Rossignol's 3 Tips For Choosing Your Ski Type
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You want to buy your own pair of skis? You're struggling to differentiate one from another? Difficult to decide? Here are some tips to help you make your choice and select the model that suits you best.
1) Evaluate your level
Before buying your skis, it is essential to define your technical level. A pair adapted to your level, will provide maximum pleasure and comfort!
• Beginner: skiing is brand new! You alternate skid and snowplow. You can ski at low speed on green and blue runs.
• Intermediate: you can turn with parallel skis, you begin to feel comfortable and evolve on red runs.
• Confirmed: no matter the colour, you can manage any track, but of course there is always room for improvements.
• Expert: skiing is your thing. Your technique allows you to experience thrills and chills as intense on and off-track, you control all types of terrain and know all the technical turns.
2) Determine your skiing
All Rossignol skis are parabolic skis but features vary depending on the practice, even if the trend is the versatility! To find a model for your use and your needs, you must set the field on which you want to evolve.
• Track: comfortable on the slopes, you like to enjoy the entire ski area. Go for a ski with a progressive power turn rocker technology for better handling and grip on the slopes.
• Race: Addicted to downhill and slalom, you are looking for performance and speed. Prefer a ski with a narrow waist with a power rocker technology to optimize your stability and accuracy.
• All Mountain: You love the slopes but are open to going outside the boundries , when conditions allow! Opt for a versatile ski with autoturn rocker technology you will be comfortable on all types of snow.
• Freeride: You spend most of your time off the slopes in search of snow. Your goal: to make your own tracks. Choose a long ski off pad and powder turn rocker technology for more lift in fresh snow.
• Freestyle: Kickers, rails and half-pipe, the snowpark has no secret for you. Choose a light ski and double spatula with Jip tip technology to enhance and facilitate your pop jumps.
3) Choose the size of your skis
The size of your skis depends on your height but also on your level and your skiing. Short skis allow better handling and long skis offer more stability and more lift. A beginner or an avid Freestyler will opt for skis up to the nose while experienced skiers, a speed freak or a Freerider prefer a longer ski.
To help you determine your ideal size ski, please refer to our size guide.
To buy skis that meet your needs, you need to consider three criteria: your level, your practice and your size. You can then direct your choice depending on the graphics and your budget. But do not forget that choosing the right pair of skis will help you have better control of your movements, perfect your technique and especially to maximize your enjoyment!
Rossignol's 5 Tips to Choosing Your Freeride Skis
You want to buy a pair of skis dedicated to freeride? You're struggling to understand what is going on with all the technologies? You do not know which radius to choose? Here are some tips to help you make your decision and select the skis that suit you best.
1) Select your skis according to your off piste level
It is important to choose a ski that suits your level, in order to enjoy yourself and make the most out of skiing without getting tired.
- Newbie: You're managing on the slopes and you like practicing skiing in all conditions. Sometimes you ski next to the slopes, never too stiff.
- Intermediate: You’re starting to feel the real thrills of off-piste skiing, you feel more comfortable doing turns in fresh snow, not too steep.
- Confirmed: Regardless of the stiffness, you are able to go anywhere; you’re willing to hunt for the best fresh snow to make the first tracks.
- Expert: You ski in extreme conditions, you ride in any conditions or snow, and you’re a powder addict, love jumping cliffs and long hikes
2) Select the right camber for your skis
The camber is the longitudinal of the ski. The zone called Rocker is the part raised relative to the snow.
The 7SERIES range from Rossignol is dedicated to freeride and offers a technology called Powder Turn Rocker.
Depending on the camber of the skis, the reaction will be different. A rocker tip will allow the ski to come out more easily in fresh snow and thus provide better flotation, while a rocker on the back of the ski allows for better manoeuvrability in powder.
3) Give importance to the weight of your skis
The weight of a ski is very important, the more a ski is heavy, the less it will be easy to use and it will be less reactive. It is then necessary to find a compromise between lightness and rigidity: choose light skis but still stiff enough for the pow.
