very good system, not too heavy and makes the ski much silkier.

An excellent and less expensive option than the 12's, ideal for lighter skiers or those looking for more all-mountain versatility.

skireviews.co.uk rating: 88/100

An excellent advanced to expert piste carver.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic SX 11 Skis 2009:

The top end Super Cross ski with excellent tracking for high-speed descents. Made possible thanks to magnesium Power Rods and the new Double Torsion bar in the shovel area. Having a softer flex, this ski glides with a fantastic feeling of balance. The AeroSpeed II honeycomb top sheet really catches the eye - even at speeds you reach thanks to reduced air turbulence.

Atomic SX 12 pb Skis 2009

Top-line skier-cross weapons. Fast, fun, direct, powerful and great in medium carves. Not as rapid edge-to-edge as the GS 12's but very quick and very, very enjoyable.
I skied the SX 12 in a variety of piste conditions, hard pack, slush, spring snow and they were fantastic - great for the advanced skier or expert looking for a ski that is a blast. They arc on anything, they reassure with their vast amount of grip and if you like to batter the blacks then this is a ski to do it on - just not too good at skidding, but then they aren't designed to be.

skireviews.co.uk rating: 95/100

An excellent piste missile for the aggressive advanced or expert skier.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic SX 12 pb Skis 2009:

The racing ski with the fresh look. With aggressive sidecut, flexible Power Bridge and 3D Ti Power Channels this ski is designed for one purpose only: to be the fastest. Agile and robust with perfect tracking to catapult you across the finish line. Total control even at high speeds: the recipe for success if you want to be first.

Atomic SX 10 Skis 2009

A perennial favourite with many a red run hooligan. This ski loves to go fast, hurtling down reds and smooth blacks with abandon. The SX 10 is not the most sophisticated ski in Atomic's range but it is a heap of fun, a great medium-radius carver, quick off the mark and built for guys who have just parked up their Subaru and are more interested in 0-60 times than "saving the whale!"
If a ski could be non-PC this would be one. The SX 10 screams to be noticed, it is loud to behold, demands to be ridden fast and loves nothing more than a race to a cafe for apres ski.

skireviews.co.uk rating: 89/100

An excellent piste-performance ski for the advanced skier or thrill seeking & very sporty intermediate.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic SX 10 Skis 2009:

The Super-Cross all-rounder. For skiers who like to race the slope as fast as possible but appreciate a more civilised skiing style. Total control over the ski is ensured by the Mono Torsion Bars and the Magnesium Power rods. The cool Aerospeed II top sheet is an aesthetic finishing touch that serves a purpose for maximum enjoyment.

Has Freestyle skiing lost its creative freedom?

Recently an article in the Rocky Mountain News featured an interview with two legendary pioneers of the US freestyle, "Hot-doggin" scene from the 1970's, Wayne Wong and John Clendenin.

Wong was the US Freestyle Skier of the Year as nominated by Skiing Magazine in 1972 and Clendenin was anointed World Champion in 1973 and 1974 so they can be seen as Godafthers of the sport.

Wong and Clendenin provide a great insight into how freestyle in the US was born. "It all started as a conversation between Doug Pfeiffer of Skiing Magazine and Tom Corcoran, who just started Waterville Valley (in New Hampshire). Doug asked Tom who the best skier on the mountain was. Tom answered, 'The racers, of course.' Doug's reply was, 'What about all those guys on the other side of the mountain skiing the bumps and getting air? How about if we hold a contest and see who's best?' And, so, the first freestyle contest was born in March of '71 to find the best skier on the mountain. . . . And the rest is history."

Clendenin and Wong's conversation goes on to create a short history of Freestyle and how, what is now an Olympic and X-Games Sport, has changed perhaps even the raison d'etre of Freestyle.

Clendenin argues that his generation "were innovators because we had to be. It's primarily that we didn't have anybody to copy. So the idea was to come up with stuff that was unique . . . "

Wong explains that, "There were no boundaries, and it was every skier pushing themselves to their limit to come up with stuff no one had ever done. It was a very creative time."

Clendenin: "So, while it appeared that was a wild free-for-all, hurling yourself down the hill, there was a lot of hard work that went into doing things on skis that had never been seen or done before. The attitude we developed was that if we're going to try these tricks that have never been seen before, they had better work."

Wong: "Freestyle skiing became synonymous with excitement. . . . Back when it first started, it wasn't as technical as it was exciting. Many times it was the skier who had the most exciting run or the most spectacular recovery that won the contest."

Clendenin: "The traditional spirit of freestyle can be seen in the X Games, which is closer to what it was in the '70s. The spontaneity can be seen in free riding, slopeside and big mountain skiing as well as skiercross and the halfpipe that you see at the X Games."

Wong: "Spontaneity was the key. . . . Now it's all so predictable and looks like what we tried not to be with racing. Then, with ski racing, everyone looked the same in the gates and now everyone looks the same in the moguls. Speed and air are the main emphasis, and it's turned into an aerial contest."

