2027 Rossignol Soul W 102

The 2027 Rossignol Soul W 102 is a carryover ski featuring the same construction, shape, and profile as last year. We do get a new graphic and a new name, however, branding this ski alongside other more directional all-mountain skis. This ski is a one stop shop, offering great flotation, turning capabilities, and all-around fun. With the perfect balance between playful agility in soft snow and precise control on-piste, this versatile ski feels more intuitive and accessible than many others in this range. Whether you’re lapping pow runs at the resort or conquering backcountry terrain, this ski has been designed to tackle more terrain with more ease. These skis have a lot to offer advanced and expert women who ski rather aggressively.

Rossignol does a great job with the construction of the Soul W 102. Built with a poplar wood core to bring plentiful energy and agility, this sets the stage for the rest of the foundation. Rossignol incorporates a titanal beam to the center portion of the ski to dampen vibrations and keep the ski smooth and stable. This is where the higher level of performance stems from providing the appropriate amount of stiffness and power for a more aggressive style of skiing. That said, the amount of metal is suitable for the ski’s intended use and keeps it from feeling too demanding. We also get Air Tip technology that we’ve seen featuring in Rossignol skis since the Soul 7, as well as the VAS vibration absorption system placed in the shovel, both serve to lighten the swing weight and create a smooth, consistent feel. Despite the light, agile feel of this ski, it does weigh in at 1700 grams in the 164 cm length. While this doesn’t totally tip the scale, it is hefty enough to feel planted to the snow and substantial. Tester Mar Kuhnel states: “I enjoyed these a lot, they suited my style of skiing and were super fun. They felt fairly grippy on firm snow for how wide they are, and especially for a ski with no metal beyond what's underfoot. The softer tips were easy to engage and the tails were supportive, giving a nice boost out of the turn when pressured.”

These skis do toe the line between all-mountain and freeride. The Soul W 102 has a very useful shape and gratuitous rocker profile. The sidecut of 135/101/125 mm creates a 15-meter turn radius in the 164 cm length, which for a ski this wide is pretty short. This creates the fun-loving, agile feel that many skiers enjoy. When you factor in the weight, it’s truly impressive how nimble and responsive this ski is. Sarah Haggerty notes: “I loved these and would love them even more on an epic powder day at 102 underfoot. They are solid on ice and yet easy to turn and carve. They not too heavy but they would charge through crud and also float through powder well.”

We think that this ski will fit the needs of a large swath of accomplished skiers. The Soul W 102 fits more in the advanced and expert range, mainly due to the weight and stiffer flex. With a wide range of sizes, intermediates looking for an intuitive, energetic all-mountain ski can access it while advanced skiers looking for a quick turning, fun-loving daily driver can push it harder. Encompassing all-mountain and freeride characteristics leaves a wide range of skiers in the sweet spot for both on-trail and off-trail enjoyment. You can be as chargey and aggressive as you want on this ski and it’ll hold up well.