2026 Salomon Stance Pro 96

The 2026 Salomon Stance Pro 96 gets a name and graphic change but returns otherwise the same. The Stance Pro 96 still relies on an energetic wood core and two sheets of metal to deliver amazing all-mountain performance and versatility. This is a great option for advanced and expert skiers who are looking to boost their directional skiing experience and are wanting a lot of stability and power to go along with surprisingly good flotation. Skis in this width range with two sheets of metal are generally on the burlier side, but the Stance Pro 96 allows for some easier turning and softer snow opportunities.

Built with a blend of poplar and karuba in the core, the Stance Pro 96 strikes a balance between smoothness and energy. The bulk of the smoothness and damping comes from the use of two sheets of titanal. The upper laminate is milled out in rectangular areas in the forebody and the tail, and those zones are replaced with carbon and basalt fibers. This boosts the pop and snap of the ski to go along with the karuba’s zippy feeling. While burly, the skis aren’t terribly heavy, with the 182 sitting on the scale at a stated weight of 1920 g/ski. Tester Grant Weiler notes that it “Skis like a pro model. The two sheets of metal make for an incredibly damp and strong ride. However, that also results in the ski being very planted, it certainly prefers to be on edge, charging through variable conditions than getting poppy and playful in moguls and tight places. It’s a big mountain ski.”

The Stance Pro 96 is a mid-width ski that can easily blend the attributes of all-mountain and freeride use. It has a relatively longer turn radius of 20-meters which puts more emphasis on the skier and their intended turn styles and shape. It can make quick and short skidded turns really well and then you can open it up and let it run in wider spaces. Salomon states a rocker profile of 17% in the tips and 12% in the tail so the side view of the ski isn’t overly dramatic. It works surprisingly well in crud and chop with a nice balance of power and agility. Tester Greg Morrill notes that it’s “Solid and smooth turning through the crud. Confident that I could handle whatever came up.”

While the name and look may have changed, the meat and potatoes of this ski have returned unchanged. The Stance Pro 96 has always been an awesome ski for advanced and expert skiers, and it’ll continue to hold that title into 2026. For whatever reason, it’s never really caught on as a very popular ski, probably because it’s overshadowed in its own brand by the QST line, but for those looking for more power and carving performance, the Stance Pro 96 is a very strong and capable ski.