2021 Rossignol Experience 92 Ti

The 2021 Rossignol Experience 92 Ti is a refinement of the older E94. Over the years, we've seen Rossignol narrow down their experience line, from the old E100 as the widest to now a 92. Why the decrease in width in these all-mountain rippers? Well, the 98's and 100's of yesteryear were pretty burly skis. They had minimal taper and rocker, so they were really just wide carving skis. While there were a number of skiers who really enjoyed that Cadillac-like ride, they were a bit one-dimensional, especially when compared to some of the more versatile all-mountain skis in this range that incorporated more rocker and taper to the mix. Rossignol mainly relied on their 7-Series skis for that freeride feel, and now that Blackops has overtaken that line and offers a few newer and more appropriate options, the Experience 94 from the last two seasons has been downsized yet again. Again, while a fair amount of skiers enjoyed that 94 (myself included), it never really gained traction for one reason or another-really an underrated ski (that we happen to have a lot of at SkiEssentials.com at a great price). So, for 2021 we get a slightly narrower ski that basically is going to serve as a wider option to the super-popular Experience 88. Built with a thinner core than the previous model, the 92 is lighter and easier to turn, and with the lightness found in the tips and tails, these skis have very easy swing weight to get around on, making them a bit more accessible for advanced skiers who are looking for an entry to that low to mid-90's underfoot category. We'd peg them as turnier and more front-side oriented than skis like the Blizzard Rustler 9 or the Salomon QST 92, and a bit lighter than a Fischer Ranger 92 Ti. But overall, the new shape is going to attract some new skiers for sure, as there was a bit of an overlap between the older 94 and other skis like a Volkl Mantra M5 or even a Stockli Stormrider 95. This new Experience 92 should carve out its own niche.

Bob St.Pierre got a great morning to ski the 180 cm length, but would have opted for the longer 187. Regardless, it was easy for him to spot the strengths of the ski, scoring it 5's out of 5 for quickness, maneuverability, and playfulness. Lower scores of 3 out of 5 for flotation, stability, and forgiveness were not too surprising given the light weight build yet stiffer tails of the skis. He calls it "light, quick, and fast! Loves to make shorter and quicker turns and the high camber underfoot makes it easier and funner to rip off those short, quick, and snappy turns." To emphasize that quickness, Bob also notes that since they're "quite light in the tips, these things turn on a dime!" Skiers who value quickness without sacrificing carving ability and stability will love the new feel of the 92.

Also on the 180, Steve Sulin found it fit him pretty well. He scored the ski all 4's out of 5 with the exception of a 5 for overall impression. Steve is a fan of the updates, agreeing that it closes that gap that used to exist. As the manager of Pinnacle Ski and Sports rental, demo, and retail division, Steve sees a lot of skis come in and out of the door, and the Experience skis are some of the trustiest sticks. He notes that the Experience 92 is "a good upgrade from the old 94 and is simply a wider version of the already versatile Experience 88. It's a great all-mountain ski that is fun in mixed snow and crud." In fact, as Steve concludes, the skis are "fun for everyone!" This is a great way to look at the new 92 for sure.

It's fun to see when a company tweaks a ski and how that's all going to play out. While a lot of skiers really enjoyed the 94 and still get a lot of production out of the 88, the 92 should become a good option for skiers looking for a versatile all-mountain ski with a wider platform.