On the top end of the skate skiing spectrum lies the Rossignol X-Ium Premium setup. As a competitive race ski, the X-Ium Premium is built to go fast, with an incredibly responsive flex and an upper-end feel. Rossignol’s Nomex Honeycomb core is the main culprit for this excessive amount of performance, creating a stiff and stable structure by using the similar structure of a honeycomb found in nature. It’s all capped off to make the whole ski act as one cohesive unit, making the ski one of the most responsive and precise skate skis on the market. Our test models featured Rossignol’s Skate Pro bindings with the IFP plate that allows you to slide the binding back or forward to generate more grip or glide. The skis are offered in different base structures, as our test models featured the S3, or softer base. This worked well for our testers and our conditions.
One of our taller testers, Marcus Shakun, skied the 193 in the S3 base and had nothing but positive things to say about this high-end race ski. 5’s out of 5 were given for speed, stability, and glide, with 4’s for maneuverability and versatility. Overall impression and a favorable light weight were in the 4.5 range, showing the high-end functionality of the X-Ium Premium. No stranger to top-shelf skis, Marcus notes that the X-Ium Premium has a “nice, stable, stiff feel with lots of rebound. Great with the mixed snow conditions that we had and still had good energy in the soft snow, but really good on the firm snow.” Marcus also notes that they had “fast glide and stable with every skate kick.” And for reference, if you’re a good skate skier, but not a competitive racer, and you happen to be 6’5”, Marcus notes that the 193 was an “ideal length and stiffness for my size, and a powerful, advanced skate skier would really enjoy this ski.” Our other male tester, Jeff Neagle, takes on a slighter frame, but has a stronger Nordic background, so it’s an interesting dichotomy between these two skiers. Jeff was on the 181 and put the X-Ium “right up there with the Fischer Speedmax. I’d love to own a pair of these.” Jeff’s scores of 5 out of 5 were given for speed, glide, weight, and overall impression.
CONSTRUCTION
Cold Base Bonding
PREFERRED TERRAIN
For the ladies, Peg Lackey loved the performance, weight, and responsiveness of the X-Ium Premium. All 5’s on the scorecard for Peg, showing a well-rounded and high-end character. She notes as such, concerning her 181 cm test length: “Well, it’s hard not to like them given the top of the line. I felt like I didn’t even have skis on my feet!” And in terms of the intended target audience (and market): “Best for someone who wants to spend top dollar.” Yes, they do come with a premium price tag, but then again, it says it right there in the title of the ski. Also on that 181, Carol Van Dyke was pretty much all in the 5 range as well, with 4’s sprinkled in for speed and glide. She notes that the X-Ium Premium was “quiet, nimble and fast—a great race ski that step-turned nicely.” Our last lady on the 181, Sam Purnell, doesn’t quite have the race background, but notes that the X-Ium Premium “makes me feel like a better skier!” Her scores were a bit more varied than the other two ladies, with 5’s given for speed, glide, and overall impression, but some more average scores of 3 for stability and versatility. Makes sense that the top-end skate ski from Rossignol would be a bit more one-dimensional.
For a ski with the word “Premium” in its name, the Rossignol X-Ium sure lives up to the hype. As a full-on, high-end race ski in the skate world, these skis love to be pushed to the edge and have the build and the shape to back it up. Our testers were all pretty much enamored with the light weight and responsiveness of these great skaters, making it an obvious choice for a top ski in its class.