Rossignol’s Air Technology Tip reduces the weight of the skis where it is least needed (tip and tail) while maintaining optimum comfort practice. The gravity center of the ski is then concentrated under the skier's foot.
4) Select the waist width according to your ski habits
Freeride skis have a waist wider than the skate ski track. Generally referred to as dedicated to freeride skis starting at 90-95 mm waist.
The larger the waist is, the better the lift in deep snow will be, so it will be easier and less tiring for the skier to stay on the surface. On the other hand, skiing is less sharp and less manoeuvrable.
For example Enak Gavaggio and Sam Favret chose the Squad 7 because they use it mainly for freeride. However, for an optimal compromise between track and off the track, they advise without hesitation the Soul 7 with 106 mm waist width. It has the same technology and Air tip Powder Turn Rocker but is comfortable on hard snow.
5) Select the size of your skis
Once you have chosen a ski it is necessary to choose the size. Usually, it will be easier for a beginner with a smaller ski then that expert skiers, who will prefer a longer ski for more lift and stability at high speed skiing.
Rossignol’s 7Series Skis using the Powder Turn Rocker technology can be matched with the size of the skier. Indeed, this technology allows the rocker to start closer to the foot; the contact point with the snow will be closer to the ski boot than a traditional ski.
To determine your ideal ski size, please refer to our size guide.
So take your time to choose your skis and keep in mind what is going to be your everyday use.
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100% freeride SQUAD 7
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80% freeride 20% slopes ? SUPER 7
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60% freeride 40% slopes? SOUL 7 / SIN 7 / SMASH 7
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Junior 60% freeride 40% slopes? S7 PRO
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Rossignol's 4 Tips To Choosing Your Ski Boots
Choosing the right ski boot is essential. It is, in fact, what makes the link between your foot and your ski. The shoe must give you strength and comfort. It will transmit information to the ski, energy, but also insulate your foot, protect it from the cold.
1) Determine your level and type of practice
To choose a shoe perfectly suited to your foot, it is important to know the level and the type of practice.
Ben Valentin or Tessa Worley, although both expert skiers will not choose the same shoe because their practice is completely different.
Clearly define your level: beginner / intermediate / senior / expert, as well as your type of practice: Track, Freeride, Freestyle, All mountain, Rando ...
2) Determine the flex of your shoe
Evaluation of your practice but also your level of skiing as well as your size will result into the right choice of flex of your shoe.
The flex, what is it? This is the indicator of strength of your shoe. The greater it is, the more your shoe will be rigid, and therefore reactive. In contrast, a softer flex will be more tolerant, and more comfortable. The choice of flex is crucial.
For men, generally it is assumed that:
• A flex from 60 to 70 is designed for beginners to intermediate
• A flex from 80 to 110 is designed for intermediate to advanced skiers
• A flex from 120 to 150 is designed for expert skiers
Warning:
• A flex too rigid for the average skier will be a limiting factor in its progression.
• For a very heavy and powerful skier, it will increase the flex of the boot.
For women, it is considered that:
• A flex from 50 to 70 is designed for beginner to intermediate skiers
• A flex 80 to 90 is for intermediate skiers to confirmed
• A flex 100 to 110 is for expert skiers
Also, the type of practice is crucial: It does not require a shoe Freestyle the same qualities of strength and flex as a trail shoe, where the power transfer is very important.
3) Select the width of your shoe
Each foot is unique, so it is important to choose the pair of shoes, and take the time when buying.
The figure given as the last of the shoe corresponds to its width at the forefoot. Ranging from 92mm to 104mm, each foot can find the width of shoe that suits him. The last of the shoe is given for a sample size of 26.5, but know that if your foot is bigger, the width of the shoe you will try later.
The wrap your foot must be uniform, and good support at the metatarsal and heel is required. However, the toes should move freely. The foot should not be compressed.
