2021 Rossignol Hero Elite MT

There are wider carving skis, and narrower carving skis. There are carving skis with longer turn radii, and there're carving skis with shorter turn radii. And then there's the Rossignol Hero Elite MT, that lies somewhere right in the middle. It's in this middle ground that a lot of skiers find themselves. They might not be on the local race team or anything like that, and they're likely a carving enthusiast who looks forward to the fresh groomers at the beginning of each day. This is where the MT really shines. In the 175 cm length, the skis have a 15-meter turn radius, which is shorter than that produced by the LT version and longer than that of the ST. As a result, the skis have that good middle ground, and it's fed by the 74 mm waist width. Narrower than the Plus and wider than the ST, the MT again finds itself smack in the goldilocks zone for carving widths. The mid-fat waist is perfect for a majority of skiers as it doesn't require as precise of a balance point but it's also narrow enough to provide some excellent torsional stiffness. Unchanged for 2021 except for graphics, our testers' previous experience still rings true. The wood core, two sheets of metal and dual LCT all combine for a race-like feel but with a wider footprint and a softer flex than the upper-end race skis and this is a good thing for most of us mere mortal skiers.

Marcus Shakun skied the 175, but should likely be on the 183 due to his 6'5" frame. Even so, he loved a lot of aspects of the skis. 5's out of 5 for quickness, maneuverability, playfulness, torsional stiffness, edge hold, and overall impression are all pretty darn good scores for a front side ski that's too small for the skier. Marcus calls it a "one ski quiver for the front side. Edge to edge it was lightning-quick. Best for the advanced to expert skier who likes short to long turns and likes a ski that is energetic and snappy out of the turn." Rossignol also does a great job with the flex of their skis, causing Marcus to note the "damper shovel with the stiffer tail" makes for great "stability on edge." He concludes by stating that there's "not too much negative about this versatile, multi-turning front-side carver."

As our shop manager and a member of the ski bum race team, Steve Sulin thinks he found "my race ski for next year. Can't wait!" He skied the 175 and found it to be the right length for sure. 5's out of 5 were given for stability, quickness, maneuverability, torsional stiffness, edge hold, and overall impression. As a more one-dimensional ski, low scores for flotation, playfulness, forgiveness, and versatility are not surprising. We'll have to check back and see if Steve's times are noticeably better with these solid carvers.

There's a lot to like about the Rossignol Hero Elite MT, as the multi-turning ability of the skis is second to none in its class. The Line Control Technology combined with the dampness of the ski creates a lovely mix of power and precision. They're quick as well, so be sure to come prepared to keep up with the high levels of intensity that they're going to give off.