Model: 9S Oversize
Size(cm) / Radius(m): 150/? 158/? 165/? 173/?
Sidecut: 118/66/104
Length Tested: 165cm
Manufacturer’s Description:
“Oversize, is a generation of Rossignol skis with exaggerated sidecuts to make short ski performance (stability and comfort) accessible. The size of the gripping surface is optimised for quicker entry into turns and heightended sensations.”
Ski-Review’s Verdict:
In the turn the 9S Oversize are very well balanced considering the weight. The increased weight however, gives both pros and cons depending on how well you ski.
Being so heavy, these skis plough through crud – you will hardly notice it. They grip so well on the edges you would think an earthquake could not taint the grooves these leave in the groom. All that is to be tainted is the lack of nimbleness these skis exhibit because of the gravity they are exposed to. They are race skis, I do not doubt that and they will perform very well round the poles in the hands of an experienced skier. But you would be hard pressed to ski a variety of terrain with just these in your quiver. I say ‘Experienced Skier’ because in order to put them through the line you want, you really do have to ‘ski’ them otherwise the Rossignol 9S will pick a line and forget you are on them – only a good thing in my opinion.
Short and long turns are both dispatched with ease but you have to think about what your feet are doing rather than just carving by leaning.
Conclusion?
Well built ski, the weight of which gives you a footprint confidence – the Rossignol 9S Oversize needs to be skied hard and aggressively at speed.
Real time prices for the Rossignol 9S Oversize Gold 2005, or similar ski products:
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/23
I bought a pair and it goes higher than could expect. It is so easy to make quick tight turn when you ski agressive. If your not an agressive skier, that’s just not the good choice.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/24
My wife (40, 5’5”, light, great technique, 60+ weeks skiing experience, not aggressive) skied these (150’s) for a week in all conditions and absolutely loved them. Whilst she found them very heavy (particularly to carry!), her key comment was that the secret to enjoying this ski was in finding it’s balance point (which is quite small), not about speed or aggression. Great on hard-pack, grippy and stable in short and medium radius turns, OK in new snow, a bit too heavy for bumbs. This is an advanced / expert ski - if your technique isn’t good, go ski something more forgiving.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/24
My wife (40, 5’5”, light, great technique, 60+ weeks skiing experience, not aggressive) skied these (150’s) for a week in all conditions and absolutely loved them. Whilst she found them very heavy (particularly to carry!), her key comment was that the secret to enjoying this ski was in finding it’s balance point (which is quite small), not about speed or aggression. Great on hard-pack, grippy and stable in short and medium radius turns, OK in new snow, a bit too heavy for bumbs. This is an advanced / expert ski - if your technique isn’t good, go ski something more forgiving.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/29
This is the best ski I ever skied on. My skiing turned upside-down after I put these baby on my feet. I used to have problem carving on ice. I thought it was just me. But I put these guys on and I was making GS carves on ice like Bode Miller. It’s mad crazy. I’m a pretty advanced skier, but not that advanced because I always have two fears: bumps and ice. With these skis I only have one now.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 10/10
If you love the early morning ice and want to ski it at rocket speed like your on rails, get these skis. They grip far better than all the other slalom skis I’ve tried. I love the sensation, when you put them on edge, that your legs are just about to crumple under the g-force and your internal organs are in your feet. Also, on a well pisted slope, you can trust them to the point that your leaning over so far that your body is grazing the ice. Its nice to look back up the hill and see not a hint of skid in your tracks. Rossignol are changing their name this year to the VS and changing their colour which is ashame since I thought it was nice to have skis that look like the professionals.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/10
Hated Rossies for years. Never had enough uumph for me. I’m an East Coast racer; give me groomed pitches, lots of crud and I’m in heaven. Bad knees make the bumps hell. I’ve been a true fan of Head and Salomon racing skis for 15 years. Last March in Montana I ran out of skis to demo and finally acquiesced. I took the 9S out for what I thought would be a boring afternoon. Man, oh man. This ski was the fastest and the most stable ski of the 4 (Head, Salomon, Fischer and Dynastar) that I tried that week. My husband, who also demo-ed them agrees, but is holding out to try the new Head i.SL World Cup. Not me. I’m buying the 9S now!!!
