Description
A consistent, all-mountain powerhouse for any hill or resort with less-than consistent conditions.
- Auto Turn rocker sports a traditional camber underfoot for enhanced edge grip and a slight rise in the tip and tail for improved float and easy steering in all but the deepest or iciest conditions
- Wood core delivers a natural-feeling flex with great stability and rebound to help you shred those less-than-postcard days like it's your job
- Sandwich construction features a wood core and Titanal laminate for a rigid feel that doesn't take any guff from hard snow between storms
- Extended sidecut along the slightly raised tip and tail means additional edge hold when you really start cranking fast, hand-dragging turns down the groomed stuff
- Cascade Tip uses less laminates in the tip for a soft and lightweight feel that's easy to turn during dodge-or-die tree lines
- Robust dimensions stay on top of the fresh and chopped snow, while delivering a solid, sturdy platform for carving big turns weeks after the storm
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Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
Rossignol Experience 98 Ski
? Share a...
Rossi 98's
Mark Cummings
Member since
- Gender: Male
I just bought the Rossi 98's & I can say they are everything they are supposed to be.
Skied at Snowmass on them, and of course went well in the powder ( thigh deep on one day) but was really impressed on how much they gripped the packed snow & groomers This is diffintely the one all round ski
i'm looking for a ski suitable for ice...
kirk
Member since
i'm looking for a ski suitable for ice hardend crud ie i was in Utah mar 12 - 20 2013 no snow for 2 weeks warm days below freezing wind blown nights skied alta sbird brighton sbasin all had same condt don't want to ski the groomed want something for icy windbown skied out re frozen crud nothing else
Jelph
Member since
This is barely intelligible.
I am 6 feet, 178 lbs; and I currently ski...
berp453472
Member since
I am 6 feet, 178 lbs; and I currently ski a Rossignol Bandit at 176 cm.
Which would be the best size for me: the 172 or 180?
April Forsyth
Member since
probably the 180's, however the shorter ones will give you an easy turning radius. The 180's will give you more speed but might take a few days to get used to turning with more length.
Anyone out there tele with these skis? I'm...
Cort
Member since
Anyone out there tele with these skis? I'm 6'3, 230, ski hard and fast on east coast, 30% BC and am looking at these, the mantras and BD Verdicts, all in longest length. Rossi's appeal to me because of reviews for being a burly ski, want something stiff but not sure if these will be too much?
Mark Parrett
Member since
I don't think these are much burlier than the Mantra. They both ski like they have some metal in them (which they do). To me, the Experience 98 is the best carver of the three, the Mantra is the best crud buster and the Verdict is the best choice for BC use due to the lighter weight. I love the Mantra and the Experience, hate the Verdict (which may just be me - I have yet to find a BD ski I like).
Cort
Member since
Mark, Thanks for the advice, may go wit the Rossi-
Hey All,
I'm trying to decide on a ski...
Kellen Kjera
Member since
Hey All,
I'm trying to decide on a ski and what size to get. I am picking up skiing after 20 years of boarding, yes, coming back from the dark side! :) I am an intermediate skier, quickly advancing. I am 170lbs and 6'4". I am torn between the Experience 98's in a 180 or 188 and the Atomic Ritual in 182. I ski BC coastal mtns mostly. I love groomers and am getting into woods and powder. I would love a ski that I can put some Marker Barons and do some slack/backcountry skiing. Other skis I've considered: Atomic Access (much lighter due to lack of titanium backbone, but more flexy and chattery i hear) and the Rossi S3's in 186. Any tips or recommendations? Thanks a lot!
Soren McCarty
Member since
Go with the 180 if you are coming back from boarding
Sid Nitzerglobin
Member since
6'2", 190 ish lbs., 38 years old, aggressive high advanced - expert skier here and the 180s seem to do the job remarkably well so far on granular left overs, hard pack, death cookies, ice and soft crud bordering on the edge of slush (sucks living in the midwest), haven't had them in powder yet though unfortunately.
I'm thinking the 188s would definitely be faster and might be slightly better for flotation, but they would probably be a bit much for me in hard, tight bumps and the 180s are already plenty fast for me.
Kellen Kjera
Member since
Thanks Sid and Soren, I tested out the 180's and loved them! but I ended up going with the Atomic Access 191 w/ Marker AT 12's and they are ridiculous! Love them!
Hi There,
I am trying to decide between...
Ian
Member since
Hi There,
I am trying to decide between a few skis and it is proving quite difficult; if I had more time I would demo them all, but I do not.
First, I cannot seem to decide between a 88-90 mm waist, and a 98-ish waist. I live on the West Coast of British Columbia, and love to rip in the glades. I am 22, 6'2" and 175 lbs, and a confident skier. I currently have 181 Salomon Ten Eighties (http://www.backcountry.com/salomon-teneighty-ski). I find them a bit too narrow for the snow out here. I still like to be able to carve hard on piste, but comfortably enjoy the wonderful off-piste conditions we have here.
