REVIEW: 2012-2013 Rossignol Squad 7, 190cm

[JimLad]

I detune to just inside the widest parts of ski

[KBP]

Factory tune worked well for me. Will use 1*/2*, base/side edge going forward with detune of tip and tail where rockered.

[Bandit Man]

2-days so far on the Squads...one 6" dust on crust and last night in 10-12" of sugary goodness. Crazy balance of nimble and charger. More details once I've had more time on them, but stoked so far!

[HighWest]

Has anyone noticed a separation in the die cut sections of the base? This is in the circle around the R at the curvature of the tip. Not on mine, but seen on a friend's. Anyone think this a concern for water getting into the core? Performance does not seem to be affected at this time.

[FlimFlamvanHam]

There's a dye cut on those bases. Who knew.

The core is still sealed beyond the ptex...you'd have to rip through whatever 'glue' or resin or whatever is between the ptex and the core to get to the core.

Why companies still use dye cuts is a mystery to me.

[HighWest]

^Good to know the cores are safe.

Curious to know more about your die cut bases comment. I checked out my house's quiver and between 5 pairs of skis and 2 snowboards, 4 of them have die cut bases.

[Wetdog]

I skied the 190 Squad 7's last weekend on an epic Cat Skiing trip to Back Country Snow Cats. I had my Praxis Powders with me, which I skied the first day in a full on Pacific Coast storm. Overnight the temps dropped and the clouds cleared, the moisture was sucked out of the snow. We awoke to a Blue Bird Powder Day! There was 3 to 4 feet of blower powder and I was demoing the Squad 7's in their element. I started out mounted at 0 and found that too far forward so moved the bindings back -1cm and that was better. I kept pushing the limit with -1.5 and -2. I liked them back at -1.5 or -2 best. Even at -2 I could easily edge on the soft packed cat tracks we occasionally had to ski. The year before I demoed the S7 in the same conditions and loved it, but for me at 6'3" and 185lbs, I preferred the Squad 7. It charged better and handled crossing tracked snow better at speed, but was definitely less playful, though it suited my skiing style better. I like to do medium to long radius turns at speed in powder and though the Squad 7's could be coaxed into shorter radius turns, they were more comfortable at speed in longer turns. The S7's as I recall, were more maneuverable at slow speeds and actually floated better at slow speeds. Squads, which have less rocker and are stiffer, but are by no means a stiff ski by my standards, ski damper, but I found the tips didn't want to float as much as the S7's at slower speeds, even at -2. Other than that, I would say overall, they are an excellent ski. I would like to ski them in crud and harder packed surfaces first before pulling the plug on them as a resort ski, but in the deep they were really fun.

[HighWest]

Question:

Will the 13-14 Squad 7 only be offered with Airtips? Call me crazy, but I kind of enjoy skiing a heavier ski (within the resort, of course).

Thanks.

[Bandit Man]

Question:

Will the 13-14 Squad 7 only be offered with Airtips? Call me crazy, but I kind of enjoy skiing a heavier ski (within the resort, of course).

Thanks.

Yes...but it comes in shorter lengths, too. Grab this year's while you can...skis great just the way they are.

[Ender]

All correct on the air tips. And unfortunately per Rossi no longer lengths for folks who want an actual 190 + ski.

[rocketfuel]

I have a Dynafit Radical binding and a Marker Jester alpine binding. Are they too much ski to mount the Dynafit on them?

[HighWest]

Yes...but it comes in shorter lengths, too. Grab this year's while you can...skis great just the way they are.

I can't agree more, perhaps I will have to go on the hunt.

[Andyski]

I have a Dynafit Radical binding and a Marker Jester alpine binding. Are they too much ski to mount the Dynafit on them?

They're not too much ski for the binding, but whether they're too much ski for touring depends on how big/strong you are.

[rocketfuel]

I was on Dukes and noctas last season so I dont think I'll mind...

[FlimFlamvanHam]

^Good to know the cores are safe.

