2022 Salomon S/Force Ti.80

The 2022 Salomon S/Force Ti.80 is an amazing choice for intermediate all the way through expert skiers who are looking for that front side ski with a bit of extra width to it for both balance and power at a variety of speeds. Like the other skis in the S/Force line, and more specifically, the Bold, the Ti.80 has more of a race-style of construction and shape to make it excel in the firm snow and in more of a GS-style of turn. With a very non/minimally tapered shape, these skis hook up instantly and carry the edge hold through the rest of the turn and into the tail. The very flat tail gives you fantastic kick and finish to the carve, propelling you instantly and energetically into the next one, virtually eliminating the need for transitions. It's a very natural and precise feel to the ski, and this allows the skier to either roll from edge to edge or really stand on the ski and rip through the carves. Skis like this can get lost in the shuffle, but when we get on them and experience the power, stability, and smoothness of the Ti.80, we're continually impressed with skis of this level. They usually pack more wallop and punch above their level, allowing for a wider range of skier ability and a surprising top end.

John Mcintosh skied the 170 cm length, and noted that while it "felt a little short for me, it was nevertheless very precise and powerful." That's one of the nice things about skis like this, with their burly construction, is that you can get a good amount of enjoyment out of them even in shorter sizes. While John is more of a mid to upper 170's skier, he's still finding a lot to like about the Ti.80 in the 170. As a result of this, his top scores were 5's out of 5 for quickness and maneuverability, with 4's given for overall impression, versatility, torsional stiffness, edge hold, playfulness, and stability. This is a pretty darn high spread of scores, leading to an upper-end average and a pretty nice review from John here. He calls it a "really fun front side carver, and was surprisingly fun in variable conditions and terrain." This is a nice notion, that the ski can not only excel in a carving application, but also have some versatility built in, and that's a good move for a lot of skiers.

In addition to the race-like build with titanal laminates, the skis also have a few other interesting technologies that help set this Ti.80 apart in a relatively crowded field. The first is Salomon's Edge Amplifier. This additional sidewall underfoot gets directly connected to the binding system interface and allows for a stronger edge grip underfoot with more leverage for steeper edge angles and deeper carves. They use this on a lot of their skis, but it really works quite well in a ski like this at this 80 mm underfoot width. By directing more force and energy to the edges of the ski, the skier reaps the benefits, making the cleanest and roundest turns out there. Second, the Crossover Tip adds a new dimension of shock absorption to the mix. By removing the metal in the tip and replacing it with TPU (fancy rubber) and Salomon's C/FX material, the tips of the skis become a bit lighter and more absorbent of shock, creating an easier initiation into the turn as well as making the ski more compliant in variable snow conditions. The nice thing about this is that it doesn't eat into the overall performance and carving ability of the ski.

From carved turns on the groomers to scooting around the trails, the Salomon S/Force Ti.80 is a surprisingly capable ski that has a lot more action to it than you may expect. If you're in the market for an ~80 mm underfoot ski that likes to spend most of its time on the smoother and more manicured terrain, this is a ski worth checking out for sure. Our testers were able to lay down some pretty sweet turns, and that'll translate to a wide variety of skiers doing the same on their home mountains.