4) Choose the size of your shoe
Finally, it is necessary to choose the size of the ski boot. This is measured in Mondo Point or MSS-Metric Sizing System. It is the foot length in centimeters (link sizing chart). Flexed, toes must come touch the tip of the shoe.
So take time to choose your shoe, and remember:
• Whether your ski sock is also a major element of the comfort of your foot.
• To maintain a tightening margin during the test of the shoe. Indeed, when the foot is warm and expanded.
• To keep in mind that the liner will settle a bit after a few outings on snow.
Rossignol's Tips to Choosing Your Ski Bindings
You bought new skis and you now want to equip bindings well suited to your practice? You're struggling to differentiate all models? What are the indicators and settings on the bindings?
Here are some tips and answers to help you make your decision and select the model that suits you best.
However, keep in mind that your bindings are designed to limit the risk of injury from falls, while providing the necessary support to ski with maximum pleasure.
The precise adjustment of your bindings must be done by a professional.
When buying your skis, your dealer should normally measure, using a machine control releasing torques obtained with your bindings with your own shoes.
1) Choose the right model for your skis and your practice
Most skis are now available with a pair of associated ski bindings. The piste and all mountain skis are often equipped with interfaces and compatible editing systems with only one type of ski binding.
Beyond the design, color and mounting compatibility, the ski binding’s characteristics offered in packages are adapted to those skis and practice to which they are intended: So trust the manufacturer and the retailer when they advise you a complete set.
In all cases, the range of adjustment of your bindings will allow some latitude adjustment.
Finally, if you select your bindings yourself, check the width of the brakes so they adapt to the width of the skis.
FKS is a legendary product, the reference in the world of freeskiing for those looking for a product without compromise. The best riders will make no mistake: they have it under their feet!
Axial ² has been developed for the World Cup in collaboration with athletes. Axial ² Bindings thus provide a high level of precision, performance and safety, both on track and freeride. Available with screw for flat skis or on TPi ² system found on some skis.
Axium is the ideal setting for all skiers who want a safe, lightweight and easy to use fixing. Available with screw for flat skis or on TPi ² system found on some skis.
Xelium is 700g lighter than a conventional system, while providing safety, design and comfort.
Winner of the Eco-responsability Award at ISPO in 2012: its environmental impact is reduced by 35% compared to the life cycle of a traditional binding.
SAPHIR bindings are dedicated to women who want an exclusive design. They optimize the ratio of safety, lightness, comfort and performance.
Rossignol offers a wide range of bindinds designed specifically for children, with a constant concern for safety and lightness. COMP J and Xelium KID models are compatible with children's shoes (type C) and adult (type A).
2) Determine the value of pre-setting your bindings
Before buying your bindings, it is important to estimate how their setting value.
So you can choose, depending on your body and your practice, the model that maximizes your safety and pleasure.
Determining this value must take into account:
1. Your weight / size
2. The sole length of your ski boots
3. Your skiing level
4. Your age, fitness and your sport habits
International standards ISO ranked skiers in three main types:
• Type I: Beginner (less than 7 days of skiing) and skier careful and moving on gentle to moderate slopes, green and blue runs.
• Type II: Intermediate Skier, not rated in the TYPE I or TYPE III
• Type III: fast Skier, aggressive, operating on moderate to steep slopes, red and black runs.
In the table below you will find the values of presets for a skier type I.
1. Select the line with your weight or size.
2. Select the column corresponding to the length of your ski boot sole
3. Depending on your level, go up or down in the table:
• Type I: Stay on the designated cell
• Type II: Go down 1 line
• Type III: Go down 2 lines
4. Depending on your age, fitness and your sport modulate this value:
• - (minus): Go up 1 line
• + (plus) Go down 1 extra line
This table is provided for guidance:
MAKE YOUR SET AND CONTROL BRACKETS BY A PROFESSIONAL
In addition: The last two columns of the table specify the torque in Nm that your dealer will find measuring your bindings on the control machine (if it has this equipment).
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