Salomon: Shogun Skis

Salomon's new Shogun skis rock. And not just because of the rocker shape--Salomon designed this sophisticated and remarkably wide freeride ski with a lively bamboo core and vibration-dampening volcanic basalt fibers. These natural-but-not-traditional ski components combine to reduce unsettling vibrations while still giving the Shogun plenty of edge-to-edge responsive handling. Salomon's Shogun also has a wide shape and semi-twin-tip tail that guarantees that this all-mountain monster won't sink like a stone in deep powder snow. To manage hardpack conditions, Salomon used their proven "edgy monocoque" lightweight construction to help distribute energy to the ski edges for easy turning. The Shogun also benefits from Salomon's Rocker Technology, a model-specific reverse camber near the tip that gives the Shogun excellent floatation properties without compromising all-mountain turning potential. Compared to other reverse-camber skis, the Salomon has a moderate rocker tip with a traditional ski camber beneath the binding, so the ski keeps better contact with the snow on groomed runs than the fluttering/chattering powder-hound reverse camber skis that seem to feel right in deep snow. All this said, the Shogun remains exquisite for ungroomed terrain and great for wide GS-style turns on hardpack, but if you're looking for something with a tighter turn radius, you might need to look at a ski that has a waist narrower than 100-mm. If you tend to ski places where crowds are sparse and most snow cat operators stick to the green-rated trails, the Shogun will be one of your best rides this season. If you're a woman looking for a similar freeride ski with female-friendly binding positions, check out Salomon's Women's Geisha ski.

• For advanced and expert freestyle skiers who want a freeride ski that's wide enough for deep powder and still grips well (without the flutter) on hardpack and groomed terrain
• Turn radius: 25.9 m. in 182-cm. length
• Dimensions in 182-cm. length (tip/waist/tail): 130/101/120 mm.
• Rocker height: 350 mm.
• New bamboo wood core
• Distinct volcanic basalt stone fibers for vibration dampening
• Salomon "Edgy Monocoque" construction for improved edge grip
• Salomon wide edge with thicker metal for durability and excellent shock resistance
• Wide nose, rounded profile with a semi twin tip tail
• Easy gliding P-Tex 4000 with high molecular density and graphite