Thread: Rossignol S3 186 Review

Me: Nearly 6', 210 with gear on.
Skiing Style: aggressive alpine ski!!! Fast but not a big mountain line charger, love trees.
Length: 186cm
Binders: Small Duke @ +1.5
Location: Whistler/Blackcomb
Conditions: 60cm PNW heavier pow, blower pow, cement, chopped/crud, foot high sastrugi, icy groomers, corn.
Other Skis Liked: Armada ANT when my game was on, Atomic Sugar Daddy 183, 09/10 186 Gotama.
Disliked: 1st gen K2 Enemy, can't think what else right now.

After hearing my best buddy rave about these skis through 08-09, telling me they'd be an amazing everyday ski for Whistler, I had to try some. I jumped at the opportunity to pick these up for $400 flat.

iI rode Armada ANTs 07-09 and I wanted something more playful/nimble than the ANTs, which beat me up when I was sloppy. I love to go fast wherever I can. I wanted a ski with (at least) tip rocker that would be light enough to tour with and handle pow days up to 30cm without problem.

Rocker profile:
40 cm tip rocker:
30 cm tail rocker:

These things actually measure 182cm.

I have nine days on the S3s. So far, I'm very impressed.

I'm 6 months off ACL surgery and I'm still a bit weak, graft is still vascularizing, etc. Early season game-plan was to take it easy and ride something chill, so it was probably an unwise move to hop into the Red Chair lift line, but it was fresh as hell and had very few tracks down it. I felt right at home, and these skis kicked ass.

I ride trees much more than alpine lines, and these float on top. The only issue I've ever had with floatation was the 60cm day of PNW pow when I was first getting used to them. I felt like I'd have to lean back quite a bit, worried that the tips would dive. They never did. You really need to lean further forward, the S3 rocker behaves like it should: float, float, float. Riding islands of fresh in between tracked out, you can throw them in sideways on the tiniest pocket, skim over the top and dump serious speed. They feel like a nimble park ski that floats, minus a super soft flex. I skied tight trees way faster, the S3 swing weight and rocker is just so much nicer, lighter, nimbler than the planky Ants. I'm not even considering a big mountain ski at the moment until I master these and I'm almost there, they're so intuitive. I doubt I'll pick up a bigger ski until next year, I'm having so much fun with the S3s.

When I did get to ride some alpine lines, conditions were pow/wind-blown pow over crust. Quite stable! I never felt squirrelly or over the speed limit. I'm not a big mountain charger, but I'm not a fockin' slouch and know when it's time to open it up. Thanks to the rocker, crust underneath was a non-issue, I only felt it when coming to a complete stop. Running into the slabbier wind-blown, I was thrown a little forward, fearing I might dive a tip and ragdoll. Nada. Leaning back a little let the rocker did it's thing, skimming over the top.

I wonder about de-tuning the tip and tail, to maybe remedy this deceleration, though it's probably higher-resistance snow that's causing this. Later on in the same day, I scrubbed over some nasty rocks and paid my dues in 2 core shots. The bases aren't soft, I think any ski would have shown damage, I'm glad I didn't rip an edge out (which was exposed). I'm sure these will come out fine after a tune.

In the variable shit, the S3s are great. The shorter effective edge is surprisingly more stable than I anticipated, the only place where they squiggle around is on near-melt (this is a pretty minor thing, I've only experienced this on cat tracks back to the lift) and on -20C bulletproof ice where only a race ski would truly shine. On groomers and terrain with ice cookies, the decent radius keeps them fairly stable and easy to carve, the rocker just floats over the nasty frozen loose garbage. Corn that I've hit during some rain events on lower mountain stuff is nearly as fun as pow, after all, these can double as a park ski, using the furthest forward mount. While my mount is behind that, these are still nimble as fuck and super playful. The S3s simply carve trenches in the corn, I'm sure they'll be an absolute blast to ride lines with in the spring. They aren't a big mountain ski by any means, but I haven't found them to be noodles at all. Foot high sastrugi? Yeah, these literally jumped on top. Not that I'd even tempt skiing fast through this, but it wasn't a problem cruising over this stuff, thanks to the rocker. In PNW cement, the rocker again saved my life. Yeah yeah: rocker, rocker, rocker. It's true. The S3s planed on top of this. Sure, I was fearful of catching a tip, but after a moment of caution I quickly realized I can ski regularly and enjoy fresh snow, regardless of the water content.

Yesterday, I rode my friend's 186 S3s mounted at the 0 line with Axial150/PX15. His skis did feel like they had much more nose, I had to lean further forward. Conditions again were pow and heavier pow at lower elevation. I could lean further forward at higher speeds. I skied some fairly tight/pillow trees, they did the same thing - ruled. I really didn't notice much of a difference with the 1.5 cm increase in the nose, but I'd like to A/B these more and see what minor nuances can be attributed to each.

