The Salomon S/Race E-Skin is a race-level classic ski that comes in at a slightly lower price than the S/Lab and S/Max models. It uses a lot of the same technology and design elements as those skis, however, making it a really good value for anyone who wants or needs race skis. Salomon’s E-skin system provides excellent grip, while retaining efficient glide too. Although you won’t see these on the feet of a World Cup racer, they’re a really good choice for high school or even collegiate racers who aren’t ready to shell out a few hundred dollars more for the higher-end skis.
Sam Purnell took some laps on the S/Race and really enjoyed its performance. She didn’t give it a single score below 4 out of 5, which is really impressive and shows that this ski compares well even to the more expensive models. “Light ski, easy to maneuver. A little wider throughout the whole ski, which gave it good stability. Good for an upper intermediate and advanced skier.” That’s good feedback from Sam. The S/Race does use a straight 44/44/44 sidecut profile, which is a little wider in the tip than some race-level classic skis. As Sam points out, this gives it a little extra stability, which for a lot of skiers will provide extra comfort and confidence.
CONSTRUCTION
E-Skin Grip System
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Jeff Neagle also has the opportunity to test the S/Race E-Skin and his scores matched Sam’s almost exactly. “To be honest, I think you have to be a really, really good skier to benefit from the skis that are more expensive than this. The top 1% will go a little faster on the World Cup level skis, but in my opinion, these are all you need if you’re a younger or more recreational racer.” Jeff also commented on how much he likes race classic skis with skins in general. “The skin system makes it so much easier to go skiing. So much easier to prep for a race… It’s amazing how far the technology has come. I also think they’re more approachable for a skier with less experience. They’re not as unforgiving as the World Cup level skis as it’s slightly easier to engage the skin. Very similar in that sense to the Fischer Twin Skin Pro.”
If you’re looking for a high-end classic ski with race-ready performance, but hoping to save a little money, the S/Race E-Skin from Salomon is fantastic. They’re lightweight, they’re fast, and although they might not be quite as responsive as the higher-end models, they provide plenty of performance for the vast majority of skiers, including racers.