Clendenin: "I have to give a lot of credit to Jonny Moseley, who broke the mold at the '02 Olympics in Salt Lake City with his 'Dinner Roll.' The 'Dinner Roll' was an off-axis 720 that combines two full rotations, one on a vertical plane, the other a horizontal plane. No one had ever seen it before, and the judges didn't know what it was and didn't know how to judge it. That was how it was in the early days of freestyle."

Wong: "The business now is manufactured, and the skiing is fabricated. Back then it was all natural, and everything was new. We were limited pretty much to bumps and a steep run, so we had to be creative in a different way. As the sport evolved to be more disciplined, it lost its 'free' and became more stale."

As a skier of the whole mountain I can see Wong and Clendenin's point. The use of the mountain environment, the juxtaposition of your equipment, technique, physical and mental limits with those of the natural environment are were skiing reaches its zenith. Perhaps the "Oldschool" freestyle with its mix of freeride, backcountry and bump skiing with some tricks thrown in is a great "skiers' format with lots of scope for "expression". Sometimes with Freestyle it can appear contrived, "clinical" and although impressive in itself I just wonder whether the participants realise how close they are to the tight red trouser wearing aerials brigade even though they maybe wearing bright yellow ones draped around their knees. Great if you were enjoy the inside of a gym hall but not exactly being creative with the Alpine environment.

For the original Rocky Mountain interview go to - http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/apr/14/freestyle-skiing-no-longer-so-free/

Stockli Laser Cross Pro 2008 Skis

Definitely into the expert range of skis here with the Laser Cross Pro. Race-construction, aggressive-side-cut and a firm, powerful flex, the Cross Pro is aimed at the technically proficient and speedy skier.
Fitted with a Driver binding from Salomon that gives the more aggressive free-skier more control, a higher platform for increased leverage- the Cross Pro is an excellent package for the expert who wants a one ski does it all package with a good amount of sportiness thrown in.

The manufacturer says this about the Stockli Laser Cross Pro 2008 Skis:

Race orientated cross-ski for long turns on any slope conditions.

Advanced- expert

161 cm- 185 cm.

Dynastar Skicross Speed Skis 2008

The new Skicross Speed is packed with power but also a really large sidecut, much larger than the competition version of the same ski. The flex is also somewhat softer but you are treated to some very fast smooth carves with huge angles, these skis love to tear-up the terrain on groomed reds and blacks. The only downside is that your legs quickly get tired unless you are in good shape and the skis sometimes feel as they don't want to do much other than their given shape will allow- the expert will feel that they can't quite shape their turns how they may wish to. Nonetheless I really enjoyed my runs on the Skicross Speed and if you love to go fast and fancy a pair of skis that almost turns before you've even thought about it then give these a go.

The manufacturer says this about the Dynastar Skicross Speed Skis 2008:

Rider Profile
For excellent skiers looking for the highest levels of carving precision and versatility on all types of terrain.

Advantages

Great edge grip
Autodrive Technology, oversized sidewalls

Unmatched versatility
Radius =17m, exaggerated sidecut

Acceleration
ARS Titanal plate

Level
Elite skiers, On trail versatility

Terrain
60% Piste

Technical Features
Autodrive ARS
Wood structure
Sandwich titanal
LGD base



Size
cm Radius
cm
Weight
gr
158 14 1900
165 15 2000
172 16 2100
178 17 2250
182 18 2350
Sidecuts
cm
112

67

98

Head Chip XRC Skis 2008

Another excellent piste carver, race-carver in the Head range. The XRC Chip is a quick, versatile and grippy expert ski, the 68 mm waist is quick edge-to-edge and facilitates smooth transitions at speed, narrower skis are quicker from edge-to-edge but not as easy to keep your lines as fluid.
An excellent mid-radius race carver for the accomplished skier with the bonus of a sleek but discreet aesthetic.

The manufacturer says this about the Head Chip XRC Skis 2008:

Chip-tuning: just like a good performance chip will add genuine pizzazz to your car, this chip-tuned XRC will put a good shot of torque into your skiing. The flagship of the 2007 + XRC line-, a truly mind-blowing all-terrain crusher.