So, Rossignol, great job with these. I'd buy another pair in a heartbeat, and I'd recommend them to folks who want a light, nimble ski that is capable of slaying trees, but will still be stable at speed and rule in pretty much any condition. Fire away if there are any questions.

isn't there already an S3 review thread? in any case, tried these for the first time today mounted on the 0 line which i believe was 84.5cm from the tail. out east, conditions were a little bit of packed snow and a fair bit of yellow snowgun ice (yay). i actually had a lot of fun, really quick and playful. most fun i've had on groomers and bumps in a long time.. now to get them in some snow.

Sweetness, thanks for the reviews guys, keep 'em coming. I've tried and liked the S7's a lot of and these seem like they'd be a great every day stick.

Grapedrink - yeah, there is another review somewhere else. Was pretty short (not to take away from whoever posted it), figured I'd do something that's pretty concise. Right you are - they are stupid quick and playful.

ulty_guy - exactly that. Amazing every day stick.

Bump for rocker shots.

Hello great review!

I'm planning to buy a couple myself but i have some question.


Where should i mount my bindings if i ride 33%park 33%pist and 33% off pist?

I don't think anybody can help you without knowing where you do the remaining 1% of your skiing.

ha ha very funny!

Mount them wherever you please, man.

As stated, mine are at +1.5 from the zero line. I think it's a good spot. It's personal preference. I can't really help you any further.

I ahev also been enjoying a pair of S3s for the last weeks.

Mounting:
!! Be careful with the mounting position:

Apparently, the markers on some of the skis are completely off.
The shop that mounted my pair (I use the recommended freeride/classic mounting point) had to get the specs from Rossignol and measure from tip/tail to get the correct marks.


Comments on the ski:
- I ski the 186 with marker barons, recommended freeride mounting point, and I've had 5 days on them now. I'm 1,80 and 80kg without gear.
- quite playful (especially compared to my previous ski, a Bilzzard Argos in 187), turns easily, you can easily cheat into turns by bending the tail (in breakable crust or for those emergency turns in the trees) if necessary
- no tip dive in what i have tested up to now (30cm of powder, windblow and wet snow; also in breakable crust) no matter how much forward you ski it or land it (ok, unless you try face first)
- carves perfect turns on ice once you get used to it, I'm selling my piste skis..
- tip and tail are rather soft, stiffer undefoot. I have to admit in terms of busting through tracked out stuff the ski is quite different from the much stiffer Argos I used before. It goes much more over stuff than through it. But I can't say too much about that yet.

I found that due to the short effective edge it has to be skied with the weight very much over the center when on hardpack (it's my first rockered ski - this is probably the case with any other such product) and you have to get used to the edge starting to catch further back. Still works really great on any kind of ice and groomer.

Touring: with my mounting position the skis swing around nicely for the turns. Overall weight feels totally acceptable.

Generally I think the S3 is a pretty unique and outstanding concept for a do-it-all quiver of one ski. Slim enough to handle icy couloirs and icy ascents, the rocker and smaller rear tip keep it afloat no matter what, and it is stiff enough underfoot to be acceptable on hardpack. It's hard to find similar skis especially in that price category (mine were 449 euros with the marker barons).

does anybody know if last years s3's had rocker?

^^^ No, they did not.

great ski...but why the dinosaurs and flowers? If I get a pair the first thing I'm doing is painting them

Nice review Graham:
I've got the same set up as herr_
Mine are mounted on the 0 line. This is an absolutely fucking incredible do everything ski for me, though my "everything" does not include parks, rails (that's kind of stupid with brand new skis, no) and we very very seldom will see ice here. They handle bumps, pow, crud, cement, carve ruts in the groomers and feel perfect at speed (like 50mph). They float, carve, turn on a dime.

Other skis in my regular quiver are Volkl 190 explosivs (my old touring skis and teles), and some salomon 198 rocket labs (plus a couple of carving boards). I'm a 49 yr old aggressive skier who's ok at speed but not a real big mountain ripper.

My only question (only because I already have Goode 106's with dynafits that I love, and are really light), I just couldn't see touring with them, especially with markers. How would they negotiate switchbacks with the rocker and the twin tip?

OK I can hear the shouts now - "go out and try them out, old fat jong" well bite me. I'm sure peeps have toured on em - what's the scoop?

edit - I'm 5'7" 180
(playing squash regularly now though so 165 in 2 months mark my words

after spending some time on my S7s, I would love these as a dynafit rig... just without the turned-up tail.. anything out there similar with a flat tail?

Originally Posted by garyfromterrace

My only question (only because I already have Goode 106's with dynafits that I love, and are really light), I just couldn't see touring with them, especially with markers. How would they negotiate switchbacks with the rocker and the twin tip?

I only did about 600m uphill vertical with the skis up to now, but the terrain was nasty enough to require a lot of switchbacks.
Rocker: I didn't notice it at all, except for a different feeling when breaking trail. I believe that you actually get better grip because you get more pressure under foot, und thus compact the snow a bite more.

