Salomon Jewel Origins (2008)

My wife just tried them today in a foot of light powder. Absolutley loved them. Aggresive expert skier that tackles everything. Very light, quick, energetic, an absolute blast she had on them. Coming off of Nordica SUV 12 womens ski, demoed new Nordica Olympia Victory, Volkl Tierra. Liked Olympia more than Volkl but both were very heavy skis. She was amazed at how light and fun the Origins were. They did get bounced around more at speed through the crud but the pay off for fun in the moguls, trees, powder, groomed was worth it. Great carver with loads of energy, plus great float in a foot of powder. Other skis were heavy, damp and busted through crud better but just not the absolute blast that the Salomon were.

I tried them. I am an expert skier, and 5 foot 2, 111 lbs. They were alot of fun, and pretty versatile but I found them a bit nervous in crud. Not sure how they would be on very steep glacier like conditions (Whistler bowls) as I tried them in Sutton Quebec on hard-pack and ice. I understand that the X Wing Tornado is pretty much the same ski but slightly stiffer (?? can anyone confirm that?), so I will try that. I honestly believe that Salomom made a mistake with the flowers though. Not sure I would pony up $1000 or whatever they cost with a graphic like that (I suspect not that many serious female skiers will like the flowers). Any advice?

I have tried quite a few skis in the last few weeks, and after 2 days on the Origins, I fell in love with them... They are perfect in almost any condition, and versatile enough to slow down for my kids or race down the hill. And they carve all by themselves.

I have tried quite a few skis in the last few weeks, and after 2 days on the Origins, I fell in love with them... They are perfect in almost any condition, and versatile enough to slow down for my kids or race down the hill. And they carve all by themselves.

I tried the Origins and Tornados, Origins were easy and fun but I got them to chatter at top speeds. Tornado is the same ski but 20% stiffer (said one sales guy) Gave it all I could, fun, easy and no chatter. Made me a better skier.

HATE the flowers! Am embarrassed to ski on these skis, but caved in and bought a pair this weekend after demo'ing them, along with K2 One Luv's and K2 Lotta Luv's. I agree with the poster who said they carve by themselves, disagree with the one who said they're not good in crud. Compared with the K2's , they felt more secure and stable, especially on ice -- yet on groomers they love to zoom along as fast as the K2's. I told a friend I felt the difference btwn the Origins and Lotta Luvs was like skiing wearing a seat belt (the Origins) and not. I liked that. But man, these graphics are just about the ugliest things I've ever seen. 
It's only the quality of the ski that got me to overcome my reluctance.

I've demo'd a hundred pairs looking for the holy grail. This is it. I LOVE THESE SKIS!!!!

Just skied in Jackson Hole with the Origins. Absolutely incredible in 6-12 inches of fresh powder...floated along. A little chattery on ice, but got the handle after two days with them-found their sweet spot. Great ski in the moguls.  
Very easy to turn! Made me a much better skier!

After 2 years on the Nordica Serenity, I tried the Origins in a 162 (which I thought would have been waaayyy too long for me since I was coming off 150's). Within minutes I was blown away!!! I could not believe the absolute stability, ease of turning, ease of skiing I got from the Origins. I tried them on a moderate groomer, steep groomer, in mush, in crud, on icy pack....it was great in all of them. I couldn't bear to get back on my Nordicas,so I bought the Origins! Yeah, they are pretty darn ugly....flowers, the color, yuck! But maybe that will keep someone from stealing them! First run down the hill, my husband was observing and he said he saw a HUGE and immediate change in my skiing....for the better!

Being an Australian skiier. I found these just by accident after skiing the Nordica Olympica which I though where great but these a just unreal. These skis are also great in NZ snow especially in softer powder and even groomed runs. The art work is pretty ugly but who really cares when sno is stuck to the tops most of the day.

What can i say... i agree with the reviews. Awesome all round skis. However, i can't see why you wouldnt like the design, each ski is individual, they have their own individual flowers pressed into them. Whats not to like! Embrace your inner 10 year old girl... enjoy!

These are the cutest things I've ever seen. Please let me buy them from you (~144) and you can go buy a pair of ugly brown or black ones. megan.stowell@gmail.com

I saw them at a few ski shops. They dont have the flowers anymore and are called Origins Pearl. Are they the same ski as the Origins Jewel you gals are talking about above? If so, maybe the manufacturer decided to take off the flowers and replaced with more simple design and changed the name to Pearl? thanks.

For 2009, the Origins still exists but the flowers are gone. Otherwise, construction is the same. The Origins Pearl is similar but is a different ski...not as advanced, a softer ski. I've heard the original Origins will go away in 2010.

I wrote an earlier review raving about the 2008 Origins (note: 2008 and 2009 are both the same, only the '09's have a topsheet change with no flowers). I've had these skis out about 50 times now in all different conditions since I got them, and I have to say I absolutely LOVE them. They're superb on everything I've thrown at them: short turns, medium turns, wide turns, gentle slopes, steep slopes, groomed, powder, crud, ice....they are just fabulous on everything. They have most definitely helped me improve my skiing, too. These skis are lively but not too much so, and very easy to initiate turns. They have great stability (one of the first things I noticed about them). I especially like the Z10-Ti bindings. As for the flower design....I actually like it a lot now! The design of the '08's is pretty unique and very cool. I get a lot of positive comments on them now. I saw a review somewhere that said they aren't great for Sierra cement: I do not agree. I only ski the Truckee-Lake Tahoe area and they're great for Sierra cement!

I purchased the '09 Origins after using rentals, and WOW, what a difference! I am relatively new to the sport and will be enjoying it much with these skis. I've used them 3 times and get compliments on the pretty graphics.