Big, burly, and built for the deepest days of the year, the Rossignol Sender Free 118 is a true freeride powder ski for advanced and expert skiers. A 118 mm waist, twin rocker shape, and progressive sidecut make this ski an absolute weapon when the snow gets deep, while a poplar wood core wrapped in Diagofiber reinforcement keeps the build powerful and confidence-inspiring at speed. It's not a ski you reach for every day, but on the right day, there's almost nothing better.

Why we like it:

Air Tip is what makes this ski usable beyond storm chasers. The honeycomb tip insert reduces swing weight and gives the 118 a surprising amount of float-and-turn agility for a ski this wide, which is why it punches above its weight in tracked-out and variable powder.

Who it's for:

Advanced and expert freeride skiers who want a deep-snow specialist for big mountain lines, powder days, and creative skiing in soft snow. Best suited to bigger, stronger skiers who can drive a long-radius ski at speed.

Highlights:

Construction-wise, the Sender Free 118 borrows the lighter recipe of the Sender Free 110 and applies it to a wider, more powder-focused platform. The PEFC poplar wood core supplies the structural backbone, and Diagofiber reinforcement gives the ski its responsive flex and lateral stability without piling on weight. Rectangular full sidewalls keep edge engagement clean when you're transitioning from soft snow to firmer surfaces, and the Vibration Absorption System helps damp the chatter that comes with skiing fast through chopped-up snow. Twin rocker delivers the surfy, smearable feel that defines a real freeride ski, while the progressive sidecut means the ski can still hold an arc when you want it to. With a 22 m turn radius at the 176 (and 25 m at the 186), this ski is built for big arcs and big lines.

Things to consider:

This is a specialist tool. The 118 mm waist and long turn radius mean the Sender Free 118 isn't an everyday ski; it's a powder day setup. Skiers looking for a more versatile freeride platform should look at the Soul 102 or Sender Soul 92 for narrower, more all-mountain-capable options.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Two sizes only, and both run long. Heavier or more aggressive skiers can size up to 186 for more stability and float; lighter skiers will find 176 plenty capable in deep snow.