Ski Reviews
2024 Salomon Stance 96 Ski Review
With a re-vamped build and a snazzy looking new topsheet, the 2024 Salomon Stance 96 makes a move towards energy, accessibility, and versatility. When we first got on the Stance 96 for the 2021 ski season, the sturdiness and sharp-turning ability was very apparent. Personally, I (Bob) felt an instant connection to the ski in a variety of conditions and terrain, from snowy moguls to firm groomers. Blasé graphics aside, this ski was an absolute weapon when it came to all-mountain high-performance skiing. While the Volkl Mantra, Blizzard Bonafide, and Nordica Enforcer skis of the world generally get top-billing for mid-90's all-mountain excellence, the Stance 96 basically did the ski equivalent of "hold my beer." For a variety of reasons, whether it’s appearance-based or lack of marketing effort, Stance 96 never really got its foot in the mainstream door, and we thought that was a darn shame. For 2024, Salomon is taking a slight pivot on this ski, lightening the load with a new wood core, increasing maneuverability with a refined metal laminate, and sharpening the look by bringing some color and technical themes to the mix. Overall, this new iteration should hit a broader audience of skiers who are looking for a sturdy, sharp, and energetic ski with very few limitations.
Since the big new thing with Stance 96 starts with the build, we’ll begin there as well. While the previous version used a full poplar wood core, the new 96 uses a blend of karuba and poplar, so the load has been lightened and the energy has been boosted. Karuba is known for its blend of pop and pep, so it fits in well with the new theme of the ski. The poplar still holds it down when it comes to stability and power, so rest assured, there’s still plenty of oomph when it comes to Stance 96. As has been the case in the past, the dual-metal laminate carries forward, with some tweaks to increase agility and quickness. Twin Frame 2 is the name that Salomon has decided to use here, as it’s the second iteration of this construction technique. By removing windows in the forebody and aft end of the ski and using a mix of carbon and basalt (as opposed to carbon and flax) to lighten and energize the ski, we get a consistent and round flex with amazing grip and fulfilling rebound on the back end of the turn. It’d take a pretty deft touch on the ski to feel a difference between flax and basalt fibers, so there’s not a huge/wholesale change in this material that we’ve found. The bigger difference in this ski lies in that upper metal laminate, as Salomon has removed narrow slits of metal from alongside the windows to further emphasize the dexterity of the ski in a carved turn. This also adds to the off-trail acumen—more on that later. We also get an ABS layer underfoot to stiffen the waist area and a full sheet of titanal under the core. This build results in a weight of 1920 grams per ski in the 182, which is a claimed drop of about 100 grams. The construction of these skis has always set them apart from the rest, and that trend continues going forward into 2024.
AT A GLANCE
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2024 Salomon Stance 96 Skis |
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AVAILABLE SIZES |
TURN RADIUS |
SIDECUT |
WEIGHT |
PRICE |
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168, 176, 182, 188 cm |
20 m @ 182 cm |
132 / 96 / 114 mm |
1,920 g @ 182 cm |
$749.95 |
The shape and profile of the ski has not changed, still offering a 96 mm waist and 132 mm tips with 114 mm tails in the 182. This generates a fun-loving 20-meter turn radius which is great for a well-rounded ski such as this, putting the turn shape and style squarely in the hands (or feet) of the skier. This was one of the best parts of the existing Stance 96, and it makes sense that they didn’t change it up. The mid-90's is a great place to be when it comes to true all-mountain performance, and given the slight lightening of the load, it gets even a bit more versatile. As a high-functioning directional ski, the rocker profile matches the personality. Salomon is claiming a 17% tip rocker and a 12% tail rocker with the rest as camber. By blending build, shape, and now profile, we’re getting a rocket-ship of a carving machine with a do-it-all mentality.
As with any true all-mountain ski, the Stance 96 must perform well on groomers and in a carved turn. This was one of the attributes that stood out the most when we first got on the ski, and we’re happy to report that this has not changed for the upcoming year. If anything, the ability to flex into the full sidecut of the ski has been increased, so it feels like a smoother overall carve. The power is really the only manner in which this ski has taken a slight turn to the weaker, but overall, it’s more available to more skiers. We got on it in a variety of groomer days, from ball-bearings with ice underneath to perfectly packed powder, and it’s about as fun and snappy as it gets in all, and that has a lot to do with the width—it's easy and fun to get this ski up on a higher edge angle and make some deeper arcs, and it’s also a great ski to sit back and skid upon if you’re feeling somewhat less energetic. Edge grip is fantastic, issuing a high level of confidence for the firmer days. Sure, it’s going to fall short of a true font side ski in hard pack and pure ice, but that’s an acceptable loss as far as we’re concerned given the versatile nature of the ski.
