Am I getting the right ski? Salomon X-wing 10

Question
QUESTION: Hi, Ron,
I read from your other posts about the Salomon X-wing 10 which I happen to find one 06/07 model at great price. I am not sure that's the model year you test skied?
Anyway, I am 42 y-o strong intermediate to light-advanced spent about 10 days each year for the last 13 years in Lake Tahoe area . With my 5-8" and 155 lb body, is 170 cm a right size to me? taking the fact that I sometimes go into woods and mogles, can basically handle all trails on the map but not necessary fast or pretty.   My old K2 Three is 178cm which great at speed and steep but too long in woods or mogles, my wife's 163 cm Volkl seems too short at speed, that's why I think the 170cm shouldn't be too off.
Can you please share your opinion about this? thanks a lot!

ANSWER: Hi Chris,

I skied the X-Wing 10 for a run last year. I found it suprisingly quick edge-to-edge, especially considering its width. I was impressed by the skis light and agile feel, and pleased that Salomon finally moved onto a better binding system.

The X-Wing in a 170 is about right for you- a bit long, but still in the range.

Your K2 three was narrow overall, especially in the waist, and skis well in the 178 length- so if it feels long, the 170 X-wing will have a similar sluggish aspect. This is especially true since the K2 three is on a much lower performance scale than the X-Wing 10. I would not rule out shorter, but not all the way to a 160- what size optons are available at the price you found?

Also, which Volkl is your wife on? 163 (well, 161) is great in the old five star, but definately squirrely for, say, the P-50. My 165 slaloms are just 5cm shorter than my 170 Speed Machines, but the difference in stability at speed is much more than the 5cm- it has to do with flex, width at the waist, tip and tail, and mounting point.

Get back to me on your options, and model your wife is on, and let's see how this factors in.

Ron





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My wife got a Volkl Sensor 163 cm 5 years ago (105-65-93) pretty narrow too. I like them in short quick zip-down but they just don't float in powder and shaky at higher speed.
Dealer also has X-wing in a 162 cm size. which I am afraid the tip would be unstable similar to the same size Volkl?
thanks again, have a good evening

Answer
Hi Chris,

I don't know much about the volkl sensor- I know they make several skis with a sensor-core (I think its a wood composite). The dimensions you describe fit the behaviors in the ski though. You are right about the 162- it would be great in the bumps, but pretty unstable at speed on firm snow.

Ideally, your height and weight indicate a ski in the 167-172 range, but not the highest end model (at 155, you are likely fit enough, but why use the effort?). I think the 170 is going to do the trick for you, but it'll be work at times. You can ease this by carefully detuning at the tip and tail- just enough to give the ski a bit more release. As the ski breaks in, it will become more comfortable.

Good luck-

Ron