Enough back story. I am looking at (in the 88-90 mm range): K2 Sideshow, Volkl Kendo and Rossi Experience 88. And in the 98mm range, the K2 Hardside, Volkl Mantra, and Rossi Experience 98.
I would appreciate any thoughts you might have. I am worried about making too big of a jump from my Ten Eighties in the waist, but as long as it is controllable, particularly in the trees, I will be happy.
Cheers! Ian
PS... sorry for so many posts of this question--I just want to know the answers :)
Nawrocki
Member since
British Columbia?! 98 mm...MINIMUM!
Mark Cummings
Member since
Go the Rossi 98's I've got them & I'm planning to use them in Australia,snow there is primary wet or firm these ski's will do the job in any conditions, with the 98 waist, powder is not a problem
Solid
Steve Brain
Member since
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
These hold an edge well, damp, and handle speed. Leaving the groomers they handled crud and cruddy bumps really well too. I'm 6' / 190lbs and found the 188cm was a good length for me.
Rossignol Experience 98 Ski
Backcountry Video
Member since
Thanks for all the excellent reviews. I...
allshop992186
Member since
Thanks for all the excellent reviews. I almost bought the Nordica Enforcer in a pre-xmas fire sale but didn't. Now I'm undecided. The Rossi 98 sounds awesome. I never switch and ski the fall line. 6'1" 175 but also age 59. 180 or 188?
Ali Samieivafa
Member since
these are big bold skis, I recommend you stay with 180s, 188's will be faster but also harder to control and unless you're a big mountain charger which you might very well be (not judging your young age) I would stick with 180s and enjoy the power and stability of these badass skis in every condition
tmac 4718
Member since
For sure the 180cm. I'm 6'1" 180lb expert level 40 year old guy. I own the E98 in the 180cm and can't imagine it longer. I do feel like there is a fair amount of tail behind you and a short tip though, I'm mounted on the recommended line but rossi seems to stay more forward on their mounts than my volkl skis. Assuming its the rocker in it but seems like they should push the recommended line back to me. I could have easily mounted my binding one centimeter back and been just fine.
Damp, smooth, loves speed!
tmac 4718
Member since
If you are looking for an incredibly damp, smooth, stable, glued to the snow feel no matter what condition it is, this is your ski! I have a Volkl Kendo and an Armada JJ so I have a good range of skis to compare it with. This was my first day on the Rossi, firm pack groomers with about 5-8' of soft leftovers on the top half of mountain with ice/death cookies on lower half. I have the 180cm and it had plenty of float even in the deep tree wells, the rockered and wide tip stayed on top of the powder just fine. I could definitely feel the wide tail behind me vs my Kendo's but got used to it. It was stable as one could ever want busting through the chopped up crud, I would say almost too stable, I wanted a little more life to the ski. It took more effort than my sore knee liked, but very powerful. If I didn't have other skis to compare it with anybody who skied it would have loved it, again if you like damp and powerful skis. On groomers it just craved speed and honestly felt glued to the snow, crampons for edge grip, unflappable. The turn radius was very fun, but the overly damp feel took awhile to get used to. Probably the dampest ski I have ever been on. Totally different feel than my older Mantra's and newer Kendo's, which both have more life and energy than the Rossi. I would say that all the reviews you seen in magazines and the internet are very accurate. Its a bigger feeling, smooth, powerful ski with no speed limits. If you like a more energetic ski feel then look elsewhere. Don't get me wrong if you want to put the energy into it you will get it back but it doesn't volunteer it. Fun ski just a little too damp for my liking as an everyday ski or a one ski quiver ski.
Looking to replace my K2 Outlaws. My...
vil2528549
Member since
Looking to replace my K2 Outlaws. My Outlaws have been great for the days at Alta when I'm not heading out into the sidecountry. I'm wondering if the Rossi E98 would be a good replacement. The Rossi's are wider underfoot, but it sounds like they still carve well on the groomers. I had someone tell me today that they are a pretty stiff ski...too stiff for Alta conditions?
Experience 98 Ski Review
Soren McCarty
Member since
First Impression: When I was asked to Demo the new Rossignol all-mountain skis I jumped at the chance. Sure I consider myself a snowboarder, but I still can rip on skis, and it hadnt snowed in a couple days so I knew it would be a great day for charging some GS turns and hitting some moguls. Besides these skis looked pretty slick, with Rocker tip and tail and Camber underfoot they look like they can cut some serious turns.
Shape: The Experience 98 has a fairly wide shovel with 139mm in the tip, 98mm under foot and 128 under the tail. Making the ski very stable and hard charging through crud and packed snow as well as ice and inconsitant snow. These skis are 70% Camber underfoot and have 30% subtle Rocker in the tips and tails allowing the ski to float in the powder. This combination also allows the skier to lay down carving turns with ease and stability. They are great when skiing fast and are an all around versatile ski made to take on all types of conditions.