Fortunately, we also got a fair shake at this ski when it comes to off-piste, trees, and moguls. In these realms, the performance of the Stance 96 has really shone bright. The increase in maneuverability and agility due to the build makes a lot of sense when you get off trail. With a bit more flex, driving the shovels into the moguls is easier and more welcoming, while the tail still holds up if the in-between areas are icy, as they’re wont to be here in Vermont. While we’re not going to say that a 96-mm underfoot ski is innately quick, for having two sheets of metal and a high-performance ceiling, this Stance certainly falls on the agile side of the spectrum in a relative way of speaking. Compared to some other skis out there in this range, Stance 96 is one of the better ones in bumps—right up there with Elan Ripstick 96, Black Crows Serpo, and Atomic Maverick 95. With deep(er) snow in which to play in the woods, the flotation of the Stance is wonderful. There are better floaters out there for sure, even within Salomon’s line with the QST 98, but Stance 96’s blend of a lighter feel with decent rocker goes a long way in 4 to 8 inches of snow. Even in the tighter woods and oddly-spaced trees, Stance 96 had no trouble keeping up with the rhythm (or lack thereof) in our friendly glades here at Stowe. It’s actually a pretty perfect mix for around here, as the underbelly of our off-piste still tends to be on the firm side. With a fully bowed-out or bendy ski, you’re going to struggle a bit to keep the ski on its intended line, while with the sturdy Stance, you will have the confidence to tackle some pretty treacherous lines, if it happens to come to that.
All of these changes apply to the Stance 90 and the 102, so it’s not just the 96 that gets the alterations. We think it works quite well in the 96, allowing for a wider audience and a friendlier overall ski experience in addition to almost endless versatility. The attempt here, it seems, is to keep the things that worked really well about this ski, and tweak the aspects that create a more pleasing overall atmosphere. For the most part, it’s a success, with really the only ones missing out were the skiers who were seeking the Mantra/Bonafide-like power out of a Salomon. It seems like Salomon has chosen a lane with Stance 96, and it’s wider and more accessible for more skiers.
I’m an owner of the former version of the Stance 96, but haven’t yet skied it. It’s interesting you’re pitching the off piste performance for the new one commensurate with the Elan Ripstick 96. Would you be pitching the piste performance there as well? Or closer to the M6? Just curious where you think this ski now sits relative to its peers on that front as well.
Closer to the M6 in terms of on-piste, but that's more the case in terms of feel and sound rather than strictly performance. The Stance feels more damp from tip to tail like the Mantra, and it sounds the same due to a very similar metal construction. Ripstick still has that carbon feel, even though it does a great job at mimicking the metal-like performance.
SE
The whole stance series would sell better with better top sheets. This one, like the others, is underwhelming.
Ok. Demo day this year my two favorites were the Rossi Sender TI 94 and the Stance 96. The Sender had tons of pop and was pretty quick, super fun and the Stance had some of that but it was also solid an smooth on crudded-up day. Sounds like this new one moves toward that lively side. How would you compare the new Stance to the Sender?
It feels lighter and quicker than the Sender--more precise as well. Slightly more tail rocker in the Stance, so it does release from the turn with relative ease, but overall, the Stance has more stability and dampness due to the metal.
SE
Love your reviews! I have the '22 Stance 90s in 176, which I love, and am wondering if you think upgrading to the 24s would be a good idea. I am a solidly intermediate skier (I saw you are using the Carv system in one of your comments. My average carv score hovers around 115, my high is 126). I have spent more and more time on moguls and a bit in the trees as the season has gone on, and think that will be more of what I do going forward next season as I gain confidence back after a long ski hiatus. I am a big dude though. 5'11, 275ish. Will my weight mean that I get more out of the older model, or will I still get an upgrade from the lighter, new version since I plan on spending a decent amount of time off of groomers?
I'd go with the new one. Still a very strong and stable ski, especially if you're looking for more off-trail performance. Stick with the same length! Have fun!
SE
Thanks!
Curious as to how the 24 Stance compares to the 24 Rustler 9? Seems both are targeted at the same audience. 6’7” 265 advanced skier looking for one ski travel ski.
The Stance is a stronger on-trail performer with more kick out of the turn while the Rustler has more of a freeride feel to it, so that makes it a better floater and a more playful option. If you spend most of your time on-trail, I'd go with the new Stance. Have fun!
SE
I have a 2022 Volkl M6 Mantra in my quiver, so compared to that would you say the Salomon could be considered more playful or forgiving with it's new placement of metal?
Absolutely, the 2024 Stance 96 would be more playful and snappy, but still very forgiving and stable on edge. I think that is due to the new wood core which is a combination of poplar and karuba. This brings down the weight of the ski and makes is a touch softer than its predecessor. The same placement of the two sheets of metal provide stability and dampness keep the feeling of the Stance consistent with its previous versions.
SE