2027 Rossignol Arcade W 88

For 2027, the Rossignol Arcade W 88 is a carryover ski with the same shape, construction, and graphics as last year. There’s a lot to like about the Rossignol Arcade W 88 as it’s one of the stiffer, burlier, and stronger skis out there at this range. The Arcade series has firmly replaced the Experience lineup, making quick work of groomers and laying down some sweet carved turns in the process. It’s on the stiffer side, so be sure this aligns with your intended purpose as well as your skill set. If you are an experienced skier, you’ll be able to get a lot more out of these skis as they are on the demanding side. Those looking to improve and progress in their carving and have the necessary set of skills and strength to do so, it’s tough to beat the Arcade W 88. Be prepared for an uncommon blend of smoothness and power.

The Arcade W 88 has a very traditional construction. Built with a full poplar wood core and two sheets of metal, this ski is all there. We also get Rossignol’s implementation of Line Control Technology to keep the ski on its intended course. This vertical strip of ABS material acts as a third vertical stringer if you consider the sidewalls to be the first two. Vibration Absorption System and Air Tip combine to create a mobile yet damp front third of the ski to keep chatter to a minimum while also keeping the ski on the agile side. In addition, the core thickness is all there—this is a stiff flexing ski that will deliver power and authority to the snow. In the 162 cm length, the ski sits on the scale at 1750 g/ski. While this isn’t overly hefty, it does have a substantial feel to it. Tester Megan Papineau states that “This is a super fun ski for a firm day at Stowe. She wants to make a lot of turns but doesn’t throw you out of the bottom of the turn like some other turns carvy skis do.”

The shape and profile are very classic in nature. At 88 mm underfoot, this ski is squarely in the all-mountain range, but it does lean more to the carving side of that realm mainly due to the shape and profile. Both of these aspects are squarely directional and traditional. There’s a lot of camber here, not a lot of rocker, and basically zero taper. The 162 produces a 13-meter turn radius which is on the very short side. This ski turns on a dime as a result. Tester Kristin Connors notes that “The Rossignol Arcade 88 W is a fun, performance-driven carver that thrives at speed. It has a strong, planted feel at the front of the ski and rewards skiers who stay forward and ski with intent. On edge, it delivers excellent carving performance that's smooth, powerful, and confidence-inspiring. It grips firmly on groomers and feels incredibly stable through the turn. It carves so well, it’s hard to believe it’s 88mm underfoot. Despite its carving focus, the Arcade 88 W holds its composure in mixed conditions, cutting through crud and chopped-up snow with ease.”

These things love to carve, no matter the conditions or terrain. The Rossignol Arcade W 88 is certainly a strong and focused ski. It works great on the feet of advanced and expert skiers and will likely be a bit of a handful for those with lesser skills or less of a desire to carve a turn. For those who are looking for a wider ski with race-like performance, this Arcade W 88 is the place to be. If you enjoy a stiff and responsive ski, it’s tough to beat this one.