Curious to know more about your die cut bases comment. I checked out my house's quiver and between 5 pairs of skis and 2 snowboards, 4 of them have die cut bases.

HighWest, nothing to be concerned with, but if the bases fail at the "seams" of the graphics it's just a warranty issue with most manufacturers. Also, repairs can be more tedious and prone to failure if you take a gouge across a graphic seam. My comment was stating that I don't get why it's done when sub-laminating graphics under one piece of p-tex avoids the above (seams in p-tex and the inherent issues associated with them).

...back to Squad 7 discussion.

[klauss]

looks like a fun ski. like the tail profile

one pair left at 450 here http://www.levelninesports.com/Rossi...3-Squad-7-Skis

[HighWest]

looks like a fun ski. like the tail profile

one pair left at 450 here http://www.levelninesports.com/Rossi...3-Squad-7-Skis

You rock! Thank you!

[D(C)]

PSA for Whistler mags, there's a set or 2 of these at Whistler Village Sports for $400. Super 7s for the same price.

[Bandit Man]

Looks like Bentgate has them for $450 shipped, too: http://www.bentgate.com/shop/rossign...ad-7-ski-11016

Some other nice finds on their site too...

[KBP]

It looks like everyone is dumping the 2013 Squad to clear inventory for the 2014 Squad 7 with the redesign. Anyone ski them both for comparison?

[undertow2]

Looks like Bentgate has them for $450 shipped, too: http://www.bentgate.com/shop/rossign...ad-7-ski-11016

Some other nice finds on their site too...

True dat - $429 for Bibbys and killer deal on carbon Megawatts... So many killer deals this year and little self control has caused severe hoarding on my part...

[Dr.Evil]

Backcountry.com has 120 pair in inventory. I'm hoping they'll show up on SAC in the near future.

I don't suppose anyone has tried the 2013 Squad and the Rocker2 115?

[Fun Consultant]

I've skied both...
2014 is noticeably lighter, the weight has been lessened from the tip and tail. They are quicker feeling than the 2013. The 2013 is a great ski, feels a bit more of a directional charger with the added heft. The reduced weight in the tips and tails of the 2014 reduces the amount of rocker bounce in addition to added quickness. The weight difference is huge if you're going to tour at all, personally the new Soul 7 is going to be a touring machine.
The Rocker2 115 is great as well, easy to ski, almost like autopilot.
Hope that helps.

[Bandit Man]

If you live in a locale that gets soft snow frequently (i.e. PNW), the Squad 7 is hard to beat. Closest comparison is the current 191 ON3P Billy Goat, with was a little more bulldozer and not as playful as the Squads. It's the answer to the "playful charger" that everyone seems to be looking for these days, IMO. As long as it is soft, the Squads have a wide performance window.

I've tried lots of the 115-125-mm waisted rockered powder skis and came to the realization that I wanted something that had less rocker in the tail and rewarded a more forward/pressure the tips stance. Love having more tail back there to pressure through when needed, but still being able to get loose in trees and tight spots. I've been pleasantly surprised how agile these are in tight trees.

Regarding weight, I had been skiing 195 Super 7's, so the Squads feel a good bit lighter in comparison (both with STH 16's). Haven't been on the 2014's, so have to take other's word on that front.

The only real downside to the Squad is that it only comes in one size this year. If I were a bigger guy, I could see wanting something just a tad longer than the 187-cm (tape pulled straight) length, although I don't have any complaints there.

The Squad is the first ski in a long time that I really haven't found an area where it is lacking. We'll see if that materializes over time.

[Andyski]

For a 130-pounder at 5'8", they're definitely more charger than playful for me in anything but untracked or very soft. Part of this, no doubt, is getting used to them after spending most of the winter touring on 112 Pures. The Squads absolutely destroy crud for me. Way better than my 183 Katana, but also less nimble. Great ski, but will require some gym work to get the most out of them at my weight.