Volkl TigerShark 12 ft Power Switch Kromica 2008

"The Daddy's" in Volkl's new technological tour de force the Tiger-Shark range.
On-snow the 12 ft TigerShark with the Power Switch is a fantastic allrounder for the expert to professional skier. You can really tear around in any conditions and on any terrain at pretty quick speeds and feel in complete comfort. I skied twice on this ski in totally different conditions, once on firm January pistes in Meribel where they tore into the snow and were very reassuring on the hard-pack an secondly in Saalbach, Austria in very mixed powder conditions. It was the second time that most impressed me. Thinking that they were going to be typical Volkl's and just excellent on-piste carvers I was really surprised to find that they zipped through a dense forest in some really heavy snow conditions with the agility of a slalom ski through gates. They were easy to handle, easy to remain centred over and they seemed extremely nimble.
So a grippy, agile, nimble all-rounder that is grippy on the hard-pack, sounds great, and they are. But.
The Power Switch, the aesthetic and all the technology are they worth all the money for this is going to be one expensive pair of skis. Probably its a yes and the TigerShark in this format is a ski the expert could use throughout the season and probably rarely ever need to take anything else out of the locker. The look is something that may not impress with its bling credentials- but then most geezers who buy this ski are probably non too shy anyhow- they do look most Teutonic and racer ready. And the Power Switch, will you ever use it? Perhaps, it does make a difference and you can feel the ski stiffening for greater stability and grip on firm pistes but I think personally that I'd end up leaving it in one positions and hoping not to tear it off crossing my tails over a few months down the line.
All in all a fantastic product cosseted in the latest ski technology and immaculately finished. The 12 ft PS Kromica is the ski for the self-made man with deep pockets, a few weeks or months on the snow to spend and a good level of skiing to boot.

5/ 5 for skiing, 3.5/ 5 for aesthetics.

The manufacturer says this about the Volkl TigerShark 12 ft Power Switch Kromica 2008:

The TigerShark!
Eats everything!
Attacks everyone!

The top star in the new skiing series.

The 12 ft TigerShark is primarily configured for fast, wide curves,

Rossignol X Fight 2 Oversize 2008

A fun slalom-like piste performer. With lively graphics, a sporty flex and a tameable personality the X Fight 2 is perfectly suited to the holiday skier who loves to swoop around the hill taking in their fill of reds and blacks without much desire to head off piste. Also quite nimble in bumps the X Fight 2 is a good allrounder and will certainly get you feeling a carve. A good package for the intermediate-advanced one to two week a year skier.

4.5/ 5

The manufacturer says this about the Rossignol X Fight 2 Oversize 2008:

Skis with a state fo the art sidecut for powerful kicks and maximum "G's".

X Fight 1 World Cup I Box 2008

Superb race skis with flex smoother than Connery's spiel. Full Rossignol World Cup construction provides the power and grip for expert and pro skiers who love GS turns and seriously high speed thrills. This ski is very much based around the new RX IBox WC so it is not a ski for the wannabe's its a pair of boards for the seriously accomplished who know their FIS skis from regular rack skis.
So for the experienced they turn-in sweetly, carve like diamonds through granite and are definitely at the top of their game.

The manufacturer says this about the X Fight 1 World Cup I Box 2008:

FIS Approved X-Games racing skis.

Size 184cm
Radius >21m

Head iXRC 800 2008

Good-looking and well finished pair of advanced to expert piste carvers. They are smooth, carvy, forgiving, quite grippy and turn-in very well. They are a joy to use on fresh groomed runs, are pretty quick and good for the advanced skier looking to roam around the reds and blacks. Expertts and aggressive skiers will be better with the 1200 model but then you have a considerable hike in price. the iXRC 800 is a good-allround performer for the proficient advanced skier who likes to spend the majority of their time on the groomed side of the hill.

The manufacturer says this about the Head, iXRC, 800, 2008:

Our six-speed sequential sprts car for the kind of rider whi is usede to waiting for his frineds at the bottom of the lift.

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 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.

Atomic SX 10 B5c 2008

A new ski for this year with Atomic's smooth but heavy B5 technology. Again very grippy but you do get a slightly uneven flex from the B5 system that you can really feel at the front mounting point when being aggressive.
IIn fairness though the SX 10 is a strong performer for the advanced to expert skier. They are very sure footed, the sidecut is sporty and the 68mm underfoot means that youhave a rapid edge to edge feel that almost resembles a slalom or GS ski. I do like this ski but think of it is a soft sports coupe, kinda comfort version rather than RS or GT.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, SX 10, B5c, 2008:

A new product development that uniquely combines the advantages of a race carver with the properties of a supercross ski. Agile, excellent tracking ability and highly robust thanks to the new B5 connected technology.

Atomic SX 12 2008

Phew, these are rapid. A great race carver-skiercross ski. Still not sure about the graphics but this ski sure performs. Its it like being on a Supersport motorbike- agile, stable and with rapid acceleration and great grip. i loved skiing on these and they grip so well even on very hard packed snow- in fact Atomic do probably excel in making some of the grippiest and best performing skis on the hard stuff.
Pure carving for the advanced to expert skier, the SX 12 will let you chill and cruise a little but really they want to be driven hard and fast, begging for you to attack the fall line and tale a little more risk.
Excellent and everything a retail Skiercross ski should be- perfect for the advanced to expert who wants to spend their time ripping it up on the groomed stuff.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, SX 12, 2008:

New top model for highly athletic supercross fans. redesigned profile with innovative Powerbridge technology, imrpoved sidecut for even greater ski control and precise skiing even at high speeds.