Rossignol

X-IUM Skate WCS S1 Ski

The Rossignol X-IUM WCS S1 Skate Ski is a track-devouring monster designed to accept every bit of force you put into it and then repay you, with interest. When you're hitting VO2 max up the last hill before the finish, the last thing you want is a ski that feels like a wet noodle, so Rossignol made sure the WCS S1 has a flex profile that can stand up to a flat-out hammering. Control Edge ABS sidewalls enhance the stiffness and stability, ensuring that you're not losing kick energy with a ski that's twisting when it shouldn't, and the Racing Cobra sidecut widens slightly in the tip, increasing the amount of effective edge you can use to push off of, while improving stability at speed.

The cap construction also features RossiCap technology, which combines with the torsionally stiff elements of the ski to create what Rossignol calls "snake effect." The lower, shorter tip reduces the swing weight resulting in a more maneuverable pair of skis. Then, by softening up the flex in the tip and tail of the WCS S1, the ski is more able to float (think slither) over uneven snow, reducing the need to power through choppy sections of track and allowing you to focus on driving forward, rather than digging into mush. It isn't remotely noodley, however, thanks to a light and strong Nomex Honeycomb core that has excellent compression strength, keeping the ski stiff and snappy for better kick performance and increased rebound.

Although you'll undoubtedly run into the soft stuff from time to time, the WCS S1 is designed specifically to excel in cold conditions on hard snow. It has a low-profile carbon fiber tip that improves weight distribution, making it easier to snap the ski back under your foot after kicking, or blast through some lightning-quick step turns without a flapping, vibrating tip making you feel unsteady. The R 9000 base is quick, too, and features a Double Groove Guide for enhanced tracking, keeping you moving down the track instead of across it. Rossi equipped the WCS S1 with an NIS-7 plate as well, making it compatible with NNN bindings to allow drill- and screw-free mounting and adjustment.