Rossignol S7 2012 Ski Review

My ad: 5’10” 185lbs West coast skier desperately seeking a one ski quiver for killing it all.

The response? The Rossignol S7 in a 188. Ten of them.

Rossignol S7 2012 ski image

Category: Freeride

Ski Review Brands

Ski Statistics - Length (cm) / Sidecut (mm) / Radius (m)

168 / 145-115-123 /
178 / 145-115-123 /
188 / 145-115-123 /

Manufacturer's Description

The multi-award winning S7 has changed the powder skiing game. Hard charging expert skiers and struggling intermediates agree the S7 is revolutionary in its ability to make powder skiing easier, more fun and with less fatigue. The S7 Powder Turn rocker combines low camber underfoot with high tip and tail rocker. This game changer provides the skier with amazing floatation and tracking that gives him an efficient angle of attack for easier steering and instant speed control. The S7 delivers both more maneuverability and forgiveness than any other powder ski on the market. Rossignol has created the perfect powder tool for any skier who has a fetish for skiing the deep. 90% Powder / 10% Piste

Ski Review's Verdict:

I managed to ski the Rossignol S7 about 10 times at one demo or another. I loved the ski on every date I had, but could not justify committing long term to yet another pair of boards. Then I got a good offer for an older pair of Kastle, so decided to stick another couple of pairs for sale and picked up the Rossignol S7. It’s a nice feeling knowing that your brand new pair of skis in factory trim are going to perform before you’ve taken a single run and completely justifies the “try before you buy” advice. As always, there are no bad skis, just good skis on the wrong people.

The shape of these S7’s is top notch. It took me ages to consider skiing them because even just a few years back when the S7 was introduced they still seemed a radical shape and looked like they were just powder boards for great conditions, but a nightmare in and around the resort. Today, shapes like these Rossignol S7’s, along with skis like Dan’s Amplid Rockwell seem a standard pick. Big spatulas, directional shape, fat waists, rockered tips and plenty of sidecut underfoot where the camber still is.

I ski the S7 (145-115-123) in a 188 mounted at +2. Something so close to 190 would scare me away as one quiver ski, but the rocker makes these ski short on groomed and you want that extra length in the deep.

In fresh powder the S7 is a joy. Rossignol have bundled up a ski with massive surface area into 188cms of pure joy. Nothing much to write home about as they are a powder ski for powder days. However I find the S7 perfect on the flex. A little stiffer than I thought they would be initially and that’s a good thing. I’ve skied other powder skis that tend to get bogged down at very slow speeds, but the S7 responds well to gentle enouragement if you need to help gravity along.

In crud, the stiffness turns the S7 into a charger and the rocker blows away everything else with minimal chatter. Some have found the S7 a little hooky, and while I did notice it once in a while, it’s probably a necesary evil in a ski like this and to be completely honest since detuning the edges I cannot say I recall a problem.

On groomers, the S7 really doesn’t need to perform, but crank them over and they’ll carve until your legs can’t carry on. I have no qualms in reaching for the S7 even if I know I’ll spend the whole day in bounds with my family.

My only regret? I don’t have the sweet Caia Koopman graphics in the 2012 S7.

Real time prices for the Rossignol S7 2012, or similar ski products:

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