Rossignol Bandit B2 (2007)

I have used this ski since was called the XX and is the B2.  It is an excellent ski, fast for both front side and backside.  it is a little thin for heavy powder yet it is a great all-round ski.

Extremely versatile ski for most conditions. Not a true powder ski, but because of the dimensions, the B2 is still very good in deep snow and especially wet crud. Scores a 10 on medium and long turns on groomers, an 8 for short turns. Stability at high speeds, (say, over 40mph), like most other shape skis, it wants to wander, due to the sidecut, but it’s not an issue for a good skier. Intermediates can learn some skills with this model and advanced/experts can have a perfect day with the B2. Easy to turn, but can be turned very hard with good edgehold. Stable in “figure 11"s” to a point. Floaty enough for most powder days. For the masses of good skiers: A perfect ski.

Day1 1hr -1 10 runs on icy firm snow. Very happy with grip. I was concerned since they are so much softer than my 2001 191 XX. Will update…

46, 165lbs, looking to be quicker in the trees.

Good for quick turns on bumps and fine in 200mm powder but limited on polished artificial piste, although edges dulled by rocks after 6 days hard skiing. May need to try 174cms - Age 52 Ht 176cms Wght 161 lbs.

a little squirrely in 7” heavyish snow. very quick on groomers and bumps. still waiting for a lite pow day. 46 feelin like 25 again .

Day 4. 3-4” of ultra lite powder. A total blast - love these skis.

These skis are awesome! There’s really nothing else I can say

Is there a different bandit ski for women and men?  I dont see it advertised, but the new catalogue seems to think so.  I am looking at an 06 model, and it doesnt mention anything.  Answers welcome. 

I’m looking for an all mountain ski but I’m not sure whether to go for the 2006 salomon foils or the rossignol b2 bandits. Anyone know which is better?

This 53 year old skier had his best day EVER on these.  Powder, groomed, moduls, skied-out trees; no matter.  These made me better in every condition. WOW!  I was shocked by their short length (174), but these babies ROCK.

There are skis that become a “benchmark” in the industry—skis that many skiers compare other skis to. (It skis like a so-and-so, etc. You get the drift.) In recent years, the Salomon Scream Series, the Volkl 24, the K2 Axis X series, these were and still are, skis that simply rock. They are GOOD at many things and EXCEL at others. The Rossi B2, known in early versions as the Bandit XX an now another name, is a true benchmark ski. It works very well for an athletic intermediate looking for a tool to play all over the mountain and learn some new skills. It works very well for an advanced/expert skier who wants just one ski to do a bit of everything, from fast groomers to crud to powder. No, it is not a true powder ski, but for a one ski quiver, it is just fine. It is quiet at high speeds, say 40 to 50 mph,  then the sidecut interferes, as in all shape skis, and pressure needs to be applied to the tips to quiet the ski, or just scrub some speed and call it good.
Short turns,  ok, medium and long turns at any speed—excellent. This is one of the finest all-mountain “most conditions” ski on the market.  This reviewer is 5’7”, 160# and skis a 174 B2. Rossi’s ski sizer calls for a 165 to 174 for my skier info. I’ve tried the shorter size and it is great for short S turns, but my 174 works just fine, especially for high-speed figure 11’s. The only other ski as good as this is the K2 Recon, nearly the same dimensions, radius and similar wood construction, except it’s made in (ugh) China. No matter, it’s all slave labor.

I purchased these 192cm Bandits last year and used em once at Mt. Baldy in March. Never had any opp to test, no snow, rocks, Endeded up having to PTec the bottom on a few spots. However, this season, had the most snow in quite some years and I have been to local So Cal Mountains 4 times. These Skiis “Complete Me” I have stepped up my game so much with these. they work on anything. Great Job Rozz-ee!  MJ 42 Newport Mesa, CA

This ski puts a smile on my face every time I point it down the hill. The 174’s handle it all, Midwest Ice, Groomed Runs, Fresh Powder and Crud. The B2 proves Rossignol is still capable of making legendary skis.

Just got back from closing day at winter park and a demo of these skis. What can I say? I’m 62 and there I am skiing moguls on Mary Jane. Still can’t believe a ski could make such a difference in my ability. Got to get these skis.

i think there really good skis and there basicaly a good ovr all ski but now a yrlater i want a twin tip cus these are not very good in the park

I came across a pair of Rossignol B2 skis, with the cool retro top sheet that Rossignol did for their anniversary. The skis are unused and the price is good. But… the Rossignol web site characterizes this ski as for experts. I am really an intermediate skier—I can get down blacks but I don’t enjoy them—and at age 43 I’m comfortable to remain on the blues. I ski in the Northeast, so it’s hardpack, or wet crud, not powder. Also, I’m 6’0”/165lb and I’m wondering if the 174s are too big? Am currently on 20-year old Olins, so even if they’re not ideal, they certainly will be an improvement. Anyway, is the B2 inappropriate for intermediates? And if so, how will that manifest itself on the slope?

Firstly, it’s not exclusively an expert ski. They took me from a happy blue run skiier to someone who searches out blacks here in Europe. So don;t worry about that.

You might be better off going for something more suited to 80-90% of time on the pistes depending on your skier style.

Regardless, the B2, in it’s earlier Bandit and the current incarnations remain a popular ski you’ll see in all rental shops and on the feet of people with 4 weeks slope time and 40 weeks slope time.

With this ski if you want to be able to turn, go for something 20cm’s shorter than you would with a normal ski. Being a carve style ski you need to do this. I tried using these skis at the normal ski lenght i would use and it was quite hard to turn. They are quite a “stiff” ski too so i wouldn’t recommend them for park use. Apart from that they are a very good all mountain ski i had a blast using them on the Australia slopes last season.

I have a chance to pick a pair up for 200.00 w/bindings. Hardly skiid by a friend. Question: they are182 cm and I am 180 llbs 5’11” Are they to long for me?  Expert skier.

In all honesty if you are an expert skier then you should have a fair idea on these. 182 is a little long for me and I am a tiny bit shorter and lighter than you, but 182 would be great in the deep, and just a tad cumbersome on the piste. Maybe not an everyday ski.

Thanks Dan. I am an old-school 50 yr skier who is just now making the switch to shaped skis. That is why I do not know proper lenght. I’ll have to get into a shop for that info.