Twin tip: of course, the ski is a bit longer in the back than e.g. a coomba. For my size - 1,80m with the 186 and I have rather short legs - it worked out fine, although you do have to concentrate a bit more than with the standard Euro setup (which is some 150 skinny skis ;-). If you're smaller it might be a problem with the length of the ski.

Also, skis came around nice for kicks. This depends on your mounting point. My old skis, Scratch BC with Fritschis, were more difficult to handle because the tail wouldnt come back down. Works OK for me now with the S3.

Barons: feel was OK, but I had to handle the climbing aid by hand instead of the poles. Guess that takes some practise.

Of course, your dynafit setup is probably a different league. The past two years I toured with Salomon X-Wave boots (before I shelled out the cash for my BDs) so I'm kinda used to weight.

Graphics: they are a lot better than they look on the photos. Love them. It's actually 3 colors with white,black (obvioulsy) and some kind of matte-darkgrey.


I'll know more next week, heading to Engadin/Switzerland for 4 days - with at least two days of touring planned - tomorrow morning.

Thanks for the beta herr_stoiber.
I'd be interested in hearing how they work out for the multi-day sojorn.
Some kick turns I put one ski underneath the other (at the mid point if the upper ski if that makes any sense). The turned up tail would seem to make this move more difficult.

Graphics, ski whore?
Whatever. shit dude - it's what's on the bottom that counts
I would suggest buying a new suit to match your new ski graphics. Oh, and new boots and probably bindings too.

Great review, these skis are so beautiful... and I'm searching for a rockered lightweight ski that allows me to enjoy the bad Alpen's snow...

The length of the 186 cm is actually 182 cm?

@gary: indeed a twin is a bit harder to kickturn because its easier to catch the tail of the moving ski on the one you are standing on. a matter of practise.

multiday I can't say but now I've had quite some single days of touring on them and they do fine. only difference I can see between these and the non-rockered Coomba that my gf and one buddy use is that the center of the S3 does sink in a bit more in the skin tracks when it is soft, and also on the way down, which makes it a bit slower on gliding sections, but also really stable for straightlining and going fast because the tips stay on top better this way.

Otherwise I've now had the chance to ski deeper (knee deep when on skis, waist deep when off) snow on the S3s and they work really well. As stated above while you do of course sink in, the rocker and pintail construction does a good job at keeping the tip up without too much backseating necessary. I've skied slightly fatter skis that performed much worse. also when landing drops the tips re-surface quickly as long as you have a slight upward tendency during landing. ski is stable when fast (ok, I'm not a pro, so fast may not be your fast) in pow, and also ok when racing beat up slopes, while still being really friendly when it's steep and tight.

As far as I can say Rossi did a good job on this one and it's a hell of a ski for the price.
Even though now I'd really like to compare the S7 ;-)

One strange thing though: the skis just wont hold together because the brakes wont lock in well, and even when using a velcro they keep falling apart. So without a velcro, carrying them on the shoulder is quite annoying. Probably due to the marker ski brakes being a bit shorter than e.g. Fritschis?

PS ad barons: once you figure out that the metal thing is just where your skibrakes are when it is in the lower of the two positions, it's quite easy to manipulate the climbing aid with your poles. works well.

herr stoiber:
Thanks for posting again. Yeah, I thought the turned up tail might be an issue. Sounds like they do tour pretty well though. I'm stoked that you're enjoying those little beauties. I haven't skied mine for a few weeks cause I've been touring the last 9 times out - still loving my Goodes!

Hey man, I might be skiing out that way a fair bit in the next years. My fiance is auditioning for operatic solo work over there. Know any opera house or orchestra directors looking for a great lyric coloratura soprano?

Originally Posted by garyfromterrace

My only question (only because I already have Goode 106's with dynafits that I love, and are really light), I just couldn't see touring with them, especially with markers. How would they negotiate switchbacks with the rocker and the twin tip?

many people say that ski with rocker work better because of the less friction of the skins...

Originally Posted by Cheesestoff

after spending some time on my S7s, I would love these as a dynafit rig... just without the turned-up tail.. anything out there similar with a flat tail?

5 minutes with a bandsaw will get you what you are looking for.

Originally Posted by single

5 minutes with a bandsaw will get you what you are looking for.

10.11 graphic is better, and the base holds wax way better then this years clear base. Mounted Dyna FT12 at -1 and the kill it in the BC.

BUMP...

Spent my first day on these (186 mounted at "0" mark w/914's) and WOW...what a fun ski! Felt like older Gotama's but with rockered tips, combined with the playfulness of a park ski. Solid enough, but oh so playful. More to follow once I get more time on them.

Originally Posted by Sicbith

10.11 graphic is better, and the base holds wax way better then this years clear base. Mounted Dyna FT12 at -1 and the kill it in the BC.

+1

Great ski, bases blow. Run over a few logs or rocks and you are going to grind to a halt on any flats. Hold out for next years.