Model: 9s World Cup
Size(cm) / Radius(m): 150/10 155/11 165/12
Sidecut : 117-65-104
Length tested: 165
Manufacturer’s Description:
“FIS approved slalom ski for competitive athletes and technical skiers.”
Ski-Review’s verdict:
Just to start with the cons: They are expensive. Do not expect your loved one to understand this investment. List price in europe is about Euro 1000, adding bindings (I ski on the Race Stock FKS 155 Look binding) the total is around Euro 1350.
Now, to the skis: I am skiing the 165cm, Y64 sidecut: 117-65-104 r=12.2m, which is the standard Slalom World Cup size. The skies also comes in 150 cm and 155 cm length.
Even though these are race skis, they are a lot similar to the 9S in the Oversize series. They differ in a little less sidecut, and with a new round look tip, which looks very nice. So you might want to look into them as well.
The skis are pretty heavy, making them excellent in high speed - you can make balanced turns easily with your body in straight down position. This is the ultimate way to ski, to carry the speed out of the turns and manage to control your skis at high speed in steep slopes.
The weight and shape also plows away any disturbance in the snow, which makes the ride smooth even in the most icy snow conditions. It also is a great ski for off piste skiing, as long as you do not fall a lot. Getting the speed back then might be a struggle.
At low speed, and for beginners, these skis can make things difficult.
The fact is that these are skis for advanced skiers, not for the 2 pm afterski show off type of skier. (They will probably be stolen outside the after ski anyway)
So if you are an expirienced skier, you will have to check out these skis. They are grooovy. Best skis I have ever taken to the slopes (10 out of 10).
Real time prices for the Rossignol World Cup 9S 2005, or similar ski products:
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/03
Stick to your level
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/04
Is there a fuss about race/slalom?? What is carving if not for slalom?? As already mentioned, stick to your level, or you WILL be killed or you WILL more likely kill others.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/04
Get real. Riding a GS ski isn’t going to kill anyone(anymore than riding any other ski).
I think there is confusion among many new to the sport(as well as many who have been skiing for quite a while apparently) as to what a race or GS ski really is.
Many act as if strapping on a pair of dedicated race skis means the instant you point your skis downhill you will be skiing out of control and break the sound barrier while being launched into orbit.
The WC 9S is not any ‘faster’ than anything else really. Any skis pointed downhill will keep accelerating. It just is much more stable at speed and has more intertia(and thus less energy/speed loss due to friction, resistance) than your average and performs best in this envelope.
It doesnt really take an excess of talent or technique to ski on a GS ski. To ski well on one is another story. The WC 9S is definately a ‘Performance’ ski and to get the most out of them and be in control you have to ski with refined technique.
An intermediate or even a very aggressive ‘novice’ could still have a little fun on them if they are so inclined. They just won’t have as much fun for long as they will tire quickly and probably spend most of the time trying to keep speed under control.
Would I reccomend this ski to a novice or intermediate as a dedicated piece of gear? Of course not…but then again having a pair in your closet to strap on now and then for a little high speed fun isn’t going to kill you either.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/05
You need to have strong legs to really get the most from this ski and others in its class. Your legs will burn out quickly if you are not in good condition.
It glides very stable on the eastern hardpack and edge hold is phenomenol on ice.
This ski isnt for a newbie though. If you don’t have good fore and aft balance control and leg movements this ski can be very unforgiving and won’t skid like a beginners ski. You will burn your legs out skidding this ski in turns.
As far as beginners using this ski it’s not so much an issue of talent as it is staying in control.
Yes anyone can just strap them in, point them downhill and go a zillion miles an hour but you also have to be able to stop and avoid anything in your way. On a race ski like this you can easily end up in a situation where you are in a kinetic state that is beyond your ability to control.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/05
As a racer those are by far the best slalom skis out there this season. the 9x’s are a little harder to turn for GS.
But if you say you like carving…then how could you not appreciate the 9s’s? Maybe you need to learn how to carve.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/06
Interesting discussion..a little off topic probably from reviewing the ski itself though.
The WorldCup is not a recreational ski even for a skilled carver. Recreational skiers(those not into racing or competition) would probably not enjoy this ski as much because it does not really handle well at low to moderate speeds and demands a lot of energy input.
Most recreational skiers(regardless of skill or experience) who frequent the resorts are not trying to get down the course as fast as possible.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/14
These skiis are brutal. Brutal performance, brutal looks, brutal control, and sorry to say, brutal i price. But hey, I will pay for these!!!
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/14
Why do all the Rossignol discussion’s talk about problems with their ski’s - Simpley because the people who ski on them are generally rubbish skiiers! (All rentals seem to be Rossi’s) If you want a top ski, look at Volkl or Fischer and leave Rossi’s for the beginners who dislocate their shoulders.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/15
Rossignal and Fischer both are overrated and grossly over priced.
