Gear Review: 2017 Rossignol Sky 7 HD

Location of Test: Mission Ridge, Wenatchee Washington Duration: over the course of 2 days Value Rating: 9 Durability Rating: 8 Overall Rating: 8.5 Product Name: Sky 7 HD Product Brand: Rossignol Best Use: All Mountain performance and serious off piste fun! Sizes Available / Specs: 172, 180 & 188 cm Poulownia wood core HD - Carbon Alloy Matrix (Carbon fiber mesh) Waist - 98 mm Air Tip Technology Video Review: Full Review: At the most recent WWSRA Northwest Demo at Mission Ridge, WA., I was able to get out on many great skis over the course of two days and as always there were 4 or 5 that really rose above the rest. While it might have been closer to the bottom of the top 5 for me personaly, The new Rossignol Sky 7 HD found an awkward place alongside skis from much smaller boutique boutique brands of the likes of ON3P, Black Crows, Rocky Mountain Underground & Armada's 2016/17 models. It is important for me to point out that while I am a longtime fan of the Rossignol brand and grew up racing on SM's, I have not been a big advocate of Air-Tip technology (designed to reduce swingweight) as I prefer a ski with a little more heft/girth. I've found the Sins, Souls and Supers of the past to be a bit too light and skitterish on granular, icy or chunk/mank conditions to be considered versatile. Rossignol has not changed anything construction-wise in their line-up for 4 consecutive seasons. 2016/17 will be the first time that the Rossignol 7 series gets an overhaul from the inside out. New HD technology is the single most welcome change. HD represents the addition of Carbon Alloy Matrix (or Carbon fiber mesh) across all 7 series skis. In the Sky 7 specifically, It delivers a dampening effect to the ski edge and is much more solid and stable than its predecessor the Sin 7. The Sky is also surprisingly playful and bouncy while retaining its stiff-ish flex and power carvability. Rossi's Sky 7 is smooth, snappy and requires very little in exchange for each turn. This ski and the new Super 7 HD offer an almost perfect quiver! The 16/17 Rossignol Sky 7 HD is a ski that is perfectly suited for PNW snow conditions and is versatile enough to ski well pretty much anywhere. "The Good" List: Stable , Quick edge to edge, responsive and versatile. Feels much more damp and stable than its predecessor the Sin 7. "The Not so Good List" Still has a tenancy to feel a little light at higher speeds and upon take off and landing. The Bottom Line Damper and more solid than previous model year Rossignol 7 series skis. An improved tool for a wide variety of conditions. Perfect for any fan of the 7 series (or anyone who wished they felt a bit more solid). I'm comfortable recommending this ski to a broader group than almost any other single ski coming next year!