When we’re moving into the mid-80's for our all-mountain skis, we’re getting an ideal blend of on-trail carving capabilities with off-trail fun and versatility. The 2024 Rossignol Experience 86 Basalt is a fantastic ski for intermediates and advanced skiers who spend most of their time in an on-trail format, but they also want to keep their options open for softer snow and more challenging terrain. This ski, even though it’s been around for a few years, needs a bit more attention brought to it, and that’s on us. The blend of the lighter weight, agile nature, and versatile character makes this an excellent option for a huge range of skiers. While it shares a footprint with the Ti version, the 86 Basalt is better suited to lighter and/or less aggressive skiers. The nice thing is that even while there’s a slight dropoff in damping and stability, there’s not a huge loss of performance—it’s more that the performance is relative to the weight.

That weight is mainly due to the use of a paulownia wood core rather than a poplar one. While paulownia is lighter, it’s still quite stiff, so that’s keeping the performance at a very high level. Adding in basalt stringers to the mix, we’re getting a stiffer ski than the weight may let on. This also keeps that upper end feel firmly and squarely intact. Rossignol keeps the unwanted vibrations down through the use of their Drive Tip Solution. These interlaced fibers in the shovel of the ski act as a radiator for bad vibes, allowing the ski to remain smooth and stable, even under duress. In the 176, all of this construction adds up to a1850 grams per ski weight, making it a lot of fun in both on and off-trail situations when it comes to agility.

In the mid-80's all-mountain versatility reigns supreme. Sure, we could make an argument that the mid-90's is the most versatile, but here in Vermont, most skiers will find more success and happiness on a mid-80's ski like this one. By using a 16-meter radius in the ski, the turn shape and style can be manipulated to be shorter or longer based on the shape. There’s a long effective edge in this ski that creates a smooth running length. For those that are looking to make the most out of their runs, this is the place to be. The shape extends past the rocker in the tail, making the ski easy to use and turning at slower speeds while the upper velocities and edge angles are rewarded with a strong kick and grip out of the turn. The rocker profile is not very freeride-esque, relying more on the lack of taper and the minimal rocker that creates the front-side character of the ski.

With a lighter weight, mid-range radius, and fun-loving shape, this ski is an ideal choice for progressing intermediates and advanced skiers who are looking for that mid-bodied ski for all types of skiing and terrain. There’s a huge application for skier type on the Rossignol Experience 86 Basalt, and that’s just how they drew it up. For most skiers, a day on the hill consists mainly of groomer skiing, so it’s prudent to get the gear that most closely aligns with your day-to-day application.