Other than the bandits I hardly ever see anyone on Rossi and as far as Fischer goes their lineup stinks and they are mostly second rate.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/22
Does anyone know if these are better than Atomic SL 11?
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/22
Atomic’s are rubbish too - so even being Rossis these are probaly better.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/24
all of these reviews vary alot. The difference between most world cup slalom skis is usually the flex of the ski. A flexier ski like the rossi 9s is usually easier to turn then the atomic sl 11. The rossi would be a better choice for a lighter racer or someone who doesnt ski with much force and prefers finesse. The atomic on the other hand takes alot of force to ski it effectivly, unfortunatly not too many people can do this, this gives people a bad look on the ski. If you can handle it, a stiffer ski will hold edge better, and ski alot faster then a flexier ski. But for all the beginners and intermidiates, dont bother with race skis, they are too much ski for anyone but a racer.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/29
Does this mean if Jack Nicholson was selling the SL 11, he would say: You can handle the ski!
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/31
great skis, but very focussed - you wouldn’t take an f1 car to the supermarket so why go cruising on a world cup ski. Personally I like rossi skis but must admit that I have traded from the B2 to a volkl speedmachines…
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/07
The Rossignol 9S and 9X in the Race Stock are un-believable ?In-the-gates? skis. For racing they are versatile, smooth, stable, and very fast. I have skied the Volkl P60 Race Stock and the Atomic GS 11M (both the factory 19 and the Race Stock 21 meter) ski?s. I like the true Race Stock Rossignol?s better than all the rest for the gates! And I have a little experience in the gates. When it comes to corduroy, flats with rollers, and wide steeps that follow the fall line they are great as well. When it comes to moguls, crud, narrow chutes, narrow steeps, and back country skiing, a super cross, fat twin tip ski (like the Armada), or a medium flex all mountain short (175 ? 155) is the way to go. The people I hear complain about the Rossignol 9S and 9X are people who buy them for all mountain skiing. They are not an all mountain, back country, mogul, or powder ski. They are true racers. I have never heard a racer with any national or higher level experiences complain about the Rossignol Race Stock line. The key is to buy a ski to suit your preferred style of skiing. If you are not going to go FAST all of the time or run gates, don?t buy a race ski!
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/15
These skis do race well. However, believe it or not, I’ll put the 9S up against anything for skiing slush piles or powder in trees. They also work better than average in moguls - probably depends on the user, though - and are nimble in the halfpipe. In contrast, the 9X is often work and sometimes trouble when the snow gets soft.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 08/09
As Skiing magazine once said:
“anyone who is good enough to be using TRUE race skis, wont be paying for them”
I have to agree, what we as consumers see as the “race” ski, is still the watered down, de-tuned versions of the true race skis. don’t forget that racers commonly have skis custom built for them, and even have seperate pairs for different mountains. if you really are good enough to be using race skis properly, then you are probally doing the FIS rounds, NOT being a nastar punter. anyone who shivers at the cost of these things are also probally at the punter end of the range. (in comparision to professional racers)
In saying that, the Rossi race range are simply the best skis i have ever used for on-piste work. I have never had a ski with so much edge grip, or a ski that was so stable at high speed. (Rossi 9x 181cm, 6ft 2” 110kg) even skiing at very high speeds, these skis feel stable, and never twitch, wiggle, or even give the slightest impression that they are having trouble. Unfortantly the speed that these skis are designed to be used at will get you banned from most resorts. even after 2 or 3 carve turns you are simply flying.
181cm does not like to be pushed off the ultra-groom, and anyone taking them into the moguls will have a hard time indeed.
Anyone wanting a icy morning start, with no one around, doing turns that are so fast that they make your eyes water, then these are for you.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 09/23
After reading all of the comments I am still wondering, for me an ex racer, and now ski instructor is the 9S what im looking for? this year im looking for a very strong fast turning slalom ski that has good edge grip. from what i hear the 9s is for me but is it for my weight? i weigh 150 and i run 160’s now should i downgrade?
Written by Ski Review Guest on 10/06
At your weight, you can enjoy the shorter length. I still race at 190lbs and found the 155 length great for me in the gates. Softer than the equivalent Atomic SL11 and easier to “live with.” The Atomic is “full on"all the time.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/26
I demod these in early February at Whiteface. I have never been on a pair of dedicated race/slalom before and am into carving but just wanted to see what all the fuss is about with slalom/racing. Paid $65US for the demo.
Halfway down the first run(A fairly steep blue) I hit some large bumps and instead of the usual mild buffeting and rollercoaster ride I get in my C9’s I launched off into the air like a rocket in a parabolic arc and slammed hard into a mogul. Almost dislocated my shoulder and if I wasn’t wearing a helmet I probably would be getting an MRI for a concussion.
I think I will stick to Carving.