The Rossignol Delta Sport R-Skin classic skis are a great choice for skiers looking for an entry point into the higher end of the classic Nordic world. Skin grip systems have been all the rage over the past few years, and it’s great to see it trickle throughout the models and brands, allowing more skiers to be able to access this interesting technology. As opposed to fish scale grip, the skin occupies less room on the ski, allowing for a more natural glide, as more of the non-gripped part of the ski is in touch with the snow. Additionally, the smaller footprint of the grip makes it so more of your emphasis is placed on technique, kind of forcing you to push down on the proper part of the ski and not just relying on the fish scales to do all of the work.
The think I miss most about the fish scales is the sound that they make. On the downhills, especially in firmer snow, the fish scales make a satisfying sound that the skins just don’t make. I actually like the quiet of the skin, but it doesn’t tell me how fast I’m going, like I used to use the fish scales as kind of a speedometer. At any rate, the skins work, both uphill and downhill, and the Rossignol Delta Sport R-Skin skis are a great setup for getting into classic skiing with an upper-end feel. Thanks to the shape that falls more in line with competitive racing skis, the 41/44/44/44 sidecut is arrow-straight, allowing for proper kick and glide in the track for a premium feel. These skis will go incredibly straight, regardless of your ability, and the narrow overall footprint makes them incredibly fast and fun.
CONSTRUCTION
R-Skin Tech Base
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Carol Van Dyke had a blast on the 196 cm R-Skin Sport, but did note its place among the rest of the skis in this category. Her scores showed as much, with 3’s given for speed, glide, weight, and overall impression. The rest of her scores were 4’s including stability, maneuverability, and versatility. There’s a place for a lot of these skis in the Nordic world, and the R-Skin Sport has a great blend of it all, leading to that higher score for versatility. Obviously, this ski isn’t going to get the same weight score as a race-specific classic ski, but given the similar shape and the skin technology, it has a lot to offer. Carol notes that the R-Skin Sport “Skied similarly to the (higher-end) R-Skin Comp, just a bit heavier.” And she states simply, as a result, “I liked the Comp better.” A seasoned skier like Carol should and will gravitate to the higher-end ski, but that doesn’t mean the Sport version is without merit, especially for more budget-oriented skiers who will see a break in pricing.
Classic skiers who are looking for the next step in the evolution should take a square look at the Delta Sport R-Skin classic skis. The skin technology, combined with the shaping of their race-program stuff puts this ski in the upper-end of the Nordic world, but with a build more reminiscent of a recreational ski. It’s a great mix of performance and value, and one that will appeal to a ton of classic skiers.
