2027 Salomon Stance Pro 86

The 2027 Salomon Stance Pro 86 is a carryover ski featuring the same construction, shape, profile, and graphics as last year. While these skis have more of a front side feel to them, they’re still quite versatile, and we’ve had them out in some pretty choppy conditions so far. The Stance Pro 86 definitely held up its end of the bargain, delivering predictability and confidence with each turn. We’ve often referred to the current Stance lineup as having more of a traditional feel, but the new Stance Pro 86 takes that to the next level with a thicker wood core and more of a natural style to it. It’s a well-rounded ski in the mid-80's that offers a lot of confidence for all-mountain skiing.

While some of the other Stance Pro skis use a bunch of different layers, this one is more traditional. The construction of the ski relies more on that wood core, with a full and thick poplar layup bringing power and stability to the mix. The titanal laminate has the new and interesting shaping here, as it is split down the middle and extends outward towards the edges in more of a wing-style. This allows the ski to flex more naturally in a torsional manner while still keeping the central spine sturdy and damp. These skis also use wider steel edges for increased traction and grip. It all adds up when it comes to weight, as these skis top the 2000-gram mark per ski in the 185 cm length. They’re stiff, but still approachable. Tester Rich O’Brien notes its “Light tip, and ability to make many turn shapes, but not a stout ski. Kept finding myself forward trying to drive it more, and it was just a bit too soft for me. It felt light and the edges set well when needed.”

Skis in this range mix and blend front side and all-mountain use quite effectively. These skis have a nice and responsive flex to go along with an all-mountain shape and style. The 185 uses measurements of 126/86/108 mm to produce a 19-meter turn radius. This longer arc puts more emphasis on the skier and their desired styles of turning. You can let them run in longer turn formats and they also work well in short swing turns. If you’re trying to make a clean mid-radius arc, it’s a bit tough. Salomon utilizes a 15% tip rocker profile and a 12% tail bend to bring some versatility to the ski, but overall, it’s a very classically shaped and styled ski with minimal taper. Tester Matty Kuhnel states that “The Stance Pro 86 felt like a one ski quiver. It would make a great daily driver and gives more than it takes to save energy and ski the whole day. It was a great mix of stability and playfulness. I think it makes a good ski for the masses. They are forgiving in the bumps, make nice fast transitions in mid radius turns, and are confident with little to no chatter when charging the big carves.”

Because of its versatility, it’s got a big range in terms of audience and application. It’s a strong ski, so the audience is likely going to be more on the advanced side of the spectrum. The thicker wood core contributes to the stiffness here, and with metal in the middle, it’s quite damp and sturdy. The width allows it to be more accessible for a variety of turn shapes and styles, and makes it quick, but the build is going to keep it more in the advanced and on-trail realm. With thick edges and a thick core, these skis are insulated from a lot of unwanted vibrations.