Weight: Not being on Skis for a while, they didnt feel especially heavy, they felt more stable than anything. It is a little weird getting back on two skis, but it is fun to take on the hill after being on a board for so long. Back to the skis I would always prefer to sacrifice a little weight for stability. The skis have a sleek feel and make instant contact with the snow and the full edge grip is similar to a snowboard, having four edges instead of two is all the more fun , laying downing GS turns is a breeze with these bad boys. Skiers also take different fall lines than snowboarders, it can make you hum drum ski runs fun again , and there is nothing like straight lining it down a run, and finding a little lip to get some air off of.
Flex : The Experience 98 has the torsion and flex pattern of a stiffer ski , making them extremely stable and helps you drive through the turn. The Rocker , Camber combination helps initiate the turn , and giving a softer feel under foot , with a stiffer tip and tail. Great design and flex patter as a result.
Ski Shape and Turning: This is a Directional Ski with a tail that will allow you to land the occasional jump switch, but this ski is designed to rip the whole mountain and charge through powder. The Experience line have an Extended Sidecut, which reminds me of a snowboard and allows the skier to ride the full edge with complete contact from tip to tail. This is key for stability and allows the skier to make deep carving turns, When the turn is initiated the side cut grabs and allows the skier to drive through the turn. The new Cascade Tip technology improves swing weight for faster turning , better edge grip and superior contact.
Control : These skis have great control and are very stable , they are designed for skiers that know how to drive their skis and can ski aggressively. If you know how to tell you skis where to go, youll love these skis. That combined with the full edge control makes for fierce control and precise turning. You can aggressively maneuver this ski or let it make nice long sweeping turns.
Switch : These skis can be ridden switch for sort distances and will be fine for landing switch or playing around on cruiser days. The nature of these skis are deep turning , hard charging all-mountain skis. So although you could probably learn to ski them switch, they are much better when ridden as a direction ski.
How about this versus the Blizzard...
tmac 4718
Member since
How about this versus the Blizzard Bonafide?
Jamie Preston
Member since
Either of these will be a great choice, both will be very solid on the groomers and hard snow, but they will both work well in all but the deepest of snow. I hate to say it, but it is a bit of a coin flip. The Flipcore on the Blizzard is very cool though.
Review flagged as Just a photo of a guy?. Click here to view.
Anybody skied this ski in comparison to...
tmac 4718
Member since
Anybody skied this ski in comparison to the new Mantra. I skied on a Mantra for 3 years and now on a JJ and Kendo. Been looking at the experience 98 or possibly the 88. The powerful 98 sounds awesome for the 2nd half of powder days when its all skied out and left with crud. I don't enjoy my JJ's in busted up crud that much, they get knocked around a lot and can be a rough ride when the snow is heavy, pacific NW. Is the 98 really that damp? Sluggish until up to speed?
Keith Rosenfeld
Member since
I wish I'd been able to. I was at Alta's demo-day in April for 20+" of new powder. The E88 was incredibly pliant, directable, stable, and not at all sluggish - just too narrow for deeper stuff.
I demo'd 10 skis, but the Rossi tent ran out of E98s to try. The Mantras were my second favorite ski (E88 was #1), but performed MUCH better in the deeper powder. (FYI, the 2012 Mantra was slightly better than the 2011 in deep stuff - curled up toe helped.)
So, all I can say is you have the same taste I do and I think you have identified the two best skis for all-mountain. I'd HIGHLY recommend you demo both. Wish I had, but I the Mantras are really great skis.
Soren McCarty
Member since
The Experience 98 skis much better than the 88, it is a better ski all around.
Sid Nitzerglobin
Member since
Just got to demo these and the 88s today and can't agree more that the 98s feel a whole lot different (and better for me) in just about every category except maybe edge grip where they both held like the were on rails. Paradoxically more responsive and eager in quick turns and bumps and seemed to ski a good bit lighter despite the wider dimensions. They seemed a lot snappier when I put some muscle into them as well. I guess this is maybe a result of the titanium sheets rather than the basalt on the 88s?
I was really looking more at the Hardsides and the Mantras for the one ski big mountain quiver but the demo on these prompted me to go buy a set of these on the way home from the slopes.
Recommend
ryan dittmar
Member since
Great do it all ski. I skied this a few days at Park City in the spring and was amazed with how easy it skied. Also took a few runs at the Snowbasin demo. Think about turning it and it takes off. The shape makes it super fun to set an edge, but the most impressive characteristic was the stability. Groomed, crud, powder, ice (what little we have in Utah) . . . this ski is so solid under foot that it put a big grin on my face everytime I skied it. Crank it up to speed and it only gets better, but still so easy to ski when you want to relax and just cruise. This ski is on a short list of skis I must have.
Struggling between sizes. I'm 160lbs, 5'8",...
bro2440514
Member since
Struggling between sizes. I'm 160lbs, 5'8", aggressive expert, 20+ years on skis. Will be riding all types of conditions in the Alaskan darkness. The Rossi guidelines say go with the 172 but the 180 might be a better fit. Thoughts?
john
Member since
If you are aggressive experienced skier, you can handle the extra few cm. I'm 5'5" with 10 yrs racing background and the 180 is a great length