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/18
I have skied on lots of skis… I have been skiing for 35 years… and these skis are amazing. For the first time I am skiing all terrain equally well… ice, bumps, steeps, you name it!! I highly recommend these for anybody who wants to go fast and ski better than you ever have!
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/26
I hired these skis and at first with 174cm and me being 6 foot 1 was quite nervous about them being so long. I am quite a good skier, but I am only 19 years old, I have had about 15 weeks worth of skiing though. I Loved these skis, struggled a bit in the pow but tended to just point them down the mountain and hope for the best! On the slope though my god! they carve like nothing else! Before I had not been nearly as good at carving but now I am pretty sound! On the last day however the binding broke and I had to change them for some Atomic skis. Needless to say the atomics were so flappy and crud I moaned all day about not having my oversize skis! Wish I was on the mountain with the Rossis now.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 09/28
I have always skied funcarving. i feel in love with atomics 9.11 and 10.11 betacarve but i have broken both of them. now I have the rossi 9s and I am so thrilled that they go so good and are so stiff and unbreakable. if you want to ski like a professional you should get them. i have these beautiful skis in my office the whole summer because they remind me of the ski slopes and snow
Written by Ski Review Guest on 10/29
Being a young ski instructor on the east coast, small mountains and ice are a way of life. Falling into the Volant cult when I was 14 years old, I owned 3 pairs of Machetes before deciding to save up for a pair w/ good edge grip. I took my employee discount to the demo shop and went thru 3 other skis before seeing the 9S in the back corner. The only size they had was a 150 but I thought who cares, the day was almost over and I had given up on finding the dream pair. I must have made 200 turns on the 2.2 mile trail. It was so quick and rock solid. Rossignol’s feel is unlike most of the other companies. Once on edge, it feels like you’ve cut into the mountain. Although the Atomic SL11 had just as much ability, they felt vague in the turn as if they were about to give out but wouldn’t actually.
I’ve skied over 55 days a year for the past 2 seasons on this ski and feel like it has actually lost a lot of life and rebound. The foam core inside loses lots of energy over time. I’m looking to get the new R9s this year but it comes at a steep price. I shoveled horse manure all summer when I was 15 for the 9s and do not regret it one bit.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/17
Absolutely love these skis. Never thought a ski could make such a difference. Have been skiing for over 32 yrs and feel like I have improved more since using these in 1 year than over the last 30 yrs
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/20
These skis are the best I’ve ever had, although i might be getting new ones in october Although these are good skis, they have some disadvantages, but only when in the fresh and deep powder.
And I have size 158’s and the radius of them is 11.5m.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/03
The balance of the 9SO’s is perfect. I coach & used to race and love these skis! They are a dream to teach in - you can demostrate skills at slow speeds that typically you would need to be at speed on other skis in order to do the same. That truly is impressive b/c they are so well balanced. They will make you look like a star. However, you need to be a strong skier or you just won’t be able to keep on top of them b/c they do kick like a true WC ski. Despite what other’s say I’ve found that they are just like the WC’s in the gates.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/25
I’m 41 and this is the start of only my second ski season. I had literally only been skiing 5 times last year and never before in my life, and started this season renting the 9S. I loved them so much, I decided to buy them immediately.
I marveled at how aggressively and skillfully I could eat up the mountain in these. I mean, I had a smile on my face from dawn to dusk and if it weren’t for getting hungry in the middle of the day I’d have been on a continuous loop. Did not eat it once in spite of the speed and maneuvering.
I hope they last a while, as one of the reviewers here mentioned them losing some life and rebound after heavy use.
Highly recommended! And after reading these reviews, very satisfied that I have good taste in skis!
Written by Brian Babcock on 09/03
I’m always a bit leary of the term “New & Improved” Which is it? Is it a new ski or is it in fact a warmed over model? I skied the 165 and found it to be more than I expected. More energy and POP than last years, giving the 9S a lighter feel when its moving. At rest it feels very heavy, but apprehension turns to smiles as speed increases. Still a strong carver and suited to occasional use in the gates. Turn initiation is quick and requires attention as the ski will overturn if skied hard. Backing off the shovel and skiing more ?collar neutral? produces smooth turns and still allows good rhythm.